My Daughters Are Regressors

“It’s been quite a while since our last spring wedding, hasn’t it?”“I wonder just how much food we’ll need to prepare!”

The men busied themselves slaughtering sheep and cattle, while the women prepared rice cakes and fresh bread.Elderly villagers and children decorated the surroundings with vibrant paper ornaments, making me feel as though I’d stepped into a cultural travel program.

“What are you all waiting for! We need to dress up today’s star, the groom!”

When Tirk, who led the women, called out, the men approached and draped an elegant leather cloak over my shoulders.They crowned me with woven branches, fastened a bronze sword at my waist, and even added a horn-carved flute.I looked every bit like a victorious general of the plains.

I found myself wondering what Cariote was doing at that moment.Though I wanted to check on her, she had disappeared into the bride’s tent and was nowhere to be seen.They told me I wouldn’t be able to see the bride until the wedding feast was well underway and the moon hung high in the sky.

“Now, time for the groom’s procession!”

As the groom, I learned I needed to walk through the village, showing my face and greeting everyone.This tradition meant seeking their blessings for our future together.Most of this time was spent meeting with village elders and receiving their heartfelt wishes.

“May you live long and happily together, brings back memories of my own wedding…!”“Now your real life begins! That’s what becoming head of household means!”“Marriage truly marks your entry into adulthood!”

For those who had lived long lives, watching young couples marry and start families seemed to bring genuine joy.Both male and female elders were eager to share their wisdom, each wanting to offer one more piece of advice. I noticed the wariness gradually fading from those who had initially found me unfamiliar.It felt as though I was finally being accepted as one of their own.

As evening settled in with these thoughts.Having completed my village pilgrimage, I took my place in the groom’s chair, positioned perfectly beside the great bonfire.

Flutter— Flutter—When I heard this peculiar sound and turned my head, Cecily appeared wearing traditional nomadic attire adorned with countless ornaments.

“Dad, look at this…!”

Perched on Cecily’s arm was a magnificent hawk.It was clearly a bird bred for falconry, and even I could tell it was exceptional, with its impressive size and noble bearing.

“I received a hawk as a wedding gift…! Falconry has always been a luxury reserved for royalty and nobles since ancient times…! It’s truly magnificent…!”

Cecily was clearly enamored with the hawk that stood as tall as she did.Soon, Domor, a bear-like man of considerable size, explained.

“This one comes from Zephyter, the thunder eagle of the great hunter Balhamad. Being only a year old, its training will depend entirely on how you raise it. Thunder eagles, mind you, reach maturity at 6 years and can live up to 70 years.”

Despite being only a year old, it already matched Cecily in height.That was quite remarkable.I wondered just how large it would grow when fully mature.

Boom— Boom— Boom— Boom—Then came the thunderous beating of drums.Judging by the distant sound of women’s laughter and chatter, the ceremony was about to begin.

The beautifully adorned prairie women appeared first, scattering wildflowers in their wake.Along this flower-strewn path came a white horse, carrying a woman in flowing traditional dress.Her face remained hidden.A long linen veil draped from her forehead to her chest, yet the women and elderly praised her, saying, “The bride is absolutely beautiful!”

“Is that the dowry Leone prepared?”“Leone was always incredibly skilled, wasn’t she.”

I learned that the bride’s wedding attire and decorations were traditionally prepared in advance by her family.They said that when Lady Leone still lived in this village, she had excelled at creating curtains and clothing.Indeed, Cariote’s dress was exquisitely embroidered with birds of prey, making it appear more like a masterpiece of traditional craft than mere wedding attire.

Swoosh—Cariote took her seat beside me.Her face, of course, remained concealed.According to tradition, the bride’s face must remain hidden until the couple enters their newlywed chamber after the wedding feast.Breaking this rule would invite evil spirits, jealous of the bride’s beauty, to curse the marriage.The evil spirit’s name is “Noctar” - while I wondered if it had any connection to the Nocturne faith of criminals, I honestly wasn’t too concerned.

“……”

Cariote maintained her silence.Tradition dictated that the bride must not speak until the wedding feast concluded.Perhaps because of this, the woman sitting beside me felt like a stranger.I caught myself wondering if the person beneath all those fabrics was truly Cariote, or if someone had taken her place.

“Now then, I, Village Chief Bidro, shall proceed with the wedding ceremony for these young people! The groom, Judas son of Ha Ido! And the bride, Cariote daughter of Balhamad! If anyone objects, speak now!”

According to tradition, this was the moment for any objections to be raised.For instance, if a man secretly in love with the bride were to say “I object!”, he would have to compete with the groom in various trials.

“I object!”

Pop—Suddenly, a figure appeared from the sky.It was a demon with massive bat wings, and people trembled in fear at its appearance.

“It’s Noctar!”“Noctar has come to ruin the wedding!”

Could this truly be Noctar, the demon feared by the prairie people?Of course not.After landing, they growled at Cariote and me.

“Sister! If you were planning a wedding, you should have invited Mom and me!”

It was Dina.And on their back sat a striking blonde noblewoman, whose appearance startled everyone.

“Isn’t that Leone?”“More importantly, she called Cariote sister. Could that be Dina?”

Lady Leone and Dina had arrived unexpectedly.Naturally, Cariote maintained her ceremonial silence.I decided to explain the situation to the visibly upset Dina on her behalf.

“This journey was meant to be intimate family time. We had agreed it would just be me, Cecily, and Cariote.”

“Why wasn’t I told about this?”

Dina was clearly upset.It seemed Cariote hadn’t informed her younger sister and mother about the plans.I found this rather puzzling myself.Though I wanted to hear Cariote’s explanation, she remained steadfastly silent.

Dina and Lady Leone were quickly seated in hastily arranged chairs for the bride’s family.Once the situation settled, Village Chief Bidro cleared his throat and asked.

“Now then, does anyone else wish to object?”

Would there be more surprises?I half-expected a village youth secretly in love with Cariote to shout “This marriage is invalid! I cannot accept it!” but no such declaration came.

“Well then, I now pronounce these two husband and wife!”

The ceremony was simpler and more modest than I had anticipated.I found it rather perfect.Soon people began dancing around the bonfire, with young men and women mingling and greeting one another.As time passed, the crowd grew larger, with women and youth from neighboring villages joining the festivities.

“Who’s that woman? She looks incredibly strong.”“That’s Orga from the next village? Better not get your hopes up. They say she won’t marry unless the man proves stronger than her.”“We’ll see about that.”

The night filled with dancing couples.Cecily proved quite popular as well.

“You’re Cecily, right? Is that really a thunder eagle chick? Amazing! I’m Dolomani, daughter of Barmesa. I don’t have a thunder eagle, but I do have a winged Molumolu.”

━Meowww

Strange songs began to fill the night air, and the bonfire’s heat grew more intense.I knew I would treasure these memories for the rest of my life.Lost in such thoughts, time slipped away until it was nearly midnight.

We stood before the tent prepared as our wedding chamber.This was the very tent once used by the great hunter and his wife, now cleaned and prepared for newlyweds.Surrounded by warm wishes from the villagers, I entered the tent with my bride.Only then did I feel like I could finally breathe freely.

“Cariote, are you allowed to speak now?”

“……”n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Cariote remained silent.I recalled the chatty aunties saying “The new groom must remove the bride’s linen veil.”

Swoosh—I carefully reached out and lifted the veil covering Cariote’s face.There I saw her beautifully made-up face, deeply flushed and slightly tearful.

“……”

Cariote’s eyes spoke volumes of emotion.I had to ask.

“Why didn’t you tell your sister and Lady Leone? You usually care so deeply for family.”

“…Well, once we’re married, you and Cecily will be my closest family, not my birth family.”

I understood then.This was Cariote’s way of preparing her heart for the change.Hearing her voice brought me a sense of relief.

“It didn’t feel like you sitting next to me earlier.”

“…I didn’t feel like myself either. I still don’t, really.”

Crash—A noise erupted from outside the tent.

━Stop pushing!━Dina, it’s been a while. More importantly, can you hear what they’re saying inside?━I don’t know! Besides, shhh, be quiet.

Women’s voices carried through the fabric.Apparently, this Iscariote village had a tradition where women would gather around the newlywed chamber to ‘eavesdrop’ during weddings.What a peculiar custom.

Swoosh—I gently waved my hand, casting shadows over the entire tent.Now no one would be able to eavesdrop or peek inside.