Chapter 56: Hospitality
“I’m back.”
The airflow from opening the door stirred the wind chimes at the entrance, emitting a crisp ‘ding-dong’ sound as Eluka stepped into the foyer, casually hanging her bag on the wall.
“No need to change your shoes, just come in.”
“Huh, really?”
“Well, you’re not wearing any shoes anyway, right?”
“Hehe, true.”
Muen scratched his head, not making a fuss, and walked straight into this love nest of the newlyweds.”
The air was filled with a faint floral scent, and the surrounding decorations didn’t give Muen any particularly festive or wedding-like feeling. However, the arrangement of all the furniture and items felt natural, giving off an unconscious sense of warmth.
“We’ve only just gotten married, yet the atmosphere of life is already so thick?”
Muen’s hand grazed the immaculately clean bookshelf, his gaze involuntarily lingering on the pristine white walls.
On the wall hung a painting depicting a sun-tanned, hearty middle-aged man laughing heartily, revealing his bright white teeth, alongside a demure and restrained middle-aged woman.
“Huh?”
Looking at the painting, Muen stroked his chin and asked:”
“Eluka, the people in this painting, aren’t they you?”
“Of course not.”
Eluka walked over, glancing at the painting on the wall.
“This was painted when my parents got married.”
“Your parents?”
“Yeah.”
Eluka scratched her cheek somewhat embarrassedly.
“It’s a bit shameful to admit. Despite being an adventurer for several years and having decent achievements, due to various reasons, neither I nor my family managed to save much money, let alone buy a house in Belrand where the property prices have skyrocketed.”
“So, you’re currently living with your parents.”
“I see, that makes sense to some extent,” Muen nodded with understanding.
It seems that regardless of the world, not being able to afford a house is a big problem.
“Will you understand too? I thought you were a wealthy person.”
“Haha, is there really a wealthy person in this world who can’t even afford clothes and has to wander around naked?” Muen chuckled, not intending to reveal his noble status.
“Well, maybe,” Eluka replied uncertainly.
It’s hard to tell if Eluka believes Muen’s words. She chats with him casually, with a hint of hesitation, as she walks into the bedroom.
When she comes out again, she’s changed into casual home clothes, wearing a cute pink apron.
“It might take a little time to cook, would you like something to drink first?” Eluka asks.
“…Some coffee would be nice, to wake me up,” Muen replies.
“Sure… Oh, wait a moment.”
About to go make coffee, Eluka suddenly stops, looking somewhat embarrassed.
“Um, it seems we don’t have any coffee at home…”
“No coffee?” Muen pauses, then with a strange expression, he says, “Did rats eat your coffee too?”
“What rats?” Eluka responds irritably. “I just remembered that my parents never drink coffee because it keeps them awake, so I don’t think we have it at home.”
“I see. Well, no need to bother then. Just give me whatever you have.”
“We have black tea…”
“Forget about the black tea! Just plain water, give me plain water!”
“Is that so, well…”
Muen’s sudden panic surprises Eluka, who furrows her brow in confusion before heading into the kitchen.
Not long after, she returns with a glass of plain water.
“By the way, what about your parents?” Muen takes the glass of water, thanks her, and inquires.
“Haven’t I told you? They’re busy with farm work.”
“Now? But aren’t you two newlyweds?”
“That’s exactly why they’re busy with farm work,” Eluka sighs, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Even though it’s a wedding, it’s still not as important as harvesting the wheat from the fields before the next rain comes. Besides, it’s my wedding, not theirs.”
“I see, it’s truly beyond imagination how hard it can be,” Muen sighs again, feeling almost compelled to recite a poem about the toils of farming. But then he realizes it’s a fantasy world; reciting poetry wouldn’t fit.
“Did your husband go with them?” Muen asks instinctively, noticing it’s just him and Eluka in the house from start to finish.
“No,” Eluka replies.
“He’s got some business to attend to.”
“I see, well, he should be back soon then, considering it’s almost dinner time. I wonder if he’ll misunderstand seeing the two of us alone like this,” Muen jokes.
“No, he won’t be back for a while,” Eluka replies.
“Huh?” Muen’s smile freezes.
“What do you mean ‘won’t be back for a while’?”
“Well… it’s nothing,” Eluka sighs, habitually touching her cheek.
“I found a note he left in the kitchen just now. He’s got some things to take care of today and won’t be back until late. It looks like it’ll just be the two of us for dinner,” Eluka explains.
“We… just the two of us?”
Muen’s eyes widened suddenly.
This isn’t right.
Not right at all.
Newlyweds.
Husband is out.
Wife is alone with a stranger.
And they’ll even be eating dinner together until nightfall.
“Even have to eat together until dark. There are just too many elements here that make it hard not to crack a joke. Secret newlywed *confirmed.avi*?”
“Um… just the two of us, is it not a bit inappropriate?”
Muen, who was initially relaxed, suddenly becomes tense, nervously rubbing his hands.
“Maybe I should take my leave? If the neighbors or anyone sees us having dinner together, it might lead to unnecessary misunderstandings.”
“Hmm? Are you feeling guilty, Mr. Muen? Do you really have something fishy in mind?” Eluka squints, teasingly asking.
“Impossible, I just think it’s not appropriate,” Muen scratches his head, smiling awkwardly.
“Well, then there’s no problem. You can relax and stay here. I wouldn’t be so rude as to let a guest leave hungry. Besides…”
Eluka’s lips curve into a smile, her face expressing happiness.
“My relationship with others is not something trivial enough to be shaken by such matters.”
“Oh, I see,” Muen stammers, facing Eluka’s blissful expression, then instinctively says.
“Your relationship with your husband is truly admirable.”
“Of course, I love him the most.”
As she speaks of her love, Eluka, newlywed as she is, blushes shyly like a young girl.
“Oh dear, what am I saying? I’m sorry, Mr. Muen. I accidentally said something shameless again.”
“…It’s, it’s fine,” Muen manages, his mouth twitching. “I don’t mind.”
He’s definitely been fed a mouthful of dog food.
“Anyway, Muen, just relax here and wait for me to prepare the roasted whole lamb. Don’t worry too much, but of course, don’t get any strange ideas either. Even though I know you’re a pervert.”
“That last part was unnecessary!”
“Alright, then, look forward to it.”
With a smile, Eluka walks into the kitchen.
…
“There are no sediments at the bottom.”
Muen holds up his glass, staring at the plain water through the light from outside.
“The color is clear and transparent.”
After speaking, he brings it to his nose and takes a sniff.
“The smell is also normal.”
He lightly touches the water with his fingers and applies it to his skin.
After a few minutes, there are no changes.
“And there are no adverse reactions.”
“It seems like it’s just a normal glass of plain water.”
After experimenting with various methods, Muen finally cautiously reaches a conclusion.
“There’s no drug in it, nor anything strange added.”
“Eluka herself seems logical, but…”
Muen looks out the window.
The night deepens gradually.
Above the clear sky, a few stars twinkle.
Occasionally, there’s the chirping of insects in the quiet village, but no other sounds can be heard.
“I can’t shake this feeling… something’s off.”
…
I love you, you know.
Bro slipping gradually 😭
Run I am telling you mc or confront maid head on 2 choice
“I can’t shake this feeling… something’s off.”
…
I love you, you know.