16. Red Evil Mercenary Corps
"...La, Bella. Wake up, Bella."
Bella cracked her eyes open groggily at the familiar whisper calling her name in her sleep.
"Nngh... ugh... what...?"
The tent was still dark. Beside her makeshift cot, spread out just for her, stood the man who'd called her—the one and only Ian. No one else had the guts to wake a sleeping Bella. Well, at least not yet. He was the man she herself considered her husband, after all. More like a common-law marriage, but whatever.
...What do you mean 'close to'? A man and woman living under the same roof, sleeping together, eating together, fucking, and whispering sweet nothings? That's marriage.
As she sat up with that thought, Ian whispered cautiously.
"Sorry for waking you so suddenly."
You're already awake, asshole. Why the hell did he wake her? She was annoyed, but barely held it in, rubbing her bleary eyes as she grumbled.
"Ugh... fine. So what's the deal?"
"Well, uh... y'see."
He wakes her up out of nowhere and now he's hemming and hawing? What the fuck was his problem all of a sudden? Her brows furrowed naturally in irritation, raising her voice a notch.
"Spit it out already."
"...I just wanted to see you."
"See me? In the middle of the night? Suddenly?"
Bella glanced around as she spoke. Just as she'd said, the tent was pitch black inside, and outside it was deep night. Torches dotted here and there provided scant light. Cheong-ah was breathing softly in deep sleep nearby, and Dina was rolling around next to her, indulging her awful sleeping habits unchecked.
"...Shh, keep it down, Bella. You'll wake the kids."
"Hah, fine..."
What the hell did Ian want in the dead of night? She tilted her head, puzzled, but he grabbed her hand and pulled her up.
"C'mon, get up."
"What the—"
As she stood, Ian laced his fingers tightly with hers and started dragging her along.
"Hey, hold on! Lemme at least put on my shoes."
"Oh, right."
She finally managed to slip her shoes on, and the two stepped outside.
"All set? Let's go."
One of the mercenary subordinates guarding the tent spotted Ian and Bella.
"Loy—!"
Ian quickly clapped a hand over his mouth and pressed a finger to his lips with his other hand, shushing him softly.
"People still sleeping inside."
"S-sorry, sir."
"No worries. Bella and I are just stepping out for a bit."
"Y-yes, sir. Understood."
Leaving the soldier behind, Ian led Bella toward the rear of the encampment.
Bella grumbled petulantly, just for show.
"So where the hell are we going?"
"You'll see when we get there."
Just follow me, duh. No real answer, as expected. Before long, Bella found herself led out of the camp and deep into the woods behind it.
How far had they walked? Her legs were starting to ache, her breath coming short—it was getting tough—when...
Shhhhhaaaaa—!!
A refreshing roar of cascading waterfall filled the air, revealing a stunning gorge. A massive waterfall plunged into the stream below, where stars and moonlight shimmered faintly on the surface. Trees and rocks dotted the scene, creating a breathtaking vista.
"Whoa, there's a place like this nearby? What is this spot?"
"What else? A valley."
Bella arched one eyebrow at his deadpan reply.
"No shit, genius. You think I don't know that? I'm asking why the fuck you dragged me here outta nowhere, dumbass."
"Well..."
Ian shrugged once before continuing.
"Earlier, when you were comforting Dina, you were all like, 'He's my husband, always taking everyone else's side, no one on mine'—you looked so bummed out, it stuck with me. So... yeah. I'm sorry."
"Hah. And? What does that have to do with bringing me here?"
"What else? It's a nighttime date. Been thinking—we haven't had much time just the two of us lately, what with you being so busy. So... feeling better now?"
"...Better my ass. You think I'm that simple? That a little thing like this fixes everything, punk?"
A date, huh. How goddamn thoughtful. She turned away, her face softening into a goofy grin despite herself. Bella spat curses from her mouth, but her lips quirked up involuntarily. The lingering grudge from earlier—even after waking up—melted away like snow under blazing sun. Her expression turned downright mushy, uncharacteristically so, something she couldn't let Ian see.
Then his voice snapped her back, and she schooled her face again.
"Bella?"
"So, how'd you even know about a place like this?"
She probed slyly, and Ian answered casually.
"Asked Karlson first. He said you actually like spots with nice views. Then Behena told me about this one nearby."
"Oh yeah? They say anything else?"
"Anything else..."
Ian paused briefly. He pulled a glass bottle of golden liquid sloshing inside from his magic pouch.
"Heard you like drinking while taking in the scenery the most."
A chuckle escaped her. It would've been nicer if he'd guessed without asking. He nailed Ju Cheong-ah's tastes spot-on, but had to ask around for hers?
...Nah.
A mischievous smile played on Bella's lips as a thought struck her.
"Kyah! As expected of my husband. You know my tastes perfectly~?"
"No, I just said Karlson told me—"
"You know my tastes perfectly, right, hubby?"
She shot him another meaningful glance. Finally getting it, Ian nodded.
"...Yeah. I know your tastes perfectly. You're my wife, after all."
"Good answer. Now c'mere, sit down! Hurry up!!"
She plopped onto a large, flat rock nearby and beckoned him. Ian shook his head helplessly but sat beside her. He pulled out glasses and simple snacks from his bag, pouring them each a slow drink.
The fiery burn sliding down her throat. The rich, luxurious marigold aroma filling her mouth and wafting up her nose. Impressively smooth texture for such a high-proof spirit. Ian wasn't much of a drinker usually, but the atmosphere—or maybe Bella beside him in this gorgeous spot—made it go down easy from the first sip.
"Kyahaa! Gold Dragon '24 vintage, huh? How'd you score this? Even I have trouble getting it."
"Oh, this? Karlson got it for you a while back—"
"...Huh? What?"
Another pointed look from Bella. Catching her subtle plea—that she wanted him to have prepared it all himself—Ian nodded and played along.
"Took some serious effort on my part. Damn hard to find."
"Right? I hunted everywhere for it before, but the price was insane and no one was selling."
"Here, another round."
"You too, hubby."
Two glasses, three. The bottle emptied steadily, the golden liquid nearly gone.
"Heh heh... good stuff."
Bella's face flushed beet red from the booze. Ian, surprisingly, held up fine.
"Already drunk, Bella?"
"Hic, 'course. This shit's s' strong... hic. Bet even that Cheong-ah bitch'd be wasted on half a bottle."
"Maybe."
"But you look fine, hubby?"
"Well, me..."
Ian didn't like booze to begin with. But that didn't mean he was weak to it.
"Did I ever say I was a lightweight?"
"...Tch, booze is for gettin' drunk. Actin' all sober's annoyin'. It's strong, that's why."
"Your tongue's slurring, Bella."
"Wha'ever. You get it. Hear it ev'ry night in bed anyway."
Bella stretched her legs out and plopped her chin on Ian's knee.
"Heh... ahh, comfy. Hubby, massage my legs. They're sore."
"Bossy much?"
"C'mooon."
"Fine, fine."
Ian kneaded her legs as requested, surprisingly firm pressure for a mana-less weakling of a guy.
"Ah, yeah... good... nngh. Right there... ahh... best ever. My hubby's a pro masseuse too?"
"Pro, my ass... Hey, Bella."
"Yeah?"
"So... feeling better now?"
"Better? Oh... whaddya think? Look happy?"
"Yeah, you do."
"Damn right. Great view, killer booze..."
Bella trailed off, then grinned at Ian.
"And hubby's... kinda hitting the spot tonight. Guess you're not always taking everyone else's side?"
Ian gave a meaningful smile at her response.
"Good. Then, Bella..."
"Hm? What?"
Click.
The moment she turned to him, a familiar sensation at her neck. No doubt about it...
"H-hubby...? What's this? Suddenly?"
A leather collar. The dog collar from before. Ian yanked the leash attached to it, pulling her to her feet.
"Gak...?!"
"Time for your punishment, then?"
A chill shivered straight to Bella's womb.