episode_0080

“Oh, you seem busy.”

“Oh, that’s surprising. Why are you crouching like that? Don’t talk to me. I’m going crazy.”

Kyle, who was carrying firewood while struggling, spoke to Frieda who was rolling around on the road.

“You guys won. That’s why I woke up today.”

The news of victory was announced so loudly by the messengers who rode into the city of Maibaon early in the morning that even Frida, who had a habit of sleeping soundly until the sun rose high in the sky, could not bear to wake up and listen to the uproar.

“It’s an obvious result.”

Kyle walked away with a proud smile on his face. Although his body was busy, his steps felt like he was flying.

“Hoo… … … .”

“Ah, seriously! You’re sighing only when I pass by on purpose! It really bothers me. If you have nothing better to do, help me with this!”

Kyle, who was carrying a large hind leg of ham, shouted at Frieda, who was still rolling around on the road.

“I don’t know how I feel either… . There was a time when I thought I would give a billion won just to see that smiling face… .”

“Where’s your billion won when you’re not doing your job?… I see, you were just peeping at me to spite me. Why don’t you get out of here?”

If you follow the direction Frida’s gaze is going, Ray is there, as expected. Kyle is pushing Frida away with a kick as if he’s shooing away an annoying bug.

“Ugh, ahh… … . Why does it hurt so much… . Ahh… , you cruel boy… .”

Frieda, who was groaning loudly but still keeping her eyes on Ray, could understand her feelings a little, so Kyle became even more irritated and kicked her hard.

“You didn’t know this would happen? Huh? Did you really think we had a chance? You should be careful not to be delusional! I’m going crazy! Look at that smile that’s on a whole other level. Your lover is coming back, so she’s smiling so brightly! That’s the face of someone you truly love.”

“Euuu… You smiled at me too… … . Was that excitement just mine? Don’t trample on a girl’s innocence, you… .”

“Ahaha, there they are fighting again.”

“They’re both crying! My nose is running, dammit!”

The twin sisters are busy helping each other crack eggs and watching the shameful scene unfold on the street.

“Hey guys, are you done? Are you careful not to mix the eggshells? ”

Ray, who was preparing ingredients to make bread, poked his head out and asked.

“Yes.”

“Almost done!”

As the girls who had their innocence trampled on, regardless of Ray’s will, had said, he had a happier face than usual. Not only was he told that he had won, but he had also heard that those he cherished were safe. If something had happened or something… it was something he didn’t even want to imagine.

“I wish you’d come sooner. Right?”

Ray asked, bending his head to check if the oven was ready.

“Yeah, but I think it’s okay if you take it slow.”

“You can come tomorrow.”

The sister, who was happy that her mother was coming back but seemed to be sad that it would mean being separated from her brother, gave an answer that would be disappointing to anyone who heard it.

As noon approached, all kinds of wild animals and birds, fattened in preparation for winter, were prepared in various ways and served on the banquet table, and the rare and fragrant liquors that had been kept in each house were gathered together, preparing to welcome the city’s saviors.

The vigilantes who had remained in Maibaon and the welcoming crowds who had spontaneously gathered, armed with musical instruments and confetti, had been waiting outside the city for the majestic procession to appear over the horizon, but when they actually showed up, it was after so much time had passed that it seemed as if something had gone wrong.

In any case, it was a splendid return, so the welcoming crowd sniffled and greeted the vigilantes noisily.

“You have done a truly wonderful job. On behalf of the elders of this city, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you… . Are you feeling unwell?”

To anyone who saw it, Mila’s face looked extremely gloomy, so the old woman asked cautiously, feeling somewhat worried.

“No… . It’s cold outside, so hurry up and go inside… … .”

Mila answered with unfocused eyes. Sarah and Remili, who were next to her, shrugged their shoulders and waved at the welcoming crowd.

“Excuse me, what happened…?”

Instead of looking at Mila’s expression, someone quietly approached Remilie and asked a question.

“Ah, don’t worry about it.”

Those who heard Remili’s strange answer could only tilt their heads.

“I’m hungry! Are you ready? You better be ready!”

Ignoring the audience’s reaction, Remili calmly patted her stomach and said:

“Of course! It’s our citizens’ heart, so I hope you enjoy it comfortably. Then, quickly come this way… … .”

After Jackie’s supplies were placed in a sack and handed over to the cowardly elders, there was a brief debate over whether to burn it or preserve it in alcohol. However, everyone agreed that the priority should be to treat the heroes who were waiting with their stomachs in a luxurious manner, so they decided to preserve it by burying it in the snow.

“Ugh… Good! I guess I should have some oily side dishes.”

Remili, who had been drinking so much last night, was still emptying her glass. However, Mila’s expression was still gloomy, and she was just picking at her food with her chin resting on her hand.

“Hey, I think I should get up soon… .”

Mila put her dishes down on the table and tried to speak with difficulty to one of the elders who was serving the food himself… .

“What kind of disappointing words are you talking about! The show we prepared will start soon! Your glass is empty, I’m sorry!”

“Oh, and a performance… . You don’t have to try so hard. I guess I’m a little tired… … .”

Mila was horrified as she watched the glass she had emptied with the thought of just drinking this and getting up fill up with amber liquid again.

“Ah, you’re just coming in. Ugh, I really shouldn’t be. Why are you crying on such a happy day! In fact, these performers are children who lost their families to thieves. It must be all thanks to you that they can have such bright faces again. I heard they practiced really hard for this day! Please enjoy it!”

“Ah, ahh… . Then I guess I’ll have to see it, yes… … .”

Mila tried to get up from her seat awkwardly, but ended up sitting back down, trailing off. She wasn’t so stubborn as to calmly leave the seat even in this kind of atmosphere.

“Thank you so much for everything. I don’t know how to repay you. Haven’t these kids been causing trouble lately?”

Teria, holding the twins in both arms, repeatedly thanked Ray.

“Not at all. Rather, I had fun spending time with you. It’s great, you guys. It’s been a while since I’ve seen my mom.”

Ray thought that she seemed like a very polite person for someone with the title of the highest noble in the southern region. The only thing that bothered him was that she seemed to have suffered a lot more overall than the last time he saw her.

“Put me down!”

“Mom, where are we going now…?”

But the sisters whined with a somewhat shaky expression.

“Where are you going? We should go back to our house. Mom said she chased away all the scary women, so there’s no need to worry anymore.”

Teria answered, hugging the struggling children in her arms even tighter.

“Eeeek… … . I don’t want to go… .”

“Then let’s take Oppa too. Okay?”

Children waving their arms while each ball is pressed against Terry’s chest.

“Hahaha, okay. I guess they’ve become attached to each other. The kids are like this. Oh, then how about you come to our castle sometime later?”

The children’s eyes sparkle. They turn their gazes toward Ray with anticipation.

“I am so grateful! I don’t know if I would fit in such a fancy place, but… .”

It was a castle where nobles lived, so I had some expectations, but I knew that it would require some strict etiquette, so if I hastily accepted, I might end up quite embarrassed.

“The captain is the benefactor of the family! When the weather gets a little warmer, I will send you a formal invitation. I will treat you as a VIP along with the captain, so you don’t have to worry about anything.”

Ray tilted his head, thinking that she was saying thank you to him. But it turned out to be Mila’s story. But what could he do? He wouldn’t have been given the title of benefactor of the family just because he took care of the children a little.

“Thank you for your kind words. By the way, when did Ms. Mila say she’d be back?”

“Well, I don’t know. I think it’ll take quite a while. Even though we, the lowly ones, can always get out, the high-ranking ones are treated differently.”

Ray thought that was a pity. There was a way to go and meet him in person, but he thought that if he tried to carelessly interfere with the world of the noblemen outside as a man, he might be looked down on, so it would be wiser to suppress his desire to meet him a little. It was a problem that could be quickly answered if he changed genders and thought about it in terms of the slightly outdated common sense of the past.

“Come alone! You can’t come with others!”

“You have to come! Got it!”

Even as the distance grew longer and longer, the children stuck their heads out over Teria’s shoulder and shouted at the top of their lungs. Ray waved back to them.

Left alone in the house, Ray had been thinking deeply while Mila was away. What would make her the happiest when she returned?

Sweet dessert?

A warm bath?

A fluffy bed?

“No matter what, this is a bit much… … .”

Ray hesitates as he lifts up the embarrassingly designed pajamas. But this time too, if you reverse the genders and understand it, the answer is right there.

The gift that would make her happy the most was himself. He had already been convinced that the women of this world were interested in such things after seeing the cheesy drawings he had found in Kyle’s house. It was embarrassing, but Ray had no choice but to tell himself that it was something he had to get used to from now on.

Knock knock

“Are you here? I missed you!”

“Oh, hello… .”

“Ah …

Ray screamed and slammed the door. No wonder, because it wasn’t Mila standing outside the door, but his childhood friend Latia.