Episode 110. Couple (1)

“Huh?”

“Can’t you say something? What’s wrong? You’re making everyone around you feel down.”

Was I too lost in thought? Monica had already turned around and was looking at me. I guess I stopped walking without even realizing it. After a light apology, Monica stood next to me, seemingly not wanting to lead the way again.

“Are you going to make the chef wait? Hurry up and go.”

“Uh…”

Am I just feeling like she’s being unusually kind? No, not unusually, but like before the regression. Subconsciously, I was basing my thoughts on Monica’s pre-regression self. The old Monica would get furious over the smallest mistakes and was always quick to belittle me. But today, there was no sign of that at all.

Following Monica, who was grumbling but still matching my pace, I entered the dining hall. Monica, sitting at the head of the table, the seat for the lord of the castle, patted the seat to her right. Although there were only two place settings prepared in the first place. As soon as I sat down, Monica said,

“I’ve received countless requests for meals until now, but you’re the only one I’ve ever suggested it to first. You should know that as an honor.”

“We’re a couple, though…”

“Eoheo!”

Monica told me to be quiet, but the truth was, I didn’t feel particularly happy. Monica might not know, but we’ve had dinner alone several times. All in situations where I was trying to avoid her, and Monica was forcing me. The only good thing was that she didn’t bother me too much during meals, so I didn’t have a huge trauma about dining together.

Of course, just eating while looking at Monica’s face felt like it would give me indigestion. Nevertheless, the reasons I didn’t refuse Monica’s dinner invitation were, first, Vera-nunna was really hoping for it, second, there wasn’t really a good reason to refuse, and lastly…

‘She was someone I had to face properly at least once, no matter what.’

Winnie’s revealed secret. I couldn’t say it wasn’t because of that. It felt like something inside me had broken. A prejudice caused by memories from a past life that no one else remembers but me. The idea that Monica is unconditionally evil and bad. Even though she’s changed, or rather, it would be more accurate to say she hasn’t changed due to the magic. Still, I worried that I might be the only one fretting and not facing her.

The chef quickly came in, and the meal began. As always, the food was incredibly delicious, and I, who had been starving all afternoon from sleeping, happily emptied my plate. Then the next dish came out, and again, the plates were changed. Without saying a word, Monica and I continued to eat. While I was thinking that it was more delicious than usual, Monica broke the silence first.

“Ahem, how is it? Does the food suit your taste?”

“Oh, yeah… It’s delicious.”

“Heueung, of course, it should be. I told them to pay special attention.”

It was obvious that a lot of effort had been put into everything from the menu composition to the cooking method and plating. Including the fifteen years before the regression, I had never seen such a feast. I almost felt bad eating it alone. Vera and Winnie should eat this too… Especially Winnie, since she’s pregnant, she needs to eat even better.

“But why do you look so down?”

“No, I just… I feel bad eating with just the two of us.”

Pshik-

Monica laughed as if she was dumbfounded. Is it because my thoughts have changed that her laughter seems like a confident smile rather than a sneer?

“This is a reward for the work you’ve done this time. You’re receiving it because you did well, so don’t be so timid and eat. Don’t worry about the others’ portions.”

“Work? Ah…”

Was that trade that big? It was the first time I had received such direct praise from Monica.

“This Mountberne matter, and the Enicson barony… no, now it’s the Daniel barony, I guess. There’s also the rebellion. It’s a comprehensive consideration of various things.”

Monica seemed awkward praising me, too. She always said things like, isn’t that the least you should do, why could you only do this much. Of course, that was for things I couldn’t do before. I was confused whether it was really because that one curse was gone, or because I had changed.

“It’s to encourage you to do well in the future. Don’t get hurt like last time. Do you know how surprised I was to hear that an arrow was stuck in your arm? I’m letting you off easy this time because you only hurt your finger.”

…My left arm, which was hit by an arrow back then, is fine now. I didn’t feel good because the words I heard after suppressing the rebellion weren’t good, so was it because of that? I think there was something else… I don’t know. I don’t remember well. Whatever it is, there’s no need to ruin a good word.

I finished the meal in a better atmosphere than I thought, and then we had dessert. Tea and simple snacks. Monica said while I was eating a dessert that tasted like home because it had a lot of syrup.

“And you.”

“Huh?”

“This is something that everyone eats, so it can’t be a reward just for you, right?”

If other people are eating it too, then it’s definitely not a reward just for me. But there’s no need to give me anything more… Was Monica always a woman who gave so much? She was so different from what I thought that I was embarrassed.

“Um… that’s right.”

“So I have something else prepared.”

Clap-

As she clapped, a servant who had been waiting outside the door came in with a long object wrapped in cloth. The shape of it… is very familiar. And the object that came out of that cloth was also very familiar.

“A sword?”

“Kkeueung, yes.”

Monica stopped me from getting up to receive it. The reason was that there was no need to be so formal while eating. Rather than politeness, it was because she seemed worried about me not being able to handle the sword.

“It’s a little heavy. Anyway!”

Cheok-

Monica struck a pose and handed me the sword with both hands. I comfortably received it with one hand and slightly drew it to check its condition.

“Oh…”

The quality is very good. The ripple pattern is clearly visible even on the slightly exposed blade. It was longer and heavier than an ordinary sword, as if it was made to fit my height, and it seemed like it could fully handle my strength. Monica smiled, looking proud of my reaction.

“It’s hard to find, so use it carefully. But don’t be too careful and get hurt. In the end, I’m giving it to you so you don’t get hurt.”

“Thank you.”

Could I have been misunderstanding Monica all this time? I didn’t like her attitude of treating battle wounds, which symbolize honor and glory for a knight, as a sin, but if I fought with this, I could end the battle before getting injured. It was a shame that I couldn’t draw it and swing it around because it was indoors and in front of Monica. I should train with this sword from tomorrow.

“Heuheum, and there’s one more thing.”

“Huh?”

It’s not over yet?

Monica said with a very embarrassed, flushed face.

“It’s about time… we made an heir, right?”

…Ah.

“My mother keeps nagging me, and both you and I are getting a bit old… We should have our first night.”

“Keulleok.”

I almost choked because of the tea I was drinking. …Did she know I didn’t insert it back then? I definitely checked that she was sound asleep… Fortunately, judging from her expression, it didn’t seem like she was awake back then. If she had been conscious, she would have known that Winnie was there, so she wouldn’t have been so calm.

“How did I know? Isn’t it strange for a woman not to know that such a huge thing was put inside her body?”

I guess she’s seen my penis size before, since we’ve slept together a few times, and she must have peeked at my crotch once. Still, Monica didn’t seem that upset.

“Back then, I hadn’t received my title for long, so I had a lot of work to do, and I was worried that a child would be a burden, right? But you don’t have to think like that. I’ll fulfill my duties as a countess and as a wife.”

“…Okay.”

“…You don’t seem that happy? Maybe…”

“Ah, no. It’s not. I’m just still a bit tired.”

Would any man be happy to hear that he has to fulfill his duty as a husband? Of course, I’m much stronger now than I was then, and Monica seems much younger, and her personality seems much better… but I still instinctively felt a sense of rejection.

‘Ha…’

I can’t even sigh as I please. Now that the talk of marital duties has come up, I can’t avoid it. All the good feelings have flown away.