Chapter 57: I’ll Just Take a Quick Peek
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 57: I’ll Just Take a Quick Peek
“What are you doing?”
Muen was staring blankly at his water glass when Eluka’s voice suddenly rang out from behind him.
He jumped so hard he nearly slammed the glass right into her face.
Fortunately, he managed to catch himself just in time.
“Is something wrong?” Eluka asked curiously.
“No, it’s just… you walk so quietly. You scared me.”
“Ah, I see. I can’t help it,” Eluka laughed. “In my house, if you dragged your feet while walking, you’d get a beating.”
“Same here. My family was the same way. I feel like families all over the world care about stuff like that—like not smacking your lips while you eat and things like that.”
“Tell me about it.”
Eluka shrugged and turned back toward the kitchen.
A short while later, she emerged, looking a bit strained as she carried a large platter with a whole roasted lamb.
“The roast lamb is ready!”
“That fast?”
Muen quickly stood up to help her.
“It’s only been an hour, right? Is it even cooked through?”
“It’s been done for a while.”
Eluka winked playfully.
“I put the lamb in the oven on low heat before I left the house. When I got back, I just had to sprinkle some spices on it. As for why I made you wait so long… it was actually to let you get a little hungrier.”
“That’s mean!”
“Haha, just kidding. After adding the spices, it needs to go back in the heat for a bit, otherwise the flavor won’t soak in.”
Eluka handed Muen a knife and fork. “Carve it yourself. I’m not helping with small chores like that.”
“Thanks.”
Muen took the utensils and was about to start when he suddenly remembered something. He stared straight at Eluka.
“Um… you should eat first.”
“Hmm?”
Eluka’s brow furrowed slightly as she looked at him.
“Do you suspect I poisoned it?”
“No, no, not at all!”
Muen waved his hands dismissively, offering a sheepish grin.
“I just feel like… I’ve suddenly barged in here to bum a meal, and you’ve been busy for so long. If I don’t let you taste the delicious food first, wouldn’t I be a bit rude as a guest?”
“Is that so?”
Eluka stared at Muen for a long time. Suddenly, her eyebrows arched, and she smiled.
“I’ll take your word for it then.”
Eluka picked up a silver knife and deftly sliced a piece of crispy, fragrant skin off the roast lamb, popping it into her cherry-red mouth.
As her teeth met the skin, it let out a crisp, savory crunch that was enough to make anyone’s mouth water just by hearing it.
“Then I won’t hold back either!”
Seeing this, Muen couldn't resist any longer. He grabbed his knife and fork, putting his Dagger Combat Technique LV5 to full use as he carved the meat with surgical precision.
As the firm lamb hit his tongue, the rich aroma of spices instantly filled his nose. There wasn't a hint of gaminess; the flavor was good enough to rival the head chefs at the Duke’s Estate.
“How is it?”
“Vewy tasty!”
With his cheeks puffed out like a feeding squirrel, Muen couldn't help but give her a thumbs-up.
“Is it? That’s good then.”
Eluka pursed her lips and smiled.
However, after that first bite, she didn't seem in a hurry to keep eating.
Instead, she used her silver knife to carefully slice the lamb into thin, delicate pieces, placing them on a dinner plate and even arranging them neatly.
Is she preparing that for her husband?
Muen naturally assumed so, once again marveling at how much this newlywed couple must love each other.
Then, thinking of his own miserable situation—unable to go home and being hunted by a yandere—Muen felt a wave of sorrow. He could only turn that grief into an appetite, lowering his head to feast.
...
“Woof!”
While Muen was gorging himself, he suddenly heard a dog bark.
He instinctively looked up toward the source of the sound.
Huh? That sounded like it came from inside one of the rooms?
“That’s my pet dog,” Eluka explained.
“He’s usually very well-behaved. If he’s barking suddenly, he’s probably hungry.”
“You have a dog?”
Muen’s eyes lit up.
“Can I see him? I really like dogs.”
In his past life, he had always wanted a Golden Retriever, but unfortunately, neither his time nor his circumstances allowed for it.
Until the day he died, he’d only ever managed to pet a few at pet shops to get his fix.
So, since there was an opportunity to pet a dog here, he naturally couldn't let it pass.
“Sorry, you can’t.”
Eluka’s refusal was blunt.
“My dog is very shy around strangers. Otherwise, he wouldn't be hiding in the room all this time.”
“I see.”
Muen sighed with regret.
“Nothing to be done then.”
It seemed he was destined to never have a pet in this life. Instead, people always seemed to want to keep him as a pet.
It was a real pain.
“Well, take your time eating. I’m going to go feed my doggy.”
Eluka picked up the plate of lamb she had just meticulously sliced. Humming a little tune, she turned the corner of the hallway, walked to the furthest room, and opened the door.
“Woof woof! Woof woof woof!”
“Good boy, good doggy. I brought you something to eat.”
“Woof woof woof…”
Eluka closed the door behind her. The barking became muffled, but Muen thought he could still hear… excitement in the sound?
“Looks like Eluka has a great relationship with her dog.”
It was truly enviable.
Muen sighed in admiration and continued his second round of battle with the roast lamb.
“Wait…”
Halfway through his meal, Muen suddenly looked up in shock.
“So those slices of lamb… were all for the dog?”
...
“Ah, I’m stuffed.”
After polishing off nearly half the roast lamb, Muen leaned back in his chair, rubbing his bulging stomach with a sense of unprecedented satisfaction.
What could be more blissful than being able to eat delicious food until you were bursting after being hungry all day?
“I feel like I could die right now with no regrets.”
“Are you full?”
Eluka walked out of the room, holding an empty plate.
“You look pretty tired. Do you want to get some sleep? The guest room is empty.”
“Is… is that okay?”
Muen hesitated. “I’ve already bummed food and drink; now I’m bumming a bed too.”
“Look at it this way: since you’ve already mooched the food and drink, why worry about the sleep?” Eluka smiled.
“Fair point.”
Muen didn't stand on ceremony. He nodded and said, “Then I’ll have to trouble you a bit longer.”
“It’s fine. Guest room is the first door on the left.”
“Thanks.”
Muen walked into the guest room.
He could tell it hadn't been specially prepared; the bedding was sparse, and there wasn't even a quilt.
But for Muen, it was enough.
As he lay on the bed, the exhaustion accumulated over the past two days suddenly washed over him like a tide.
He quickly fell into a deep sleep.
Outside the window, the bright moon hung high, casting down its pure white light.
Everything was as silent as usual.
...
I love you.
...
“Crap!”
In the middle of the night, Muen suddenly snapped his eyes open, his expression incredibly grave.
It was as if he were facing a major crisis.
“I need to use the bathroom.”
He had eaten too much at once, and his stomach was feeling the pressure.
“I really shouldn't have overindulged like that.”
Muen got out of bed cautiously and silently opened the door, stepping into the hallway.
“Shoot, I forgot to ask where the bathroom is.”
“At this hour… Eluka should be asleep. It wouldn't be right to wake her up.”
Muen stood at the end of the hallway, facing three unfamiliar doors.
“One out of three. The odds of picking the right one are pretty high, right?”
Muen placed his hand on the handle of the door on the far right and slowly applied pressure.
The door gradually opened a crack.
“Woof.”
A single bark suddenly leaked out from the room.
“This is…”
Muen paused.
This seemed to be the room where Eluka kept the dog.
“Not the bathroom.”
Muen sighed in disappointment, preparing to quietly close the door.
“Wait.”
But immediately, a light flickered in Muen’s eyes.
“Since I’m already here, why not take a quick peek?”
He really did love dogs.
Just one look shouldn't hurt, right?
Thinking this, Muen crouched down and slowly pressed his eye against the crack in the door.