Chapter 61
“Franz, it’s shabby and unsightly compared to the Magic Tower, isn’t it?”
Yuna laughed, “Hehe,” as if embarrassed.
Indeed, as she said, her house was utterly shabby compared to the Magic Tower. But how many houses wouldn’t be shabby when compared to the Magic Tower? If you lined up a hundred houses where commoners lived, all hundred would look shabby. So, it was more accurate to say the Magic Tower was extraordinary rather than the commoners’ houses were dilapidated.
Objectively, Yuna’s house wasn’t bad at all. She had expected the interior to be similar to its worn exterior, but surprisingly, the inside was quite decent.
Perhaps it even felt cozy. Living in a place like this didn’t seem so bad. It was exactly like the log cabins he’d seen on TV once.
Of course, he could only think that way because he already had everything he could ever want.
“Well, I think it’s fine. Don’t worry about it too much.”
Franz had lived in a semi-basement during his black-haired 21st-century days, so he had no complaints. Even if he did, he wasn’t foolish enough to voice them.
“That’s a relief. I was worried you’d be upset if you thought it was dirty.”
“Me? Do I look like that kind of person?”
“No, absolutely not...!”
Yuna’s eyes widened, and she waved her hands from side to side.
I almost got hurt there.
Of course, even if Yuna thought that, he had no room to talk given his past actions. Back then, he had indeed been a bit too strict.
Honestly, he had to put his life on the line every moment, and there were several times when his life was truly in danger. If he hadn’t been so strict, he might have died by now.
Still, hadn’t he been pretty good to her lately? Even if it was because of the quests from the status window.
“Anyway, I’m glad you think it’s okay.”
“By the way, where did your mother and sister go?”
No matter how late it was, they should have appeared by now, but they were nowhere to be seen, which made him wonder.
“Oh, they said they had to go buy something in the village.”
“Yuna, I don’t know if I should say this... but is it really okay to send them alone...?”
Franz asked in a very cautious tone. Yuna’s mother and sister had been captured by Duke Ishtar and subjected to horrific experiments. He was worried their bodies might not have fully recovered.
Yuna replied with a pouty expression.
“Right?! I’m worried too, you know? But Mom and Yuria keep saying they’re fine. It’s so frustrating.”
“Well, your mother and sister probably don’t want to worry you.”
“Still, I’m worried...”
Yuna slumped her shoulders.
It was natural for Yuna to worry, given that her family, whom she hadn’t seen in years, had suffered such a fate. But she also understood her family’s desire not to burden Yuna with their worries. Their mutual affection was so great that it made things complicated.
“Just keep a good eye on them. Don’t try to be overly protective.”
“Okay...”
“More importantly, weren’t you going to prepare a meal? Are you just going to stand there? I’m hungry.”
“Oh, sorry. I’ll get it ready right away. You just sit there for a bit.”
Yuna, belatedly coming to her senses, hurried off somewhere.
He didn’t want to say something that made him sound like he was rushing her, the one providing the meal, but if he left her alone, Yuna seemed likely to stay dejected.
She always smiles, but she’s so soft-hearted inside.
Thinking that, Franz found a suitable spot and sat down. Then he slowly began to look around the house. It wasn’t spotless, but it definitely felt like a lived-in home, from clothes hanging here and there to everyday items.
If he were to marry someone, living in a house like this, fishing in a lake, living harmoniously with family, and eating food his wife made wouldn’t be so bad...
Cooking? Come to think of it, was Yuna good at cooking?
The train of thought was subtly heading in a strange direction.
Franz tried to recall any memories of Yuna cooking for him. They had traveled together for years; surely there must have been at least one time.
First, Yuna ate well. Not as much as Hera, but Yuna also ate a considerable amount.
Cooking...
*Why can’t I remember?*
Actually, the Hero’s Party’s cooks were Franz and Yustia. Hera and Yuna were the eaters. He thought there would have been at least one instance, but since he couldn’t remember, it probably never happened.
Could she be making something inedible? She had said it so confidently, so surely that wouldn’t be the case.
This won’t do.
Ultimately, a restless Franz got up from his seat. If he was going to check anyway, it was better to move a little earlier.
*Clack-clack-clack-.*
Following Yuna, he heard the familiar sound of a cutting board and knife clashing. The consistent rhythm suggested she had some skill with a knife.
Soon, Franz found Yuna cooking in the kitchen.
“Yuna...?”
“Huh? Franz, why?”
Yuna was wearing an apron and chopping vegetables. Her movements were natural, so she seemed accustomed to cooking. Well, she had confidently offered to cook, so of course she’d be good at it. He felt a little sorry for doubting her.
“Oh, nothing, I just wondered if there was anything I could help with.”
“You can just sit down. It’s fine. Today I want to cook for you, so I’ll just take your good intentions... Ah...”
Yuna, who had been speaking naturally, suddenly let out a gasp.
Did she cut her hand because he spoke to her?
Hoping that wasn’t the case, Franz approached Yuna.
“Yuna, what’s wrong? Are you hurt?”
“No, I’m perfectly fine...”
“Then?”
“I made a mistake while chopping, and my finger touched the knife. But the tip of the knife broke.”
...?
So, her hand touched the knife, and her finger won. It was a hard thing to believe, but for Yuna, who possessed the body of a Hero, it was entirely possible.
“Should I just go back?”
“Oh, yeah. If I need you later, I’ll call you then.”
“Got it.”
Franz immediately turned around and went back to where he had been. If he kept talking to her, it seemed only the handle of the knife would be left.
By the way, if she were so good at cooking, why had she never done it in the Hero’s Party?
Well, there must have been a reason.
There was no point in dwelling on the past, so he decided to let it go.
How much time had passed like that?
“Franz, come here for a moment—”
At Yuna’s call, Franz immediately went to her.
“Could you taste this and see if the seasoning is right?”
Yuna’s expression was clearly tense. It was a natural reaction for someone presenting their homemade food to another.
“Sure, that’s no problem.”
“Here. Say “Ah—”.”
As Franz replied, Yuna, as if she had been waiting, scooped up some stew with a spoon and held it out. Franz, without thinking, naturally took a bite.
“Oh, this is good, isn’t it? It’s delicious.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, it’s really good.”
The stew Yuna made was truly delicious. It was good enough to eat without question even if it came from a famous restaurant.
“That’s a relief. Then go wait. I’ll bring it out soon.”
“Okay.”
Franz returned to his original spot. Soon after, Yuna began placing the finished dishes one by one on the table.
Then Yuna sat opposite Franz, and the meal began.
“Yuna, you’re a good cook.”
“Oh, it’s not that good.”
Even as she said that, a smile spread across Yuna’s lips, indicating her pleasure.
“Franz, I think your food is delicious.”
“Really? Then I’ll make it for you sometime. Come with your family.”
“Okay. Then let me know when it’s convenient.”
And when the meal was somewhat winding down, Franz and Yuna continued their meal, engaging in light conversation.
“Have you talked to your family?”
Franz brought up the main topic. It was a question about whether she had discussed living in Duke Ishtar’s Castle with her family.
They both said it was fine, but feeling sorry for you, they were worried about whether it would be okay.
“I’m fine. If I weren’t, I wouldn’t have suggested it in the first place.”
“Still, thank you. For always worrying about me and caring.”
“...Mm.”
Franz felt embarrassed by Yuna’s gratitude, so he needlessly lowered his head and ate a spoonful of stew. He was still not used to such things.
After his emotions had somewhat settled, Franz continued speaking.
“First, I need to receive the ducal title. Until then, please stay here. It probably won’t take long. I asked them to schedule it as quickly as possible.”
“You don’t have to go to such lengths. Anyway, I understand.”
A subtle smile spread across Yuna’s face. It wasn’t a forced smile, but one that truly welled up from a happy heart.
More time passed, and the bowls that had been full of food were now empty. Having finished his meal, Franz immediately stood up.
“Yuna, I should get going now. The food was delicious.”
“Okay, come visit again next time. Oh, wait, by then I’ll be living in your house, so it won’t be visiting, it’ll be *returning*.”
Her words about living in his house and *returning* were quite subtle. Franz dismissed them as nothing important and left Yuna’s house.
* * * * *
It was the next day.
*Finally, nothing is happening today.*
No plans. That was exactly what Franz desired most. Of course, even so, he still had work to do, so he couldn’t just not go to the office.
But it didn’t take long for Franz’s peace to be shattered.
“Magic Tower Master, this was stuck in the wall...?”
Arian, who had just arrived for work, immediately came to him and handed him something. It was an arrow with a letter tied to it.
There was only one person who would do such a thing.
*It’s Hera.*
He had told her to just send a normal letter, but she never listened and always pulled stunts like this. She claimed to be a Slave, but she clearly had no intention of obeying.
Franz sighed, untied the letter from the arrow, and unfolded it.