One More Step

He looked at her and remembered the moment he took her veil off and saw her face. He was in love before so he knew already that feeling. The moment he laid his eyes on her he felt like she was the one he waited all his life.

He remembered ''her''. A strong, independent woman who had much to say and more to do. She was quite smart as well. Learned his language in just a short matter of months. Her mother lived in the same sanatorium room as his mother and got healed after a while.

Even if he was Lord and rich man, in that sanatorium the doctors looked most down on those that were rich, so he laid low and let his mother suffer sharing the room with a commoner. But little did he knew that this family was quite ingenious as it seems.

He struggled around for a while with all those strange words while that woman would listen to him and write it down in her little notebook and would ask him or his mother to explain what this or that word meant. In a matter of weeks, she could have a light conversation with them and teach her mother as well. But soon the two women learned fast by asking and questioning everything.

He was so amazed by her ability that he grew at first bit of appreciation for her, but later on he fell in love with all those antics she secretly had. Living in his father's house that had so many fake people in, he never could smile freely or live openly.

But with her, by his side, he felt finally happy. His eyes started shining and he laughed more often. But the day of his return neared. He had to go back and take over his family as the head. She already spoke to his mother and knew what kind of culture he lived in. But she didn't mind as she fell in love with him as well.

One day his mother called him to speak with him.

''Mother, I am sure I knew what you want to say. I know my duties. So does she. I would never do anything neither against my own clan or her. I gave her choice and she wants to come and be my woman. I will keep her outside until marriage and then I will ask my wife to give her side room.''

His mother loved him but at this moment she became furious. ''You damnable child. She id such a good child and you plan to turn her into a concubine. Is your brain fried by morning sun?''

He looked at her in surprise. ''What do you mean?''

She pointed at his nose and huffed in anger. ''This girl is indeed in love with you. I could see both of you getting closer but couldn't even imagine this love. The way in understood her mother, they come from a different culture. Even if you can keep her outside, she will never in this lifetime accept becoming your concubine.''

''What do you mean, I don't understand. I already explained everything to her. And she plans to be my woman, why wouldn't she want to be closer to me.?''His mind was spinning as he didn't understand women at all.

''Fool. What do you know?'' She patted his head as she felt sorry hitting him before that. ''No woman likes sharing her husband with other women. Or would you mind if she is with you and have a couple of other men in her bed?''

His hand slammed on the table and he shook furiously his head. ''Of course, I am not willing. What man would want to be cuckolded?''

''Do you think women are different? We are not. Here in this country, there is law, one woman one man until death. You were raised in a country that has an open mind for many women in his household. If I had ever chance I would live here. But I do not, my son. I have to handle all the women in your father's parlor gracefully. Even if they go on my nerves every single day. Sigh.''

His hand shook as he put some tea in front of him. ''I love her, mother. But I can't live in this country. If I go back to our clan I will have to get married by some woman. I actually am as well tiered of all those women in our household. The pretense, fake smiles, I know it all. I planned to have just the two of them. One main wife one ... her. I can't just let her go. Just can't.''

She patted back of his hand while she deeply sighed. ''Even if your wife is willing, she might not be. If she is willing, what about your seat by Emperor's side. You think you can stay there and handle the clan if she is in your household. It is impossible, my son. If you want her to live outside she will be able to survive, but if one day those people find out about her existence... Your days as clan head is over and your job in the palace as well. On the end, even her life might end cruelly. Are you willing to risk her life only because of your greed?''

The tea in his cup shook as he slowly put it down. ''I am so unwilling to separate and so is she. What should we do? What to do?'' The expression on his face changed and he felt like someone took his breath away, just by think being away from her.

She waved her head, giving up explaining the consequences of his action. ''Whatever. You, young people, do what you want anyway. You probably won't listen to this old woman. Don't regret later on.. Just don't.''

But everything mother warned him happened. After they came back he found her little house with a garden but she didn't want him to pay for it so she did. Her father left actually a nice sum of money and they could have lived back home contently. But because of love, they choose to come here. Not long after they came he had to deal with so many things in the clan.

Unruly relatives, stealing servants, all kinds of people appearing at his door and offering his daughters. He just lost track of time and could only visit her from time to time.

One day he got a notice that she died. He left an important meeting with his elders and rode crazily on his horse all the way to her home.

The moment he saw her laying on her bed in her white wedding clothes he knew he lost her completely. She even left the last note before dying.

''My love. Yes, my one and only love. I will leave this world soon, I can feel it.

Please do not grieve after me, I beg of you.

Soon you will be wedded with wife and will have children with her. I know that this world that you live in is even messier than the one I came from, so please do my tiny favor.

Don't disappoint her. No, you didn't disappoint me. As a woman, I could feel your love and was the happiest person in this world. I knew already for a long time that I would die. Now that you are here in this place I can feel and see your struggles.

One day when you marry, no matter if that woman is ugly or pretty, thin or thick, good or bad, just stick close to her side and don't let other women touch you. If you can do that, she will definitely love and on the end protect you and be by your side until your hair grows white.

I know you loved me and thank you for that. Now is time to erase all the connections between me and you and start anew. Don't come back and don't look back.

I will be watching you from the other side. Forever yours in eternity, Marcella.''

He fainted that day and had a fever for a long time. When he woke up, he rushed back to her house and found out her mother sold it and left. He couldn't even find out where her grave was.

When he got back home one of the father's old friends from a famous scholarly family with graceful manners and a good reputation came to visit them. He was the only one that didn't offer his daughter to him, but he thought about it.

His family probably was not after his clan fortune as they were a bit ascetic. So he carefully asked his elders if it is possible to have a connection to them. His elders were thrilled at that time as that family was in high regard by the Emperor. Her father was a Teacher for the Crown Prince. Her brothers were or scholars or generals. The whole family was famous for their adamant simple lifestyle so they accepted.

At that time his bride was just a mere 16 years and he remembered that his wife was always furious about those old people trying to eat young meat. She said that if so young girl got pregnant, there is a huge chance that she would die by birth.

So when he went to propose he explained. He wanted to wait for her until she was 18 and then get married. They got engaged in time between and exchanged many letters under watchful eyes of her elders.

He never met her and following Marcella's words he didn't care about how she looked. Many people warned him about the ugly face of his future wife. He just smiled at them and told them all flowers will fade one day, so it doesn't matter as long she is a good wife to him and a good mother to his children. She should have a clear mind and a good heart. Then he will fully give his heart to her and never look down on her, no matter how she looks. Beaty is just a fleeting thing. As long they can be happy as a married couple, who cares about her looks.

But those words were heard by Wang family members that were his inlaws. They were now reassured that he will not look down on their child.

The moment he married her he still had some lingering feelings but the moment he bowed in front of her he remembered Marcella's words and let it go. He will cherish and love her no matter what. His wedding night went as expected.

Everyone expected ugly duckling and when they saw her shining countenance they were envious and jealous. He didn't care. He just felt that she was deity sent by Marcella to heal his heart and soothe his mind.

Since then many things happened, but she never lost her composure. Accept the moment she found out about Kyra. He sighed. If that child could live safely, that would be a way to pay back Marcella's love and care for that time.

That is the only thing he cares at this moment...

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