When A Ghoul Falls In Love

What did he say? I look at him. "Do I have to manage your harem?"

"Weren't you just telling him how he has to work hard?" Eli tells me with a straightforward voice. "I guess you know what I dislike or like. Then, you can decide who can give me a blow job next time. It's totally up to you."

What is wrong with him? I can't tell whether he is being sarcastic or serious. "They want you to choose, not me."

"I told you that my p.e.n.i.s is only for you but you don't want to take me seriously." He huffs at me. "I can't imagine anyone else with me. Don't you think that you are hurting me by telling me to choose?"

But I didn't tell him to choose.

"Why would you say that?" His pupils tremble as if he's about to cry. "Why would you ever consider abandoning me for these people?"

This feels like a love quarrel. My girlfriend is angry because I said something wrong.

"You told me that you like me." Eli squats down on the ground and wraps his arms around his knees, putting his face between his knees. "But you are fine even after you abandon me. I don't want to live anymore."

"My love is crying." The Crown Prince bursts into tears. He turns to me. "How could you hurt him when he loves you so much?"

What the hell is going on? I get it if Eli is upset. Isn't this prince supposed to be upset because Eli cares about me? 

Andre glares at me. "Human, I can accept you as his wife but how can you say that you will abandon him?"

"Though I don't like you, " Carmine says to me scornfully, "I think you were harsh earlier."

...says the woman who was saved because I said those words.

"Eli, you have me." Andre frets around Eli. "Don't be disheartened. Tell me what you want. I will get it for you?"

I have no idea what's going on.

"What can you get for him?" Crown Prince Rian stomps his foot on the ground in rage. "I am the crown prince. Is there anything that I can't get for Eli? I will give you this kingdom if Eli wants it."

Eli's body shakes weakly. I cross my arms and study him. Is he pretending or not? His admirers are trying hard to pacify him. Duke Balthier Sanguine looks like he is ready to kill someone.

"Nell abandoned me, " He lets out an agonized cry. "She abandoned me because everyone is bullying her."

But I feel like I am being bullied by Eli instead. "I didn't abandon you. I only said that I would abandon you if you hurt someone."

His crying gets louder.

"She will abandon me if I hurt someone." Eli raises his head. His eyes are watery like a puppy who has been kicked. "But I was only bullying the people who were bullying her."

"You did nothing wrong!!!" Andre takes Eli's hand. "She doesn't know how to accept your gratitude."

"She is angry because Carmine told her that she can't marry me." Eli takes his hand back smoothly while big drops of tears fall out of his golden eyes. "Carmine said bad things about her."

"Carmine, how could you?" The Crown Prince hollers at Carmine Highmore. "If he likes something, you should have accepted it naturally. You say that you love him, but your heart is too greedy. Apologize! Otherwise, I will send you to prison for your crimes."

"..." I don't know what to say. Can I leave this place? And why do I find myself sympathizing with these people? 

Contrary to my expectations, Carmine Highmore is unfazed. She runs her fingers through her hair and exhales, "I guess I hurt you, Eli. You have never cried before. I apologize for my unruly behaviour."

After a pause, she continues with a grave voice, "The Duke of Sanguia wanted me to compete with that human, but I thought that we could resolve this civilly. If you can't choose, we should go ahead with the test. The human female can't participate since she isn't a noblewoman. The winner will have you. What do you say?"

The topic has been shifted back to the original problem. I let out a sigh. Two men and two women would fight for this ghoul. Why is he so popular? I would have never chosen to promise him anything if I had known that I would be in this situation in the future. 

"I think that it's best if we resolve it among us." The Crown Prince puffs up his c.h.e.s.t. "Since I hold the highest authority here, I will decide the rules of the test."

"We should just duel it out." Andre stands up abruptly with fire in his eyes. "Let's go to the duelling grounds."

"Are you sure that you can win if you fight me?" Carmine grimaces at Andre. "I recognize the Crown Prince's abilities. What about you? You are nothing!"

"We will know that on the duelling grounds," Andre yells at her.

"Enough!" The Crown Prince raises his hand. He turns to the Duke Sanguine. "Duke, we shall take our leave. The winner will come tomorrow and take Eli's hand for marriage. I hope you are fine with this arrangement."

Duke Balthier Sanguine composes himself. "Your royal highness, isn't this…"

"I don't want to hear anything else. Eli wants to get married. Only the best person in the kingdom should get the position of his wife or husband. If I win, I will marry him as his husband." The Crown Prince sneers at Carmine. "I have to take revenge on the woman who made him cry."

Carmine flares her nostrils. "We will see who will get Eli."

These people are completely missing the point. It was Eli who nearly made Carmine and his brothers cry earlier. How come the victim doesn't acknowledge being victimized? 

"Eli, do not worry for me!" Andre exclaims, "I will fight until my last breath."

"Eli, I will show you my worth." Carmine says to him, "I am the only woman who belongs to your side."

"Eli, have a good sleep. I will come back and claim you as my wife." The Crown Prince gives him a flying kiss. "Then, we will begin your journey filled with happiness and love."

I resist the urge to throw up as I watch them leave. I have no idea where the duelling grounds are. But aren't they forgetting me?

"Phew!" Eli raises his head. The tears are gone. There's no sadness or agony in his eyes. "By the time they are done, we will be married."

"..." Has he always been this evil? Everything that he has done so far… Was I fooled? He's nothing innocent. This guy is scheming. 

He beams at me. "Wife, don't worry about the things Carmine said. There's a way that we can get married. I told you that you didn't have to accept my father's stupid conditions."

His father is still here, isn't he? I glance at the Duke Balthier Sanguine. His face doesn't look good. 

"Eli, would you take responsibility if something happens to the crown prince?" Duke Balthier Sanguine questions him. 

"Why would I take responsibility?" Eli straightens his back, tilting his head. "Father, did I ask them to duel? You suggested the test to Carmine. Carmine suggested it to those two. It's either your or Carmine's problem."

Duke Balthier blanches. "Eli!"

"Stop shouting." Eli's eyes turn cold. "Did you think that I will sit and watch you scheme against my beloved wife? I have already told you that she's going to be my wife. It's best that you accept that fact. If you can't accept it, then disown me. I don't care whether I am your son or not." 

"You will leave us for that woman?" Duke Balthier barks. "Carmine wasn't wrong. She's not noble. Her status isn't high. Now, we know that she's claimed by a fae. How can she ever become your wife?"

They are arguing because of me. I wonder what I should do. Just then, I see Siouxsie waving at me. I haven't greeted her. I wave back. Getting married to Eli seems more difficult than I could ever imagine. 

"Nell isn't claimed by anyone yet." Eli replies to his father calmly, "There's not a single mark on her body. As for her status… Father, do you know that she's a moon sorceress?" 

What?