Night Primus, with snowflakes falling gently, stood tall with her left hand on her waist and wrapped in a bath towel, resembling a straight and sturdy pine tree. Her right hand pointed ahead, threateningly aiming at the noses of her subordinates, with sharp nails seemingly ready to strike, instilling fear.
"Do you dare to speak out of turn again?"
"We won't dare anymore!"
After a round of inhumane "education," the female knights of the team had all become obedient. They paid the price for their previous "arrogance" with a lump on their heads that might not disappear for days. Even as physical pain faded, the fear in their hearts would continue to serve as a lasting lesson.
Surely, after tonight's events, they would learn their lesson and refrain from tempting fate on the edge of disaster—yeah right!
"The scars have healed, but the pain remains forgotten," this is the nature of humanity. Though the knights had been severely reprimanded, their fundamental nature wouldn't change; in fact, their docility had an expiration date, perhaps shorter than the time the lump would stay on their heads.
"It's getting late. Tomorrow, we have to present proof. All of you, go back and rest quickly. I will also go to sleep after changing into my nightclothes."
Seeing that the leader skirted around the core issue, the female knights had to risk being reprimanded again and boldly asked, "Where does your future brother-in-law plan to sleep tonight?"
"Him?"
For a moment, Night Primus couldn't help but turn her head, but upon seeing the man's wet body from the pool, she quickly averted her gaze. There are things she couldn't look at, but there were questions she could answer.
"He can sleep in an empty room. If there's no space, he can make do with a bench."
"Ah, but isn't he the new lover of the leader? It's strange for the leader and him to sleep in separate rooms!"
"Isn't it normal for lovers to sleep in separate rooms? Besides, they aren't married. Why must they stay in the same room?"
Disagreements arose, showcasing the differing views between Night Primus and her subordinates. The majority of the members in the knight squad, being experienced in such matters, benefitted from the open atmosphere of Inran. Though located in the eastern continent, Inran's openness had long surpassed Dibiles.
Here, polygamy and polyandry were common occurrences, lacking any novelty. It was worth noting that harems and reverse harems existed not only among the nobility but also among the common folk.
The people of Inran were sentimental, experiencing several "springs" in their lifetime. While they relished in new relationships, they didn't forget their past loves, leading to an increase in the number of marriages. In this country, the matchmakers flourished as businessmen, farmers, and soldiers had to add new names to their family registry every few years.
The people of Inran valued affinity over status or material wealth when choosing a partner. It wasn't an exaggeration to say that even a passing glance could spark a new romance, progressing to a physical relationship that very night for some.
For many in Inran, pursuing endless love and physical satisfaction was the essence of life. In the knight squad, there were elder sisters who indulged in both young men and women without inhibition. Despite her prestigious status, Night Primus was regarded as a young sister in these matters.
She didn't quite understand the term "seduction" she often spoke of and attempted to charm her enemy's consort but lacked the determination even to shake hands. In the exceptionally liberal empire, her status as a "vegetarian" in such matters set her apart.
Watching the stubborn leader, the knights were worried. They once feared that her lack of interest in men and occasional mention of Dibiles' empress might be due to her developing feelings in that direction. They would worry for her future if that were the case, given that same-sex marriage wasn't widely accepted in Inran, despite the prevalence of platonic friendships.
Fortunately, just as they fretted, someone conveniently presented himself. In the eyes of the female knights, Wang Xiaole was an excellent target—an androgynous figure, male in gender but feminine in appearance, promising an exciting encounter. However, considering Night Primus' lack of romantic experience, they chose to support rather than pursue him.
Their thoughts were aligned with Flora's: they couldn't leave Night Primus alone anymore, regardless of whether he was a lover or just a companion. If he didn't find companionship, they'd lose sleep over it.
Nevertheless, Night Primus wasn't proactive in her pursuits. Even Flora, whom she spent the least time with, noticed it. Despite having a vague idea of her answer, Flora inquired, "How do you plan to advance your relationship with your lover, Little Snow?"
"Hmm…" Night Primus needed to consider this question carefully. Placing her hand on her chin, she offered a series of steps, each one illustrating a gradual progression in the relationship.
"The first stage: invite them for a walk or a meal. The second stage: understand their preferences and adjust accordingly. The subsequent stages involve holding hands, hugging, exchanging love letters..."
"Stop!" An interruption was inevitable. The elaborate plan seemed ridiculously prolonged, reaching only to the exchange of love letters—hardly confirming a romantic relationship. This method seemed elaborate even by Inran standards.
One knight summarized it concisely: "Approach, conquer, need there be steps beyond that? Not really." The knights were puzzled by Night Primus' cautious approach, knowing that relationships in Inran typically didn't require such formalities.
Night Primus talked about the relationship with a spouse as a serious matter, which needed careful consideration, as it was considered a lifelong commitment. She wasn't ready to rush into a relationship, fearing it could lead to post-wedding discord. Her gestures, with fingers entwined and circling around, emphasized her point.
"Marriage? What does that have to do with relationships? Why link them?" Night Primus' seemingly straightforward response left the knights unsettled.
"In this day and age, who still connects the two?" Even if the leader was serious and not playing with the man's feelings, marriage didn't need to follow immediately to address any post-wedding issues.
Their debate continued, with some suggesting that a subsequent disagreement could be resolved by adding a concubine during amiable times. As a member of the royal family, Night Primus wouldn't be denied such a commoner's right, they reasoned.
Sighs and advice filled the room, with the knights' misunderstanding Night Primus' intentions reflecting a glaring misalignment of their thoughts. Despite the knights' persistent doubts, Night Primus stood firm, unlikely to proceed with something she wasn't comfortable with.
Flora's proposition shifted the situation: "You, my friend, will stay in the same room with Little Snow tonight!" The knights eagerly supported the idea, but Night Primus adamantly opposed it, albeit temporarily.
"What's wrong with the leader and her future brother-in-law, not showing any affection, not seeming like a real couple?" The knights insisted on their suspicions, refusing to believe in their relationship's authenticity.
Though the outcome was not as they desired, the decision was made regarding their accommodation. It was too late to reconsider now.
