The Ogre Strength Fairy and the Eldest 'Son'
Chapter 91 - The Marital Minuet Of Mates Misdirecting Martial Meddles

Chapter 91: Chapter 91 - The Marital Minuet Of Mates Misdirecting Martial Meddles

When the cheers for the blonde Yecine’s ’victory’ over the Goltbred patriarch began to die down, another duelist stepped forward. Her mint eyes held an unhealthy mix of icy pride and competitive fire. She didn’t bother to try and raise her voice, only caring that the one she was talking to could hear her.

First there was her daughter being attacked in the middle of a friendly dance and now her husband... well, he just yielded like he was supposed to - but that too was inciting!

"Well done, dear. But I wonder if you’d care to test your skills against someone a little more... experienced in these matters?"

An abrupt hush fell over the crowd. Everyone knew of Yatrel’s fearsome reputation and the terrible results of more than one of her duels. Before Qatrand could respond, a short brunette smoothly interposed herself between her husband-wife and her mother. She spoke with a light look on her face... but her ’sweet’ facade didn’t hide much of her clear intent to get in the way at all costs.

"Now, mom. Don’t you think we’ve had enough of this sort of excitement for one day?"

Mint eyes narrowed as they met their color-match.

"Afraid I’ll bruise your new spouse, daughter?"

"I’d be more concerned about Qat bruising your ego than you hurting ’him’. Why don’t you dance with me instead so that no one suffers any damage?"

For a moment, as the crowd watched them stare at each other unmoving, it seemed like Yatrel might refuse Elua. Then the expression abruptly softened on the reddish-blonde woman.

"Very well. For old time’s sake. Show me some of that talent you used against that vicious cat."

The music belted into a new tune after the pair took over the Challenge area. Their dance, unlike the frenetic reactions from the one with Sevra, was an entirely different marvel to behold. Yatrel led the motions with the confidence of years of experience and Elua matched her step for step in a perfection of grace that had the limited Yecine women in attendance chittering.

Yatrel murmured at her daughter during some synchronized twirls, her spirit prominently displaying the amount of pride she felt in her eldest.

"Protecting your husband from the subtlest threats already. You really are my clever girl."

"I must have learned from the best. Besides, I thought you’d appreciate the chance to show off to everyone a bit in a less bloody fashion... but that doesn’t mean we have to keep things so traditional, either."

The dance progressed and it became clear that this too was becoming more than a simple mother-daughter waltz. Each step and turn grew infused with a subtle display of cultivation technique. Earthen hazards sprouted carefully during their motions while the wind seemed to flutter their dresses more than seemed natural.

The crowd watched in awe as the two of disparate age and height continually moved in harmony despite the challenge posed by their obvious and constant use of their Elements. Their dance became a demonstration of both their personal bond and their individual strengths as cultivators.

’Maybe I should have learned to dance like that.’

Even the swordswoman found herself transfixed, pausing the collection of her thoughts from the bout with her ’Father’. It was hard to contemplate how you felt about serious matters when all you could think about was how cute the wife of yours was! However, arguably, it was also quite a serious matter... for some people.

During the instrumental crescendo near the end, the reddish-blonde started a complex series of steps meant to challenge her daughter’s memory and reaction. The silver dressed brunette not only matched them but added an attention seeking addition of her own on the finale - a spinning jump that momentarily left her floating as a gust of ’Air’ pushed her back towards the sky.

Elua and Yatrel both stood facing each other and grinning widely. The mother pulled her second most loved existence into a tight embrace and the ancient cultivator fiercely returned the hug. For her, it was honestly a toss up between both individuals with that color hair, but Onya had plenty of time to secure that second spot as she grew!

"Well done, my little whirlwind. You’ve grown in more ways than one and I am so very proud of you."

"Thank you, mom. For everything. You are the best that I could have asked for."

When they eventually parted, the Dame Gotbred let her gaze fall on the Yecine heir once more. But this time, there was not an ounce of challenge in her eyes - only the warmth and acceptance that Qat had grown to cherish from the two parents. It was another thing about El that she sometimes wondered... whether existed in her past life.

Or if it was as simple as being raised this time in such a wonderful family environment.

"Welcome to the family, dear. You’re more than welcome to treat and call me as your Mother, since I’ve been thinking of you as my oldest son for weeks. I look forward to seeing what other surprises you have in store for us."

Qatrand took the offered hand that the woman held out. She felt a complex surge of belonging and imposterhood. Ultimately she decided that the first state was more than worth the burden of the second.

"Thank you... Mother."

The impact of these moments - the duel, the dance, the acceptance - lingered on the swordswoman’s heart. Each was a promise of the bonds that would carry her through whatever challenges lay ahead. Each a piece of the support that fueled her capability and desire to protect all of her family.

’To protect everyone.’

Elua’s eyes roved the girl in her silver-suit clad as she disappeared from her spiritual sense. Knowing that it happened during moments of her deep cultivation sessions, the reincarnator’s face ’twitched’ through her facade. She’d had epiphanies of her own at unexpected times, but-

’I’m not sure whether to be flattered that she is progressing so well even in the middle of our wedding reception or jealous that it started from a handshake with my mother.’

She turned to Yatrel with a set of lusterless orbs. The brunette had wanted the woman to extend her parental care towards her beloved Qat, so she had no words to complain. The heiress supposed that being picky about the way and timing of things was childish.

The girl swept her sight and sense across the guests. The Challenges and how both had handled them clearly left an impression. Excited chatter and gesturing filled the air. The reincarnator thought it was only natural... and wanted more and more people to really look at her Qat - even if it meant they had to see more of her in the process.

An attendant from the Yecines approached to offer the women refreshments after the dance. The bride accepted a glass of the water while slipping back into her ’sweet’ facade.

"Thank you~"

The servant nodded in response before sneaking a blushing glance towards the ’young master’. The young miss Goltbred truly wanted to lob an orb of air into her face, but didn’t trust herself to be gentle about it. Her father’s voice and a comforting hand on her shoulder from her beloved interrupted her vengeful thoughts and plans.

"Well, that was certainly an exciting start to our celebrations! But the night is still young."

"Indeed, the night is far from over. As per tradition, I must ask a final time - are there any who wish to Challenge the newlyweds?"

The officiant stepped forward and a hush fell over the crowd, all their eyes darting around to be the first to catch sight of potential challengers. For a moment, it seemed no one would step forward until a young man pushed through the crowd. His face was flushed with determination - and perhaps a bit too much wine.

"I challenge!"

Qatrand stepped forward with a neutral expression. If he honestly declared El as the recipient, she could do nothing... but if she could bring his attention to her instead - then she would rather take the duel. Mint eyes stared dazedly at the broad silver back as tendrils of her spouse’s spirit flared and wrapped around her.

"And you are?"

"Lirante, from the Youth Guild. Don’t you remember me?"

His eyes darted between the swordswoman and Elua.

"I’ve been training hard, dreaming of this day!"

"I’m sorry, were you in our lessons?"

The brunette tilted her head, a truly ’puzzled’ look on her face. She had no idea who this person was! Lirante’s face fell for a moment before he squared his shoulders.

"It doesn’t matter. I’m here to prove myself worthy!"

"Very well. Shall we begin?"

Qatrand nodded, picking up her blunted blade once more even though he hadn’t declared an opponent. The young man drew his own sword with a stance and flourish that was overly dramatic. The Yecine simply stood with her weapon held loosely at her side instead of in a defensive stance like she’d used against Ondua.

"I’ll show you the depths of my feelings!"

This ’Lirante’ declared while charging forward wildly. What followed was less a duel and more a dance of humiliation. Qat moved around his ’attacks’ fluidly, each step and shift of her core precise. She didn’t even raise her blade in the dozens of ’exchanges’. The blonde merely sidestepped each wild swing and overeager thrust.

"Stand still and fight me properly!"

"If that’s what you wish."

The swordswoman replied calmly to the frustrated and panting opponent. In a smooth motion, her large blade surged up and sent his thin sword clattering out of his grasp. The blunted tip of her weapon rested gently against his chest before he could fully process it. The challenger mumbled with a face crimson with embarrassment.

"I yield..."