Abandon You Choose Dragon Chapter 05
Two days later.
The brides from the Praise Moon Festival were to receive the Moon God’s blessing in the sanctuary.
The sanctuary entrance was packed with people.
My father stood in his formal attire, laughing and chatting with the Elder and the tribal council.
His voice boomed, his brows lifted high—like it was his own daughter getting married.
Chloe’s mother stood beside him, dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief, leaning over now and then to murmur something to my father.
James and Liam bustled around the entrance, greeting tribespeople left and right.
Only my mother hung back, alone, at the edge of the crowd.
Her head was bowed. She hadn’t said a single word.
Chloe wore a heavy white lace veil, her fingertips hooked around Ash’s sleeve, whispering that she was nervous.
He murmured back, “Don’t be scared. I’m right here.”
The Elder surveyed the room and made his announcement, his expression grave.
“Three couples were matched at the Praise Moon Festival. One pair has refused the binding contract. The female will have her tribal mark erased and be expelled from the tribe.”
“The remaining two couples—please complete the ceremony with reverence.”
Liam clicked his tongue from the sidelines.
“Iris didn’t even bother showing up. Guess she’s still sulking about refusing the contract.”
“Better she’s not here, honestly. With that wallflower personality, she’d just stand in the corner and kill the mood.”
James’s voice was breezy, careless. “She’s been like that since we were kids. Runs away from everything.”
“If anything, going through with the refusal shows she finally grew a brain. What’s the point of making a fuss over a ceremony? Ash said he’d take her to register at the Alliance. I don’t know what she’s on about.”
My father was offering cigarettes to the guests when someone asked, “Your whole family’s here—where’s your daughter Iris?”
He waved a hand. “Throwing a tantrum. She’ll get over it in a couple of days.”
No one pressed further. No one spared a second glance.
The ceremony began. Family and grooms stepped out of the sanctuary.
The brides knelt with their backs to the Moon God’s statue.
The clan leader spoke. “Brides, extend your hands to receive the Moon God’s blessing.”
Chloe held out her right hand. The leader sprinkled holy water consecrated by moonlight and tied a silver ribbon around her wrist.
Then it was the other bride’s turn. A hand emerged from beneath a sleeve.
Ash had been leaning toward Liam, mid-conversation, when his gaze drifted idly across that hand.
Across the palm, a reddish-brown burn scar stood out, vivid and unmistakable.
That was—Iris?!