Chương 360: Chapter 342. Hypothetically Speaking About Arranged Marriages

John Ericsson's Point Of View" So, you're saying that you got angry remembering all of the conflicts that your people and the Elves had gotten into... Haahhh..." All I could do was breath out... Who was I to tell a King what could and couldn't anger him? However, saying that, I could make a simple request. As Sarah and Anna entered the room behind me, I whimpered my request out through quick breaths." Well... King Leonard, King Warrick...

Please, control yourselves so that my house will stay standing when you leave, please." They both nodded to my request... Perhaps it was due to my use of 2 "pleases"? Either way, they agreed... That's nice at least... I guess I should sit down and ready myself to act as a middleman. The fatigue from just waking from Mana Exhaustion was palpable to me. One minute I was tapping on Anna's shoulder to let me breathe, which was ignored I might add...

And the next moment, the mansion was shaking like an earthquake had struck Paradise and the Roselands as a whole. If not for the fact that I could sense the mana that was causing the disturbance, I would've started taking Sarah and Anna to find cover from anything collapsing or falling on us. Once I felt the mana however, I quickly ran to its source. While I was finally catching my breath and calming my pulse, Queen Crystal decided to inform me of a piece of trivia." To be fair...

That wasn't the only thing we were discussing that caused My Husband to lose his temper, Marquess Matthew." Queen Crystal seemed to be observing me... No, it looks like Aqua was too... What is she planning? Regardless, the conversation doesn't look like it'll proceed unless I ask." What was this other topic exactly?" Queen Crystal leaned back into one of the chairs I prepared for the Kings and Queens to sit in before they arrived here in Paradise before answering me. It seems she's comfortable in it...

I suppose that's a win in some way?" An Arranged Marriage."" Between Diablos and Darkheim?"" Yes, we thought about who the correct people would be to match with." I didn't think it was necessary a bad idea, since I know from back in the history of my world that a lot of alliances between countries or warring tribes were settled through marriage, but why inform me of this? It looked like Aqua saw through my thoughts and looked to answer them."

Since Darkheim has 2 eligible Princesses, we were trying to figure out which of them we should try to pair with one of my 3 Sons. Or perhaps, paring Cynthia with Prince Donatello."" Mother!"" Mom!" Both Charlotte and Cynthia both stood up and called to their mothers. Their mothers simply looked at them. I assume from the looks that were given, the daughters could tell that arguing wasn't up for debate, they both sat down with strange looks on their faces.

I couldn't help but notice that now everyone besides Charlotte and Cynthia were staring at me. Why that was, is something I didn't know." What would you think of something like that happening, Marquess Matthew?" King Leonard asked me the question... I wanted to answer truthfully, but both of the Kings and Queens were staring at me with interest. I guess I took too long to formulate an answer, this time Queen Crystal spoke to answer my question. Is my face really that readable?"

Don't worry, Marquess Matthew, just answer honestly, I promise that we will hold nothing against you. And would your In-Laws really treat you differently just for stating your honest opinion?" Warrick and Aqua definitely wouldn't, but King Leonard... Well, Charlotte is my Subordinate at the end of the day. Not to mention that all the Dreadnaughts are now my Family as well... I should just be honest." I'm of 2 minds on the subject of Arranged Marriages."" And what would they be exactly?"

Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. King Leonard pressed for more information." Well... As a Marquess of Diablos. I think forging closer ties with the Dark Elves is a good thing. They've been quite isolationist over the time they've been in the Shadow Forest after all. Also, I find it hard to believe that a Marquess should even be questioned about something like this... That's my opinion as a Noble of Diablos."" Oh? And what about this other opinion of yours?"

Queen Crystal pushed for an answer. Well... Here goes nothing... I hope King Leonard and Queen Crystal don't get too angry with me." Speaking selfishly as just Matthew Drake, as someone who's met all of the Nyx children now and who's met most of the Dreadnaught children. I think it'd be a terrible idea for them. For Alex, he already has someone he has feelings for.

So, I'd rather he continues to follow his heart instead of being cursed to follow through on some Arranged Marriage that's come from out of nowhere into his life. As for Tommy, I find he's married to his work, so if he were to marry someone, I feel like the wife wouldn't be given his full attention. Princess Melissa's teasing would probably only grate on his mind as they continue to spend time with each other. Prince Donatello, I have no idea about as he's stayed pretty quiet for the time I've known him.

I've yet to meet Andros, so I don't know how well they would fit together, so I don't feel at liberty to speak about him in any way if I'm being honest"" So those are the Princes that are available, what about the Princesses, Marquess Matthew?" Queen Crystal pushed for more information this time." Princess Melissa, like her brother Donatello, I've yet to spend any amount of time with, but judging from the fact that she confessed to me and seemed to dig for answers afterward...

I can only offer the person who does fall for her, the best of luck."" Hey! I'm not that bad! How could you talk bad about someone you just rejected!?"" You're correct, Princess Melissa, but as I've said, I'm speaking selfishly as Matthew Drake. I apologize if I've brought any offense."" Hahahaha!" Prince Donatello and Delcan began to laugh in unison at my reaction to Princess Melissa. The rest of the people who were there for her confession seem to be stifling their laughter.

After a few moments of levity, the atmosphere seemed to become even more looming as Warrick spoke to me." Removing the rest of them, we're left with only 2 Princesses, what do you think of them, Matthew?" I looked back and forth at Cynthia and Charlotte before answering his question. Well... Here goes nothing, I guess?" Starting with Cynthia, first and foremost, she's too young to be put into an Arranged Marriage. She's 17 now, isn't she?"" Yes." Sarah answered my question...

She's mysteriously quiet about all of this." I'll have you know that the Engagement wouldn't result in an immediate Marriage like with you and Sarah, it would happen later down the road, most likely when Cynthia turns 19 or 20."" I still don't like it."" Why?"" Because Cynthia's not In Love with Donatello."" Is that all it takes for you? whether Love is there or not?" Prince Donatello asked me that question, he seemed surprised at it. I looked at him and answered him honestly."

Love is everything when it comes to Marriage... Or at least that should be the case in my opinion. No amount of Responsibility to your Nation can make your home a happy one... Children can, but I don't think that would solve the issue between the husband and wife though."" So, you're coming at this from the angle, that she's too young and you don't want her in a loveless marriage?"" I'd also say the same thing for Charlotte... With the added reason that she's a trusted Subordinate.

And that I don't want to add on any stress to her. She's already still adjusting to living and working in Paradise. That also doesn't even include the fact she hasn't even moved into her home yet because she's been so busy."" But Charlotte is 21, she's at a perfectly normal age to Marry."" Again, I'd find the idea of a loveless marriage to be intolerable. Speaking as someone who's known Charlotte for a few months at this point, I'd rather her be happy with her partner, no matter who it was.

Again, this is all from the perspective of Matthew Drake being selfish."" So, these marriages are intolerable for you no matter what? Are you sure?" Queen Crystal seems to be poking for something. Maybe this should shu-- I mean answer her questions... Along with Aqua's." It's to the point that if they'd ask me for support for their refusal, I'd give it."" Those are big words to say, Marquess Matthew... How would you take responsibility for that?"

"!"

"!" Now even Cynthia and Charlotte are looking at me as I answer these questions... Also, my idea of stopping the questions didn't seem to work." I'd..."" You'd?" Aqua and Queen Crystal were nearly leaning off of their seats." I'd offer them a place in this mansion and make sure that they were safe from anyone that would do them harm, Protect and support from any threat. Until of course, the marriage is cancelled, or they find and Marry the man of their choice."

Aqua and Queen Crystal leaned back into their chairs... Why are they so weird? Sarah tapped on my shoulder and said something that lit the room on fire... And made me confused for a moment." My Love... You just described doing everything a husband would be expected to do for a wife, minus anything romantic or having them look for a suitable husband." I quickly looked towards Cynthia and Charlotte and noticed that they were both blushing heavily... When is all of this questioning going to end!?"

Well, this is certainly interesting to hear, Marquess Matthew." Princess Melissa had a wide teasing smile on her face as she looked at Cynthia, Charlotte and me blushing." It's nice to know that you care so much about Our Daughters, Marquess Matthew." Queen Crystal wasn't much different from her eldest daughter. She smiled at me, her eyes seemed to be trying to tell me something, but I was far too bothered at the moment to think about what she'd like me to know.