"I am very sorry about that. I did not know that that was the case. Let me get you another serving instead." Alexis bowed slightly and apologized, startling Leisandra. The wooden bowl thumped on the bedside table. The floorboard creaked as Alexis walked back to the pot of Kalenberry soup to get another serving.
[Congratulations on completing the Binding Task! You are rewarded with Abundant Herb Garden Blueprint x1, Basic Iron Tools Set x1, Basic Iron Weapon Selection Box x1, Hunter's Manual x1, Basic Resource Pack x10, Protection Array Blueprint x1.]
"Huh?"
[Due to the manipulation of REDACTED, REDACTED has provided you a reward.]
[Enchant Manual x1, Spirit Crystal x 10, Star's Favor.]
Alexis wanted to see all the rewards given to him. But his eyes lingered heavily on the reward given to him as an extra.
[Star's Favor: Your destiny is helped by the Stars! The right to be a Monarch significantly increases if dedicated to the stars. Authority and presence innately increased.]
The sound of the wind blowing through the leaves of the trees outside was far louder than the breath of the stunned man. It seems that the entity that manipulated the Binding Task is far greater than just a bug in the system.
It can even be a deity.
Of course, who in this room might entice a deity?
Alexis' head turned and saw Leisandra holding the bowl, the mouth of the spoon on hers, looking at him with her doe, brown eyes.
"Ah… Uhmm…" Alexis couldn't make out a word. Didn't she just say that she can't make contact with a thing that a man used? Seeing his gawking mouth and widened eyes, Leisandra took out the spoon out of her mouth, gulped, and said, "You seem to be a great man, Mister Alexis of Vinyarion. Being able to apologize to a lowly woman like me is something unthinkable, but you still did because of a small mistake that you made."
That's bare minimum though. Alexis thought. Is he that far back in the past that even basic human decency is not a thing?
"O-Oh. I appreciate your impression of me, Priestess Leisandra. But my ability to say sorry shouldn't be your standard in marriage. Hardly anyone should base on just that." His hands waved frantically. What should he do? She already did something that should've been a taboo, maybe, in her culture. He can't just set it aside!
Having nothing else to do, Alexis placed down the bowl on his hand. He walked to the side of the bed, lowered himself down where Leisandra could look at him in an equal viewpoint or lower. "Priestess Leisandra, I—" "Leisandra will do." She corrected.
"Okay." Alexis nodded, cleared his throat, and spoke in a calm and comforting manner. "Leisandra, I will take responsibility for you, but I advise you to think about it more." He really didn't want a girl to be tied to him just because of social norms and customs, but he knew he really doesn't have a say in that.
Customs are customs because of the strict adherence to it. Just like how women are required to have such closed garments for simply touching or grazing at each other's bare skin can be found as inappropriate, such traditions must be respected, especially in an era where opinions that go against it are deemed rebellious and indecent.
Of course, with how Leisandra acted willingly, it seems that she wanted it, but still.
When he said that, the Priestess' head tilted to the side, her eyebrows furrowing. Not placing notice in that, he continued, "Marriage is a binding thing, you should try to understand the person you want to be with first before diving into the relationship." He explained. Realizing where he was coming from and how he was trying to persuade her, Leisandra chuckled, "Don't worry, I can just divorce you."
"Divorce? Divorce is a thing?" Alexis' head cocked forward, eyes bulging and eyebrows lifted high. They already have divorce at this point of time?
"Well, divorce is a privilege that only Priestesses have access to in order for them to find their suitable partner to bear new heiresses with. It depends, but in accordance with the guidance of our respective deities, Priestesses must have a pure life, and therefore must not have a scant and unworthy husband connected to her. Fortunately, as Priestess of the Goddess of The Northern Light, I do have that opportunity." She smiled after her clarification.
Being lectured, Alexis sheepishly laughed. It seems that his assumptions of the level of civil laws here was similar to his world's past. Of course, it can't be avoided. Hearing such things as "men don't need to apologize or own up to their actions" or "we must get married after a physical interaction" would make him think otherwise.
Hmm… His mind ran a couple times faster than usual.
Back in his world, he was just a simple 9-5 job worker. His life wasn't anything special. He did a couple of things for entertainment such as gaming, collecting, reading, and such, and in doing so, he really didn't have time to have a relationship with someone.
Don't mistake it. He is straight and has interests in women. He had several crushes back in the day, and a lot of that he either had no chance or fumbled quite bad. He was used to having that kind of luck with women.
But now, he was faced with a new chance in life. A chance with a cheat that can allow him to have a fun, exciting, and adventurous life. Even more so, as soon as he wakes up, he's given a chance to be with a girl who was interested in him, though it's because of the difference in values and culture. But setting that aside.
He has a choice. To agree with her, or not. Either way, he has no clue where his life will go by now. Wouldn't it be much better if he can spend it with someone?
With that in mind, his eyes hardened, and his mouth curled up.
"Sure, let's do that. Let's get married."