"Marry me, Lady Ksyusha."
"... WHAT?!"
It was a bright, sunny morning, so relaxing to soak up the sun and enjoy a cup of warm tea. However, everything changed because of this man in front of her. The man, Wilhelm Maximilian, suddenly uttered a sentence that almost made her heart jump.
Aelita Lyubov Ksyusha replied, "Why should I marry you?"
Wilhelm stared, then replied, "Because I asked you to."
Silence. Aelita stared at Wilhelm in disbelief. "Are you even serious?"
"Of course. I never doubted it," he answered confidently.
Aelita sighed, feeling exhausted even though she was just sitting quietly in this cafe. She stared blankly at the man in front of her. To be honest, Wilhelm wasn't a stranger to her. She'd known him since high school. They are not friends, but rivals in fighting for first place in every subject.
That's why Aelita was surprised. They weren't close, so why did he suddenly ask her to marry him?
As far as he knew, Wilhelm already had a wife from another family.
"Give me a clear reason. Maybe I'll consider it," he said as he placed the porcelain cup on the table.
Wilhelm nodded, he took a seat in front of Aelita. "The reason is as simple as I want a mother figure to fill the void in my children's hearts," he answered frankly.
Aelita frowned, confused. "Mother figure?"
Wilhelm closed his eyes for a moment, choosing his words. "That's right. My wife, Martha, has fallen asleep in the bosom of God. Therefore, my children have lost their mother."
"That's why I need you to fill that role." he continued.
Aelita blinked slowly. "Why? I mean, I'm a rough woman. Being wrapped up in kids or housework isn't my thing."
Aelita is well aware that she is far from being a perfect match for either of these two. She has spent many years on the battlefield, waging guerrilla warfare alongside other troops, Fighting for the country. People like her aren't fit to have a family.
"I know. That's precisely why you're the candidate I've been looking for the most," Wilhelm said firmly.
He then explained the situation in detail. "My family, Maximilian, is not a family with clean hands. There's so much that's not what the media reports. My family is... full of intrigue."
"My wife, Martha, fell victim to their filthy hands. She was brutally murdered. Therefore, Lady Ksyusha, please cooperate with me."
Aelita crossed her arms, her brain slowly coming to a conclusion. "The point is, you want me to join in your revenge scheme?"
Wilhelm nodded in agreement. "You're still as clever as ever, Lady Ksyusha."
"I know. No need to praise." Aelita changed position. "But, does it really matter? No matter how bad your family is, they are still the people who raised you."
Wilhelm was silent, not speaking for a moment. He took a deep breath, swallowing the dozens of words he had almost blurted out. "You may not know this, but I wasn't raised with love."
Aelita raised an eyebrow, surprised. Realizing she had touched on the wrong topic, Aelita quickly changed the subject. "Okay, let's say I agree. So, what reward will I receive after this?"
Nothing in this world is free, Wilhelm understood. He took out a piece of paper and handed it to Aelita, along with a pen. "Write down your wishes, and I will do my best to grant them."
Aelita nodded slowly, then wrote down what she wanted and several requirements. When he was finished, he returned the paper. Wilhelm raised an eyebrow as he read the third wish. "You want a special doll room?"
Aelita confirmed. "Yes, why?"
"No. I was just a little surprised. I didn't expect Miss Ksyusha to like cute things," he admitted.
"So you mean I can't have that kind of desire, HUH?!" Aelita snapped, banging the table, spilling her brewed tea onto the floor.
Wilhelm raised his hand, correcting himself. "No. I was just surprised. It's not a bad thing. To me, this side of you makes you look cute."
Aelita blinked rapidly, quickly looking away with reddened ears. "Is this how you woo Miss Whisperwood?"
She is a woman who blushes easily when someone gives her a compliment.
Wilhelm shook his head. "I didn't seduce her. My wife did most of the seducing."
"Yeah, whatever." Aelita got up from her seat, smoothed her clothes from micro-sized dust and said lightly. "You just prepare everything you need, I want to go home. Bye."
"Be careful on the road." said Wilhelm as he watched Aelita's back slowly disappear into the distance.
Wilhelm looked away, staring at the silver pendant filled with a beautiful portrait of his wife. "Martha, I may not be the best husband, but I will make sure your suffering is avenged."
Back on Aelita's side, the 27-year-old woman walked across the Roseburn town bridge, taking in the scenery, a panorama she hadn't seen in a long time. Slowly a smile appeared on his lips, enjoying the gentle breeze that moved the strands of his hair. Since the end of the 6 years war, Roseburn has truly become the city of his dreams.
Roseburn is the safest and most peaceful city, the crime rate has decreased drastically, leaving a peaceful atmosphere in the hearts of every citizen. Aelita's eyes dimmed. 'Will this peace last long?'
Aelita is not sure. 'Can evil be destroyed forever?'
Or just stay silent, observe, then crawl every second, gnawing at the pillars of security from underground in order to relieve the pressure on crime? Aelita wished it had never happened. She never wanted to explode again.
Drttt... Drttt...
The phone rings.
He pulled his phone out of his pocket, seeing the unfamiliar number listed there. "Who?"
"AE! Oh my gosh, it's really you?! How many years has it been, hey?!"
Aelita turned around, hearing a familiar voice on the other end of the line. "VIS! IS THAT YOU?"
"Of course. This is Vicente Duarte, your best friend since you were a fetus!!" he replied cheerfully.
"Oh my god, seriously? I thought you had drowned in some ocean, it's been so long since we last had contact," Aelita said jokingly.
"Hey, you bastard. A manly man like me wouldn't die that easily! Oh, how are you? I heard you just finished your business at the barracks, right?"
"Yes, that's how it is. I'm fine, very good in fact. How about you?"
"It's never bad. And hey, do you have a partner yet? You know, I'd be willing to live under the same roof as you," Vicente asked curiously.
Hearing this, Aelita took a deep breath. "I don't want to talk about it. And stop joking around, it won't work on me."
Vicente was silent for a moment, before laughing awkwardly. "Ah, yeah... uh, sorry, I guess. Um... how are your parents?"
"They're nice. They said they miss you too. Ugh, seriously. Is the kid actually me or you?" Aelita complained. Although she wasn't really offended by it.
"Aww, really? Tell mom and dad I miss them too. When my work is done, I'll come back to Roseburn and bring back some Silverfish food." he said enthusiastically, impatient to return to his hometown.
"Don't forget to buy me a souvenir. I'd like some alcohol if I have any," Aelita replied.
Vicente laughed, replying casually. "Sure, sure. I'll bring your favorite stuffed animal too."
"Thanks," she replied happily. "That's it for now, okay? I have to go home, or they'll scold me for hanging around all day."
Vicente chuckled loudly. "I can just imagine mom pinching your cheeks until they're swollen."
"Heii!!!"
The call ended. Aelita smiled and chuckled, pleased that her best friend had contacted her at just the right time. "Ah... I forgot to tell him about my marriage."