Chapter 55: Invitation

“So, you’re married.”

Muen glanced at Ailuka’s ring finger. He hadn’t noticed before, but now the glint of a diamond ring caught his eye.

“Mm, just got married last night.”

“Last night?”

Muen blinked in surprise.

People got married at night?

“Must be a cultural thing,” he thought.

It wasn’t something he dwelled on. After all, this was another world—he’d already met men who robbed travelers while searching for true love. At this point, nothing was off the table.

“Congratulations on your marriage, Ailuka.”

“Thank you.”

“That said... it’s your first day of married life, and you’re out here in the middle of nowhere?” Muen asked with a furrowed brow.

“I went to Beirlande to handle something related to my husband’s work—and to pick up a few things while I was at it,” Ailuka said, pointing to the small backpack slung behind her.

“Work, huh...”

Muen took another look at her clothes, then noticed the emblem on her chest: a crossed-swords insignia.

“You’re an adventurer, right? Is your husband one too?”

“Mm-hmm. But since we just got married, neither of us is planning on taking any jobs for a while. So I went to the guild to report in. Otherwise, if we disappear too long, the guild might flag us as presumed dead. Happens more than you’d think.”

“Ah, I see.”

Muen smiled. “So much to do on your first day of marriage... that’s pretty rough.”

“Not at all.”

A faint blush crept across ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) Ailuka’s cheeks. “To have a better married life, this much is necessary.”

“Hah, sounds like you two are really in love.”

Muen added, “Now I’m curious—what kind of guy is your husband? For someone like you to fall for him, he must be pretty exceptional.”

“You’re such a sweet-talker,” Ailuka said with a chuckle, covering her mouth. “Bet you've fooled plenty of girls with that tongue of yours. My husband’s nothing special, really. But he does love me, that’s true.”

“Pfft, I wish. I don’t even have a girlfriend right now,” Muen said with a sigh and a straight face. “Too bad I didn’t meet you earlier—maybe I could’ve crashed your wedding and hit it off with one of your bridesmaids.”

“As if I’d let you crash it,” Ailuka teased.

“Cruel...”

“Anyway, my home’s just by the lake at the end of this river. Want to stop by for a bit?” Ailuka asked suddenly. “You did save me from those bandits, after all.”

“I wouldn’t call that saving. In the end, I still needed your help.”

Muen scratched his head awkwardly. If Ailuka hadn’t stepped in, he’d probably be tied up right now, being carted off to marry that scar-faced freak.

“As for coming over to your place...”

Muen hesitated.

Any other time, he wouldn’t mind. But she had just gotten married. It was her honeymoon. It’d be kind of rude to show up and crash that.

“I’ll pass, I should probably—”

Grrrrrnnn—

Before he could finish the sentence, a loud rumble cut him off.

“Huh? Was that thunder?” Ailuka jumped slightly and looked up at the sky.

Not a single cloud in sight. The weather was perfect.

As she stood there puzzled, her eyes drifted to Muen—his face had turned beet red, like a kid who’d just been caught hiding dirty magazines under the bed.

“...You...”

“Heh... heh heh...” Muen gave a dry, mortified laugh.

Damn it. He’d completely forgotten—he hadn’t eaten in over a day.

And after all that physical exertion, he was starving. Gut-churningly, hollow-stomached, going-to-pass-out hungry.

“Ah, I get it.”

Ailuka’s lips curled into a mischievous grin. She touched her cheek and sighed dramatically.

“Well, if Mister Muen doesn’t want to come, then I can’t exactly force him. It’s just a shame, really. I was planning a big dinner tonight. I guess it’ll just be me and a random stranger enjoying it.”

“...Big dinner?”

“Yep. Whole roast lamb.”

GULP. Whole roast lamb.

“Sigh... it’s going to be tough for just the two of us to finish a whole roast lamb. But it can’t be helped, I suppose. After all...”

“I’m terribly sorry, Miss Ailuka—no, Lady Ailuka,” Muen said, dropping all pretenses. He pressed his palms together like a begging monk. “Please allow this shameless man to mooch just one dinner off you!”

“My, weren’t you just saying you weren’t coming?”

“That was before I learned about the legendary cooking of Lady Ailuka. Even if I become a thousand-watt human lightbulb and glow with third-wheel energy, I must try your food!”

“You really know how to talk,” Ailuka laughed softly, clearly not intending to tease him much further.

“Come on, let’s go.”

“Thank you, Lady Ailuka!”

Muen beamed and leaned on a stick he’d picked up from the roadside, following Ailuka downstream toward the lake.

I love you.

...Huh?

Muen suddenly furrowed his brows and looked around.

Weird. Just now... he could’ve sworn someone said something.

“Uh... Ailuka?”

“Hmm? What’s up?”

“Did you... say something just now?”

“Say what?”

Ailuka turned back, a little confused. “I didn’t say anything.”

“That’s weird. Maybe I’ve been hungry too long—I’m hearing things.”

Muen scratched his head, brushing it off.

A light breeze rustled through the trees, masking the discordant voice entirely.

“This is my village.”

Muen followed Ailuka to a small fishing hamlet nestled beside the lake.

“Whoa. This place is kinda nice.”

He lifted his gaze. From the village entrance, he could see the lake’s crystal waters sparkling in the sunlight. The scenery was serene and beautiful.

He recognized it, too—this was Lake Beipol. He’d visited it with his family last year during a vacation.

“Living inside a scenic area, seeing views like this every day... I’m jealous.”

“It’s not as glamorous as you think,” Ailuka said with a bashful smile. “Even the most beautiful scenery starts to feel mundane after a while. And living by the lake comes with its own inconveniences.”

“Still, it’s got a good vibe.”

Feeling a bit more rested, Muen tossed his stick away, laced his hands behind his head, and let the breeze wash over him from the lake. He basked in this rare, peaceful moment.

Thinking about it... ever since he arrived in this world, he’d been running nonstop from one crisis to another. He hadn’t really had a chance to relax.

Maybe that’s why he found himself clinging so tightly to this little slice of tranquility.

“Let’s go.”

Once she’d judged enough time had passed, Ailuka led him deeper into the village.

“It’s so quiet.”

Muen looked around. All the houses had their doors shut. There wasn’t a single soul in sight.

“Everyone’s busy right now,” Ailuka explained.

“Autumn fish are plump, and the harvest’s about to begin. Most of the villagers are out working, either sleeping on boats or camping out in the fields. Pretty normal this time of year.”

“Sounds rough.”

“It is. Everything happens at once. Even the kids don’t get to slack off. But that’s the price of a good harvest—when it’s over, all that’s left is joy.”

She suddenly stopped in front of a small courtyard and smiled with quiet delight.

“We’re here.”