Chapter 230: New Bedding
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 230: New Bedding
"Yura... I'm her mother, right?"
"Ah, well..."
Who, exactly, was Yura's mother?
If I were to provide a realistic answer, Yura’s mother was likely that Horus I fought on the 50th floor of the Labyrinth a few days ago. In the end, I watched its life fade away and consumed it through a skill...
I shouldn't be thinking about that right now.
I wasn't insane enough to answer Sera’s question with, "Yura’s mother was a Horus, and I killed her." So, who was the most suitable person to be Yura’s mother at this moment?
"Of course. You’re the one who gave her such a beautiful name, Sera."
"R-right? Hehe..."
But here, a problem arose. Between Sera and me—who were essentially in a common-law marriage—there was also Theodora. So, what did that make Theodora to Yura?
Two mothers.
Indeed, it was a very complicated matter.
"Yoo Eon."
"Yes? Ah, yes. You called?"
"We... we're a married couple, right?"
"Of course. I told you I’d take responsibility for you, Sera."
Ours wasn't a light relationship. I thought it was a bit early for now, but once the many burdens I carried were dealt with, we might have a formal wedding. Even if I hadn't given it deep thought, it was something I vaguely promised for the future.
"What are other couples like...?"
"Pardon?"
"Since this is my first time being a wife, there’s still so much I don't know."
"...I think everyone feels that way."
Sera pushed herself up from the bed and leaned her back against the headboard, looking at me.
"Is having sex only once a month... normal for couples too?"
"Uh..."
"Tresha has been a big help. Ravi is working hard on various things, too."
"I see."
"Walter is good at running errands, and thanks to Sola, the closing hours aren't so difficult anymore."
"That’s a relief."
"But... Yoo Eon, you’re never here."
"..."
Sera curled up, hugging her legs, and patted the spot on the bed beside her.
"Come here and sit."
"Yes, ma'am."
This situation seemed a bit more serious than I thought. We hadn't had a private conversation in a while, and I hadn't been showing my face at the inn much lately.
I’d said I would sleep at the inn, but it was obvious this situation would repeat for at least the next three weeks. Looking back, I had been far too indifferent.
Theodora had come into the Labyrinth herself to find me. She did it because she could.
If Sera had asked around, she could have found the location of Iris’s magic item shop. I’d made a point of not acting like it, but the Lymain family’s informants weren't just sitting around twiddling their thumbs.
"I... I don't know anything about you, Yoo Eon."
Sera was different. She was just a girl born in an ordinary inn—aside from the fact that she was born to a somewhat extraordinary father and a mother with a history as an explorer. She herself was just the poster girl of the inn, possessing no combat power.
She had no informants to give her news about me when I didn't visit, nor did she have the strength to enter the Labyrinth and find me herself.
The inn was busy, and Sera was a pillar that kept the place running.
It wasn't that they lacked money, but she couldn't just take a day off whenever she felt like it. The inn was always open, and as someone who handled so much of the work, Sera was indispensable.
Perhaps it was also because she knew that if she didn't work, Auntie would become exhausted.
"I know this is very rude, Yoo Eon."
"Yes? What is it?"
"Is there... another woman? Besides me and Dora?"
Sera’s hands, which had been fidgeting against her legs, reached out and snatched my hand.
"No, of course not. Absolutely not. How could I, when I have you?"
"You have Dora, too."
"Ah, well. Right... I’m sorry. But Sera, there is no woman other than you and Dora that I have feelings for."
"Yoo Eon. I feel like a bad person right now."
"...Why do you think that?"
"I doubted my husband. Now that I’ve said it out loud, I feel so sorry."
"...It’s my fault. I haven't spent much time at the inn lately."
She didn't need to feel that way, but Sera seemed to feel a pang of guilt for doubting me. It was clearly my fault, yet the fact that she thought of it this way made me feel both apologetic and grateful.
"That meal we had last time... it was so much fun."
"Was it?"
"But I don't think we can ever do it again. I didn't know then, but I heard it was incredibly expensive. I don't want to spend that much money just to have one happy night. It’s not that I disliked the memory. I loved being with you."
"You don't have to worry about that, Sera. It’s not like I overextended myself to pay for it."
"No, I did think you overextended yourself... but that’s not the issue."
"Then what is it?"
"I feel like I’m not qualified. I wonder if I even have the right to receive something like that."
"..."
Sera kneaded my hand for a while before resting her forehead against the back of it.
"Yoo Eon... you’re a noble, aren't you?"
"What are you talking about? I was born into a family with nothing."
"Pfft. Did you happen to be born in a vast estate with a grand castle, but just didn't receive any support... something like that?"
"Haha... I’m serious. I have no land, no buildings, nothing. If Auntie hadn't saved me back then... I probably would have died."
I remembered telling Sera this once before. I think it was when we first met. It felt like a long time ago.
"Because you’re so cool and amazing, Yoo Eon... I worry that you might suddenly leave one day."
"Sera, why would you think that? Where else would I go besides this inn?"
"I... I don't know. I don't know if you have somewhere else to go... other than the Mounted Goat Inn."
"Well, that’s true."
"Where... where did you come from? Why did you... choose to be with me?"
"What on earth are you saying, Sera? Don't say things like that. 'Choose to be with you'? You make it sound like I entered this relationship reluctantly."
At my words, Sera lifted her head and looked at me for a moment. She let out a small chuckle before resting her forehead back on my hand. After some time passed, she called out to me softly.
"Aven."
"Yes."
"That’s the first time I’ve called you Aven."
"Ah... now that I think about it, I guess it is."
"I’ve felt sorry this whole time. For giving you that name."
"...Why?"
I had an idea why, but I think this was the first time Sera was telling me directly. It was a subject I hadn't wanted to pry into, thinking she would tell me when she was ready.
"I had an older brother. He was four years older than me."
"I see."
"He was a brave, wonderful brother. He’s gone now, though."
"...I’m sorry to hear that."
"Looking at you... I think I thought of him. He was an explorer, too. He said he wanted to follow in Dad’s footsteps and become an explorer."
"So he worked as an explorer."
"Yeah."
I wondered if Sera knew exactly how her brother had died—the details involving the Antonio Brotherhood in the Southeast.
She probably didn't. I doubted her father would have told her. He was always drunk, but he had a mature side to him.
It’s better not to have someone to hate, and if you must, it’s better if they are as far away as possible—not right in the next neighborhood.
"I’m sorry, Yoo Eon. Aven... was my brother’s name."
"Was it?"
"I’m terrible, aren't I? Giving a dead brother’s name to another man. And then falling for him... it’s weird."
"..."
"Wow, thinking about it makes it even worse. How can a woman be like this? I’m the absolute worst."
"Sera, stop."
Unable to listen any longer, I gently pinched Sera’s puffed-out cheek. When she turned to look at me with wide, surprised eyes, I continued.
"Sera, you’ve always been a wise and clever wife, but today you’re acting like a real dummy."
"...Am I a dummy?"
"You usually aren't. But right now, you really are."
"Yeah..."
"Why are you calling my wife the 'worst woman'?"
"Huh...?"
I moved from where I was sitting to the center of the bed, then wrapped my arms around Sera’s waist and pulled her to face me. Naturally, I pulled her legs, which she was trying to keep tucked in, and wrapped them around my waist.
"Who are you to call my wife 'creepy'?"
"N-no... I am your wife, Yoo Eon...?"
"Even if you are my wife, you can't just insult her like that. Does that mean I, as Sera’s husband, am a man who married a 'creepy, terrible woman'?"
"N-no! That’s not what I meant...!"
"Then are you questioning my judgment? Do you think I’m an idiot?"
Sera shook her head vigorously at my words. With her large eyes wide and round, she looked a bit like a startled rabbit.
"T-that’s not it either...! I never thought you were—"
"Then you shouldn't say things like that. Don't people say a husband and wife are one body? Insulting my wife is the same as insulting me."
"But... I am the wife..."
"I’ll say it one more time: even if you are my wife, you don't have the right to insult my wife."
"Ah, ugh..."
"You’re beautiful, kind, a great cook... Sera, you’re a charming woman. Why would you say such things?"
I cupped Sera’s cheeks and brought her face close to mine. Her face was flushed bright red, and I could feel the heat radiating from her skin. She couldn't keep eye contact, her gaze darting around in embarrassment. It was incredibly cute.
"But..."
"No 'buts.' Were you worried I’d go somewhere and leave you? Why would I? Why would I leave such a beautiful wife? If I could, I’d carry you around in my pocket and look at you every time I take a break."
"I-I’m not that small..."
"Then should I make a giant pocket?"
"T-the inn is busy, so you can't..."
"Exactly. I know. That’s why I’m always so sad. If I could, I’d earn a fortune and close the inn down right this second."
"Auuu..."
Sera’s eyes wouldn't meet mine, so I followed her fleeing gaze. Suddenly, tears began to well up in her eyes.
"Wait, wait... why are you crying?"
"No... I’m not crying..."
"Oh no, did I hold your cheeks too hard?"
"No, no! It’s not that..."
Sera remained silent for a while, closing her eyes tightly. Then, she forced her eyelids open and stared at me intently.
"Yoo Eon. You... you like me, right?"
"No."
"Whaaat?!"
"I love you."
"Th-tha... ugh... uuu..."
"Why are you even asking that?"
Sera’s eyes darted back and forth again for a long moment. Finally, she took a deep breath and spoke to me.
"K-kiss... kiss me..."
"A kiss?"
"Yes... so I can feel your love... very... d-deeply..."
"...Of course."
* * *
"Oppa? Where did Unnie go?"
"Uh... why? Is something wrong?"
"I think the noise from the customers was too loud. Yura woke up."
Oh, right. Yura usually slept before the dinner rush. The dining hall could get quite loud, so it was easy for a child to be woken up.
"Oops, I’ll go check on her. Good job today, go get some rest."
"Okay~"
"Ah, wait, Tresha. Do you know where the new blankets are? I don't know where the bedding storage went after the expansion construction."
"New blankets? Why?"
"Well... we spilled something on the bed."
"Oh, really? There’s a separate room for bedding next to Auntie’s room now."
"Right, got it."
To think just a kiss could leave things this... damp.