Upon arriving at the village, Domaim transformed into his human form, gave me a quick greeting, and then promptly secured a room at the inn.
Shortly after, he summoned Hakuren to the inn's dining hall and began drinking sake.
Guests staying at the inn are normally provided with alcohol.
"Please listen to me, Older Sister. It’s truly horrific."
The reason Domaim had come here was simple: he was a fugitive. Apparently, he was being forced into a marriage and had fled to escape it.
Incidentally, I was also at the inn for some reason. Conversely, the residents from Village Two and Village Three who usually stayed here had evacuated to my house.
Why? Because Hakuren had practically dragged me here against my will.
"I’m the cook now?"
I prepared several dishes for Hakuren and Domaim and set them out on the table. Since they clearly wanted to drink, I focused on food that paired well with sake.
Under normal circumstances, even guests aren't entitled to all-you-can-eat service during the winter. However, Domaim had brought a substantial amount of food as a gift, so he was in the clear. I wanted him to eat his fill.
As I cooked and served, I organized the information I picked up from their conversation...
The bride candidate was a Dragon they both knew. More specifically, she was his cousin. She was apparently stronger than Domaim. Every time they met, she bullied him, so the last thing he wanted was to make her his wife.
To make matters worse, Domaim’s sister, Sekiren, had her sights set on the bride candidate’s younger brother, so she had sided with the opposition. Dos and Raimeiren were also part of the pro-marriage faction. Domaim had no allies at home. Driven to despair, he had run away.
Right, I see.
And currently, that very bride candidate was sitting right in front of Domaim across the table, also in human form.
"Are you the Village Head? I apologize for my late introduction. My name is Kuon. My father is Raimeiren-sama’s younger brother, and through that connection, it has been decided that I shall become Domaim-sama’s wife. It is a pleasure to meet you."
She wore an elegant dress. With her neatly styled, long black hair, she was a woman who exuded a traditional Japanese grace. I hadn't seen her dragon form yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if she turned out to be an Eastern dragon rather than a Western one.
"I'm Hiraku, the Village Head. Nice to meet you."
Fortunately, no one was injured during her arrival. She had apparently entered the village quietly, following the instructions of Kudel, who was out on patrol. She had come to the dining hall to greet me, saw Domaim sitting there, and simply took a seat.
At the moment, Domaim was frozen stiff, unable to move a muscle.
"Domaim-sama? Whatever is the matter? Are you perhaps nervous? Fufu. What a peculiar man you are."
"..."
"Domaim-sama. An answer, please."
"A... u-uh, yeah."
His voice sounded like it was being squeezed out of him.
"You’re happy to see me, aren't you?"
"U-Uh-huh. I’m happy."
"You’re happy that we’re getting married, aren't you?"
"............"
"Domaim-sama. I asked for an answer."
"I-I-I’ve been telling you this for ages, but I..."
"Is there another woman you fancy?"
Thick bloodlust suddenly filled the dining hall.
"Now, now, Kuon. Don’t bully my younger brother."
"Hakuren-oneesama, I am not bullying Domaim-sama. If anything, I am the one being bullied."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. We had a promise to go out together, yet he stood me up without a second thought. When I went out of my way to fetch him, he pretended he wasn't home."
"Ah... well, that is Domaim's fault."
Domaim shook his head frantically.
I understood the situation. I wanted to stay out of it, but as a fellow man, I couldn't just leave him like this.
"Hakuren. Sorry, but could you chat with Kuon for a bit? I have something to discuss with Domaim."
"Oh? If you have something to say, couldn't you just say it here?"
Kuon tried to stop us, but I nudged Domaim toward the exit and whispered to her.
"I'm going to try to persuade him to look more favorably on the marriage. Give me some time."
"...I understand. As expected of someone Hakuren-oneesama has acknowledged."
I hurried after Domaim. I suspected he might try to bolt, and sure enough, he was already looking for an escape route.
"Wait, wait." I caught him before he could disappear.
"What is it?"
"If you run now, she'll just chase you. That’ll be the end of it."
"Ugh..."
"Come on. Calm down. Let's talk."
"Talk?"
"Well, it’s like this. We only just met, but... that Kuon has a truly dangerous aura about her."
"...You can tell?"
"Yeah."
"I-I'm so glad. I'm truly glad there's someone who understands my feelings."
"Don't cry. Now, answer me honestly."
"About what?"
"Regarding this marriage to Kuon—what are your conditions?"
"Eh?"
"Assuming you do marry her. What are the things you require from your partner?"
"No, I mean, in the first place, as a marriage partner, she's..."
"Give up on that part."
"Give up...?"
"I told you she has a dangerous aura, didn't I? You can't escape her. Even if Dos and Raimeiren changed their minds and opposed the marriage now, Kuon wouldn't give up. Your luck ran out the moment you met her."
"The moment I met her? She was there the second I was born!"
"Then it's destiny. Give up."
"T-That’s so cruel!"
"Even if you give up on escaping the marriage, it's too early to despair."
"...What do you mean?"
"I'm talking about conditions. There are parts of her you dislike, right? We'll have her improve those. If she does, maybe you'll feel like you can actually live with the marriage."
"I don't think she'll ever listen to me."
"Is that so? Have you ever actually voiced these complaints to her?"
"Ah... no, I suppose I haven't..."
"Then try saying them."
"A... u..."
"It’ll be fine! In my estimation, she will definitely listen to you!"
"R-Really?"
"Yeah. But for that to happen, it’s vital that you say it clearly."
"But when I'm in front of her, I can't speak properly..."
"I see. Then write it on paper."
"Eh?"
"You can manage if it's on paper, right? Do your best. It's cold out here, so let's head back to your room for a moment."
"O-Okay."
I waved to Hakuren and Kuon in the dining hall and returned to Domaim’s room with him. I prepared a pen and paper and handed them over.
"Now. Write down your demands for her with everything you've got! Don't forget the small details! The more you write, the more she’ll change! Write until that Kuon becomes your ideal woman!"
"Y-Yes, sir!"
Leaving Domaim to face the paper with desperate intensity, I returned to the dining hall.
"Did Domaim-sama see reason?"
"Before we get to that, I have a question for you, Kuon."
"What is it?"
"Are you truly in favor of marrying Domaim?"
"Of course."
"Is Domaim really the one you want?"
"Yes. It must be Domaim-sama."
"I see. Right now, I have Domaim writing down his hopes for his future wife on a piece of paper."
"His future wife... you mean..."
"It's addressed to you. Knowing you, you’ll probably accept all of it."
We had only known each other for a short time, but for some reason, I felt I understood her character.
"Yes. Since they are Domaim-sama's wishes, I must fulfill every last one of them."
"You’re an ideal wife."
"Thank you very much."
"However, a marriage won't succeed like that."
"...What do you mean?"
"I'm not really in a position to lecture you, but... let me say this. In a marriage, it is vital that both parties acknowledge each other as equals."
"Equals...?"
"One side shouldn't be the overwhelmingly dominant one! Nor should the other be completely submissive! Becoming a couple isn't just about having children; it's about two people cooperating to build a home! Kuon! Can you do that?"
"O-Of course I can! I will show you that I can build a happy home with Domaim-sama!"
"Good. Then you write down your hopes for Domaim on this paper as well."
I held out a pen and paper to Kuon.
"Eh?"
"The things you want Domaim to do, or how you want him to act. You have those, don't you?"
"W-Well, yes, but..."
"He’s making demands of you. It's only natural for you to do the same. Don't hold back. Write it all down."
"...I understand."
I prepared a separate room for Kuon and had her start writing. Finally, it was just me and Hakuren.
"Village Head, you’re certainly being a busybody today. Was that always part of your personality?"
"Domaim is your younger brother, isn't he?"
"Is it because my brother is involved?"
"Yeah."
"Village Head."
"What?"
"I have a few demands for you too—"
"Hahaha. What a coincidence. I have some demands for you too—"
While flirting just a little, Hakuren and I enjoyed the rest of the sake and food.
The next day.
Domaim, holding his magnum opus, and Kuon, holding about twenty pages of her own, sat facing each other across the table.
"Now, exchange them."
"Eh? Um, couldn't I edit it a bit first...?"
"There is nothing in your heart that needs to be cut!"
I barked at the hesitant Domaim, and the exchange was made.
"Now, return to your rooms and read every word! All of it! Don't miss a single syllable!"
I sent them both back to their rooms.
"Will they be okay like that?"
"I don't know. But they're clashing their true feelings against each other now. It should be at least one step forward from where they were."
"I suppose so—"
I never found out if things went exactly as I predicted, but when Domaim and Kuon eventually left the village, they departed together. Domaim’s face looked a bit more refreshed than when he arrived, so I assumed things were going to be fine.
One problem had arrived and subsequently departed.
"Only Hakuren-oneesama gets to spend time with the Village Head... That's not fair."
Rusty was sulking a bit.
"Does that mean we already understand each other perfectly?"
"I’m sure it does."
"Then Husband understands our wishes as well?"
"I'm sure he does."
While flirting with Lu, Tia, Ria, Rize, Rafa, and Ann, we reconfirmed our mutual understanding.
And then...
"Please. Regarding the relationship between me and Kuorun..."
Sekiren appeared before me, treating me like some miracle consultant who had successfully advanced the relationship between Domaim and Kuon.