Meanwhile, outside in the middle of the tribe, chaos was happening but a very festive chaos.
Villagers were hanging colorful ribbons between the trees. Drums were being beaten loudly. Women were tossing flower petals into the air, and children were running around laughing.
In the middle of all this—
Ethan Carter was suffering.
Two large old men were practically dragging him toward a small wooden platform built under a large tree, decorated with red cloth and bright forest flowers.
Ethan dug his heels into the ground like a stubborn donkey.
"No! No! Listen, there's been a mistake!" he cried out desperately. "I'm too young! I'm too handsome to settle down! My career! My freedom!"
The villagers just laughed joyfully, misunderstanding his struggles as "nervous groom jitters."
One man patted his back so hard Ethan stumbled forward.
"Good boy! Very healthy! Strong like bull! Good for making many babies!"
Ethan gasped in horror.
"Many—?! I'm not even ready for one!!"
