"Namisa, you should already know that, right? The next generation of Holy Wood priestess must marry the heir to the elf king."

The damn elf king, Kalmen, said this to me.

Hmph, what a joke! Marrying with someone I've never even seen before? And he is a Wolf-Blood Elf from far west.

Why do they even call themselves Wolf-Blood Elves!? Are they really the undead warriors that are proud of sharing wolf blood!?

How old-fashioned...

------------------------------

"Tsk, damn elf king. When I come back, I will overcome my fear and take back my sister..."

This happened on the fourth day after Nalesha ran away and returned home. At that day I hung my body with the vines on the tall ancient tree of the elves and tried to escape the elf clan under the cover of the thick night.

However... as I was descending, my hand slipped and I torn the vine...

After that, I plummeted straight down with an acceleration of 9.78 meters squared per second .

Based on this speed, I would experience a force equivalent to a mid-rank Falling Rocks spell upon when I am about to land .

"Waaaah! Isn't that going to hurt a lot!!? Ah, wait... it doesn't seem that hurtful?"

However, a helpless cry sounded under my body.

Ah, I fell on someone...

------------------------------

"Oh, I am sorry for being out so late, no wonder I got stepped on..."

Hey, it's my own fault, I don't need you to pretend to take responsibility...

I couldn't see the face in the darkness, but from the voice, he seemed to be a male.

But it didn't matter anymore.

I picked up my belongings, gave him a brief greeting, then ran towards the teleportation circle.

"Hey, wait, miss, where are you going so late at night?"

"To escape from a forced marriage."

I said without looking back.

"Escape... from a forced marriage?"

I don't know why, but hearing his naive tone, I immediately got angry, then I turned around to argue with him.

"Of course! In this era of free love, why is there still arranged or forced marriage!?"

"Well... um, good point ..."

"Of course! You people just talk easily without any understanding! How can someone who hasn't experienced an arranged marriage understand my feelings! I have... I have someone I love in my heart..."

Just the thought of Nalesha's adorable face made me almost burst into tears...

Though it was dark, I noticed the man's arm twitch twice, then he let out a sigh of lament.

"Ha, sure, you are right... arranged marriage is wrong, outdated, and should be abolished. By the way, as an Elf Princess, you should have many suitors, right?"

He could deduce who I am based on my current situation. So it seemed that this man isn’t so dumb at all, but why did he ask such a silly question?

"So, the reason why no one pursues me is because I am an Elf Princess! I don't even know about any person that is interested in me! Everyone knows I have to marry that Wolf-Blood Elf who appeared out of nowhere! I can only watch the person I love from afar and vent my feelings!"

"..."

The man took a deep breath, and shook his head with a smile.

"Well, I apologize, Princess."

"Huh? You're apologizing? Who do you represent? You're just an ordinary..."

"Just an ordinary Wolf-Blood Elf prince. I apologize for stepping in your life. I apologize sincerely..."

As soon as he finished his words, a red flame illuminating the darkness appeared in the palm of his hand.

In that light, a face that is much sharper and more determined than the Holy Wood Elf's with slightly melancholic blue pupils hiding a nearly imperceptible smile appeared, but most obvious is his..

His fiery, curly red long hair.

"...Eh...eh? Eh!!??"

I almost forgot my predicament and let out a series of high-pitched words.

"Ah, my esteemed, noble, pure Miss Namisa, I am your arranged fiance, the firstborn of the Wolf-Blood Elf King, Hayand.."

"Ha!?"

The horrifying truth made me abandon my long-held ladylike image and let out a mentally disturbed cry.

He scratched his head, spread his hands, and said

"Well... Isn't it almost time for both of us to be adult? And I received a summons from the Elf King, and coincidentally, I also want to see what my fiancée looks like a bit earlier, so here I am. Unfortunately, I arrived at midnight, and I was planning to quietly pay my respect to the ancestors of Holy Wood and leave, but unexpectedly I ran into you."

"Is that so!?"

"Well, you are even more beautiful than I imagined, and you are also an interesting person with insights, principles, and individuality. Speaking of which, I'm a bit jealous of the person who has won your heart. So, My princess, you don't have to go through the so-called arranged marriage. I will voluntarily request a divorce to the Elf King."

Hayand emitted a lonely sigh and smiled bitterly at me.

"After all... As Wolf-blood elves, we would never do something as despicable as ruining someone else's relationship."

"Is that so?"

I shrugged, then put my bag on the back and started to walk away.

"Eh? Princess Namisa? I won't..."

"You won't what? Force me to marry you? Haha, how naive. Do you think it's up to you? The tradition has always been like that the Holy Wood priestess will always marry the next Elf King. The only way for me to escape this tradition is to run away."

"..."

Hayand's expression became gloomy. He clenched his fists and made a cracking sound.

Huh, is he trying to stop me?

I secretly gathered magical power in my palm, and prepare to slap him into coma when he catches up.

And sure enough, Hayand started running to me.

Instinctively, I slapped him.

"I'll run with you... Eh...?"

...

...

I gazed dumbfoundedly at the wolf-blood elf prince I had just slapped away.

What did that guy just say?

Run with me?

"Hey, are you crazy? You're the next Elf King! How can you mess around with me like this?"

Harund stood up as if unharmed, then tied his clothes up, and calmly said, "I'm not crazy. I just want to give myself a chance, to let the person I have a crush on at the first sight have more chances to get to know me."

The phrase "have a crush on at first sight" stuck in my mind like reinforced concrete did.

"So, can you give me a chance, dear Princess?"

Ugh, this guy is so annoying. Doesn't he know I'm in love with my own sister?

"Hmph, if you're willing to give up the throne, then try catching up with me. After all, I can't control you..."

Harund bowed to me in a standard manner.

"Understood, my dear Princess."

"Don't say 'understood.' I didn't order you."

"Understood, my dear Princess."

"I said don't say 'understood'!!!"

--------------------------------------------

Meanwhile, in the spiritual world of the Elf Ancient Tree, an unexpected guest appeared.

It was a faint blue phantom figure wearing a robe.

"Oh my, little Woody really takes care of his descendants, huh~~"

The spirit of the Ancient Tree twitched its mouth and trembled as it stroked its beard.

"After all, the Holy Wood priestess owns the bloodline of the God pf War. In order to neutralize their boiling fire and ensure their survival and reproduction, I must let my blood flow in their bodies as much as possible, right?"

"True, but how can Holy Wood priestesses always fall in love with the royal bloodline for so many generations? Hasn't Woody done a lot of immoral things?"

"Can you not call me 'Woody'... Lady Damia..."

"Should you call me Sis Damia then?"

After hearing this, the spirit of the Ancient Tree almost pulled out its beard.

"Damia... ... Ahem, the name or title doesn't matter. Well... I did indeed meddle in bringing Holy Wood priestess and the royal bloodline together, but I haven't done anything bad. The only thing I did was at the time of their birth...""Let them, as much as possible, become a perfect match from birth..."