“You want me to what?” Ares asked, his voice raised as Rori sipped on some warm milk.

Ares glanced between Lana and then Rori. He was drinking on some warm milk himself and had almost spit it out when he had heard Rori’s offer.

“I can’t do such a thing.” Ares rubbed the back of his head, sighing out. “Seriously, just what are the two of you playing at?” He asked, glancing between the pair of them.

“It isn’t a bad idea. If you wish, I will speak with Ash and Rala, though I am certain they will be fine with it.”

“It’s a matter of me being fine with it. Seriously, you guys are… troublesome to deal with.”

“Then, what about us?” Lana asked.

“Well…” Ares turned red. “I would say suppose I have to, but I am very happy at the idea. I still don’t know how I want the system of royals to play out, there’s so many ways it could go wrong.” Ares sighed.

“You think too much.” Ares did not reply, instead going into thought before Lana reached up and then led his head towards her bosom to embrace him tight. “Don’t think!” She said as she pulled him onto her lap.

“Hey, whoa.” Ares said as he struggled against her. “When we’re in private.” He said as he pulled away and then rubbed his forehead. “You both are so much trouble, far more than you’re worth, seriously…” Then he laughed. “I can accept Lana as my wife, though… Mala is a little young, too young.”

“It is time for her to marry. She is not one who holds any titles, and she is a catfolk you are familiar with. She is also a member of your original tribe, so it would put them at ease.”

“Are you not at ease?” Ares asked with a brow raised, crossing his arms.

“I am, but I have to see it from their point of view.”

“I’ve already allowed my original tribe to remain within the capital, mostly, isn’t that good enough?”

“We are speaking about bonds of blood. Such a thing is far more important than the place they sleep.”

“Isn’t there anyone else?” Ares asked.

“There is.” Rori said. “Nora.”

“Nora… as in your niece, Nora?”

“The very same Nora.”

Ares flushed, suddenly feeling far more awkward. “I barely know her.”

“No, but I know you. Nora has no one, other than myself. She is crippled, but I know you don’t mind such a thing, and it would be a show of good faith.”

Ares sighed. Rori was right, Nora probably would have been a great choice. Ares paused and then finally leaned back.

“It also means we would be united, in some way, through blood…” Ares then laughed. “Aren’t you romantic? Though… I did want to keep the Consul line and the Royal line separate. Are you going to marry as well?”

“If it would settle your mind on the matter.”

“It would, but I’d rather you marry for love. Tell me, do you have your eye on anyone?”

“I do.”

Ares froze in shock, furrowing his brows together. “What? Who?”

“Heria.”

Ares snorted and then coughed on nothing, rubbing his eyes to try and stop the tears of laughter from flowing.

“Did you say Heria? Did he say Heria?” He asked as he looked to Lana, who didn’t look at all surprised. “Wait, did you know?”

Lana shrugged and nodded. “It is no surprise. Of the people that have helped you most, Heria and Rori are within the handful… it would not surprise me that they would find each other attractive in such a way.”

“Well… if you and Heria marry…” Ares thought about it. It would unify Rori and a Major together, and with Heria’s experience, or at least the experience Ares thought she had, Heria would probably be quite a powerful general in the future, that would be loyal to him, and more importantly, to Rori. This was just… this was too perfect. Rivea would probably benefit further from having Heria marry the Consul than the King, though of course it would give Rori quite a powerful ally against him, though if Rori wanted to betray him, Ares didn’t mind so much, as long as he could save his family and leave.

“If you marry Heria, I’ll marry whoever you think I should marry. Though… perhaps we wait on Mala? I’d rather she and her family have the final say, though her word will be final. I’d like to meet with Nora more often if you don’t mind, call me a hopeless romantic…”

Ares suddenly felt much more awkward. He turned to face Lana. “So uh… what do you think about this business, of me marrying multiple women?”

Lana narrowed her eyes in confusion. “What is the matter with such a thing?”

“Well, you only have me so… it’s a little unfair I get to sleep around with so many women.”

“If it would make you feel better, I could sleep around with more men?”

Ares winced at those words. His previous world had ingrained him so against the thought. “Uh, no thank you.”

“It does not matter.” She said. “I will sleep with who I must. As long as you remain the strongest and as strange as you are, there will be no issues.”

“Alright, then I’ll try not to become normal.” Ares laughed. “Though I don’t think you really mean that.”

“Why wouldn’t I? Both are reasons why I am attracted to you. So please, show me more.” Lana said as she climbed on top of him and then Ares fell under her as she showed him just how much she enjoyed him, though Ares quickly managed to scramble away from her. Since their talk was over, or rather, he left so they could speak in the future, he found Emerli and then went on a walk with her, trying to think.

“Emerli, you’re my sister, right?”

Emerli looked up at him. She bowed her head slowly, her hood covering most of her face. She still felt shy around the area, even after all this time. If it wasn’t for Ares being sick, no doubt he wouldn’t have seen her around the area.

“I couldn’t marry you, that’d be weird.” He said as he reached up to pet her head. “You might become a bigger target if I marry you… though if you ever feel in danger, tell me okay? I’ll deal with it.” Ares smiled warmly, even though his thoughts were much darker. “I have a lot to think about…” He sighed and then walked hand in hand with her, keeping her nearby. She seemed to radiate a calming warmth.

“You know…” Ares stopped and then looked to Emerli. He was about to speak of his other life, but decided against it. “Nothing.”

Then there was the sound of a gong and Ares looked over towards the tower. The flames were lit.

“Again?”