#830 The Couple’s Exemplary Answer

“Platy! Platy! Platy! Platyyyyyyyyyy! Aaaaah! Ahhh... Ah-ah! Ahhhhhhhhhh, Platy, Platy, Platy! Uwaaaaaaaaaa! Ahhh, sniff-sniff! Sniff, sniff! I want to fluff up your hair, that soft, soft hair! Coochy-coo, coochy-coochy-coo!!!”

“Gyaaaaa! What’s wrong with you, Dear?! You’re creeping me out! Eww! My husband has become so unbearably weirdddddddd!!!”

Despite Platy’s clear disgust, I cling to her with relentless devotion.

My over-the-top display of affection must’ve been too much. Platy’s reaction was far from ordinary; her arms were covered in goosebumps, a clear sign she was freaked out.

“But I love you for it!”

Yes (Bene)!

That should avert any marital crisis.

Did you see that, you young married couples?

This is how seasoned spouses rekindle their love. Feel free to take notes!!!

As for the dragon couple watching this...

“Hmm...?! Is this how human couples interact? Intriguing indeed...!”

While Ardheg seems genuinely impressed, the lady beside him, however...

“No way! If Ardheg starts emulating such pathetic and disgusting behavior...! I swear I’ll divorce him! ...But then again... if my beloved Ardheg did something like this, I might just melt...!”

Bloody Mary seems to be in a bit of a conflict.

At least the dragons have caught a glimpse of the mysterious ways of mankind’s marriage. That’s a gain, isn’t it?

“Ho-ho, I see, so that’s how it is, ohoho...!”

Platy, who joined midway, seems to understand the situation.

She has always had a penchant for gossip. To her, the sight of the mightiest dragons grappling with romantic troubles must be quite the spectacle.

“Dragons sure are troublesome creatures, having to constantly set an example just to get through married life. Their only bragging right is their strength!”

“Nghh, how dare a puny mermaid like you say that...?!”

Platy, ever the genius, doesn’t hold back even against the most powerful beings.

Well, that’s part of why we got married, right? ...Was it?

“Every marriage is unique. Humans have all sorts of personalities and marry others whom they find compatible with. It’s not like every marriage is the same.”

As usual, my wife comes in with her piercing logic.

And Bloody Mary, unable to argue, just grumbles in agreement. But it seems she’s somewhat convinced...

“T-True, you have a point there. So, I don’t have to blindly copy what you do, right?”

“If anything, we’re already a seasoned couple. If amateurs like you try to imitate us, you might just hurt yourselves.”

“Only try this at home if you’re a trained professional,” basically?

Bloody Mary looks relieved, but it’s Ardheg who’s truly sighing in deep relief. 

...Right, if we were to imitate what just happened, it’s the men who would have to take the lead, thinking, “Do I have to imitate THAT!?” and turning pale at the thought.

Me? I’m totally fine with it. Don’t underestimate a father of two.

“I-I see...! We need to observe more and get a broader range of samples, right?!”

“Exactly. Especially a couple like us, who are high-ranking due to our experience. You newbies can’t really use us as a reference. It’s like textbooks – you need the basic edition first.”

“So true...!”

Platy seizes control of the conversation with her spot-on advice, as usual.

“Once you’ve got the basics down, maybe then you can try imitating us. But for now, focus on the fundamentals! Solid foundations are key to success!!!”

What kind of consultancy is this?

It’s like Platy’s Happy Marriage Workshop, and no man dares interrupt.

“Luckily, there are some new couples on this farm, too. The ones who had their wedding ceremony with you, remember?”

“Those mermaid brides, right! If they got married around the same time, they’re still fresh newlyweds! Plenty for me to observe and learn from!!!”

“A sharp insight, my student! Then let’s go and observe them right away!!!”

And off they go, Bloody Mary and my wife, charging ahead.

She was talking about making some magic potion, but I guess that’s on hold now?

Must be fine.

***

The first couple they’re observing are Gobukichi and Teacher Carp.

As for what their married life is like...

“Ahhh!!! Carp-tan, I wuv you, wuv you, wuv you, wuv you, wuv you, wuv you, wuv you, wuv you, wuv you, wuv you, wuv you, wuv you! Wuv you, wuv you! Wuvuwvuwvuwvuwvuwvuwuv youyouyouyouyouyouyouuuuuu!!!”

“I too adore my darling love love love love love love love love love loveeee!!!”

It’s just another day with these two.

But they’re not exactly the role models to follow.

In fact, they’re more like a warning of what not to do.

We silently move away from them.

“Well... it seems there are those who start their marital journey with high-flying acrobatic acts. It’s dangerous stuff, so don’t imitate them, okay?”

“Even I, a dragon, feel intimidated... What a terrifying couple!”

Platy and Bloody Mary were visibly shaken by the “other realm” the couple had just demonstrated.

Well done, Gobukichi... You’ve become a man who can even shake dragons!

“Speaking of which, wasn’t there another couple? Who was that again...? A bride serving as the prime minister of some kingdom, right?”

“Technically, it’s the Mermaid Kingdom. Zoth Syra can’t resign from her ministerial position even after marriage, making her life all the more challenging.”

She’s really dying to quit, though.

However, as expected, she’s extremely competent, and until the new regime under King Arowana stabilizes, she won’t be able to resign.

At least not for the next four or five years.

During the day, she works in the Mermaid Kingdom’s government office, and at night, she returns to the farm using teleportation magic to spend time with Orkubo...

A prime minister who always leaves work on time.

Impressive. Something even the President Lifeless King could learn from.

“Isn’t that sad? What does her husband do while they’re apart?”

“Of course, he works. It’s been that way since before they were married.”

Orkubo also spends his day outside, diligently working with the other orcs on the farm.

Hunting in dungeons, building new houses on the farm, tilling the soil...

“Orkubo is a responsible man. He never neglects his duties, no matter what. Zoth Syra must have fallen for that aspect of his character.”

“It’s admirable indeed. To face one’s duties even when separated from a loved one.”

As couples who spend our time together, I, Platy, Emperor Dragon Ardheg, and Bloody Mary feel a deep respect for the way Zoth Syra and Orkubo live as a couple.

Facing their own duties and roles, they live a life of mutual support, deeply aware of their responsibilities.

To support each other in private as they forge ahead in their careers.

That’s the nature of Orkubo and Zoth Syra’s marriage.

Although, Zoth Syra probably doesn’t see it that way.

Incidentally, despite being love-struck, Gobukichi and Teacher Carp manage their duties exceptionally well, even better than average.

They’re both terrifying.

“I’m beginning to see that there are various forms of marriage... Given the diversity of species, professions, abilities, and personalities, each unique combination gives rise to a one-of-a-kind marital relationship, right?”

“That’s exactly right! You catch on fast!!!”

Bloody Mary’s murmurings were swiftly affirmed by Platy.

Still not fully grasping their thoughts, I exchange glances with Ardheg, both of us tilting our heads in confusion.

“It seems mankind’s institution of marriage is not straightforward but rather profoundly deep. As the first dragons to marry, we cannot take this lightly,” she says, resolute.

It’s as if she’s having a eureka moment.

“There must be many more couples in this world! Each with their own unique characteristics and combinations. Let’s observe, talk to them, and use them as a reference for what kind of couple we dragons should become! Sounds good, doesn’t it, Ardheg?”

“Pardon?!”

It seems a new plan was in motion.

What these dragon spouses would learn from other couples and what kind of family they would build remained to be seen.

But one thing was clear – Bloody Mary was destined to be a formidable, dominant wife to Ardheg.

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apologies for the delays, ive been traveling non-stop these past few days. will update the rest once im back home!