3. The First Request is.......
I squinted my eyes open against the scorching sunlight piercing through the curtains. The unfamiliar ceiling greeting me was still new, thanks to our move just a couple days ago. The moment I stirred, a numb tingling shot through my arm—pillow duty, as usual. Tilting my head slightly, I saw glossy black hair splayed messily over her face. If it had been some stranger or a flat-chested girl, I'd have screamed like the protagonist in a horror flick spotting a vengeful ghost and clapped a hand over my mouth in terror. But this? Nah.
"Snoooore—."
The low rumble of her breathing made me mutter calmly, "…Cheong-ah sleeps kinda scary, huh."
My arm was screaming for mercy, so I carefully lifted her head with my free hand and slid a pillow underneath without waking her. Two days. Ever since she decided to call me husband, we'd shared a bed—no need to waste coin on separate rooms. In that short time, I'd learned Ju Cheong-ah was way more prone to loneliness than I'd thought. Every night, she'd whine that she couldn't sleep without using my arm as a pillow. Sure, it left my limb half-dead, but what could I do? Her pleading eyes were too pitiful to refuse over something as trivial as my comfort.
"Tch, if she weren't so damn gorgeous…" I gently brushed the hair from her face to keep it from smothering her. What emerged was a beauty once called a yokai that would doom a nation. I stared, dazed. You know the saying—a beauty's face never grows tiresome, no matter how many times you see it. Guilty as charged.
A broad yet fitting forehead flowed into a slender, egg-shaped jawline. Thick, straight brows gave her a gentle air. Her closed eyes boasted long lashes that caught the sunlight, sparkling white at the tips like they'd snared it. And that was just the start—a faint beauty mark like a teardrop below her eye. A petite brow bridging to a high nose bridge. Her slightly parted red lips, exhaling soft breaths, conjured memories of last night when I'd left them white-knuckled. Even hidden under the blanket, her graceful curves taunted me…
"Ahem… morning already, and he's at it again."
Male pride: hard as steel at dawn, even after a night of release. My lower belly ached, bad thoughts rising with it.
"No, knock it off."
Yesterday, we'd holed up in the room all day after a quick guild report. Today, we had to hit the guild… I tamped down the urge, grabbed Cheong-ah's neatly folded clothes, and headed to the room's shower-cum-bathroom.
Coming from a rundown inn without this convenience had blown my mind. I'd teared up in emotion, and Cheong-ah had pitied me with that look. Dumping the clothes in a corner, I stood before the magic tool mimicking a showerhead mounted on the wall and turned it on.
Whoosh—
Cold water for a split second, then warm bliss. Familiar to my civilized roots, but different. "…Still blows my mind every time."
How? No pipes, no boiler, yet endless hot water. Magic, gotta be. Never seen a mage up close, but these magic tools screamed it. Proof I was in another world. Lost in thoughts of stars and nonsense, I scrubbed up, toweled off roughly with the provided rag, dressed, and stepped out.
"Mm… Darling, when'd you wake up?"
"Just now. Not long."
She'd stirred, rubbing her eyes from the bed. I poured water from the table pitcher and handed her the cup. She gulped it down, then looked up apologetically.
"Yawn… Sorry, I should've risen first to prepare and help."
"Nah, forget it. Nothing to prep anyway."
"But a proper wife should…"
"Ugh, I said it's fine. Get up and wash. Guild time."
"Yesss…"
Ju Cheong-ah rose from the bed. Rustle—
The blanket slipped down, baring her naked form in stark relief. …Oh, damn. Red marks on her nape like mosquito bites. Tooth imprints on her shoulder and breasts. Dried white crust between her thighs… Unmistakable evidence of last night's frenzy.
"Then, Darling. I'll wash quick."
"Y-yeah…"
Eyeing my swelling pants, I swallowed a groan inwardly. Once she was ready, we skipped breakfast, packed simple rations and water for lunch, and headed straight for the Adventurer's Guild.
A place I'd dragged myself to daily just to eat, even hating it. Now, my steps felt leaden approaching the door. Probably because of yesterday. That bitter incident during our brief stop… I halted, hesitating, and Cheong-ah caught up from behind.
"What's wrong, Darling?"
"Nothing." No need to worry her. I shook my head, drew a deep breath to crush the dread, and pushed open the guild's main doors.
Gazes converged sharper the closer we got to the reception desk. Second time for this scrutiny—yesterday and today. But it wasn't on me. It fixed on Ju Cheong-ah, following demurely behind.
Whispers rippled around us.
"Who's that girl?"
"Staff in hand? Mage maybe?"
"Outfit's weird…"
"Still hot though. Black hair screams Yuldo origin."
Her looks, muted by half-face bandages before, shone now that they'd come off. Unwanted gossip poured in with the stares. And naturally, guilt by association hit me, leading her.
"But who's that guy? Why's he with her?"
"Same party?"
"That's him. Ian. Iron Badge for three friggin' years."
"Oh, that bottom-feeder… How's a loser like him with a mage?"
Unwelcome barbs shredding my ego. I knew I was trash. I'd endured three years of it stoically. But hearing it solo versus in front of Cheong-ah? Worlds apart. Fury boiled; I bit my lip till it split, blood welling. Fists clenched white-knuckled—then a slightly rough hand touched my knuckles.
"It's okay, Darling."
"Ah…"
Cheong-ah's hand. Turning, I saw her faint smile; she'd sidled up beside me. The whispers? Vanished.
"…Thanks."
I murmured gratitude and stepped to the counter.
"Karen, got any good requests today?"
§ From the moment we entered the guild, Ju Cheong-ah felt the stares. Male, female—eyes brimming with mixed emotions poured over her. Ignoring them as best she could—a sensation she'd missed since leaving Yuldo home—then grating words slithered into her ear.
"Holy shit, how's that cripple dragging around a babe like her?"
"Fucking hilarious. She retarded too? With that loser…"
"Bet she's cheap. Worth a shot?"
Vulgar filth laced with curses. Fine, whatever. She'd fielded lusty gazes plenty. She knew her looks well. Back in Yuldo, admirers weren't few. Desire for beauty was instinct, tolerable if harmless.
But… one thing she absolutely wouldn't forgive.
'These damn bastards…'
How dare they insult him? Ian—her chosen husband. Fresh bond or not, more camaraderie than passion yet, still.
'…I'll chew them up, the nerve.'
Riposte with her sword, sever their throats—temptation burned. But…
Ahead, Ian's profile. Bitten lip bleeding, fists clenched pallid as nails dug in. He was holding back rage; violence now would backfire, maybe get them banned.
"…"
Knowing this, she simply hardened her gaze and turned away. Then—
"Guh…! Cough…!"
"Wh-what?! Why's this guy…? Guh…!"
The loudmouths mocking Ian—her Ian—began collapsing one by one, pants darkening at the crotch, foaming at the mouth. Nearby comrades rushed to support them, sparking minor chaos. The spotlight on Ian and Cheong-ah? Snuffed out.
Afterward, she gently clasped his fist with a smile.
"It's okay, Darling."