A Wolf's Howl, A Fairy's Wing

Naeku's expression became complicated. She parted her lips to speak. "I—"

But Eri immediately interrupted her. "No pressure, alright!" he exclaimed, smiling a little nervously. "I didn't tell the girls about this, so you won't disappoint anyone by saying no, and I'll understand if you want this moment to be just yours."

Erik inspected his future wife closely, hoping not to find any anger or disapproval. He felt like he had to propose this for the benefit of his other wives, but he didn't want Naeku to be angry or disappointed over it.

Fortunately, a small smile appeared on her lips and she shook her head. "No, that's not it. I wouldn't have expected you to do that."

While Erik seemed relieved, Naeku continued with a raised eyebrow. "I'm just not sure if they'll actually want this? I never got the impression Astrid or Emily liked crowds. And Emma would probably never have eyes for anyone but you anyway, so any background character would just be noise to her."

Erik couldn't help but start laughing joyously. "Haha, you've sure figured them out fast! You've known each other for a few months and haven't even met that often, but you seem to have a pretty good grasp on their personalities!"

Naeku sighed wryly and nodded. "Yeah, it's been a busy few months… I spent some time with them during the weeks of your recovery, but I'd like to get to know them better. We'll soon be family, after all…"

A strange flash went through Erik's eyes when he thought back to last night, and the conversation he'd just had with Emily, causing him to wonder if Naeku realized exactly how close she'd probably become with them. A small grin appeared on his lips, but he quickly suppressed it lest Naeku started asking questions.

"I'm sure you'll be closer than you can even imagine, given enough time…" he told her, doing his best not to let his inner thoughts out.

"Anyway," he continued with a shake of his head. "You are right, of course, but I think this would be an exception to the crowd thing. Emily and Astrid don't enjoy engaging with a crowd, but both of them love to show off their relationship with me to as many people as possible."

Shifting his weight, he leaned back in the chair he sat on and explained. "As you know, my relationship with Emily is… abnormal."

Naeku's thoughts immediately went back to the day she accidentally walked in on them after Erik had just woken up, and a shiver went through her spine.

She nodded wryly, and Erik continued. "Well, Emily is not ashamed of her desires, and she actually really enjoys making sure people know I've 'claimed her' so to speak. As for Astrid, she just wants as many people to know about our relationship as possible… it's a leftover desire from when we were young, and she had an unrequited crush on me."

Enlightened, Naeku nodded. "I see! I guess I really do still have something to learn about them."

"Hopefully, you'll have your whole life soon," Erik smiled at her, and she smiled back. Love glowed in both their eyes, although not yet in any particularly powerful intensity. But it didn't need to. For now, they just needed it to be real, and able to withstand the test of time.

After a few moments, Erik scraped his throat and adjusted himself. "Anyway…You were right about Emma. She probably wouldn't care either way, so long as Emily and I are there. And I'm not even really sure about Astrid yet. She might want to wait for her own mother to be there as well. We had a small ceremony back in Norway, but… she definitely deserves more."

"But besides those reasons," he continued with a frown. "It would also give them some more recognition, not only as the emperor's wives, but also as the sister-wives of their beloved princess."

"So…" he continued, looking at her hopefully. "Since the marriage of the beloved princess Naeku will certainly draw more Enkarians than that of the new and unknown emperor to his unknown wives… Would you be alright with that?"

Naeku giggled and leaned forward with a playful smirk. "I think you're underestimating your own draw, Erik… People would definitely come in droves for you, too, especially after all the tall tales that have been going around lately. I've even been hearing rumours about some kind of cult…"

Erik's wry, somewhat uncomfortable thoughts immediately went towards Nora and Anne's efforts, but he quickly discarded those thoughts again. Elora was taking care of that, and he'd just wait to see the results.

Seeing his expression, Naeku assumed she was declining his proposal, but she quickly corrected him. "That said, I don't mind if we make it a group occasion," she smiled and got up from her sofa to walk over to Erik's chair and sit down on his lap.

Relieved, Erik wrapped his arms around her and smiled. "That's awesome, Naeku, thank you," he said as he looked into her eyes.

"Hehe, it's fine," she giggled before sighing as she melted into his body with a content smile. "I'm not one of those girls who've thought their whole life about this moment. I have no particular vision of what it's supposed to look like yet, so… I really don't mind if we make it a group affair. It would also help me grow closer to them, and perhaps bridge some of the 'newcomer gap'."

She grinned and traced forms on his chest. "Plus, it'll make my new husband happy. He'll surely show his appreciation during our wedding night…"

Smiling, Erik was about to respond when Naeku's eyes narrowed and the sharp nails of her werepanther form dug slightly into his chest. "Which reminds me… the wedding night is mine alone! Don't think you can slip some kind of foursome into the deal!"

"Oh no!" Erik exclaimed with exaggerated distress, grinning widely. "My dastardly master plan has been foiled!"

Naeku immediately lost her narrowed eyes and exasperatedly punched his chest instead. "Funny guy!"

Suddenly, she seemed to have a thought. "By the way… What about Elora? Wouldn't she join as well?"

A look of love seeped into Erik's eyes, and Naeku couldn't help but wonder if he'd ever look at her like that. She'd accepted that she wasn't Erik's only wife, and that the others had far more history with him already, but… she obviously hoped for a bright future.

"Hehe, no, Elora prefers to stay in the shadows for now," he smiled softly. "We're not keeping her existence a secret, and if anyone asks, she's my Empress, but we're not advertising it either."

"Besides," he shrugged. "We already had a proper ceremony some time ago…"