frightfiction Chapter 317: Confession at the Blacksmith Shop
Chapter 317: Confession at the Blacksmith Shop
There was no reason to endure this just to use this blacksmith and it was not something he desperately needed either.
"Ah, no, um--"
"Yes or no."
He would not allow any further words.
"...Yes."
Perhaps finally realizing how serious Qiong Xing was, the young man nodded.
"You also said it hurts and asked me to let go, did you not?"
"...Yes."
The young man nodded again.
Qiong Xing smiled.
"You heard that, and yet what you did was insist on your own selfish demands and increase the strength in your arm to the point of nearly breaking my waist, correct?"
"...Yes."
Perhaps only now realizing what he had done, the young man’s face turned pale.
On the other hand, Albe and the others fell silent in fear at Qiong Xing’s smiling expression.
"I do not know what reason you had for doing that, but I do not recall ever permitting it. It was extremely unpleasant. The only people allowed to touch me are those I have personally accepted."
He had been surprised by the sudden situation, but the young man had not loosened his grip no matter what was said.
Qiong Xing had not felt impressed by his strength, only irritation and displeasure.
"Only small children can have their selfish demands granted unconditionally. Are you perhaps a child?"
When he indirectly asked, "How old are you, really?", the young man shook his head, but his behavior looked almost childish.
"Then you understand what you need to say to me, correct?"
Qiong Xing was not cruel.
He had been angry, but he was willing to forgive if the man properly apologized.
"Um... I am sorry... about that."
Even while lying on the floor, the young man apologized.
Qiong Xing let out a deep sigh and began to stand, thinking the matter was over.
"And yet, I like you. Please marry me."
"...What?"
What did he just say?
Like? Marriage? Who? With whom?
After a few seconds of confusion, Qiong Xing looked at Albe.
"I thought so. You did not notice, did you?"
No. I did not notice.
In fact, there was no way I could have noticed.
Just to confirm, Qiong Xing asked, "Just to be sure, was that confession earlier directed at me? Not at this woman here?"
Hoping that it was some kind of misunderstanding, he asked.
But the young man nodded without hesitation and all the strength left Qiong Xing’s body.
At this point, Qiong Xing had already started to feel that thinking about it any further was pointless.
In a way, that also explained the young man’s earlier words and actions.
It made sense, at least.
It did not make it forgivable, but it made it understandable.
"Do you understand that I am a man?"
"Yes."
"And you understand that you are a man as well, correct?"
"Yes."
Hmm. In a way, that was impressive.
"I see...I refuse."
"Why!?"
If anything, Qiong Xing was more surprised that he had expected acceptance.
After being yelled at like that, how could he possibly think he was not disliked?
"If I had to give a reason, it would be because I do not like you. In fact, I dislike you."
Even Albe was surprised to hear Qiong Xing state it so clearly.
No matter what feelings the man had developed, it did not erase what he had done.
Even if it was exaggerated to call it violence, Qiong Xing could not possibly feel anything favorable toward someone who had tried to forcefully grab him.
"I am sorry, but I am already married. I also have a cute child and a precious family, so there is no chance I would choose you."
Qiong Xing spoke harshly because he knew that anything softer would not make the man give up.
If he allowed this to drag on, it would only become troublesome later.
"...."
"It’s seems you understand now. Then let us continue with the request—"
"I will not give up!"
"Enough already! You idiot!"
The young man was punched and sent flying, and for some reason, Qiong Xing felt a strange sense of nostalgia watching it.
So fools really could only be corrected by being hit.
Being left behind, Qiong Xing could only watch as father and son began fighting among themselves, realizing that the request for today was clearly impossible.
"Is it always like this around here?"
"Not at all! We do get along well normally, but I have never once seen him shout or hit anyone..."
It seemed even Wayland had never raised his voice or struck someone in front of a guest or a noble before.
Qiong Xing apologized once again, feeling sorry that she had been forced to experience something so shocking in a single day
...
Seeing the girl in front of him widen her eyes in surprise gave him a feeling similar to a successful prank.
"It is amazing, is it not? I tried it as a bit of fun, and it actually worked."
"It is so... beautiful."
The girl carefully accepted it and seeing how precious it seemed to her made Qiong Xing feel happy as well.
Since there was nothing they could do while the father and son quarrel settled down, he had felt it would be rude to leave her waiting idly, so he had offered it to her.
"It is candy glass. Of course it can be eaten, but it is interesting, is it not?"
The piece had been crafted to resemble a rose.
It had no color, but the thin petals looked so real that they could easily be mistaken for an actual flower.
Qiong Xing had been making candy for Sergei and the others as usual, but then he remembered something like this and tried using magic on a whim. To his surprise, it worked.
For the children, he had made simpler designs shaped like cats and dogs that did not try to mimic real animals too closely, but they were still cute.
The rose had been made more out of curiosity than anything else, but it seemed to have been well received, which was a relief.