The Fake Bride Offered to the Snake God - Chapter 16

Chapter 16

After that, everyone on Yuehuai Mountain knew the Snake God no longer accepted brides.

Nor did he allow sacrifices.

Some people refused to believe it and secretly sent treasure to the Serpent Lair.

The next day, that chest of gold coins was tossed back to the village entrance, completely untouched, with a note pressed on top.

I had written the words myself.

The Snake God isn’t short on money.

Compensation for the wedding dress is the exception.

The villagers couldn’t understand the second half.

Norn laughed so hard he nearly rolled down the stone steps.

Semyre stood at the cave entrance, expressionless.

“Is it that funny?”

Norn immediately scrambled to his feet.

“Not funny at all, brother-in-law.”

I pressed a hand to my forehead.

Semyre did not correct him.

I snuck a glance at him.

He was looking at me too.

That night, Black Lotus blossoms filled the pool.

They were no longer bitter, and they no longer smelled of blood.

I sat by the water, sleeves rolled up as I washed medicinal herbs.

Semyre watched me for a long while from beside me.

“Ailia.”

“Hm?”

“You lied to me today.”

I thought about it for a long time.

“What did I lie to you about?”

“You said that chest of gold coins was only compensation for the wedding dress.”

My hands paused.

He moved a little closer, his silver-white serpent tail gliding soundlessly across the water.

“A wedding dress doesn’t cost that much.”

Calmly, I put the herbs into the basket.

“Interest.”

“What else?”

“Emotional damages.”

“What else?”

Pressed until I had nowhere left to hide, I turned and glared at him.

“Travel money for when we go out to have fun later. Happy now?”

Semyre looked at me.

“With me?”

“Who else? Norn?”

Norn’s voice came from the cave entrance.

“I’m available too!”

A few little snakes immediately dragged him away.

I couldn’t hold back my laughter.

Semyre laughed too.

Very faintly.

He lowered his head and gently bit the tip of my finger.

It didn’t hurt at all.

“Lying to me again.”

My ears burned, but my mouth stayed stubborn.

“How am I?”

“You clearly want to go with me.”

He lifted his eyes to meet mine.

“And you’re pretending it’s just convenient.”

I looked at him, and suddenly, I didn’t want to argue.

The Black Lotus flowers swayed gently in the pool.

Outside the cave, the wind carried the scent of moon locust blossoms.

I reached out and touched his face.

“Semyre.”

“Mm.”

“I want to go with you.”

The smile in his eyes stilled, then slowly deepened.

As if he had finally caught a truth that had come far too late.

“All right.”

He said,

“This time, I believe you.”

A long time later, Yuehuai Village had a new rumor.

They said the Snake God still bit people.

He simply no longer bit every liar.

First, he would ask why that person had lied.

If it was to harm others, he would bite hard.

If it was to survive, he would give them a way out.

And if someone clearly liked him, yet lied and said it was only convenient…

Then he would bite very lightly.

So lightly it was almost like a kiss.

(The End)