"Nexia reminded me correctly, I made a mistake when discussing today’s matchmaking event, I was only thinking of you all and forgot about myself. Now I’m correcting this mistake by including myself!" After saying this, he stepped into the venue.
Nexia didn’t sit down and loudly declared, "Sisters, I’ve decided to choose Leader Maximus as my husband and I hope to have your support! Sisters..."
Nexia is one of the few female leaders in the rebel army, but unlike Acronis and Karina, as the head nurse of the medical camp, she has helped many women eliminate their illnesses. She has always been kind to people and sociable, earning a good impression among the women.
At this moment, she announced her choice first. Many women immediately showed their support, dispelling the fantasies of some who were not as well-suited as her. Of course, a few watched with the thought, "If she fails, I’ll have a go."
Amidst the noise, Nexia boldly walked into the center. Yet when she saw Maximus gazing at her, her heart tightened with nerves, "Lea... Leader, I... I wish to become your wife. Do... do... do you agree?"
Maximus looked calmly at the woman before him, though his mind was abuzz: Nexia, born in Greece, should be close in age to me. Her family’s business went bankrupt, leading her to become a slave, and she was sold to Italy, becoming a female slave on a large farm in Campania, often abused by the overseer... truly a woman with a hard life!
Among all the women in the tribe, Nexia’s looks and figure are quite good, her abilities are commendable, and she can read and write... Now, as Maximus recalls: every time he interacted with Nexia, she would express her affection for him, albeit subtly. At the time, he was solely focused on escaping the grasp of the Romans and not considering anything else. Now, since he had to choose a wife, it seemed unnecessary to stand around wasting time like a fool. The talented and affectionate Nexia was undisputedly the best choice being presented to him.
Maximus nodded and said in a deep voice, "I am willing to choose you as my wife!"
Maximus’s words were like music to Nexia’s ears, so beautiful that she could hardly believe her bold proposal had succeeded. It wasn’t until Maximus reached out and held her hand that a smile blossomed on her face, and tears of joy welled up in her eyes...
Cheers and applause erupted from all sides, genuine blessings from everyone for the pair.
Acronis hesitated for a moment but eventually joined in applauding her good sister.
"To not affect the following matchmaking, we should leave here quickly!" Maximus whispered into Nexia’s ear as a reminder.
At this moment, Nexia felt as if she were floating on clouds, completely not registering what Maximus was saying, only nodding blindly.
Maximus led her by the hand out through an opening to the marriage registration area.
"Congratulations, Leader! Congratulations, Nexia! Congratulations on becoming a married couple!" Legal Officer Sidonius offered his blessings and personally handled their marriage registration, completing the marriage contract.
Without hesitation, Maximus signed his name on the marriage contract, after which Nexia also wrote down her name.
It was the first time Maximus saw Nexia writing, her handwriting was quite elegant, indicating she had received a decent education in her youth.
Putting down the pen, Nexia glanced at the somewhat dazed Maximus and shyly asked, "Lea... Ma... Maximus, where do we go next?"
Maximus came to his senses and said, "I have to stay here to ensure the matchmaking event proceeds smoothly and to offer blessings to every new couple."
"Then I’ll stay here with you," Nexia softly replied.
Maximus nodded, "Alright."
Nexia smiled once more, holding Maximus’s hand tighter and gently leaning her body against his solid shoulder.
Maximus caught sight of the happiness displayed on her face from the corner of his eye, suddenly feeling that his life ahead had become richer and more fulfilling...
In the venue, it wasn’t the younger subordinates who were welcomed by the women, but the older chief officers. These women, having endured hardships, had moved beyond only considering appearances. They were willing to choose these chief officers not for their positions but because they had witnessed their devoted service to the team, believing them to be very trustworthy.
So, the moment the selection began, a group of women swarmed forward. Almost every department chief was surrounded by multiple women, each eagerly recommending themselves, making the whole venue lively.
While the other Segestica women were still contemplating Maximus’s prior speech, Pusilola had already mustered the courage to stand up, ignoring the puzzled looks of others, and walked straight into the venue.
She first headed towards Volenus because she had seen this man many times in the camp. He seemed to hold considerable authority in the tribe and was very kind to people. If they could marry, he would probably treat her well.
Unfortunately, before she could reach him, the old man named Volenus had already taken the hand of another woman. The two smiled sweetly, evidently already acquainted, and amidst the sighs of other women who had stepped forward to choose, they walked hand in hand out of the venue.
Pusilola had no choice but to turn aside.
The man beside her, named Capito, was someone she often saw these days. Though he was usually stern, he was also a man of power, and she decided to give it a try.
However, too many women surrounded Capito, blocking her way in, so she had to seek another target.
She scanned the room, noting that the older men were all surrounded by a large number of women, except for one with fewer around him. She hesitated briefly and then walked over.
During the rebel army’s movements through Italy, Gaius had always been living passively, performing the poorest among the tribe leaders, and thus was not favored by the women in the rebel army. At this moment, women coming up to choose him were all Skodisqi, yet he was not interested in any of them. Suddenly seeing a pretty young woman approaching, he was instantly captivated.
He only realized he couldn’t understand her until she began speaking, but that wasn’t a problem as a translator was specifically arranged nearby for such issues during the meeting’s discussion.
"Girl, are you sure you want me as your husband? You should know I’m much older than you!"
"Are you a Skodisqi?"
"I’m from Segestica."
Segestica!... Gaius was a bit surprised, suddenly realizing this might be good news and immediately said, "I am willing to marry you."
At the marriage registration area, Maximus watched as his capable subordinates, one by one, came paired up. In fact, over the past year, thanks to his attendants gathering information for him, he was well aware that most of his subordinates had already found someone they cared about. Seeing them achieve their desires at this moment made him truly happy for them, and he offered each of them sincere blessings. Naturally, they also sincerely congratulated him and Nexia.
Until he saw the pair of Gaius and Pusilola, their noticeable differences in appearance and age caught his attention.
"Gaius, congratulations on finding your other half!" Maximus smiled and offered his congratulation.
"Thank you, Leader!" Gaius, in his joy, didn’t forget to flatter a bit: "If it weren’t for you, Leader, I wouldn’t have been able to marry such a young and beautiful wife at my age! Now I feel I have more energy to do better for the tribe!"