CHAPTER 46: CHAPTER: 46 YOU WOULDN’T HAVE MARRIED ME?

The man’s voice was filled with mischief as he looked at his wife.

Though his complexion couldn’t be seen because of the white patch, her reaction made it clear, his expression must have been full of love for her.

"Why do you have to be so angry every day?" he asked, his tone carrying the air of a man unjustly accused, though both of them knew it was an act.

Eli let out a soft snort, crossing her arms. "You taught Ian those awful words again, didn’t you? I warned you not to say things like that in front of him!"

"Hm?" Hearing her words, the man let out a puzzled hum, trying to recall when he had ever used those words in front of his son.

But he couldn’t remember, mainly because he swore so often whenever he was outside his wife’s sight that the moments blurred together.

So, he tried to deny it while carefully avoiding her sharp gaze. "Well... I don’t remember anything about that," he said, his tone just a little too casual.

"Hamh! Don’t try to act all innocent," Eli shot back, folding her arms with a huff.

"You were always like this. Even back in the capital, no matter how many times I warned you, you’d still end up swearing in front of Father." She paused, tilting her chin upward in mock irritation. "If I’d known better, I wouldn’t have fallen in love with you... or married you in the first place."

"You wouldn’t have married me, huh?" he repeated with a grin. "You said the same thing back when we first met, right before you slapped me for breaking your candles."

These words caused them to drift into the past.

Originally, Eli came from a pure blooded Brahmin family[1], while the man had lived the life of a wandering mercenary, roaming from one corner of the empire to another with nothing but his sword and his will to survive.

When he first visited the capital, fate played its quiet trick, he met Eli by chance.

Back then, Eli had been a very proud girl. Well, truth be told, she still was. But at that time, her pride had reached its final, most unyielding stage.

They met at a small street stall during the grand Diwali festival[2]. The entire capital had been bathed in golden light that night, for the Emperor himself had decreed that every household, rich or poor, must light at least one candle in celebration.

The mercenary had gone to a humble shop to buy his share of candles, and that was where their paths first crossed.

On his way back, he accidentally bumped into Eli and broke the candles she had just bought.

Though it was purely an accident, he quickly apologized. But Eli, being as proud as she was, refused to let it go so easily.

She made a fuss, claiming that he had done it on purpose, just so he could talk to a beautiful girl like her.

And when she said that, that she was beautiful, the man couldn’t resist teasing her.

Deep down, he already knew she was stunning, but admitting it out loud would have wounded his pride as a man.

So he smirked and said, "Beautiful? You? Go take a good look at yourself in the mirror."

That single sentence was enough to pierce her pride like a sword.

Her cheeks flushed with anger, and before he could react, she slapped him, hard enough to make the onlookers laugh and the festival drums drown his protest.

They hated each other back then, or at least, that’s what they told themselves. But fate had other plans.

After several more chance encounters, the hatred slowly turned into affection, and that affection into love.

When the man went to her house to ask for her hand in marriage, her father had sharply refused.

He wouldn’t let that man marry his daughter, no matter what.

When the man asked why, her father replied in a stern voice, "Look at you. Your mouth is awful, and you don’t even have a stable source of income. How am I supposed to give my only daughter to someone like you?"

At that moment, Eli tried to explain, "But Father, I’ll be happy with him."

Her eyes shone with a warmth that could melt anyone’s heart, and her father’s stern gaze softened.

After a long pause, he finally said, "Fine. I’ll give you a trial."

He turned to the man. "You’re forbidden from using those awful words, no matter what happens. I’ll give you a piece of land, you’ll farm it for two years. If you can prove that you’re capable and determined enough for my daughter, then I’ll give you my blessing. Do you agree?"

The man’s eyes blazed with resolve. "Then you’d better start preparing the wedding dress, Father-in-law," he declared with a grin. "In just four years, I’ll even give you a few grandchildren."

Eli’s cheeks burned red at his boldness, while her father snorted, hiding a small smile. Deep down, he was pleased.

If this man could endure such hardship for his daughter, then perhaps she truly would live a happy life. And so, after the man fulfilled his promise, Eli’s father kept his word.

Eventually, they got married and moved to this distant mountain, far from the noise of the empire, to fulfill Eli’s long-cherished wish for a life of quiet adventure.

And now, they had a life anyone would envy, peaceful, hidden from the world, shared with their beloved son, Ian.

For Eli, it was everything she had ever dreamed of.

After recalling those delightful memories, they both got off the bed.

She looked at the man with eyes full of love. Life truly was full of surprises, if someone had told her back then that she would fall this deeply for him, she would’ve given them a few sharp slaps.

Yet, as time passed, she found herself loving this man more than anything else in the world.

"Go wash up. Breakfast is ready, and after that, go cut some firewood," she said in a commanding tone as she left the room.

"Yes, ma’am," the man replied obediently, a small grin tugging at his lips.

*******

After they had finished breakfast, he came outside, doing some light stretching with his weapons.

The man wore a leather jacket made from animal hide and a pair of sturdy leather boots.

Though he had moved to the mountains with his family and given up the life of chasing money, he had never stopped practicing with his weapons.

Being a mercenary wasn’t exactly an honorable profession, they went wherever the money led, and loyalty was easily bought or broken, but he still took pride in being a warrior. It was who he was.

He never stopped honing his skills, and he often tried to teach them to his son. But Eli would always refuse, saying, "He will turn into a brute if he becomes a warrior."

After finishing his morning training, the man wiped the sweat from his body and walked to the wall of the hut, where an axe hung.

Tsk!

He tested the edge with his fingers, then clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction.

"The blade’s gone dull," he muttered.

Picking up a flat stone from the ground, he began sharpening the axe, each scrape echoing softly in the still mountain air.

He kept sharpening the axe until a satisfied smile spread across his face. Rising from the ground, he gave the blade a few quick swings through the air and nodded.

"That’ll do for today," he murmured.

After a brief pause, he called out, his voice carrying through the crisp morning air, "Champ! Let’s go break a sweat!"

At his voice, Ian came running, a wide, excited smile lighting up his face.

From his appearance, it was clear he had already prepared for the morning’s work, leather shoes on his feet and a leather jacket draped over his small frame, mirroring his father’s rugged attire.

"Are you ready, champ?" the man asked.

"Yes!" Ian replied, his smile full of enthusiasm.

After patting his son’s head, the man called toward the hut, "Wife, we’re heading out."

"Okay, come back before lunch, and don’t wander around!" came the reply from inside. Her voice carried a faint warmth and rhythm that suggested she was busy in the kitchen.

"Let’s go, champ."

With that, the father-and-son duo started making their way down the mountain, the morning sun casting long shadows behind them.

_______

[1]In ancient times, society was divided into four groups, each with its own role and responsibility.

Brahmins – They were the seekers and teachers of knowledge. Their duty was to study the scriptures and guide the next generation.

Kshatriyas – They protected the people and governed the land.

Vaishyas – They were traders and farmers, responsible for earning and managing wealth.

Shudras – They served and supported the other three groups, making daily life run smoothly.

Originally, these divisions were not based on birth but on a person’s deeds and qualities. If someone born a Shudra possessed wisdom and discipline equal to that of a Brahmin, he would be regarded as a Brahmin. The same principle applied to all others.

So, when it is said that someone is a pure-blooded Brahmin, it means their family has continued the ancient duty of seeking and sharing knowledge across generations.

[2] Many people may already know what Diwali is but still for those who don’t know Diwali is the festival of lights. For more information you can search it online.