“I’m back.”
The rush of air from the open door stirred the wind chimes at the entrance, producing a crisp tinkling sound. Eluka walked into the hallway and casually hung her bag on the wall.
“No need to change your shoes, just come in.”
“Eh, is that really okay?”
“Well, you’re not wearing any shoes, are you?”
“Hehe, that’s true.”
Mu’en scratched his head, not being pretentious, and directly walked into the cozy little nest that the newlyweds loved.
A faint floral fragrance lingered in the air, and the decorations around did not give Mu’en any particularly festive or wedding-like feelings. However, everything was arranged so naturally that it made one feel warm and welcoming.
“Even though you just got married, does life already feel this settled?”
Mu’en lightly brushed his hand over the well-maintained bookshelf, and his gaze unconsciously lingered on the pristine white wall.
On the wall hung a painting of a sun-kissed, dark-skinned middle-aged man laughing broadly, revealing white teeth, alongside a reserved middle-aged woman.
“Eh?”
Looking at the painting, Mu’en stroked his chin and asked, “Eluka, the people in this painting, they aren’t you, are they?”
“Of course not.”
Eluka walked over and glanced at the painting on the wall.
“This was painted when my parents got married.”
“Your parents?”
“Mm.”
Eluka shyly scratched her cheek and said, “It’s a bit shameful to say, but even though I’ve been an adventurer for several years and have done fairly well, due to various reasons, I haven’t saved much money, not to mention buying a house in Bairland where the housing prices are skyrocketing. So, for now, I’m living with my parents.”
“I see, I can understand that a bit,” Mu’en nodded seriously. It seems that buying a house is a big problem no matter which world you are in.
“You can understand? I thought you were a wealthy person.”
“Haha, are there really wealthy people in this world who can’t even afford clothes and wander around naked?” Mu’en laughed, not intending to reveal his noble identity.
“…Maybe.”
It was hard to tell whether Eluka believed Mu’en’s words. She chatted aimlessly with him as she walked into the bedroom.
When she came out again, she had changed into casual home clothes, wearing a cute pink apron.
“Cooking might take a bit of time. Would you like something to drink first?”
“…How about some coffee, to perk me up?”
“Okay… eh, wait.”
Just as she was about to make coffee, Eluka suddenly paused and said a bit shyly, “It seems we don’t have any coffee at home…”
“No coffee?”
Mu’en was taken aback and then made a strange face, “Did mice steal your coffee too?”
“What mice?”
Eluka said, slightly irritated, “I just remembered that my parents never drink coffee because it causes insomnia, so there probably isn’t any preparation for it at home.”
“I see, then don’t worry about it. Just get me something you have.”
“We have black tea…”
“Forget the black tea! Just give me plain water!”
“Is that so? Alright…”
Seeing Mu’en’s suddenly horrified expression, Eluka wrinkled her nose in confusion and walked into the kitchen.
Before long, she came out with a cup of plain water.
“By the way, where are your parents?” Mu’en took the water, thanked her, and asked.
“Haven’t I already mentioned? They’re busy with the farm work.”
“Now? But isn’t this your honeymoon?”
“That’s why it’s farm work.”
Eluka tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and sighed, “Even getting married isn’t as important as harvesting wheat before the next rain. Besides, the wedding is mine, not theirs.”
“I see. It sounds tougher than I imagined.”
Mu’en couldn’t help but feel moved, almost wanting to recite a poem about farmers. After thinking about it, he decided against it; in this fantasy world, poetry wouldn’t elevate one’s status.
“Did your husband go with them?” With only Eluka and Mu’en in the house, Mu’en asked instinctively.
“No.”
Eluka replied.
“He went out for something.”
“Oh, then he should be back soon, right? After all, dinner time is approaching. I wonder if he’d misunderstand seeing the two of us, a single guy and girl, together…” Mu’en joked.
“No, he won’t be back for a while.”
“Eh?”
Mu’en’s smile stiffened.
“What does ‘won’t be back for a while’ mean?”
“Um… it’s nothing much.”
Eluka habitually touched her cheek and sighed, “I just found a note he left in the kitchen. He has some matters to attend to today and will be late. It looks like it’ll just be the two of us for dinner.”
“We… two?”
Mu’en’s eyes widened suddenly.
Something was off.
Very off.
Newlywed.
Husband out.
Wife with a stranger in one room.
And they even had to finish dinner together until dusk.
There were too many elements that made it difficult to dismiss.
Newlywed Secrets Take Out.avi?
“Um… isn’t it a bit inappropriate for just the two of us?”
Initially relaxed, Mu’en suddenly became uneasy, nervously rubbing his hands and saying, “Maybe I should take my leave? If the neighbors see us having dinner together, it might cause some unnecessary misunderstandings.”
“Hmm? Why so nervous? Does Mr. Mu’en really have some dubious thoughts?”
Eluka squinted her eyes and chuckled questioningly.
“Of course not, I just think it’s not right,” Mu’en scratched his head, awkwardly laughing.
“Then it’s fine. You can stay here without worry. I wouldn’t be so rude as to let a guest leave on an empty stomach, and besides…”
Eluka’s lips curled into a smile, revealing a look of happiness.
“My feelings for others can’t be shaken by such trivial matters.”
“Ah, I see.”
Faced with Eluka’s happy expression, Mu’en paused for a moment and instinctively said, “The bond you have with your husband is truly enviable.”
“Of course! I like him the most.”
With her words of love, Eluka, now a newlywed, still blushed shyly like a young girl.
“Oh my, what am I saying? Sorry, Mr. Mu’en, I accidentally said something so shameless again.”
“…It’s fine.”
Mu’en twitched his lips.
“I’m not bothered by it.”
Truly fed a mouthful of dog food.
“Anyway, just relax here and wait for me to make roasted lamb. Don’t overthink it. And of course, don’t have any strange thoughts, okay? Although I know you are perverted.”
“That last part was unnecessary!”
“Then please look forward to it.”
Eluka smiled and walked into the kitchen.
…
“The water has no sediment.”
Mu’en held the cup, gazing through the sunlight outside at the plain water inside.
“The color is clear and transparent.”
After saying that, he brought it to his nose for a sniff.
“The smell is normal too.”
He touched a finger to the water and rubbed it on his skin.
A few minutes later, there was no change at all.
“There are no adverse reactions.”
“It seems like this is just a cup of ordinary plain water.”
After experimenting in various ways, Mu’en cautiously reached this conclusion.
“No drugs, nor anything strange.”
“Logically, there’s nothing wrong with Eluka herself, but…”
Mu’en looked out the window.
The night was deepening.
Above the clear sky, a few stars twinkled.
The quiet village had occasional insect chirps, but no other sounds could be heard.
“Feels like… something is off.”
…
I love you.
