25. A Date Masquerading as Recovery (2)
"Damn... how much have you been stuffing your face for your belly to get this solid?"
"Kkiing?"
"And your legs look even shorter now that you've packed on the pudge?"
Kell had put on even more weight around the middle since last time. Right as we were celebrating our reunion with some enthusiastic body slams.
That's when the baron's two kids approached us cautiously.
"Mister, you're that mercenary, right? The one who cut off the monster's head in the village?"
"Elisa, it's rude to ask like that."
"Oh, then... are you the mercenary who killed the monster, mister?"
"That's just as rude, Elisa."
The little girl, who looked about five or six, blurted out her question without a second thought. Her older brother, maybe two or three years her senior, immediately corrected her.
I couldn't help but smile at the siblings' pure innocence, untouched by the world's filth yet. As the brother kept scolding her, the girl's eyebrows drooped, and she slunk back. In her place, the boy stepped forward, mimicking an adult's tone with surprising formality.
"First, let me apologize for my sister's rudeness. I am Ian, son of Baron Noden, the rightful lord of Iron Valley. And this is my little sister, Elisa."
"Eugene. Mercenary."
"Please, speak casually. As my father's guest and the hero who saved our Iron Valley, it makes me uncomfortable if you use formal speech with me."
Even as a kid, he was unmistakably noble. When I stuck to formal address anyway, he waved it off and insisted I drop it.
"Alright, then."
Only after I finally relaxed did Ian's expression soften. He thanked me for saving the village.
"We nearly suffered massive losses in the village, but you stopped it, Eugene. Regardless of my status, as one resident of Iron Valley, I thank you."
"Th-thank you too."
"Elisa, say 'thank you properly.'"
"Hiiing... Thank you. But bro, hurry up and ask him that thing..."
She wilted again under his correction but tugged at Ian's sleeve, urging him on. Tension crept back into Ian's relaxed face as he fidgeted with his fingers before speaking carefully.
"Eugene... if it's not too rude, could we keep Kell with us a bit longer?"
Kids would be kids, after all.
...
"Don't stuff him with too much food. If he gets any fatter here, he'll turn from dog to pig."
"Yes! Thank you, Eugene!"
After Ian and Elisa took Kell away, beaming with gratitude.
"Cute kids, huh."
"Yeah. Our kids'll be that cute too—"
I was gushing about Selene and the siblings' charm when my inner thoughts slipped out unbidden. I clamped my mouth shut too late—the damage was done.
I glanced at Selene nervously, gauging her reaction.
The flush blooming across her cheeks turned my worry into certainty. She'd definitely heard my "our kids" slip.
My mind raced with possibilities. Then she twirled a strand of her silver hair hanging over her shoulder and whispered softly.
"They'll be cute no matter who they take after... Mom and Dad are both gorgeous."
Ah... it's getting bigger.
...
Another day passed. I'd gotten one more healing session from the healer, my wounds fully mended, and the pain mostly gone. I spent the whole day with Selene—well, we hadn't been apart since I woke up, but anyway.
Thus basking in my first happy times in Rondia, enjoying a free lordly dinner as the baron's guest, a servant from the castle approached us.
"Sorry to interrupt your meal, but the lord requests your presence in the Great Hall at noon tomorrow. To commend you for slaying the abomination."
I'd been wondering when the summons would come. Now set for noon tomorrow, that added one more task before bed tonight.
Time to wash up. Can't stink up the place in front of the baron and other nobles after over a week without a bath.
After dinner, I prepared to head to the castle bath—one of the guest perks.
But then fortune smiled on me, and big.
"Eugene. You're still not fully recovered... Want me to help you wash?"
Selene offered shyly, averting her eyes. My head nodded on reflex at the irresistible proposal.
****
Ever since dealing with Orovas's abomination and realizing their feelings for each other, Selene had spent tons of time with Eugene, growing emotionally closer by the day. Her desire to elevate their bond to a true "husband and wife" level only intensified.
In that moment, the words to help him bathe slipped out unconsciously.
She sent Eugene ahead to the bath, promising to change and follow. Then she recalled her mother's old advice—lessons on maintaining a good relationship with one's husband.
'Selene. No man could resist someone as beautiful as you... but listen well to this essential wisdom for a happy marriage.'
'Yes, Mother.'
'Men are terribly sensitive to visual stimuli. So in important moments... wear something like this.'
'Eh? That's too revealing, Mother. Everything shows through...'
'That's the point. Only then will he be utterly captivated by you.'
Her mother had shown her a sheer chemise for those pivotal steps in intimacy. Selene's cheeks flushed at the memory.
'This is exactly that moment Mother meant.'
With a resolute expression, she rummaged through her luggage for something similar.
"Ugh, all plain stuff... Should've bought something sexier at the market ahead of time..."
Her bold vow rang hollow amid the modest clothes spread on the bed. She sighed softly.
Then her fingers brushed something thin and smooth in the bag.
"This is..."
Her eyes lit up as she pulled out a silk silver dress—the one from her wedding with Eugene not long ago.
Imagining it wet and clinging, her lips quivered as she shot to her feet. She changed faster than she had fighting Orovas's abomination.
****
Snapping out of my euphoric daze, I realized I was already naked, towel over my crotch, sitting on the bath stool waiting for Selene.
Eugene, get your shit together. Don't fuck up this perfect mood with some dumb move.
But she blushed and offered to help bathe me—doesn't that mean she's into it too?
What if that otaku delusion gets you hated by Selene?
My inner angel and devil bickered, muddling my thoughts. Then footsteps approached from beyond the door, growing closer, followed by a light knock and Selene's voice.
Knock knock.
"Eugene, it's me. Coming in?"
"Y-yeah. Come on."
The door eased open slowly, revealing Selene bit by bit.
The sight of her in the wedding dress draped with a shawl hit me like a truck. My cock, pent up for over a week, sprang fully erect.
"Ugh—"
I slapped a hand over it reflexively. Selene shut the door and padded over lightly.
With every step, the dress swayed sensually, the sticky jiggle of her body beneath captivating my gaze.
Squirm! Throb—
Under the towel, my pressed cock twitched violently, spurting precum. Drip, drip—the pearly beads at my tip stretched down, splattering vulgarly on the bath floor.
Had she heard that? My heart pounded harder.
She approached naturally, kneeling slowly beside me. Her intensified scent teased my nose as her careful fingers touched the bandages on my arm.
"Okay, let's unwrap these and get you washed."
"Yeah, please."
"And tell me if it hurts anywhere."
"Got it."
Ah... saying my dick hurts probably wouldn't fly, huh?
****
Meanwhile, at the same time.
"Urgh..."
In the castle's deepest bedroom, faint groans echoed intermittently.
Baron Noden, bandages wrapped tight around his right shoulder below, sweated coldly. Even painkillers did little against the throbbing agony.
And it wasn't just that.
The sudden loss of his right arm gnawed at him with crushing emptiness. Then a voice whispered—not to his ear, but directly into his mind.
Don't you want to regain your lost right arm?