Incompatible Interspecies Wives chapter 167

167 – Behind the Scenes (3)

A gathering of involved individuals only.

The king sat high above, looking down at us.

There was an irrefutable certain atmosphere around the king, who had successfully led the war.

Especially for me, who had to lead the Red flames, the burden felt a little heavier.

The king said to me.

“…Before we start, I need to say this.”

“…”

“It was my choice to abolish the customs of my people…but I apologize to you. However, I can’t help it because I think it’s the right choice. The number of recklessly born children will decrease, and the quarrels among different brothers will also decrease. Surely, there will be no more wives who are hurt from not being loved fairly.”

As I no longer had the heart to refute the abolition, I simply nodded.

It probably wasn’t the king’s intention to convince me, but seeming rather puzzled looking at me nodding more respectfully than expected.

After a short moment of tilting his head, he asked.

“You seem to accept it easier than expected, Berg Liker. Was there any change?”

“…”

I nodded very slightly.

I didn’t really want to answer, but the other side was the king.

She nodded as well.

“Then it will proceed without any problems. Everyone agrees.”

-Clunk!

Then, Ner rose from her seat.

She looked at the king with bloodshot eyes.

The king raised his eyebrows at Ner’s actions, and Ner showed him respect before speaking.

“…I cannot accept this.”

Gibson Blackwood and Gideon grabbed Ner’s arm, but Ner did not stop.

“We can’t let this happen…”

The king counteracted Gideon and Gibson who were trying to stop Ner.

He then slowly asked Ner,

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“What do you mean?”

Before Ner could even say a word, the king spoke.

“You directly told me you wanted to abolish polygamy.”

“…”

Ner swallowed a sigh and froze.

Her wandering eyes turned toward me.

Ner squeezed my ring in her hand and spoke straightly.

“I said it because I wanted to live with Berg alone.”

“…”

“Our race can only love one person. So to my partner… I said that because I would hate to see an elf like that hanging around.”

Arwin also raised his voice.

“…I’m the same.”

The king blinked as if he did not know how to react to these unexpected changes.

It did not seem to matter much, but it appeared unanticipated.

I was also quietly exhaling.

Their feelings overflowed and were transmitted.

The king soon seemed to say, it couldn’t be helped.

“…Regardless, one of you two’s wishes will not come true. Berg. So who are you going to divorce?”

The moment had come.

It was finally time to announce the separation.

After today, it seems that there will be no opportunity for Ner and Arwin to face each other alone.

The marriage life, long or short, will come to an end.

I reminisced about my wedding day with Ner.

I remember her face and trembling at that time.

The moment I put the ring on her finger.

And when we kissed.

I remember tying our souls in front of an elm tree in the forest.

I looked at Ner.

She was shaking her head as if to say, please don’t do this.

I recall the day of our marriage with Arwin.

The sacred promise we made, staring into each other’s eyes in front of the World Tree.

The moment we exchanged each other’s leaves.

The Bardic drink of the night.

I also looked at Arwin.

Arwin was about to shed tears, helplessly.

Soon, I spit out irreversible words.

“…. Both, I will divorce.”

The king and his subjects were swayed.

There was a resounding sound from Celebrien and Blackwood as well.

“Both?”

The king asked me as if doubting his ears.

I nodded firmly.

“…Berg…..please….”

A sob came from Ner’s side.

I did not look in that direction.

Arwin silently bowed her head, visible through the corner of my eye.

I did not look at her either.

The king frowned at the unexpected answer.

“May I ask why?”

“…”

Gibson and Ascal seem anxious as if sitting on a bed of thorns.

I pondered once.

How should I answer?

Should I tell them that Ner was trying to leak the weak point of the mercenary group, that Arwin had cunningly planned to kill me?

That might be the right choice.

I didn’t have any more responsibility to bear.

…But it wasn’t easy to spit out the story as I said.

Remnants of the mindset from the past, when I’d once wanted to protect them for life, held me back.

I also thought about the effects these truths would provoke.

I’ve started to realize the power of rumors these days.

After all, there was no one who didn’t know about the Flame Group now.

Even in front of me, no one ridiculed Ner’s white tail.

If I revealed Ner and Arwin’s mistakes in this situation… They might not be able to lead the ordinary life they wished for.

Even though my relationship with them had already ended… I didn’t want it to be shattered to even such extents.

Adding to that, Arwin lives over a thousand years.

I didn’t want to brand her for life.

So I looked up at the king and answered.

“…The times when I loved them sincerely…”

I decide to carry the burden.

“….It has never happened.”

****

“….It has never happened.”

At Berg’s words, Ner felt as if the ground was collapsing.

Berg, who proceeded with the farewell without even a glance.

There appeared to be no hesitation in his actions.

He is ending his relationship with her too coldly and swiftly.

-Thud…

Ner collapsed onto her seat.

She knew Berg’s words were empty ones spoken for her.

To hide his own guilt, he burdened himself with the words he had never loved.

…But regardless if it was empty words, the words that he had never loved her became a big wound.

A scar that couldn’t heal without Berg’s love carved into her heart.

Ignoring her situation, Berg continued.

“…Now that our alliance is unnecessary, it won’t be a problem if both of you leave my side.”

“…It’s a lie…”

Hearing the story, Arwin also shook his head, denying Berg’s words.

“…You can tell the truth…”

She pleads, covering her eyes with a trembling hand.

“Don’t just say you never loved me…”

Ner felt the same way.

She didn’t care if the entire kingdom mocked her.

It was okay to be labeled as a woman who tried to betray her husband.

But she couldn’t stand Berg saying he had never loved her.

Regardless of how much they were for her sake…she couldn’t bear it.

Berg was only looking at the king without shaking.

The king seemed to notice that something deeper was under the surface, but he didn’t pry further.

He took a deep breath and soon spoke.

“…Then you can take it that way.”

“…”

“The relationship between Blackwood, Celebrien, and Riker is severed-”

“…How are we supposed to live from now on…!!”

In a brief moment, Ner cried out.

She couldn’t bear it any longer.

“Ner! What’s the meaning of this to His Majesty!”

“-It’s okay.”

Even though her father Gibson grabbed her arm, the king once again left Ner, who was bursting with emotions, alone.

Ner looked alternately at Berg and the king.

It was on the verge of their connection breaking.

If the conversation ends like this…Berg will turn his body down that path and leave.

She had an instinctive feeling that they would probably never meet again.

Perhaps this moment was the closest she would ever be to him in the rest of her life.

The thought of this was enough to make her blood run dry.

Her breathing became rough, and her vision blurred.

Her hands and feet tingled.

Her health had declined profoundly lately.

Concentration was proving to be incredibly difficult.

Maintaining sanity was a grueling task.

One of those reasons led her to even yell at the king.

Something came into her mind momentarily.

“I am…I am already owned by…Berhag.”

“…”

“My body and heart… I belong to Berhag…I can’t even think of others touching me…!”

She expressed her candid feelings.

If she loses Berhag…all her life, she would be alone again.

She couldn’t love someone who wasn’t Berhag.

She didn’t want anyone else’s love either.

Only Berhag had to notice her.

So she continued with her story.

“All my life ahead….alone…sobbing…”

The King summarised Nehr’s words and repeated.

“…You lost your purity to Berhag, so you cannot find another partner?”

“…”

Nehr swallowed an empty sigh.

That’s not what she meant. But the king’s words brought a possibility to light.

She could’ve surrendered her purity to Berhag at any time.

She hasn’t yet…but she only wishes she could.

What would happen if she denied it here.

It’s declaring she hadn’t been intimate with Berhag.

Could she remain by Berhag’s side if she spoke such a nonsensical narrative?

On the contrary, wouldn’t this be the cause of their eventual split?

Nehr had no other options.

All she did was nod.

A disgusting and pathetic lie, but she had no other option.

Upon her confirmation, the king seemed to contemplate, rubbing his chin.

But his deliberation didn’t last long.

“…Nehr is pure.”

The conference room fell silent at the short sentence.

Berhag was speaking assertively.

“…What?”

He said the same while looking at Arwin.

“…The same goes for Arwin. Both… we didn’t have a relationship.”

Rumblings and murmurs began to spread.

The several months long life as a couple.

Ner knew how bizarre it would seem to have not had a relationship in that context.

It was all a result of Berg cherishing her.

He refrained even when he could have forced it.

However, it did not sound that way at the moment.

It only seemed like a marriage without a hint of love.

Especially after Berg saying he had never loved them.

Eyes were now trained on Berg, Ner, and Arwin.

She wanted to shout no.

She wanted to announce that she deeply loved Berg.

She didn’t want anyone to doubt the love they had for each other.

But the lie wouldn’t leave her lips.

Minimal decency held her back.

Regret was overwhelming her.

Why had she rejected Berg all this while.

If she had accepted him just once…the current situation would have been different perhaps.

The king soon asked Arwin the truth.

“…Is it true?”

“…”

Arwin lowered her head without looking at Berg.

She too would’ve had nothing else to say.

Just like her, she clung to the last straw.

“…We loved each other…”

Doubt was visible on the King’s face.

Whether because Berg was of mixed blood, or because there were two who claimed to have had a relationship, or because it was hard to believe that a married couple had no relations.

The suspicion towards Berg grew.

Berg, under that scrutiny, simply hung his head.

“I didn’t touch Ner or Arwin.”

He said.

“They are… they have not been dirtied by me. Naturally, there isn’t a child either.”

Ner knew that even these words were for their future.

To give them the opportunity to meet someone new.

But, knowing that, Ner felt her heart darken.

Really, Berg was brushing them off.

The fact that he even used the word dirtied hurt Ner.

His presence had only been a blessing to her.

-Thump!

The king lightly taps the table.

The hesitant king commands.

“Contact the Hea’s congregation, and bring the Chalice of purity.”

Ner blinked at his words.

Chalice of Purity.

It was the first time hearing of it.

However, for some reason, her anxiety grew.

.

.

.

.

Along with the bishop of Hea’s congregation, the Chalice made its appearance at the conference hall.

Unknowingly, Ner took a step back.

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Even if she didn’t know what it was, she was filled with unease.

The king spoke.

“Where is the Holy Lady?”

The bishop lowered his head.

“… I will explain later.”

At that, the king nodded and turned towards Ner.

“Ner Blackwood. Place your hand on the Chalice.”

“…..Yes?”

“It’s a holy relic that emits light if pure. We can tell who’s telling the truth.”

“………..”

Ner was frozen in her tracks.

It was the moment her shallow lie was instantly exposed.

And she could easily anticipate what would happen as the truth was revealed.

What was shameful was not becoming a laughingstock.

…If her purity was proven, she feared facing a farewell with Berg.

“…Go on.”

The king commands.

Ner could only stand as still as a statue.

Gi-di, from behind her, gently pushed her forward.

Ner resisted following her older brother’s guidance, but Gi-di was unwavering.

“… The truth will come out anyways. Delaying… only prolongs the pain.”

Before she knew it, Ner was standing in front of the Chalice.

Beside her, Berg was silently watching her.

Berg, with his complicated expression.

“…”

“…”

Ner couldn’t even remember when was the last time she felt his warmth.

For a moment, only Bergman existed in her world.

She saw nothing else.

To such a Bergman…Ner said.

She whispered in a tone that only he could hear.

“…I…”

“…”

“…I’m scared…Berg.”

She was terribly afraid of parting.

She was afraid of a life without Berg.

Ner was pleading for the last time.

Please don’t do this.

Berg’s eyebrows twitched.

As if it was permission, Ner slowly walked towards him with her arms spread wide.

It felt like she could only survive if she hugged him.

But before she could take more than two steps towards him, Gideon and the Blackwood soldiers stopped her.

There was a wall that existed that she could not approach Berg.

Ner could not understand at all.

Why was she stopped when she wanted to go to her husband?

Why can’t she hug her loved one?

Gideon whispered again.

“Ner. Quickly place your hand on the bauble.”

“…I….don’t…want to…”

“Ner…!”

“…I don’t want to…!”

– Thud!

Gideon promptly grabbed Ner’s arm and forcibly tried to place her hand on the bauble.

Ner was fiercely hiding her innocence.

“I don’t want to!! Be, Berg…!! Please…!!”

– Thud.

Suddenly, Berg pushed away the people and grabbed Gideon’s wrist.

“…Ha.”

Berg expressing deep pain.

The thought that he helped her was brief.

Soon Berg placed his hand on the bauble.

– Snap.

And at that moment, a bright light burst from the bauble, illuminating the conference room.

At that dazzling light, no one could speak.

Berg was pure.

He had not been involved with anyone.

Their strange backstory is revealed.

“…Is it over?”

Immediately, Berg removes his hand.

The light was fading away… Later, Ner’s weakened hand touched the orb.

Similarly, a bright light was emitted, proving Ner’s innocence.

“…I can’t believe it. A human…?”

The king whispered something to himself.

But in Ner’s eyes, only Berg was there.

She felt all the threads that connected her and him had been snapped.

“…Arwen Celebrion.”

As Berg’s innocence was proven, Arwen lost the strength to resist.

She too was shoved in front of the orb.

The hand of Arwen was forcibly placed on it by another elf soldier.

Similarly, the orb emitted a light.

Berg watched both his wives at close range.

Ner could not take her eyes off his face.

“…”

Even though the light lost its power as Arwen’s hand left the orb, he did not say a word.

As if everything had already been said.

The king could not say anything about the situation either.

Berg bowed deeply looking at the king.

“…I will take my leave now.”

“…”

The king gave a slight nod to his words.

-Swish.

Berg turned his back.

Ner felt as if her heart would burst from the pain.

“…Berg….”

She calls his name.

Is this truly the last time?

The dreamlike times she had with him.

The happiest period in her life.

Was she now witnessing the end?

“…”

Berg hesitated for a moment, bowed his head once and then moved on.

As Berg was walking away, Ner said,

“…you…are mine, Berg…”

She blurted it out without thinking.

Sticky and tenacious feelings emerged within her.

Her humble life and the love she received from Berg combined to create a dense and heavy obsession.

Feelings which would never have arisen if Berg had not tried to leave her.

“…You always…have to be mine…”

Berg was something she could never let go of.

She had no intention of letting him walk out of her life.

-Thud…thud…

But he never slowed his pace

“So please… Berg….please…”

“….”

“Don’t go!!!”

No matter how much she yelled, Berg continued his steps forward.

Perhaps, all along, Ner had been absolved by that determination.

Now, it was only causing her pain.

Suddenly, suffocating feelings rushed up, her anger coming to a boiling point.

“I can’t…without you…”

“..”

“…I’ll…I’ll die…”

Ner no longer knew what she was saying.

Her love was leaving her.

She couldn’t believe this might be her last day seeing him.

“I’ll die… Berg…”

At these words, Berg stopped in his stride.

Ner tried to bat away the soldiers from Blackwood; she wanted to run towards Berg, but her weak body would no longer allow.

“Yes…that’s it…stop… Berg…”

With a painful sensation in her heart, her vision blacked out, the world spun.

‘…What…?’

Just then, Berg turned around.

Her vision blurred, Ner couldn’t see his expression.

‘Both of them.’

His voice was the only sound reaching through.

‘…Thank you.’

“……Berg…”

When she regained consciousness.

“……”

The sun was setting, and Berg was no longer by her side.

Ner’s eyes were simply staring at the ceiling of the carriage.

The hand stretching out to grab Berg was only brushed by the wind.

“…Ah…”

It was a carriage headed to Blackwood.

“…Ah…ah…”

Tears fell.

She had finally realized that she had truly been left alone.

She had to accept that Berg, her first friend, her first mate, her first love, and… her last love, had left her.