Merida's Pov
I was just sitting in my chair beside my parents' throne when the guests began arriving. One by one, they filed in, each with unique features that set them apart. But the most striking among them was a massive man—his beard thick, his muscles seemingly forged from steel. A helmet adorned with glowing runes sat on his head, and his cape shimmered with what looked like dragon scales. His face was cold, unreadable—like stone.
As I sat there, waiting for the introductions to end, the formal procession began.
The first clan: Macintosh. Their heir was... embarrassing. He made ridiculous faces while flailing his sword around like he was performing for children.
Next came the MacGuffins. Their heir was tall and broad-shouldered. During his introduction, he split a small log in two with his bare hands. Impressive, but he barely spoke—a timid giant.
Then came the Dingwalls. As the clan leader introduced their heir, I gasped. A massive man appeared, muscles bulging like he wrestled bears for sport. But then, he stepped aside, revealing the real heir. Before anyone could speak, mocking jeers erupted from the other clan leaders. But the taunting was cut short by a booming voice. It was him—the man from earlier.
Then came the Hooligan clan. When their leader spoke, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. The words that came out of his mouth felt unreal. Suddenly, the whole room erupted, chanting a single name: Erik.
Later that day
I stepped into the village square and found it filled with men, armored and ready for battle. I made my way to the center, preparing to give a speech. My mother, in her bear form, stood at the end of the hall where no one would be looking, offering quiet support with subtle hand signals.
That's when I saw him again—Erik.
He was watching my mother, hand resting on his sword. I tensed. Was he a threat? But he looked lost in thought. I gathered my voice and ended the speech:
"Everyone, to the seller! Let's drink to our hearts' content!"
As the crowd dispersed, I noticed the Hooligan leader still staring at my mother. Worry crept in—until Erik leaned in and said something to him. Then, both men turned and followed the others out. I let out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding.
A few hours later
While trying to think of a way to help my mother, I found myself wandering into the arena, lost in thought. Before I knew it, I was seated among the crowd.
The gates opened.
Erik stepped into the arena—unarmed.
Then came the Macintosh heir, sword in hand.
They exchanged words I couldn't hear, and then the Macintosh heir roared and charged with a wide slash. Erik dodged effortlessly. He stepped in and landed a punch—then twisted his body, delivering blow after blow in a rhythmic, graceful assault.
Time seemed to freeze.
When he finally stopped, the Macintosh heir collapsed.
The arena erupted in applause. Erik stood still, waiting for the next opponent. But no one came. A servant whispered something to my father, who stood with twitching lips and shouted:
"The other heirs… have run off!"
Later
My bow was raised. I was aiming it at my father.
"Don't hurt my mother!" I shouted.
"What?" he barked back.
"STOP!"
The voice was powerful and commanding. Erik.
"That bear… is the queen."
The entire hall fell silent.
How could he know? I was still trying to make sense of it when my father suddenly shouted:
"Charge!"
But the warriors ran in a different direction. Confused, I turned—and saw him. Mor'du. He tore through the warriors like paper. Even my father tried to fight, only to be thrown aside.
Then Mor'du turned toward me. And charged.
My body froze.
But just before he reached me—a blur rushed past.
Erik tackled the beast.
Coming back to my senses, I watched in awe as Erik pushed off the bear, twisted mid-air, and landed with stunning agility. He looked so graceful. My heart—without warning—started to race.
Remembering my mother, I threw a blanket over her. As the magic faded, she turned back into her human form. Together, we watched as Erik lifted and slammed Mor'du into the ground.
But Mor'du wasn't done. He tried to rise again.
I reached for my bow—but Erik was already there. He jumped onto the beast's neck, wrapping his arms around it, tightening his hold. Seconds felt like hours. Finally, the bear stilled.
The crowd started in stunned silence—until someone began to chant Erik's name. Slowly, the chant spread, rising into a triumphant roar.
Later again
I couldn't stop thinking about him.
"He's…"
Ba-dump. Ba-dump. Ba-dump.
I shoved my face into my pillow and let out a muffled scream, flailing my arms and legs.
"Sigh…"
"Why is my face so hot? Why do I feel like this?"
"I should thank him."
And thanking someone usually means giving something. I didn't have time to make anything fancy—and I didn't know when he'd leave. But maybe… I could bake something?
With a burst of energy, I jumped out of bed and rushed to the kitchen.
I grabbed some utensils… and froze.
"I've never cooked before."
My body slumped. Then the kitchen doors creaked open. It was Maudie. I gasped and hurried over, explaining everything. She smiled and agreed to help. I promised her a reward, but she only shook her head and said she didn't need one.
One hour later
After many failed attempts… I finally made them.
Cookies. I packed them carefully and left, heart light.
Now, I'm standing in front of his door. Nervous.
"Breathe, Merida… breathe," I whispered.
With every ounce of strength I had, I knocked—three times.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
I heard footsteps.
Ba-dump. Ba-dump. Ba-dump.
My heart raced with every step that approached. Then, the door opened.
"Princess? What are you doing here?" Erik asked.
Too nervous to look up, I shoved the box into his hands, muttered, "Thank you," and ran off without waiting for a reply.
I sprinted ahead, oblivious to my parents frozen in place, jaws slack with shock.
It's been a few days since that morning the princess gave me those cookies. Ever since then, everything's been quiet. No drama. No chaos. Not even a single ruckus. But for some reason, I've had this lingering feeling—like someone's been watching me.
I suddenly turned my head toward the sensation. "Nothing," I muttered. Still, I could've sworn someone was staring at me. Shaking it off, I headed back to my room.
When I got there, I opened my system—and my mouth twitched.
Legendary Achievements Accomplished:
A Princess Admires YouTitle Gained: Prince in Shining ArmorEffect: Boosts charm. When saving a princess, gain +10% to all stats.Reward: 50 tickets, 100,000 pointsYou Have a Woman Stalking YouTitle Gained: Irrational PursuersEffect: Boosts charm. The more stalkers you have, the greater your charm.Reward: 50 tickets, 100,000 points
Total Gained: 100 tickets, 200,000 points
...Charm boosts are nice and all, but I'm definitely turning the second one off.
I entered my room and shut the door behind me. "What is this system, and why are these achievements legendary?"
System:Host, as explained, you earn achievements through your own actions and effort.
"But why is it legendary?" I asked.
System:…It is classified as legendary because calculations predicted a 0.003% chance of you ever successfully wooing a princess, given your current personality and behavior.
My veins throbbed. I grit my teeth. Grind... Grind...
"What are you trying to say? That I can't get a girlfriend?!"
System:Correction, Host. You can. The chances are simply... low.
"You ba—!"
System:Host, your blood pressure is dangerously high. Calculations suggest you are angry. Initiating breathing exercise protocol.
"You fuc—!"
A few minutes later...
I checked my gacha and couldn't help but giggle. I even forgot what the system had said.
150 tickets.
All from this trip alone.
"Heh... heh... heh…"
I clicked the 10x draw.
Trash.
Again.
Trash.
Again.
Trash, trash, more trash…
"What the hell is my luck?!"
Everything was garbage—except for one item: Skill Upgrade Card.
I looked at my remaining tickets.
60 left.
"Tch, just 60 more. One more draw."
Click.
My eyes followed the list of items as they appeared. Then I froze at the ninth item.
Skill: Berserker
Activates only when Host experiences deep rageGrants +200% to all statsNullifies painCauses total loss of rationality; fights purely for destruction and malice
"Holy... this is dangerous."
I groaned. "Now I have to control my emotions. Damn it."
Maybe there's a skill I can buy for that.
I scrolled through the shop and found it—Emotion Control.
Rarity: RareCost: 1,000 points
I bought it without hesitation. It might not help now, but I'll train it. I also decided to hold off on using my Skill Upgrade Cards until I hit a real bottleneck.
Remembering something, I returned to the shop and bought something else.
A few days later…
With my new Enhanced Senses skill—already leveling up from constant use—I could finally confirm it.
Someone was following me.
I ran into a secluded spot and hid. The presence approached, rushing in just as expected.
I crept up behind them… silently.
"Boo."
"Aahh!"
I burst out laughing as the princess screamed and stumbled backward, startled.
She scrambled to her feet, face bright red, and tried to flee—but I stepped in front of her.
"Why were you following me?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
She stammered, flustered, then lifted her hand with sudden boldness.
"I—I, Princess Merida, offer you my hand... and I agree to be your bride!"
…
"Ah. Sorry, Princess."
"Huh?"
"I don't like you that way."
She froze mid-pose, arm still extended, then slowly lowered it. In a shaky voice, she asked, "Then… Why did you come to the festival?"
"Obligation," I replied. "I'm the heir to the Hooligan tribe. I had to be here."
She sniffled, tears spilling over her cheeks. My chest tightened at the sight.
I knelt in front of her gently. "Don't cry, Princess. Let me ask you something first."
She nodded silently.
I wondered if she even understood what she was feeling—maybe gratitude mistaken for love?
"Do you like me?"
"Yes," she said softly.
"How do you feel when you see me?"
"My heart beats faster."
Maybe not love, I thought.
"I can't get you out of my head."
Hmm. That's a bit more serious.
"And every time we're close… I feel all tingly."
…Okay. She's definitely in love. With me.
I cleared my throat, trying not to blush myself.
She was about to continue, but I held up a hand. "That's… enough. I get it."
I stood and smiled. "Princess, if those feelings are true, then I'm honored. But… I think we should get to know each other better first."
Her head dropped. "What's the point? You'll be leaving soon."
"That's true. My father returns in a week or two. But until then… why not try to win my heart?"
"I don't think I'm capable of that, Sir Erik," she murmured.
I smiled warmly. "Love works in mysterious ways. Honestly? Besides my mother and the queen, you're the only woman who's ever surprised and intrigued me. If you try… maybe love will find a way."
"Really?" she whispered.
"Yes."
She wiped her tears, grabbed my hand—and dragged me along with her.
She took it upon herself to show me everything—her favorite foods, secret spots in the woods, the silly games she loved, the ones she made up as a child and never stopped playing. She was relentless in her enthusiasm, her energy never dimming, not even when she tripped over her own excitement and landed face-first in a puddle of mud. My heartbeat spiked, a jolt of concern and then a muffled laugh escaping me as she quickly pulled herself up, her face a comical mask of indignity.
We raced through ancient glens where the trees whispered secrets, and she challenged me to archery contests where her competitive fire blazed brighter than her red hair. One afternoon, while scrambling over slippery moss-covered rocks to reach a hidden waterfall, her foot slipped. I instinctively reached out, catching her before she fell. Her eyes, wide with surprise, were inches from mine, and my heart hammered against my ribs, a sudden, unfamiliar warmth spreading through me.
She led me to forgotten standing stones, telling me wild tales of spirits and magic, her voice alive with wonder. Then, she'd suddenly break into a jig, her laughter echoing through the quiet glade, and I couldn't help but join in, a genuine smile spreading across my face. Another time, she dared me to climb a near-vertical cliff face to gather rare mountain berries. My heart thundered as she effortlessly scaled the perilous ascent, seemingly unbothered by the dizzying height, while I had to rely on sheer strength and skill to keep up. It was maddening, exhilarating, and utterly unique.
At first, it was just to lift her spirits—to ease the sadness I knew would return when I had to leave.
But something changed.
The more time I spent with her, the more I began to see her. Not the flustered, lovesick girl who had once confessed with a stutter, but the fierce, unyielding spirit behind it. That fire I glimpsed at the archery range… that moment she raised her bow against her own father—it hadn't been a fluke. It was her. All of it was her.
Each morning, she waited for me at the gates, her whole face lighting up the second our eyes met. She'd wave, wildly, joyfully, like seeing me made her day. And I always followed—at first out of kindness. Then out of habit. Then out of something deeper.
Now, every time I see her smile, my chest tightens. Every time I catch her waiting for me, bouncing on her toes with excitement, my heart stumbles.
I want more time with her.
I want her to know she succeeded—that she won more than just my attention.
I want her to know…
I've fallen for her.
It had been a few weeks since I started following Merida. Not Princess Merida. Just Merida. Somewhere along the way, the titles fell away, as if they couldn't withstand the closeness we'd grown into.
But now… time was slipping through my fingers like sand.
My father had returned. His presence loomed like a storm cloud at the edge of an otherwise perfect day.
As Merida and I sat together, overlooking the highlands with the sun dying in streaks of gold and violet, silence stretched between us—comforting, fragile, and about to be broken.
I swallowed, then softly said, "Merida."
She turned to me, a faint smile on her lips. "Yes?"
"My father's returned. He's come to take me back."
Her expression shattered.
The warmth in her eyes dimmed, her shoulders fell, and she looked away, blinking far too quickly.
"Is it… is it time already?" she asked, her voice almost a whisper.
I nodded, the weight of it nearly crushing me. "Yes."
She turned her head toward the horizon, lips trembling.
"I'm tired," she said, voice breaking just slightly. "Let's stop here. I want to rest."
I could only nod again, helpless, as she stood and walked away slowly, her hair catching the wind, a lone ember drifting further from the fire.
The next morning, the docks were alive with activity. Sailors shouting, ropes creaking, gulls crying overhead.
The King and Queen stood tall, bidding farewell with dignity—yet I couldn't stop scanning the crowd.
She wasn't there.
A hollow pit grew in my chest. Had she said her goodbye last night? Was that all I'd get?
The other tribe leaders had long since departed. Now it was just my people preparing to leave. I stood on the platform, staring at the ship that would take me away from her.
I turned.
And then—
"WAIT!!!"
The air snapped. I spun around.
There she was.
Merida, running down the docks, her dress flowing like wildfire, something small clutched in her hands.
She was breathless when she reached me, her cheeks flushed, hair disheveled, eyes burning with emotion.
"Here," she said, pressing a box into my hands. "I—I made this. I didn't want you to leave without it."
I looked at the box, then at her. My chest ached. I sank to one knee, just like the first time we met.
"Thank you, Princess."
Her smile wavered. "Don't call me that."
I nodded solemnly. "Then thank you, Merida."
She looked away, biting her lip. "Is that... all you wanted to say?"
I took a breath, heart pounding.
"No. There's one more thing."
She hesitated. "What is it?"
I looked into her eyes.
"Do you still love me?" I asked, barely above a whisper.
Her breath caught. Her gaze dropped, hands clenching at her sides. Tears welled up and finally spilled down her cheeks.
"Yes," she whispered. "Yes, I still do."
I reached into my shirt. It looked like a pocket, but it was my inventory space. My fingers curled around the object I had hidden there for weeks—waiting for the right moment.
A ring.
The crowd was watching now. Even the King and Queen had grown quiet.
I rose to my feet, lifted the ring high, and let my voice echo over the waves.
"I, Erik Horrendous Haddock, swear before the gods and this kingdom: In three years, I will return to Dunbroch and make Merida my bride."
The ring pulsed with light as I poured mana into it, and I spoke my vow:
"If I die—this ring will shatter. If I fall for another—this ring will shatter. If I fail in my promise—this ring will shatter."
"But I swear to you, Merida: I will not die. I will not falter. And I will never, ever love another."
The glow intensified, humming with power.
Silence. Then—
Clap... clap... clapclapclap—
Cheers erupted all around us. The King nodded solemnly, and the Queen's eyes glistened with emotion.
Merida extended her trembling hand.
With reverence, I slid the ring onto her finger.
She gasped softly… then lunged forward, wrapping her arms around me.
We tumbled to the ground, laughing and crying all at once. In that moment, we didn't care about appearances, roles, kingdoms—just each other.
We stood again, still smiling.
I turned to leave—but her voice called me back.
"Erik!"
I looked over my shoulder.
She didn't speak.
She just kissed me.
Right there, in front of everyone.
It was soft, trembling, and impossibly real.
When she pulled back, her face was flushed, her hands covering her eyes like a child.
I stood stunned, a hand rising slowly to touch my lips.
Tap. Tap.
I turned. My father was beside me, a smug grin on his face, eyebrows wiggling like a fool.
My entire face lit up crimson.
I turned and ran onto the ship, his booming laughter echoing after me.
But deep down…
That kiss?
It was perfect.
I couldn't stop smiling.