New chapter of May Our Village be Happy is out (1/2 chapters)

 

 

Wedding Ceremony (2)

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“I offer my heartfelt congratulations once again to Lord Valentine and his lady upon this union.” (Fontanier)

“We thank you, Lord Fontanier.” (Mika)

The one who next came forth to offer his congratulations was Pierre Fontanier, the lord of the neighboring eastern territory. Standing beside Mika, Ayla bowed gracefully in acknowledgment.

“Truly, you never cease to surprise me, my lord. Merely two years ago, you appeared in the neighboring village and declared yourself its ruler, and before long, you repelled an invasion by a powerful northern lord, wed the daughter of a distinguished family, and even distinguished yourself in the recent war.” (Pierre)

Pierre spoke with a touch of amazement, and Mika replied with a wry smile.

They conversed for some time afterward, but compared with the earlier Meldars couple, Pierre’s manner seemed somewhat awkward. At first glance he carried himself well enough in polite society, yet he scarcely looked in Ayla’s direction, so little that it seemed deliberate.

From that, Mika could easily surmise that Pierre, like many others beyond his own territory, found himself uneasy with Ayla’s “eccentricity”. Mika did not reproach him for this reaction, nor did Ayla take offense. Considering the culture and values of this world, Pierre’s response was far more natural, and it was their own sensibilities that were unusual. Unless openly insulted, they had agreed beforehand not to take issue with such things.

After Pierre presented his gift, fragrant herbs, a specialty of his territory, and withdrew, other guests came forth one after another to offer their greetings. Many were young heirs or retainers sent as representatives from the northern hill lords with whom Mika had developed ties during the recent conflict. Even a messenger from the Howellz Household, with whom a tenuous peace had been reached, was among them. Yet they too seemed uncertain how to regard Ayla’s presence.

When Ayla stepped aside to speak with her family, Mika was approached by his western neighbor, Douglas Collete.

“I had heard tales of the eccentric young lady of Hewitt Household, yet never did I imagine you would be the one to wed her. I was astonished when I learned of it. Tell me, did you choose this marriage for the sake of her family’s standing?” (Douglas)

Though the question was blunt, even coarse, Douglas’s tone lacked any malice. It was entirely in keeping with his character. However free-spirited his speech might be, Mika appreciated that he waited until Ayla was absent before broaching such a matter.

“Not at all. It is her character that won my heart. As a man, I am profoundly happy to be united with her.” (Mika)

“Is that so? Well, her taste in clothing and the like is utterly beyond my comprehension, but if you speak so, then it is no concern of mine. I am simply glad that my neighbor has found happiness in marriage.” (Douglas)

“I am grateful. I hope that we shall continue as good neighbors.” (Mika)

Douglas’s wedding gift, unsurprisingly, was a selection of his own smoked meats. Having tasted them before and found them genuinely delicious, Mika received them with pleasure.

 

—

 

In the latter half of the banquet, after exchanging words with every guest and receiving their blessings, Mika offered his return courtesy.

At occasions such as this, it was customary to present a luxury item or a local specialty in return. Yet Mika chose a different approach. Just as he had once shared the design of a threshing machine, he now revealed a new device he had named the “fanning mill”.

“As you can see, only the grain passes through the bottom, while the chaff and straw are expelled through the side openings. One person turns the handle while another pours in the grain from above, and the sorting is completed swiftly. Together with the threshing machine, this tool has been widely adopted in my territory since this year.” (Mika)

“I see. This is quite a clever contrivance indeed.” (Douglas)

Demonstrating the device with freshly harvested barley, Mika explained its use. Douglas spoke in admiration, and the other guests, too, murmured in wonder and interest among themselves.

“My territory is still poor, without any true specialty to speak of. Thus, I believed that sharing useful knowledge such as this would be of greatest benefit to all.” (Mika)

“The threshing machine you shared last year has already proven invaluable in my lands. With this new device as well, the burden of threshing, long a hindrance to our agricultural development, will be greatly reduced. This is a return gift surpassing any luxury or local delicacy.” (Sandra)

At Sandra’s words, the other guests nodded and voiced their agreement.

“I am deeply glad that you find it useful. Please, come closer if you wish. You may touch and test it yourselves. I shall even dismantle one to show its inner workings in detail.” (Mika)

At his invitation, the guests gathered around the machine for a closer look and further explanation.

In any case, such a device would soon become known to other houses. Better, then, to disclose it openly and use it to strengthen ties with neighboring lords. Watching their reactions, Mika felt certain that his strategy had achieved its intended effect.

“A remarkable talent indeed, my lord. You are a master of thought magic and a wise and enterprising ruler as rumor claimed. I am impressed.” (Glenda)

By the time the demonstration drew to an end, it was Glenda, Ayla’s elder sister and the heir to House Hewitt, who approached him with these words.

“To hear such praise from my sister-in-law, Glenda-dono, is an honor.” (Mika)

Mika smiled as he spoke, and Glenda returned the smile, nodding before turning her gaze toward Ayla, who was conversing with their cousin Sandra.

“As Ayla’s sister, I am truly grateful that a man has appeared who can accept her as she is. Having now met you in person, I can understand why our father placed his trust in you. However, there is one thing I must say, though it may sound discourteous.” (Glenda)

Glenda turned to face Mika, her expression grave.

“In this world, any house may perish at any moment. I do not demand that you promise always to protect or to make Ayla happy. But if ever you were to wound or harm her intentionally, I, as the next head of House Hewitt, would never forgive you. Remember that.” (Glenda)

Mika felt both surprise and understanding at her words.

Though he believed his reputation in this region was decent, true trust required time to build. To others, he was still a newcomer with unknown depths. And in any world, stories of gentle suitors who changed cruelly after marriage were all too common. Considering that Ayla’s individuality had long made her an object of avoidance among men, Glenda’s wariness of him, whom she had just met, was only natural.

“I shall take your words to heart. If ever I were to bring unhappiness to Ayla through malice, I could not forgive myself. In that case, you may burn me at the stake or tear me apart as you see fit.” (Mika)

Mika spoke with solemn sincerity. Glenda’s eyes widened slightly, then softened into a small smile.

“I believe and hope that you will cherish Ayla. Once again, I entrust my sister to you. Let our two houses build a lasting friendship.” (Glenda)

“I shall do my utmost to be worthy of that trust. I will see that House Valentine grows into a house befitting its alliance with the Hewitts. I look forward to our continued friendship.” (Mika)

With those words, Mika and Glenda clasped hands.

 

—

 

In this world and in this age, it was among a human’s highest duties to preserve one’s bloodline and ensure the survival of one’s house. Marriage was both a bond of affection and an alliance between families, and it also held great significance as the foundation for the birth of heirs.

Thus, the consummation of marriage on the wedding night carried the weight of ritual.

After the long banquet had ended, Mika and Ayla bathed and purified themselves before entering their shared chamber. They lay side by side upon the spacious, neatly made bed.

Soon after, Mika found himself being tenderly embraced by Ayla. She cradled his head against her chest, indulging him as though he were a child.

“Hehehe… my dear Mika, my beloved Mika. You are such a good boy, such a sweet one. From now on and forever, I will cherish you like this.” (Ayla)

As she whispered softly into his ear, Mika reflected.

Since his return from the northern expedition, Ayla’s displays of affection had grown noticeably more fervent. He supposed that seeing the man she loved march to war and waiting anxiously for his return had changed something in her heart.

Even so, tonight she was exceptionally ardent. Perhaps she had restrained herself before marriage under the eyes of her chaperones, but now, alone together, her affection overflowed, passionate, straightforward, and a little peculiar.

“As a lord, you are the protector of all who live in these lands. But as a man, you belong to me alone. I shall have you all to myself, from the crown of your head to the tips of your toes, every part of you is mine.” (Ayla)

Her words came between countless kisses that fell upon his lips, his face, and his neck as her hands caressed him with gentle devotion. Even the plush toy Amber had been turned to face the wall, forgotten in the corner. Ayla’s entire attention and affection were focused solely upon Mika.

“You work so hard and strive always for everyone’s sake. From now on, I will be the one to heal you. Every night, I will soothe you. You may entrust everything to me, for I am yours, and you are mine.” (Ayla)

With that, Ayla straddled him. Her eyes glimmered with rapture as she swiftly undressed him and began removing her own garments.

“Hm, this is quite something.” (Mika)

Looking up at her as her bare form was revealed, Mika murmured with satisfaction.

To be pampered by such an eager wife and to surrender all control, by most standards, was an unmanly display unfit for any witness. Yet he found it far from unpleasant. In truth, it was rather delightful. Feeling as though a new door within his heart had opened, Mika entrusted himself wholly to Ayla.

Their first night together passed in joy.

 

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