The Ogre Strength Fairy and the Eldest 'Son'-Chapter 360 - Does This Count As Seeking A Blessing From Them…?

Chapter 360: Chapter 360 - Does This Count As Seeking A Blessing From Them...?

"Lady Talcres. How are you feeling?"

"I’ve made more progress in one hour toward a goal I thought impossible than in all my years. It’s... indescribable."

She settled onto the bench right beside them, with her hands clasped tightly in her lap - as if doing that alone could contain the overwhelming emotion inside her. Something that her husband had talked over with her recently... and that he gave his nod to again an hour ago.

’And they seem so lost and uncertain about what will happen. I have to set their mind at ease.’

"I’ve been thinking about our future as well. After what you’ve done today, Nohre, I feel it’s time that I need to ask. Will you-"

"Adopt me, instead."

Fusand interrupted abruptly, with a low and soft but somehow rigid steel tone. Nohre’s mouth dropped open as she openly stared at him, wondering why he would ask that - let alone ’instead’, what did he mean?! And of course Zyris blinked rapidly, her train of thought completely derailed.

"W-what?"

The startled water-deer finally managed to bleat and the dust-fox found his ears, neck, and face turning a deep, muddy brown for keeping his thoughts from her all this time. Yet his expression remained determined and his eyes serious as he faced the older cultivator.

"If you are going to offer it, then the Talcres family should adopt me. Officially. Make me Fusand hez Talcres."

"I... guess it would be silly not to admit we were actually considering something along those lines. You either have strange timing or successfully worked out what I was likely to do at this moment."

Zyris freely spoke her thoughts. Before this cultivator-made miracle, the couple had wanted to do something more to help ease the life paths of the two under their temporary care. They both figured if the heiress had wanted the Goltbreds to adopt them, she might have requested it by now.

"But I’m curious why you specifically asked for yourself. Explain your reasoning."

"Because it protects Nohre better this way. If she becomes a direct Talcres adoption, the Guilds might see it as talent-poaching after what happened today. They might make the claim that you only want her for her abilities."

Fusand’s words tumbled out rapidly as if he’d rehearsed this argument many times in his head. His hands gestured first at the girl nearby then at himself as his explanation surged along.

"But if you adopt me, then later once the report which is likely to be made has settled, Nohre and I could... that is... if she accepts my proposal to marry, that will make her Nohre er Talcres instead."

"THIS IS THE FIRST I’M HEARING OF IT?!"

A face flushed deep crimson as a rain of weak punches struck his shoulder, but the sandy haired teen refused to turn and meet the green astonished gaze. He still had more reasons to say.

"Eventually, most outsiders will forget she wasn’t born a Talcres. Guilds are less likely to pressure a family over a spouse than they are an adopted cultivator with valuable skills. If anything, they will pressure me to renounce our connection and leave her alone." ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

The face of the Dame Talcres had long transformed from surprise to something approaching admiration. One little hero had fixed her problem, now another one was standing as a shield due to the consequences.

"That’s... remarkably strategic thinking."

"He’s... he’s been reading too many political histories. Idiot."

Nohre muttered weakly while still staring at Fusand as if he’d grown a second head. At least until he turned toward her and her hands shot to completely cover her own eyes. How could she just look him in the face right now?!

"I just want to protect you. After what you did today, you need protection more than ever. Nohre..."

While green wristed hands clasped softly around the stubborn set of the Mender, another set of footsteps on the garden path announced Meyran’s arrival. He carried a small tray with cups of warm tea, clearly intending to join them even before overhearing the end of the conversation.

After all, his wife had told him she was going to make the offer immediately after an hour of cultivating. He would hardly want to be to late to offer congratulations or comfort.

"I see Fusand has skipped several important steps toward proper marriage negotiation. No need to feel pressured into accepting."

Dry words came as he sat the refreshments down on another bench. Like a signal, Nohre’s arms flew apart and flung the weaker teen away. Feeling dizzy again, she pointed fiercely at the man while shaking, very overwhelmed.

"O-of course I’m accepting, I just didn’t think *so much* was going to happen in a single day!"

"I see. That’s a wonderful thing to hear. These past months with you both have brought something to our lives that we... we knew was missing but didn’t realize how much we needed."

"Family. Being two brilliant young cultivators with potential is only a bonus. More important than that, the pair of you are two very good-hearted people. Not asking you to stay in our lives would have been more painful."

Nohre felt tears welling in her eyes at their words, unable to speak with a throat that felt like it had seized up. Part of her felt too old to be affected by what they said - she’d lived so many years without family by now. Years knowing she had been given up by relatives intentionally.

But in so many minutes, she’d just been *almost* asked to be someone’s daughter. A bit *indirectly* asked to be someone’s wife. And now-

"Truthfully, I proposed adopting you both. My husband thought that wouldn’t be a good idea."

"In case the two of you really would want to pursue marriage - not that there isn’t precedent for non-blood related adoptees to be wed. But you never know when old or new stigmas will come about."

Zyris accepted the cup of tea served by Meyran before continuing.

"As he says. But Fusand’s approach has certain... practical advantages I hadn’t considered. So I think we should proceed that way, if you are willing."

Reaching out to touch the little healer’s arm gently, she waited until the wet eyed girl wiped her face and shuddered a breath. The woman wanted to cry for her too! But somehow she held it together.

"And our home remains open to you both. Whether as wards, disciples, or family. The choice is yours."

"What about ma- ah, Elua."

Nohre asked with a small voice. She wanted to talk to the heiress very badly. To tell her all about today, in person. To see if she had wanted any of this to happen... but most importantly she wanted her friend to be the first-

’Well, the first outside of us to know that he actually asked me to marry him. And I didn’t even have to resort to the tricks she taught me.’

"Your connection to them doesn’t need to end because another begins. Besides, the two of you are of age. There are no rules that you have to stay bound to our estate after being adopted."

Meyran assured her as Zyris chuckled.

"Well, I hope you don’t go off and travel somewhere we can’t follow too soon. It would be nice to spend the next years after the war with... an adopted son and daughter in law."

’And maybe, if I work hard enough... you’ll both get a little sibling to make you want to stay even more, before a year passes.’

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