I love the symbolism at the end there. Even though he says he's past it, we see that he's still in the closet. His younger self surrounded by vines and thorns reflect the feelings he hid thoroughly behind that closet.
Afraid of hurting this person from these thorns that is his "new" wife, he...
@Roiya Ancient times always have wars surrounding them. I guess its to secure the lineage. But I understand what you're saying. Our queen battling it out with 30 concubines.
I've read too many off-brand manga to think that the slave mark is a:
1. Aphrodisiac-inducing contraceptive
2. Aphrodisiac-inducing mind break that will birth the New Breeds (demon, orc, goblin)
And not a Goddess sanctioned mark.