Chapter 21
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Comfort - 3
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Chloe's words left me flustered.
No matter how much I'd messed up with my mother-in-law Sylvia while in heat, taking a concubine was a whole different matter.
As if reading my thoughts, Chloe smiled and shared her own opinion.
"Miss Elsia is wise. She can even read and write."
"Yeah?"
Chloe couldn't read, but that wasn't anything to be ashamed of.
Illiteracy was rampant in this world. With an education system as underdeveloped as in medieval times, I wouldn't have learned to read either without my adoptive father's help.
Now that I think about it, what the hell was Father doing all his life?
For a mere hunter, his looks were too striking, and his abilities far too exceptional. He wasn't the type to quietly pass away in some backwater village like this.
Anyway, Chloe went on.
"From a quick glance, she handles the ledgers, so she must be sharp with numbers too."
"Her father was a merchant, right?"
"In that vein, what do you think about handing the household accounts over to her?"
"Hmm..."
For the time being, I was the one roughly managing our family's books.
I was the only one who could read and handle precise calculations.
Most folks in the village didn't fuss much over accounts, but as a hunter, my earnings weren't trivial—I needed some level of oversight.
Still, with all my other responsibilities, I couldn't dedicate myself fully, and I lacked the business acumen to track market trends.
Someone specialized in it would be ideal, and Elsia seemed capable enough. Entrusting it to her wasn't a bad idea. But handing family finances to an outsider felt like a stretch. Chloe had proposed a solution for that.
"So, you're saying we should take her as a concubine?"
"Yes. Do you dislike Miss Elsia, dear?"
"It's not that."
I didn't have enough interaction with her to call her good or bad. She was depending on me for her and her daughter's safety. Sure, she came off a bit opportunistic, but her offer to become a concubine had tempted me. Her beauty was genuinely stunning.
That said, I had no desire to betray my marriage vows. Chloe, gauging my reaction, struck first.
"I feel like an inadequate wife for you."
"No way. Chloe, you're the best woman for me."
"Thank you. But I know what you're missing."
Her self-deprecating words left me at a loss for a reply. If that's how she saw herself, there wasn't much I could do.
I worried it might dent her confidence, but that turned out to be needless concern.
"Don't think a concubine would make me miserable. I firmly believe you'll always love me."
"Chloe..."
"I have to do what I can. Mom always said that if the husband is the pillar holding up the home, the wife should be the hearth keeping it peaceful."
Her words moved me deeply.
She cherished our family more than anyone and loved me with all her heart.
So basically, it's okay to cheat legally?
...
Following Chloe's advice, I handed our household accounting over to Elsia.
She seemed flustered at first, but soon examined the ledger I'd given her with a blank expression.
Then her body started trembling, and she began glaring at me.
What? What did I do wrong?
"Mr. Sian."
"Yes. Something wrong?"
"Did you put this ledger together yourself, by any chance?"
"Yeah."
"Pardon my rudeness, but... may I hit you?"
"....."
Evidently, my bookkeeping looked like a total disaster to her. Elsia took deep breaths to rein in her anger before firing off a question.
"Phew... That was uncalled for. Let me ask one thing first. Why on earth did you sell this War Bear hide to the peddler for such a bargain price?"
"I didn't think it was that cheap—just a fair trade. And to get them hauling necessities all the way out here, they have to see profit in dealing with us, right? Otherwise, they won't come back often."
"Catkit Merchant Company's peddlers are beastkin with quick feet. And their visits aren't the issue you're imagining. They're here to make money, not out of charity."
Tremble.
I could see her fists shaking right in front of me. For a second, I feared she'd grab a switch and tan my hide.
"Y-yeah. I was thinking too small."
"No, no. You're not a merchant, so it's forgivable. It's just... such a shame about the losses."
"That bad?"
"Yes. Enough to cover you for years without working."
Crazy. I had no idea it was that much.
One of these days, I'll get payback on that damn cat.
"I knew War Bear hides were pricey, but that pricey?"
"Yes. They're famous monsters with endless demand for their hides—the better the condition, the higher the price."
"Dark Forest is crawling with War Bears."
"Dark Forest is a notorious demonic realm in the Empire—one they couldn't even conquer."
"Then why build Lugeron Village out here?"
Lugeron Village struck me as odd in more ways than one.
They'd settled right next to Dark Forest, swarming with monsters instead of mere beasts. Factor in the occasional strays wandering out, and it was downright perilous.
"The danger keeps land cheap, doesn't it? The lord barely taxes it either."
"I saw that wasn't always true before."
"Wartime made it unavoidable. Normally, they couldn't care less."
"That much?"
"Yes. Officials dread coming here. Back in the day, monsters ate them left and right. But when Ian settled nearby, they stopped approaching the village—and now you're keeping them at bay."
"Father..."
There were so many intriguing things about my adoptive father Ian. What had he really been up to?
"So, you're entrusting the household finances to me?"
"That's right."
"Then I'll take that as accepting me as your concubine."
True to form, the quick-witted Elsia caught on immediately.
"In that case, I'll come serve you tonight."
Opportunist to the core, she aimed to seal the deal right away, leaving me no room to wriggle out.
"Ah, looking forward to working with you, Elsia."
"No need for honorifics with your concubine, Sian."
"Alright then? Elsia."
I still wasn't used to speaking casually to a woman older than me.
Elsia looked awkward too, avoiding my eyes—she seemed a touch embarrassed. From her side, getting bossed around by a younger guy must feel off.
But that look was incredibly cute. Her vibe screamed cold calculator, yet here she was, acting all girlish.
For some reason, it stirred a sadistic urge in me.
"Elsia, you're my concubine now. Practically my wife, right?"
"Yes."
"Then how about a kiss?"
"A kiss?"
My abrupt suggestion threw her into total panic, her eyes quaking. She probably never saw it coming.
"Yeah. Don't want to?"
"Th-that's..."
Unable to respond, she just stood there as I quietly closed the distance. In the end, she shut her eyes and accepted my lips.
A soft peck, and her flushing cheeks made her look like an innocent girl.
Elsia must not have much experience with this stuff.
Seizing the moment to take charge, I whispered in her ear.
"One thing I'll be counting on from you, Elsia."
She trembled at my words.
Way cuter than expected.
...
Elsia felt a strange mix of emotions.
Sian's sudden acceptance as her man screamed Chloe's influence—something she'd whispered in his ear.
Good fortune, yet problematic too.
For starters, the job was no cakewalk. Household finances put her near lady-of-the-house status, and Sian's hunter hauls meant serious assets.
Setting aside the unused fields, there were monster hides and claws from hunts, medicinal herbs and rock salt foraged from Dark Forest, the watermill, and now beekeeping ventures.
Managing all that was no small feat.
Of course, it also meant substantial family wealth—and more funds at her disposal.
But the real issue was Sian: no pushover.
Trying to seize control with mere words felt sly, almost cunning. Yet it didn't grate on her.
Yes. Having tallied gains and losses since childhood, Elsia was oblivious to her own feelings. Not since Sian vowed to heal her daughter Elin's disability had she realized her growing fondness for him.
She hadn't noticed how her initial opportunism to become his concubine had shifted into genuine desire.
"Mom."
"Elin, what is it?"
She gazed lovingly at her daughter, fresh from rehab. Unpracticed at showing affection, though, her face stayed its usual cool mask.
Elin asked her mother hesitantly.
"Mom, does that mean we're family with big brother Sian now?"
"You saw?"
"Yes."
Elsia's expression froze for a split second. Hardly a sight fit for her little girl's eyes.
Regaining her poise swiftly, she spoke matter-of-factly to Elin.
"From now on, Mom's Sian's concubine. So no worries—just keep getting treatment from him."
"Then, Mom... should I call big brother Sian 'Dad' now?"
"That's..."
Her daughter's unexpected question left Elsia speechless.
For reference, Sian was 20—five years older than Elin—while Elsia was 32, twelve years Sian's senior.