Chapter 124 - The Lines I Wanted to Try Saying
"Would you like dinner first? Or would you like a bath?"
Hearing Flora's words as she asked in the living room, I pondered for a moment.
I had climbed mountains and moved around a lot today, so I was sweaty.
Normally, I would want to wash off the sweat first, but my sense of hunger was winning out.
Rather than washing off the sweat right now, I wanted to eat Flora's delicious home cooking first.
"Hmm, I'm hungry today, so dinner first!"
"Understood. I'll warm up the food, so please wait a moment."
When I said that, Flora smiled brightly and moved to the kitchen.
Then, she donned the blue apron hanging on the wall and put the pot on the fire while humming to herself.
Flora occasionally hums in the kitchen, but today she seemed even happier than usual.
"You seem to be in a very good mood?"
"Ehehe, actually, I've always wanted to try saying those lines from earlier. I used to see my mother welcoming my father like that, so it felt kind of like being a wife."
When I asked out of curiosity, Flora answered while blushing.
I see, the idealized lines of a wife.
"As an orphan, those words didn't have much connection to me, but now that you mention it, they're words only said between a married couple or family."
Thinking about it that way, the words from earlier felt quite special.
In the back of my mind, I remembered being told similar lines by maids at a noble's mansion, but those hadn't felt special at all.
As expected, it's because they are said with heart by a precious person that they make one happy.
As I was feeling deeply moved, Flora was looking at me with a somewhat complicated expression.
Oops. I shouldn't have brought up such a heavy topic when the atmosphere was bright.
"Sorry, that was a bit heavy."
"No, I'm happy you told me about your past. I want to know even a little more about you, Aldo-san."
"I-Is that so?"
Flora's straightforward words and smile were dazzling, making me feel embarrassed.
"Besides, from now on, I'll say it every day, so it's okay."
That's right. Flora accepted me, including my past.
In that case, for her sake, I should talk more about the past without forcing myself to be overly cautious.
"Yeah, thank you."
When I thanked her honestly with feeling, Flora smiled bashfully.
After a while, perhaps the pot had warmed up, as a good smell began to drift into the living room.
There was the acidity of tomatoes and a faint scent of meat, which violently stimulated my hungry stomach.
"Smells good. Is it tomato and chicken soup by any chance?"
"Close. Today it's cabbage rolls simmered in tomato sauce."
"Ah—it was that one!"
While having such a peaceful conversation, Flora began plating the cabbage rolls once they were warm.
Tableware like knives and forks, as well as side dishes like bread, were already lined up on the table.
I thought there was nothing left for me to do, but I noticed there were no drinks on the table.
Since we were having cabbage rolls, I decided to have red wine as an accompaniment today.
"Will you drink red wine too, Flora?"
"Yes, I will."
Since Flora said she would drink, I took two glasses from the cupboard and took out Nordende wine from the kitchen shelf.
It wasn't a vintage like the ones Elgis-san owned, but it was sufficiently aged.
We have quite a bit of Nordende wine at home because Aisha brings it over easily and Flora can drink it even though she's not good with alcohol.
If I leave it like this, the shelf will be overwhelmed by wine, so I have to make sure to drink it up.
I poured the red wine into the glasses while making such excuses to myself.
After I finished pouring the wine and sat down, Flora brought over the plates with the cabbage rolls just in time.
"It's ready!"
"Oh, looks delicious!"
Two large cabbage rolls sat atop the bright red soup.
Inside, they must be packed with meat that had soaked up the flavor of the soup.
Just the smell and imagination made saliva flood my mouth.
"Please, go ahead and eat."
"Yeah, I'll dig in."
Urged by Flora, I set about cutting into the main dish, the cabbage rolls.
The cabbage, softened from simmering, allowed the knife through easily, and the meat inside was immediately visible.
Suppressing my eager feelings, I cut it into bite-sized pieces with the knife.
Once that was done, I pierced a piece with my fork and carried it to my mouth.
"Mmm! Delicious!"
The taste of cabbage and juicy meat spread in my mouth. And the acidity of the tomato, which harmonized them perfectly, was very good.
The cabbage was very soft and had soaked up the umami of the tomato even more than the meat.
The compatibility with the meat was outstanding, but this alone could be called a feast.
As I ate with focused intensity, Flora smiled with satisfaction.
"I'm glad. I have seconds ready, so please eat a lot."
The cabbage rolls went well with the wine, and I had two more helpings after that.
◆
After finishing dinner, Flora and I took the used dishes to the sink in the kitchen.
I washed the dishes, and handed the washed items to Flora for her to wipe with a cloth.
It was an ordinary task, but I liked this collaborative work.
We went about the work without particularly talking, but it wasn't uncomfortable.
Rather, I felt that this silence was even pleasant.
As we worked while listening to the sound of flowing water without exchanging words, all the dishes were finished being washed.
"Aldo-san, I'll put the dishes away, so could you fill the bathtub with hot water?"
"Yeah, got it. Well then, I'll go put the water in."
Since she wasn't using dishes from high places, it should be fine to leave the rest to Flora.
Flora can use magic tools too, but she can't yet manage the delicate control needed to create hot water, so filling the bath was my job.
After thoroughly washing the bathtub in the bathroom, I took the magic tool kept in the changing room and started the hot water.
Once just the right amount of water was in the tub, I dipped my arm in a bit to check if it was the right temperature.
"Yeah, feels just right."
When I returned to the changing room with the magic tool, Flora was there, having brought a change of clothes and towels.
"I'll leave your change of clothes here too, Aldo-san."
"Thank you."
Flora placed my clothes down, but in her arms, she was holding what looked like her own change of clothes.
That meant Flora would be entering now as well. Or rather, it was an expression of her intent to enter.
It would be awkward if we both just started undressing in silence, so although it was embarrassing, I decided to bring it up.
"W-Well then, shall we go in together?"
"Y-Yes."
Then, Flora nodded with an expression mixed with joy and embarrassment, and placed her clothes in the laundry basket.
Looking at her profile, not just her cheeks but even her ears were dyed bright red.
I had been in the bath with Flora many times and had seen her skin, but I could never get used to this bashfulness.
Thinking that Flora was undressing next to me made me very curious, but staring too much wasn't good either.
I stripped off my clothes all at once as if to shake off idle thoughts.
During that time, I felt a strong gaze from the side, but I ignored it manfully and opened the bathroom door.
When I stole a glance back, Flora was looking at my body without even starting to change.
"I'm going in first, okay?"
"Ah, yes!"
When I said that, Flora started moving as if snapped out of it and began changing.
It seemed Flora wasn't used to the bashfulness of taking a bath together either.