Chapter 56: Hospitality
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 56: Hospitality
"I'm home."
The draft from the opening door stirred the wind chimes, sending a crisp ding-dong echoing through the entryway. Eluka stepped into the foyer and hung her bag on the wall.
"No need to change your shoes, just come on in."
"Eh? Is that really okay?"
"Well, it’s not like you’re wearing any shoes anyway, right?"
"Hehe, true."
Muen scratched his head. Not one to stand on ceremony, he walked straight into the newlyweds' little nest.
The air was infused with a faint floral fragrance. The decor didn't strike Muen as particularly festive or "wedding-like," but the furniture and belongings were arranged so naturally that the space felt instinctively cozy.
"You’ve only just gotten married, yet the place already feels so lived-in?"
Muen ran his hand over a spotless bookshelf, his gaze eventually settling on the pristine white wall.
A painting hung there. It depicted a middle-aged man, tanned dark by the sun, grinning widely to reveal brilliant white teeth, standing beside a reserved, demure middle-aged woman.
"Huh?"
Looking at the painting, Muen rubbed his chin and asked, "Eluka, the people in this painting... that’s not you, is it?"
"Of course it’s not me."
Eluka walked over and glanced at the wall. "That was painted when my parents got married."
"Your parents?"
"Yeah."
Eluka scratched her cheek, looking a bit embarrassed. "It’s actually a little shameful to admit. Even though I’ve been an adventurer for several years and have a decent track record, for various reasons, neither I nor my husband have managed to save much money. Certainly not enough to buy a house in Belland, where property prices have skyrocketed to the heavens. So, for now, we’re living with my parents."
"I see. I can relate to that, more or less," Muen nodded solemnly.
It seemed that no matter the world, being unable to afford a home was a universal struggle.
"You can relate? I took you for a rich man."
"Haha, would a rich man in this world go wandering around stark naked because he couldn't even afford clothes?" Muen laughed it off, having no intention of revealing his noble status.
"...I suppose."
It was hard to tell if Eluka believed him. She continued chatting idly with Muen as she walked into the bedroom.
When she emerged, she had changed into casual home clothes and was wearing a cute pink apron.
"Cooking might take a little while. Would you like something to drink first?"
"...How about some coffee? To wake me up."
"Sure... oh, wait."
Eluka, who was about to go brew the coffee, suddenly paused. She said sheepishly, "It looks like we don't have any coffee in the house..."
"None?"
Muen blinked, his expression turning strange. "Did the rats eat your coffee too?"
"What rats?" Eluka snapped, slightly annoyed. "I just remembered that my parents never drink coffee because it gives them insomnia. They probably didn't stock any."
"I see. Well, don't trouble yourself then. Just get me whatever you have."
"There's black tea..."
"Forget the tea! Water—just plain water is fine!"
"Oh? Alright then..."
Seeing Muen’s sudden look of sheer terror, Eluka wrinkled her nose in confusion before heading into the kitchen.
A moment later, she returned with a glass of plain water.
"By the way, where are your parents?" Muen asked, taking the water and offering a word of thanks.
"Didn't I tell you? It's the busy season on the farm."
"Now? But didn't you just get married?"
"That’s exactly why it’s the busy season." Eluka tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and sighed. "Even a wedding isn't as important as rushing to harvest the wheat before the next rain. Besides, I’m the one who got married, not them."
"I see. That’s a level of hardship beyond my imagination," Muen remarked. He felt a sudden, inexplicable urge to recite a poem about the toil of farmers.
On second thought, he decided against it. In a Western fantasy world, reciting poetry wouldn't earn him any "cool" points.
"Did your husband go with them?" Muen asked instinctively, noting that it had been just the two of them in the house from the start.
"No," Eluka replied. "He went out on business."
"Ah, I see. He should be back soon then, right? It’s almost dinner time. I just hope he doesn't get the wrong idea seeing the two of us alone together, hahaha..." Muen joked.
"No, he won't be back for a while."
"Eh?" Muen’s smile froze. "What do you mean... 'won't be back for a while'?"
"Well... it's nothing much." Eluka sighed, habitually touching her cheek. "I just found a note he left in the kitchen. He has some business to attend to and will be back very late. It looks like it’ll just be the two of us for dinner."
"Just... the two of us?"
Muen’s eyes widened.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
Newlyweds.
Husband away.
Wife alone in a room with a stranger.
They were even going to have dinner together and stay until dark.
There were so many tropes here it was hard to even begin to criticize.
Newlywed Secret... .avi?
"Um... is it really okay for it to be just the two of us?"
Muen, who had been relaxed until now, suddenly became awkward. He rubbed his hands together nervously. "Maybe I should just take my leave? If the neighbors see us having dinner alone, it might cause some unnecessary misunderstandings."
"Hmm? Acting so guilty... does Mr. Muen really have some untoward thoughts?" Eluka narrowed her eyes and asked with a light chuckle.
"Of course not! I just think this isn't proper," Muen scratched his head, laughing sheepishly.
"Then there’s no problem. You can stay here with a clear conscience. I’m not so rude as to let a guest leave on an empty stomach. Besides..."
The corners of Eluka’s mouth curved up, a blissful expression appearing on her face. "The bond between my husband and me isn't something that can be shaken by such trivial matters."
"Ah, I see."
Facing the radiant Eluka, Muen dithered for a moment before saying instinctively, "The love between you and your husband is truly enviable."
"Of course it is. I love him most of all, after all."
Even as a new wife professing her love, Eluka’s face turned as red as a young girl's.
"Oh dear, what am I saying? I’m sorry, Mr. Muen. I accidentally let those shameless words slip again."
"...No, it’s fine." Muen’s lip twitched. "I don't mind."
Talk about being force-fed a mouthful of 'dog food.'
"An-Anyway, Muen, just stay here and relax. Wait for me to finish the Roast Whole Lamb. Don't overthink things. And of course, you aren't allowed to have any weird ideas. Even though I know you're a pervert."
"That last part was unnecessary!"
"Well then, please look forward to it."
Eluka smiled and walked into the kitchen.
...
"No sediment at the bottom."
Muen held up the glass, squinting at the plain water through the light from the window.
"The color is clear and transparent."
Having said that, he brought it to his nose and sniffed.
"The scent is normal too."
He dipped a finger into the water and rubbed it on his skin.
A few minutes later, nothing had changed.
"No adverse reactions either."
"It seems this really is just a glass of ordinary water."
After testing it through various methods, Muen finally reached a cautious conclusion.
"No drugs, and nothing strange added."
"Eluka’s words themselves are logically sound, but..."
Muen looked out the window.
The night was deepening.
Above the clear sky curtain, a single star twinkled.
In the quiet village, there was the occasional chirp of an insect, but no other sound could be heard.
"I just feel like... something is off."
...
I love you.