Under the Mask: Multiple Choice For Love

The pockmarks and birthmarks on my face were congenital. I had been seeing doctors and taking medicines all along, but they had never gotten better.

My father was an inferior officer in Eglin City. Before the accident, he had a lot of free time, just spending all day drinking coffee and reading books. He suggested finding a live-in son-in-law for me. If so, there would be someone who could take care of him in his old age.

However, I was reluctant in my heart, for it would be so embarrassing.

Before I could refuse, the news of looking for a husband for me had spread throughout the city. Many people came to ask for my hand in marriage, but only a few were willing to stay after seeing my face.

I hid behind the screen and saw the scene, hoping someone would come. All of a sudden, a man in simple and clean clothes came in.

He was being supported by someone and seemed to have difficulty moving. I guessed he had an eye disease, but it was still not difficult to notice his tall nose and plump lips from under the white cloth covering his eyes.

He nodded slightly and bowed in the direction of my parents, saying in a cold voice.

"My name is Hector Perry, a commoner from Eglin City. I'm sorry to bother you two today. The purpose of my visit is to ask for Ms. Gerta's hand in marriage."

I was on the other side of the screen, biting my handkerchief nervously. At this time, I hoped that he would speak but was also afraid that he would dislike my appearance.

"I have heard that Ms. Gerta is famous as a virtuous woman in the city, but I am not well-educated and have suffered from eye disease since childhood. I'm afraid that I am not worthy of her, so I have struggled at home for a long time and can't express my feelings to you two in time. However, I do not want to miss the honor of marrying your daughter, so I muster the courage to come here and give it a try. I hope that Ms. Gerta and you will not be offended."

"Did I hear correctly? He thinks I'm virtuous and that marrying me is an honor?" I was so excited that I almost jumped up, grabbing the hand of the maid beside me and grinning from ear to ear.

My father seemed to be about to say something, but before he could do so, I rushed out from the screen behind him.

"Father, Mother." I knelt in front of them. "I'm willing to marry Mr. Perry."

I first met him when I was 18 years old. He was dressed in a coarse grey coat and had elegant manners, totally different from ordinary people. When I stood in front of him, he would not lower his head and deliberately not look at my face. Instead, he would nod with a smile on his face. He was much taller than me and had a straight body.

The husband I dreamed of when I was young was just this kind of person. He was humble and polite, elegant and easy-going, yet able to protect me. After begging my parents for several days, they finally agreed and began to arrange the marriage between me and Hector.

I had never been so happy. On my wedding day, I spent a lot of money to ask the makeup woman to cover up the unsightly marks on my face. Her makeup tricks were so wonderful that if others didn't look at me closely, they could hardly see my birthmark.

I didn't receive anything about betrothal gifts, but instead, I even gave Hector a dowry which was worth a lot. Even so, I laughed happier than anyone else. Because from now on, I was no longer the ugly person that everyone on the street looked down upon, I was someone who had a husband who loved me.