Chapter 110 - Warmth Under the Covers
Volume 6 of 'I Want to Live a Slow Life in the Countryside After Being Reincarnated' goes on sale tomorrow! I think it might be on bookstore shelves starting today in some places! Please look forward to it.
The morning two days after cleaning Kurune's house. I woke up feeling a slight chill.
"Oh, it's suddenly gotten cold."
Indeed, lately the temperature had become cooler, perhaps because autumn was approaching.
That said, it was still warm enough to break a sweat if I moved around, so I could still spend my time in short sleeves.
In fact, yesterday it became warm around noon and I ended up sweating, so I went to sleep in short sleeves, but that might have been a lapse in judgment.
This morning's chill made me feel the arrival of autumn, making me realize that I really needed long sleeves now.
"Maybe because the air is cold, it makes the inside of the futon feel so warm."
Because the air in the bedroom was cold, the inside of the futon felt even warmer.
Perhaps because of that, I felt so attached to my futon that I didn't feel like getting up right away.
I wanted to savor this warmth a little longer.
As I was dozing inside the warm futon, the living room door opened. Along with it, a faint, creamy, delicious scent wafted in.
The identity of this smell is probably cream stew.
As expected of Flora, she must have felt this chill and prepared a warm dish. I'm very grateful.
"Aldo-san, please wake up. It's time for breakfast."
"Mmm, it's cold, let me stay like this a bit longer..."
Flora came over to shake my body to wake me up, but I couldn't resist the warmth of this futon.
I mean, I was in such a comfortable space. Wouldn't anyone want to stay here a little longer?
I pulled the futon deep over my head as if to escape from Flora.
"You'll be warm if you change into long sleeves properly. Look, I've brought out a change of clothes for you, so please come out."
"Mmm, no."
"In that case, I'll show you that I can drag Aldo-san out!"
When I continued to refuse, Flora showed off her non-existent biceps and then grabbed my hand inside the futon.
Flora's hand was a bit chilly, perhaps because she had just washed it with water.
"Ah, it's warm."
"Right?"
I felt like I had just found a gap in Flora's defenses.
When I grinned, Flora looked hesitant but then firmed up her expression.
"U-Ugh, even so, it's breakfast time! Ei! Eii!"
Flora gripped my hand and pulled with all her might.
However, with Flora's slender arm strength, she couldn't drag my body out of bed.
I have a lot of muscle, so I'm heavy for my appearance.
Flora alone wouldn't be able to manage dragging me out.
"Ugh, Aldo-san won't come out."
"Ahaha, Flora, you come here too."
"Hya!"
At the moment Flora got tired and relaxed her strength, I pulled her toward me.
As Flora fell onto the bed with a short scream, I wrapped her up in the futon and blanket.
Then, Flora's face appeared right in front of my eyes.
""............""
I couldn't help but turn red at the distance being closer than I expected.
Come to think of it, I had done something quite bold since morning.
But right now, I didn't want to let go of the warmth of this futon and Flora.
When I squeezed her hand tightly, Flora squeezed back as if in response.
Looking closely, Flora's face was also a bit red. She seemed to be embarrassed just like me.
We always sleep in the same bed, but when the person you love suddenly gets close, it makes you helplessly shy and happy.
"Flora, your face is red."
"...Aldo-san, yours is red too."
When I poked her flushed cheek, Flora buried her face against me as if to hide it.
I could feel the sensation of a soft body and body heat that was different from the futon.
Then, I felt something warm spread through my chest. Was it something like a happiness component?
Having woken up alone in the somewhat cold air, it seemed I had been craving human warmth.
Without saying anything in particular, I kept holding her as if to savor this warmth.
Then, Flora leaned in even closer to make her body snug against mine and wrapped her arms around my back.
"...Geez, if you do something like this, I won't want to get out of the futon either."
"Then, shall we stay like this all day today?"
I didn't have any hunting plans today, and there shouldn't be anything that absolutely needed to be done.
"I'd like to do that, but we have something we have to do today."
"Did we have some plans?"
"E-Err, since we're wearing wedding clothes for the Harvest Festival, Aldo-san, you have to get your measurements taken."
Flora stated that while looking somewhat embarrassed.
That's right, it's for the wedding. Normal everyday clothes wouldn't look right.
There were only a little over two weeks left until the Harvest Festival. It was about time to start serious preparations.
My heart, which had been somewhat relaxed, tightened up.
"Then, is Flora getting measured today too?"
"No, my measurements were finished a week ago. Or rather, I was forced into it by Mother and the others... apparently it takes time to make a bridal gown."
Ah, I can easily imagine Fiona-san, who is a bit quick to act, starting the measurements immediately.
Even so, a wedding, huh...
I had been invited to the weddings of high-ranking nobles a few times and went reluctantly, but in any ceremony without exception, the bride's attire seemed to cost a lot of labor and money.
"I wonder if I can see the bridal gown yet?"
"Mother and the other women who are good at making clothes are cooperating, but I think it will still take some time."
Our marriage was decided suddenly, so the preparation period is shorter than usual.
Fiona-san and the village women are probably making the clothes in a great hurry right about now.
"I see. I'm a little disappointed because I thought I might be able to see Flora's bridal gown."
"Please wait just a little longer. When it's finished, I want Aldo-san to be the first to see it."
"I understand. I'll look forward to that time."
I gently stroked the head of the happily smiling Flora.
In the past, when I watched weddings from a distance, I couldn't help but wonder why people would spend so much labor and money on what was just a ceremonial event.
There are many reasons, such as inviting close friends to celebrate grandly, sharing joy, and making lifelong memories.
However, for the current me, the woman I love is wearing such a happy smile. Just that alone made me feel it was well worth doing.
"Well then, since there's the clothes measurement, shall we eat breakfast soon?"
When I moved my body to try and get up, I felt the strength in Flora's arms wrapped around my back tighten.
I reflexively stopped my body, and Flora looked up at me with upturned eyes and said,
"...Um, can we stay like this just a little longer?"
The two of us together would be unable to leave the bed for a while.