Extra's POV: My Obsessive Villainous Fiancee Is The Game's Final Boss-Chapter 119: Would You Rather?

30 years ago.

Maria and Abram walked side by side through the sparse woods, their steps quiet on the soft forest floor. The pale light of the sun streamed through the gaps in the trees, making the path look like an ethereal painting.

The branches of the trees danced gently in the breeze, sending the light and shadows painting the flow moving in a beautiful pattern.

The trees were spaced far apart, giving the illusion of openness, unlike the thoughts Maria often found swirling around in Abram's head.

They'd taken to these walks over the past few weeks. Whenever their fathers were inside the settlement and locked in negotiations, Maria would fly over on her wyvern to the tree where Abram would be sitting.

She knew he could've just decided not to come but she knew he'd been waiting for her. He just wouldn't admit it to anyone.

And anytime she gets there, she'll pull Abram away on a walk, using these opportunities to talk. Or more specifically, for her to try to get him to see the world the way most people did.

It wasn't easy.

Visit freewёbnoνel.com for the best novel reading experience.

Today was no different. She had her hands clasped behind her back, glancing at him as he marched beside her, posture perfect, eyes forward.

The quiet creak of his leather armor, the even space between each step, the deliberate pace in which he walked, everything about him screamed discipline.

"So, let me ask you something." She began casually, as if she hadn't spent the past five minutes trying to lead the conversation here. "What would you do if your father ordered you to sever your own arm to please a noble lady?"

Abram didn't blink. "I would do it."

Maria stopped walking. She stared at him, mouth slightly open. "You would what?"

Abram turned to her, his eyes staring at her as if what she'd just asked was normal. "I would sever my arm."

"Why?!"

"Because it would be an order from my father."

Maria walked a few paces away, flinging her hands up in frustration before turning back to him. "But the noble lady is of the same standing as you! Isn't that how you Albion nobles are structured?! Your father wouldn't gain anything from giving that order!"

"That doesn't matter." Abram said simply. "My role is simply to obey."

Maria pressed a hand to her forehead. She walked back to him, eyeing him like she was trying to solve a puzzle with half of its pieces missing. "You're not a sword, Abram. You're a person. You're allowed to question orders."

He tilted his head, slightly confused. "I know I'm not a sword. I'm a trained soldier. And I wasn't trained to question."

"That's the problem!" Maria groaned. She exhaled and took his hand, leading him to a fallen log where they both sat.

"Look. Obedience is good in some cases. Sure. But total obedience? That can be dangerous. You're smart. Strong. You have the ability to make your own choices."

Abram frowned faintly. "But choices lead to mistakes. Orders are clear."

"Yes, they are." Maria said patiently. "But that doesn't make them right. Sometimes doing the right thing means going against an order. That's what makes it hard."

"But if I make choices that go against my father's wishes, would that not be betrayal?"

Maria looked at him. His question was earnest. She didn't sense sarcasm or mockery. Just... confusion. And that made it all the more heartbreaking.

"Not if your father is wrong." She said gently. "Not if the command causes unnecessary harm. You have to know when to say no."

Abram stared into the forest, processing her words. Maria watched him for a few seconds, before offering another scenario.

"Okay, what if someone told you to burn down an entire village because one man inside it insulted his family?"

"Is the order from my father?"

Maria resisted the urge to smack her forehead again. "Just... imagine it's someone in authority."

"Then I would burn down the village."

This time, she wasn't even shocked. "Even if it means killing innocent people?"

"If that is what is required of me, yes."

Maria exhaled again. "Okay. Let's break this down. Why would burning the village be a bad idea?"

Abram blinked. "Because it would waste resources?"

"Well, yes, but also because people would die. Innocent people. People who had nothing to do with the insult. They'd suffer for something they didn't do. That's not justice, Abram. That's cruelty."

He was quiet for a few seconds, seriously considering what she'd said. Then, he asked, "How do I know when a command is wrong?"

"That's what your heart is for." Maria replied. "That's what your mind is for."

Abram looked at her, a flicker of something in his eyes. "I don't know if I can trust them."

Maria softened. "That's okay. It takes time. But the first step is realizing you have a choice."

They sat in silence for a while. The wind rustled the leaves above them. A bird sang somewhere high in the trees. The forest around them seemed to lean in, listening.

Then Maria turned to Abram and asked, "What would you do if a girl wanted to kiss you, but your father forbade it?"

Abram didn't hesitate. "I would obey my father."

Maria rolled her eyes. "Of course, you would."

She leaned in without warning and kissed him.

It was soft and quick, but enough to leave Abram frozen like a statue. His eyes went wide, his hands clenched at his sides. When she pulled back, he raised one hand to his lips in disbelief.

Maria tilted her head, studying him. "So? What would you do now if I wanted to kiss you again but your father forbade it?"

Abram stared at her, shock still on his face. Then he spoke, his voice hesitant. "I... don't know."

Maria grinned. "At least, that's better than blind obedience."

He looked back at her, a mix of confusion and shock still in his eyes, but there was something else too. Something like curiosity. Like a door had been cracked open in his mind.

Maria stood, brushing off her shirt and stood. "Come on. Let's get back before someone notices we're gone."

Abram stood beside her. As they walked, Maria reached out and took his hand again. This time, he didn't even resist.

A grin appeared on her face as she glanced at him. She was making progress.