Chapter 55: Invitation
“So you’re already married.”
Muen glanced at Eluka’s ring finger. He hadn’t noticed before, but now he saw a sparkling diamond ring on it.
“Yeah, we just got married last night.”
“Last night?”
Muen was taken aback.
Do people get married at night?
“It must be a cultural difference,” Muen thought, not paying too much attention to it.
“After all, in a different world where a man who robs while searching for true love has been encountered, what else could be impossible?”
“Congratulations on your wedding, Eluka.”
“Thank you.”
“Speaking of which, on your first day of marriage, you ran off to such a desolate place?” Muen asked, somewhat puzzled.
“I went to Belrand to take care of some business related to my husband’s work, and I also bought some things along the way,” Eluka pointed to the small backpack behind her.
“Work…”
Muen scrutinized Eluka’s attire and the emblem of a sword on her chest.
“You’re an adventurer, aren’t you? Is your husband one too?”
“Yeah, but because of our recent marriage, neither my husband nor I plan to engage in any adventurous activities for the time being. That’s why I went to inform the guild. I didn’t want them to think we’d disappeared for too long and slap a death label on us. The guild has quite a few mishaps like that every year.”
“I see,” Muen smiled. “Doing so much on the first day of marriage, you really are hardworking.”
“Not hard at all,” Eluka’s cheeks tinted pink. “For the sake of a better married life, these things are necessary.”
“Haha, it seems you two are deeply in love,” Muen remarked.
“I’m curious about your husband now. After all, to win the heart of a beauty like you, he must be quite remarkable.”
“You, with your sweet talk, must have charmed many women,” Eluka chuckled, covering her mouth. “My husband is just an ordinary person, but he truly loves me.”
“Nonsense, I don’t even have a girlfriend now,” Muen sighed solemnly. “It’s a pity I didn’t meet you earlier. Otherwise, I could have crashed your wedding and met a bridesmaid or something.”
“I wouldn’t have let you crash it,” Eluka joked.
“That’s just unfair…”
“By the way, my home is by the lake at the end of this river. Would you like to come over?” Eluka suddenly asked. “After all, you did help rescue me from the bandits, so you’re somewhat like a benefactor.”
“I can hardly be called a benefactor when, in the end, I still relied on you.”
Muen awkwardly scratched his head. Without Eluka’s help, he might have ended up being dragged back by that scar-faced man to become his concubine.
“As for visiting your home…”
Muen pondered for a moment. Normally, it wouldn’t be an issue. But considering the newlywed couple should be enjoying their alone time, it didn’t seem right for him to intrude and be a third wheel.
“Never mind, I’ll just…”
Grumble—
Muen’s attempt to decline was suddenly interrupted by a low, rumbling roar.
“Huh, was that thunder?” Eluka jumped, looking up at the sky. But there wasn’t a cloud in sight; the weather was perfect.
Puzzled, she then noticed Muen’s cheeks flush bright red, as if he’d been caught with a hidden stash of illicit books.
“You…”
“Haha…”
Muen forced an awkward laugh.
Damn, he forgot he hadn’t eaten anything in a day and a night. Plus, with the intense activity, he was starving.
“I see.”
Eluka’s lips curled into a mischievous smile as she touched her cheek, pretending to be regretful.
“Since Mr. Muen isn’t willing, then I guess there’s nothing I can do. After all, I can’t force it, but it’s a pity. I was planning to make a feast tonight, but it looks like it’ll just be me and a guest enjoying it.”
“A feast…”
“That’s right, a whole roasted lamb.”
“Gulp, a whole roasted lamb.”
“Well, it might be a bit difficult for two people to finish a whole roasted lamb, but there’s no other way, after all…”
“I’m terribly sorry, Miss Eluka, oh no, Mrs. Eluka.”
Tempted by the idea of a whole roasted lamb, Muen shamelessly clasped his hands together and pleaded:
“Please allow me to shamelessly join you for dinner!”
“Oh my, weren’t you not coming?” Eluka teased.
“Who said that? Mrs. Eluka’s cooking is something I must taste, even if I have to become a thousand-watt light bulb and shine brightly and hotly today!” Muen insisted.
“You’re quite the talker.” Eluka couldn’t help but smile, not intending to tease Muen any further.
“Then let’s go.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Eluka!” Muen exclaimed joyfully, picking up a nearby stick and following Eluka towards the lake at the end of the river.
…
“I love you.”
…
“Huh?”
Muen suddenly furrowed his brow, looking around.
Strange, he could have sworn he heard someone speaking just now.
“So, Eluka?”
“Hmm? What’s up?”
“Did you say something just now?”
“Say something?” Eluka turned her head, puzzled. “I didn’t say anything.”
“That’s strange. Maybe I’m just too hungry and imagining things,” Muen scratched his head, not overly concerned.
Then a gentle breeze blew, rustling the leaves, masking any discordant sounds.
…
“This is my village,” Muen followed Eluka all the way to a small fishing village by the lake.
“Hey? Not a bad idea.”
Muen lifted his head and looked towards the village entrance, where he saw the serene lake and picturesque scenery.
He even recognized it—it was Lake Beipole, where he had visited with his family last year.
“To live in the heart of such a scenic area, enjoying this beautiful view anytime, is truly enviable.”
“It’s not that exaggerated.”
Eluka smiled shyly. “No matter how beautiful the scenery is, you’ll eventually get used to it, and living by the lake has its inconveniences too.”
“But overall, it does put you in a good mood.”
Feeling somewhat restored, Muen discarded the wooden stick, hugged his head, and let the breeze from the lake caress his face, fully enjoying this rare moment of tranquility.
Upon reflection, since he arrived in this world, he had been constantly on the move, chased by various things, and it seemed he hadn’t truly relaxed.
That’s precisely why he cherished this moment of peace even more.
“Let’s go.”
Feeling that the time was right, Eluka led Muen, walking towards the heart of the village.
“So quiet.”
Muen looked around and noticed that all the houses were tightly shut, with no sign of any people.
“Because everyone’s busy right now,” Eluka explained. “The autumn fish are fat, and the autumn harvest is about to begin, so the villagers are all busy outside. It’s normal for them to stay out overnight, either on their boats or in the fields.”
“That sounds tough.”
“Yeah, everything piles up at once, and even the kids don’t have time to relax. But this is also what they call a bountiful harvest. Once this period passes, there’ll be nothing but joy left.”
Eluka suddenly stopped in front of a small courtyard gate, with a hint of joy in her voice.
“We’re here.”
