I Became a Barbarian's Bride - Chapter 93
“Was she?”
“Yes. If it weren’t for the sudden oracle.”
“That’s unfortunate.”
Nisha responded calmly. It didn’t affect her at all.
It wasn’t as if she was passionately in love with Kagan or anything.
Sometimes, her heart would sting slightly, but that was all.
From the start, she had already said that it didn’t matter if someone else came along.
And since Kagan had assured her that it wouldn’t happen, there was nothing for her to worry about.
The atmosphere shifted subtly, and the expressions of the guests grew strange.
While tensions occasionally rose among the women of Xieman, this was different—who were they dealing with?
This was the Tun chosen by the oracle.
The oracle was bestowed by their god, meaning Nisha was deemed essential.
Everyone grew up hearing about the significance of the oracle and the profound impact those chosen by it had on Xieman.
And what of Nisha, who had arrived through this oracle?
In just a single day, she had covered a quarter of the capital in lush, green trees.
What kind of place was Xieman?
Surrounded by deserts and active volcanoes, nearly impervious to external invasion, yet constantly struggling with food shortages.
When surrounded on all sides, all one sees are bare branches, and the sight of lush green trees is something out of a fairy tale.
The idea of bountiful fruits or plentiful harvests was also nothing more than a tale.
But Nisha had changed all that in a single day.
Of course, they didn’t take kindly to an outsider getting involved.
In Xieman, the bond with family is strong, the bond with one’s tribe is solid, and the ties within their people are incredibly close-knit.
So the sudden appearance of an outsider taking the place of Katun and receiving the love of their revered Kagan wasn’t something they were fond of.
Even if they didn’t say it out loud, there wasn’t a single person who hadn’t admired the Kagan at least once in their lives.
He was stronger than anyone else, endlessly generous, and gentle to those within his walls.
Who could possibly dislike him?
A bit of grumbling was something they could smile and laugh about, but that was the extent of it.
“What could an outsider like her possibly do in Xieman? She acts as if she’s something special because people talk about her being a saintess or chosen by the oracle, but do you know what?”
“Lady Liri, I think you should stop…”
One of the young ladies sitting at the table finally set down her glass and spoke up.
But Liri, already caught up in her excitement, didn’t seem to hear her as she fixed her gaze and spoke more forcefully.
“You’re just a sacrifice. My grandfather said that the Tuns chosen by the oracle…”
“Lady Liri!”
“…have all died young.”
Nisha looked up at the woman’s face.
‘So, that’s the kind of face people make when they harbor malice.’
It might have been the first time Nisha had ever looked someone in the eyes when they were angry.
After all, Nisha had always clasped her hands and lowered her gaze in silence whenever voices were raised around her.
“You know, Kagan must know about this too. So, in the end, you’re nothing but a disposable tool being used…”
Smack-!
Smack?
Liri’s head whipped to the side, and Nisha’s eyes widened in surprise at the sharp sound.
“Huh…?”
Nisha parted her lips, her eyes widening as Liri gasped for breath.
“W-what… What did you… What did you just do?”
“Hey, you crazy thing. Just because people have been indulging you, have you lost your mind? There are things you should and shouldn’t say! What the hell are you saying toward the Tun?!”
Looking at the woman who suddenly turned pale and started yelling on her behalf, Nisha blinked like a startled rabbit, carefully clutching the whiskey glass in both hands.
She was at a loss for words at the rough language being thrown around.
“Huh? You sat there quietly this whole time, and now you’re pretending to be all righteous?! Are you out of your mind?!”
“Do you think the oracle is a joke? I let some things slide, thinking it was just banter, but you’ve gone too far!”
“Going too far or not, is that really the issue here? Ugh, what kind of pathetic person are you? I crossed the line, and you’re standing right on it. Does that make your actions any different, you hypocrite?!”
