How to Become a Respected Husband (2)
Cloud flashed a bright smile and pressed his lips to Sylvia’s. After sharing a sweet kiss, she opened her eyes and said, “I’m going on the witch hunt too. Since my husband is going, I can’t just stay home.”
“That’s not happening. I don’t want to lose you.” Sylvia shot up again, her voice rising sharply. “If that’s how it is, I feel the exact same way! I don’t want to send you off on the witch hunt either!”
“What would Lord say if I did that?”
“I’ll talk to Father, but I’m sure I can convince him. If I claim I want to build my own achievements in the capital just like you’re going to, it’ll work out somehow. Father wants to look good to the central nobility, after all.”
“Don’t do that. I’m truly worried about you. If something happens to you, I’ll be heartbroken.”
“No way! I’m the same! If you go on the witch hunt, I’ll go crazy with worry! So I’ll go with you and protect you every second! That way it’ll hurt less!”
This was the problem with Sylvia. The reason Cloud wanted to climb the ranks so badly was because he wanted to be a husband she could respect. For example, like this:
“Ah! How dare you behave like that in front of your husband!”
“M-My apologies, husband. This girl will stay home and wait quietly, as you command.”
“That’s right. Exactly. I’ll handle the war myself, and you should just sip some tea and relax at home.”
“Yes, husband.”
To turn Sylvia into someone who spoke that politely, he had to become a big shot as quickly as possible. He made that firm resolution deep in his heart. Regardless, he decided to stop trying to convince Sylvia of her stubborn reaction and instead just caress her chest whenever he had the chance, whispering sweet nothings, stealing kisses, sharing funny conversations, and laughing until his sides hurt. For the rest of the afternoon, Sylvia had no intention of leaving; being together felt too good. They had only seen each other briefly since the long separation, so the parting felt so bittersweet. Consequently, Cloud decided to cancel his afternoon plans entirely. He told his vice-captain Lucy that he was studying the middle tactics alone in the captain’s quarters and handed over full responsibility for the soldiers. Upon receiving the order, she immediately took them out to the training ground and began their physical conditioning.
“Is that elf girl still staying at the Tyronde Inn?”
While they were still wrapped in that sweet atmosphere, Sylvia suddenly pounced and asked. Cloud wet his dry lips with his tongue and answered, “Y-Yes, I suppose. She seems pretty busy lately. Even though we’re at the same inn, it’s hard to get even a quick look in.”
“Hmph. She’s a bothersome woman. How long do you plan to let her stay, anyway? Until when……” Cloud swallowed hard. Seeing Sylvia’s sensitive reaction to Elena made him realize he had to be even more careful. If Sylvia learned that he was carrying Elena’s child, she’d probably want to plunge a dagger into his throat. That thought sent a chill down his spine that evening. That same evening, at the Tyronde Inn. “Cloud.” “Hm?” “I smell another woman’s scent on you.” While changing into comfortable clothes after work, Elena approached, wrinkled her nose, and covered her nose slightly. “Did you meet her today?” “I won’t deny it.” Elena’s eyes showed none of the strong reaction Sylvia had. She didn’t seem to care much that her husband kept meeting women. “Did you have sex too?” “I won’t deny it.” “Did you stay out all night with another woman again yesterday?” “I won’t deny it.” She added in surprise, “How did you know?” “The scent of alcohol and a new woman’s scent is on your body. It’s the smell of a first-timer.” Elena’s face grew even more displeased. Her stomach had grown weak after the pregnancy. She couldn’t even take a sip of any stewed or roasted meat lately. Fish was out too. “You are a man-whore, Cloud.” “I’m sorry.” “A capable man-whore.” “Hehe.” “A man-whore with a big mushroom.” “Hehehe.” When Elena suddenly joked, Cloud burst out laughing. “Are you alright?” “What?” “Meeting with women.” “Yeah. Why?” Elena asked, puzzled. “Ah, no.” Cloud breathed a sigh of relief. To Elena, stories about other women were nothing more than light small talk. She thought it was only natural for her king husband to keep concubines, and changing partners every night in bed didn’t bother her at all. “Hoo~” Cloud had one big worry lately. He felt uneasy leaving pregnant Elena alone at the inn. She couldn’t leave the room for days on end. The inn was always crowded, and as an elf, her appearance drew stares wherever she went. To humans, a pregnant elf was even rarer than a unicorn—apparently only one person had ever seen one in the last three hundred years. So people found pregnant elves fascinating. How hard must it be for Elena, who refused her own kind’s habit of hiding in the forest until birth and had come to live in the human world? Not to mention that she had to stay cooped up in a room without a bathroom or kitchen. She was going to be exhausted. But if she started wandering around the inn like she owned the place, the rumor that an elf was pregnant would spread, and Cloud found that idea repulsive. “I can’t just keep her locked up in the room forever. I have to figure something out……” He already knew the solution, but he couldn’t do it. Having his own house with a free-flowing bath, toilet, and kitchen would solve everything. And if it came with a large yard, it would be perfect. “I’m sorry, Elena! I’m sorry! Sob!” Cloud suddenly hugged Elena tightly and burst into tears. His heart ached with despair. As a father and husband, he couldn’t do anything for her. Elena gave him a sad smile and stroked his hair. “It’s alright.” “It’s all because I’m a loser! Scold me! Sob! You trash kid!” “Want me to sell some of my valuables? There’s a lot of stuff that could be sold.” “No! Don’t do that! I’ll handle everything myself! Don’t worry!” Cloud waved his hands. At that moment, the door flew open. “Cloud is crying again? Did you go to get married? You’ve been crying a lot lately.” Cecil walked in calmly and closed the door behind her. She had always taken care of Elena and had become very close to her because of it. Every night after the inn duties ended, she would come by like this, stay until bedtime, and leave. “Hey, you should get married too and grow up. You cry at the drop of a hat more and more.” Cloud wiped his eyes with his sleeve and picked up Gesaengquiya from the corner. “I’ll never cry. No matter how hard it gets, no matter how poor I am.” “That’s why you should at least try living a little longer.” “I’ll never grow old~” “Dream big.” Cloud chuckled at Cecil’s words. She walked over to the bed where Elena was sitting and immediately pressed her ear to Elena’s belly. “Uzzu, our little brother was sleeping well? Your dad cried a lot~ What a pity~” “If Dad cries, so what. As long as I can see him, I’m happy even if he is a crybaby.” Before Cloud could finish complaining, there was a knock at the door. He raised one hand and looked at Elena. “I’ll be back.” “Come back safely, husband.” “Oppa~ Do your best!” Cloud gave them a wink and opened the door. Standing in front of it was Thor, dressed in training clothes with a sword at his side. He taught Cloud swordsmanship every evening. Thor smiled brightly at Elena through the open doorway. “Hello, sister-in-law!” Elena bowed lightly in greeting and then looked at Cloud. “Are you ready, brother!” “Perfect.” He held up Gesaengquiya in his hand. “Great! Then let’s head to the training ground!” “We don’t have time to train here, so let’s run there instead.” “Oh! You’ve got good spirit today! Have you renewed your resolve?” Cloud forced strength into his bloodshot eyes from crying. “Based on the skills I learned from Thor, I’m going to climb to the top from now on. Watch me. I’ll earn enough money to buy you a house first.” *** In the High Elf city of Iserita, Queen Quianas was alone in the ancestral hall, solemnly offering incense to her ancestors as usual. Suddenly, the oracle stone in the center of the hall began to glow, and brilliant characters appeared on it. Quianas was shocked. It had been two hundred years since an oracle stone had shown writing. After reading the words, she was even more surprised. “A queen will have a husband 530 years younger than herself. We recognize him as the High Elf king of this era.” “N-No way! A little husband at my age! T-This is outrageous!” She had always considered them her kin, and if he was only 530 years old, he was barely 25 and couldn’t even walk yet. At that moment, the word Gesaengquiya flashed through Quianas’ mind. If she got a new husband, it could only mean one thing: she had to anger it. Bang! Quianas immediately kicked the door of the sanctuary open. She shouted at the people waiting outside. “Hurry! Go to the Valley of the Kings and check if Gesaengquiya is being properly stored!”