The next morning, Horobi made his decision. A few days of preparation later, he stood ready to leave for Orakshade.
He turned to Mio and Liora. "Mio, Liora—take care of yourselves. I have to go to Orakshade Village now."
Mio gave a strange reaction, her eyes narrowing. "Fine. But this is the last time. After this, I won't let you go there ever again. Finish everything in one trip, understand?"
"And you can tell them—if anyone troubles Mahi or tries selling her again, I'll kill them. Seize all their property. Execute her father too."
Horobi nodded seriously. "Got it. This time, that's exactly what I'll do."
Liora chimed in. "Alright, go quickly. But how will you even get there?"
"Don't worry about that," Horobi said calmly. He stepped back.
Summoning magic swirled around him. Abyss materialized—not in small form, but giant and imposing.
"Ye ye—what is this, Horobi?!" Mio gasped. "Abyss grew huge!"
"Haha... I unlocked his giant form. With his speed, I'll be there in 10 minutes."
"Ohh, then fine. Three days. You have exactly three days. Come back fast."
"Okay. See you, Mio. Bye."
"Go carefully, Horobi."
Horobi muttered darkly to himself, "If Paul had a hand in this... I won't forgive him. Just keep Mahi safe."
A Hopeless Bride
Mahi sat in her bridal dress, utterly dejected. Silent tears fell.
"Horobi... why haven't you come yet? You lied about coming back. If only you'd arrived sooner, I'd have left with you."
What if that dragon chased him? Did it attack him on the way? Please, just be safe. Maybe he's resting at home now.
If he comes today... he'll definitely come.
But if he shows up here... no, they'll kill him. I won't be able to stop myself. Please, Horobi, never come back.
Hopeless, with no options left, she looked at her father. Forcing a smile, Mahi said, "Don't you feel ashamed selling your own daughter for money? What kind of father are you?"
Paul snapped. "Shut up. This is all for your benefit."
Mahi smiled bitterly, turning to Geri. "I always suspected you were headman. No wonder."
Geri sneered. "No use talking. Soon you'll be mine. I'll keep you happy—I love you so much. Your only job: please me every night. In return, you'll get everything."
"Fool. You think marrying me gets you anything? I'm already someone else's. And pregnant too. All you can do is marry me."
She whispered to herself, If I say this, maybe he'll let me go.
"Even if he didn't come today, one day he will. And I'll leave with him. You just watch."
Paul glared furiously. "Ahh! Who is this insolent—"
Geri exploded in rage, lunging at Mahi. He grabbed her hair and slapped her hard.
SLAP!!
The force jolted her body. Mahi gasped, breath catching as stinging heat spread across her jaw.
Hiss!
The room fell deathly silent, only the echo of flesh on skin remaining.
"I'll kill that man!" Geri roared. "What's his name?!"
"Even if you kill me, I won't tell," Mahi spat.
Geri raised his hand again.
A soldier burst in. "Geri! Young Master calls you."
"Sorry, my lord—but he told me to address you like that. Said no respect for you."
Geri froze in shock. "Young Master came? But we heard he wouldn't!"
"Good he came. Paul, control your daughter. No drama in front of him, or I'll kill her and her lover both."
"Yes, my lord. I'll handle it."
Mahi trembled and clamped her mouth shut. Geri lowered his hand, storming off toward Horobi.
Geri led Horobi to a special room, bowing excessively. "My lord! You've honored me greatly by coming!"
"I need to see Paul. Bring him here. Quickly."
Geri rushed to Paul. "Paul, what did you do?"
"Nothing, my lord! Why?"
"Young Master's calling you. He's furious. Hurry before he gets angrier!"
"Ahh, coming."
They approached Horobi together.
"Yes, my lord? You called?"
"Yes. So you're Paul."
"Y-yes, my lord."
"Wait here both of you. Don't move. I'll be back soon."
Horobi stepped out. Geri tried following, but a soldier shoved him back. "Didn't you hear Young Master?"
Horobi entered Mahi's room. She sat quietly in the corner. "Mahi... is that you?"
Mahi turned. Her eyes reddened.
Seeing Horobi, she burst into tears. "Horobi! Horobi, how are you here? You're safe, right?!" She ran and hugged him tight. "Where were you? Did that dragon hurt you?!"
Horobi blinked, confused. "Dragon?"
"Forget that—run now! Everyone's busy. No one knows you. Leave before they realize who you are. They'll kill you! And some Young Master came today."
"Who's this 'boy' you're talking about?" Horobi asked.
Mahi shut her mouth, then whispered, "Sorry... I should have told you sooner. None of this would have happened."
"What do you mean, Mahi? Tell me."
She placed a finger on his lips. "I... I love you, Horobi." She kissed him.
"I lied to them—said I'm pregnant, and you're the father. So he wouldn't marry me. But I didn't know the wedding would still happen. And now you're here—go, Horobi! Before they kill you. For me, leave!"
Horobi said nothing and walked out.
Back in the room, seething with rage, he barked, "Start the ceremony now. I have other work."
Geri bowed. "My lord, please come first. How can I start without you?"
"Fine. Go ahead. I'll be there in 5 minutes."
Geri dragged Paul outside and ordered the ceremony to begin.
Geri eyed Mahi. "Now you'll be mine soon. Then I'll kill that child."
Mahi met his gaze and smiled faintly.
Good. Horobi left safely.
Geri frowned. Why's she smiling? Thinks that boy will save her? Idiot. With all these soldiers, he won't come back.
"Come, my lady. Time's up. I can't wait anymore."
Mahi followed silently.
The Wedding Interrupted
The final ritual began. The priest turned to Geri. "Do you accept this marriage?"
Geri grinned. "Yes, I accept."
The priest looked to Mahi. "Do you accept this marriage?"
Silence from behind.
Geri glared back furiously.
Suddenly—a voice rang out.
"No."
Geri whipped around, enraged. "Who dares—?!"
He froze. Horobi stood there. Geri stammered, "My lord... you."
Tears welled in Mahi's eyes. Why didn't he leave? Still, she ran toward him.
For insulting Horobi, soldiers tackled Geri to the ground.
Mahi blinked in shock. Why are they beating Geri—their own man?
Horobi spoke coldly. "I don't accept this marriage."
"Any problem?" Geri gasped from the floor.
"Aren't you shocked about marrying Mahi?"
Geri whimpered. "No, Young Master—my mistake. But why save this girl?"
"Because I'm that boy."
"You think you could kill me?"
"No no, my lord! I didn't know she was yours! I'd never have—"
Mahi couldn't understand. Why fear Horobi so much? Is he really that rich?
"Oh? You didn't know. My fault then. I'll apologize for this mistake."
"Soldiers—arrest them both. They've lost their positions. I'll deal with you later."
Horobi declared, "Paul, you're no longer a village elder. Geri, no longer headman."
Geri pleaded. "My lord, but why?"
Mahi stood stunned. "My lord? Young Master? I don't understand. Who are you, Horobi?"
Horobi smiled gently. "Come. We'll talk somewhere else."
Mahi hugged him tight, crying again. "I thought you'd never come. My prince."
"Forgive me. Got busy. Won't happen again. Watch."
"Hmm."
Villagers murmured. "Who is this boy?"
Horobi addressed them. "The pregnancy was a lie. Hope you understand."
Truth at the Lake
Horobi took Mahi to the lake.
"Mahi... I truly apologize. This happened because of me. If I'd come sooner—"
Mahi shook her head. "No, your fault? You came for me—that's everything."
"By the way... remember what I said earlier?"
"Ahh... Mahi, there's a problem. It's not that I don't like you, but I'm already engaged."
"What? Really engaged?"
"Yes. Sorry I didn't tell you before."
"No issue. Make me your second or third wife if you want. I don't mind. Just—"
Don't leave me alone. I can't live without you, Horobi. I love you so much. Even little time is fine.
"Hmm. Not that. But you need permission from those two first. Until then, come with me. I'll try."
"Where?"
"Don't you want to know who I am?"
Horobi activated summoning magic.
Abyss appeared.
"That big dragon... you called it? You can summon dragons?!"
Horobi mounted. He extended his hand. "Talking about this dragon, right? Want to know who I am? Come."
Mahi took his hand, climbing up. She clung to him tightly.