Chapter 9

Chapter 3:
Norn’s Betrothal (Part 3)

Norn

I WAS TO MARRY Ruijerd. It all happened so fast. Big Brother asked me all sorts of questions, and I answered him honestly. Then, not even ten days later, he set up a meeting between Ruijerd and me. There and then, Ruijerd told me he loved me and proposed. I felt like I was walking on air.

The arrangements went ahead for the wedding, which would be held in ten days. Big Brother and Ruijerd were steadily getting things ready, while my only job was to make my wedding clothes with the Superd women. The outfit was very Superd-style, like what Ruijerd always wore.

The wedding was to be held according to Superd custom. I’d always sort of liked the idea of a Millis-style wedding, but I wasn’t unhappy about a Superd-style wedding—it reminded me I would be Ruijerd’s bride. And all the Superds were wonderful people. I couldn’t have asked for more. Besides, Ruijerd would probably have been uncomfortable with me kissing him on the forehead in front of people.

No matter what came up, Big Brother told me to leave it to him. I accepted it all with gratitude. Though, I did kind of want a Millis Necklace. Maybe I’d ask for one. After all, this would probably be my last chance to ask my brother to indulge me.

These were the kinds of things I pondered while I packed up my room. It was the room I had used ever since Ruijerd brought me here with Aisha. Honestly, after all this time, my dorm felt more like home than here. However, as I packed, I realized that every item held memories. There was the figurine of Ruijerd that Zanoba had given me. I’d been so thrilled the first time I laid eyes on it that I begged him for it. It had sat in my dorm room until graduation. Gazing at the doll had become part of my daily routine. It didn’t look exactly like Ruijerd, but you could tell it was him. Every time I saw it, I missed him.

Then there was my wooden practice sword. I’d used it practically every day since Eris started teaching me sword fighting. I hadn’t progressed much, and I knew I had no talent for it, but I didn’t mind. Swinging the sword around was fun, and it wasn’t as though I wanted to be the strongest in the world. Besides, no one here in Sharia told me I should give up if it didn’t come naturally. Big Brother didn’t, of course, and neither did Eris, Roxy, or Sylphie… Even Zanoba and Cliff didn’t comment on it, despite how gifted they were.

I now understood what a great kindness they had done me, and how important it was to persevere. If not for how hard I’d worked, I could have never become student council president.

None of the student council members while I was president had any talents either. Some of the teachers called us the first student council of dunces since the founding of the university, but Vice Principal Jenius told me, “The students are far more peaceful than when Ariel was president.” Truly, there was less violence and crime at the school while I was president than there had been in Ariel’s time. It was possible I was just lucky, but I wonder if it wasn’t because none of us had any talent. The fact we were dunces probably meant we could relate to the average student’s needs better, and the students were considerate of the student council in return. Maybe they thought we needed their help. The university had around ten thousand students, so all those students taking a little more care would do more good than just a dozen or so student council members trying their hardest.

I never wore my school uniform anymore. It was in the closet. I’d heard that Nanahoshi had designed it. Before then, everyone wore different clothes, but now everyone, from the scariest delinquent to the most bewitching beauty, dressed the same.

The uniform helped me make friends for sure. If we’d worn different clothes, I’d never have been able to relate to everyone on the same level. With the way that demons and beastfolk and people like that dressed sometimes, I would have never even approached them… Or maybe I’m wrong. Aisha had copied the idea and brought in uniforms for the mercenary company, so that was a good sign it was effective. I mean, Aisha was doing it.

Then there was Father’s sword, hanging on the wall. He had used that sword for years before he married my mother. When Big Brother divided up Father’s belongings after his death, the sword went to me. Aisha got the other one, but Big Brother took it back straight away, saying he was going to use it in battle. The armor was in Mother’s room.

Whenever anything bad happened, I prayed to this sword. Father hadn’t followed the Millis faith, and he lived a life that faithful people sneered at, but I loved him. If he were still alive, I’d probably always be scolding him. Even so, I could never dislike him. He tried; he really did. But just because you try doesn’t mean things will work out—not for Big Brother, not for me, not for anyone… I think that’s why I never stopped loving him…

…I prayed to my father today too.

“I’m going to get married, Father,” I said. This was less a prayer than an announcement. Big Brother said that he often went to Father’s grave to tell him about things that had happened, even though he was so busy… I was amazed by his faith.

“Big Brother is doing everything for me in your place, Father. Up till now, I’m sure I’ve been a burden on him, but despite that, he’s working as hard as he can, without complaint. I can’t begin to express how grateful I am to him.”