Chapter 45 - Today's Plans
After finishing the peaceful breakfast and washing the dishes, I relaxed comfortably on the sofa.
I like the slow time after eating a delicious meal.
While immersed in a pleasant sense of fullness, the time spent burying my body in the soft sofa was bliss.
"Aldo-san, do you have any plans for today?"
Flora, having finished cleaning the kitchen, asked as she returned the apron to the wall.
"Since I defeated the Red Bear yesterday, I don't think there will be any hunting work. Master Lauren told me to take a break for a while too."
The Red Bear had just appeared yesterday. Because a ferocious monster had appeared in an unusual place, the herbivores would likely be frightened and hiding.
In such a state, I didn't think there would be any decent harvest even if I entered the mountains. It would be better to leave the creatures in the mountains alone until they returned to their habitats. Otherwise, one might encounter dangerous beasts or monsters in unexpected places.
For that reason, I thought it was safe to assume my work as a hunter would be on hiatus for a while.
Eventually, Master Lauren or Kyle would probably give me detailed information. If I went outside today, I could just look for them and ask.
"I don't have any plans, but do you have something, Flora?"
Flora had asked about my plans. She probably had some business she wanted me to accompany her for.
As Flora, who had taken off her apron, approached the sofa, I moved my body to make space.
"Um, I'm thinking of returning home once. Yesterday, I came here suddenly just as my mother and father told me to... If possible, I'd like you to come too, Aldo-san."
Hearing Flora's words as she looked up at me, I suddenly came to my senses.
That's right, Flora and I had become lovers.
For now, I had been asked by Elgis-san and Fiona-san to take care of her yesterday, but it wasn't something that could be left in such a vague form.
"Of course I'll go! Since we've become lovers, I have to give my proper greetings to Elgis-san and Fiona-san!"
"Y-Yes."
"...And, well, um, I want to properly ask if they'll permit us to marry too."
I said, stumbling over my words out of embarrassment.
It was pathetic as a man that I couldn't say it clearly, but I managed to say it.
Normally, the form of marriage varied by country, town, or village.
If there was a church, they would make their vows there; if not, the entire village would grandly celebrate the couple during a large gathering like the Harvest Festival.
In a small rural village without a Harvest Festival, if both sets of parents agreed, they were as good as a married couple.
I had heard there was a Harvest Festival in Nordende, so we would likely celebrate then.
"............"
Huh? There was no reaction from Flora. Did she think I was being too hasty or heavy?
When I looked at Flora beside me, her face was downcast, and I couldn't see her expression because her bangs were hanging down.
"...Flora?"
When I timidly tried to peer into Flora's face, I saw a droplet trailing down her white cheek.
...Was she crying?
"Eh? Flora? What's wrong?"
As I hurriedly called out to her and peered into her face, Flora was shedding tears, her jade eyes moist.
At the fact that my words had made Flora cry, I froze in shock.
"...No, I'm sorry. I was just... happy."
Perhaps sensing my surprise, Flora said as she wiped her tears with her hand.
Being told by Flora that she was happy made my heart leap at once.
The tension and anxiety from earlier vanished instantly, and I felt a joy that almost made me jump off the sofa. An indescribable sense of elation, euphoria, and various emotions mixed within me, and a warmth spread through my chest.
Perhaps because I saw Flora's tears of joy, I felt like crying too.
I managed to endure it and pulled Flora close to convey my happiness and love.
Flora didn't resist; rather, she entered my arms as if entrusting herself to me.
I could feel the warmth of Flora's body, her soft form, and the sweet scent of flowers, telling me of her certain presence.
"...Thank you, Flora. I'm happy you accepted me."
◆
After calming our hearts, we left the house to head to Elgis-san's home to give our greetings.
"Ah, Aldo-san."
Just as I opened the front door and stepped out, a voice called me.
When I turned toward the voice, there was Kyle, jogging toward us.
He had probably come to talk about the state of the forest and future plans.
Seeing Kyle's usual calm expression, I felt a little relieved that there didn't seem to be any particularly bad reports.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
While I was waiting for Kyle to run up, Flora came out of the entrance a moment later.
In that instant, the expression on Kyle's face as he ran up changed to one of surprise, and then he grinned as if he had seen something interesting.
...I had a bad feeling about this.
"Aldo-san? ...Ah, it's Kyle-kun."
Flora, finding it suspicious that I wasn't reacting, followed my gaze and noticed Kyle.
"Good morning, Aldo-san, Flora-san."
"G-Good morning, Kyle."
"Good morning, Kyle-kun."
I returned the greeting somewhat stiffly to Kyle, who was greeting us with eyes that looked like he was seeing something amusing. Flora had a shy personality, but since Kyle was younger and a fellow hunter she often saw, she didn't seem very nervous.
After the greetings, Kyle looked back and forth between me and Flora with a smirk and said,
"...At any rate, you two have finally hooked up, haven't you? Given Flora-san's reserved nature and your spinelessness, Aldo-san, I thought it would take a bit more time."
"Shut up, be quiet."
I reached out to give Kyle a flick to the forehead, but Kyle stepped back smoothly, as if he had expected it.
I was aware of being spineless, but being told so by Kyle was a bit annoying.
Come to think of it, Kyle had gone to handle the aftermath of the Red Bear with Master Lauren and the others, so he didn't know what had happened to us.
Though I thought Aisha and Toak, who had stayed until the end and heard most of the circumstances, would have guessed.
Even though he was a close friend, his consideration in not showing up first thing in the morning was a bit scary. I wondered what he would ask and tease me about later.
"............Eh? Ah!?"
While I was making a sour face, Flora beside me let out a dumbfounded voice as she realized the situation and its meaning.
Flora, who everyone wondered when she would hook up with me, had naturally come out of my house one morning and greeted him.
Given what happened yesterday, Kyle must have guessed that Flora and I had naturally spent the night together. I didn't deny it either.
"—!"
Flora, her face turning redder and redder, quickly hid behind my back.
"Ahaha, what a cute lover—no, she's already your wife, isn't she?"
"We're going to officially get permission now."
When I answered firmly, Flora pulled on my clothes as if in protest.
"Y-You don't have to say that in front of people!"
"It's cruel not to say it after flirting so much in the village. I'll be sure to tell Master too, and it'll spread quickly anyway."
Kyle replied to Flora's line with a wry smile.
Well, we had been working in the fields together all this time, and during that time we had eaten lunch outside together and gone to see the flower fields during breaks. I guess everyone really did think of us that way. It was a bit embarrassing.
Hearing Kyle's words, Flora shrank even further behind my back.
"So, how was the state of the forest?"
I changed the subject so Flora wouldn't be teased any further.
At the blatant shift, Kyle spoke while shrugging his shoulders.
"We collected all the meat and materials from the Red Bear that could be salvaged. Small monsters showed up midway, drawn by the scent of the Red Bear's blood, but since there were many hunters, we drove them off without anyone getting injured."
It was common for monsters and small monsters to gather due to the scent of blood. I was glad no one was injured.
"Also, I thought about delivering the meat yesterday, but Master said to leave you alone, so I'll give you some dried meat later. Thinking about it now, Master might have known things would turn out like this."
"...Haha."
I let out a dry laugh at Kyle's words.
What was with this perceptive consideration? It was annoying because it was spot on. No, maybe it was just kindness because he thought I was tired. Let's go with that.
"So, when will we enter the forest?"
"While keeping watch to see if any other ferocious creatures come down, probably in about four to seven days."
Hmm, well, that sounded about right. We'd just have to see how the mountains were.
"I see. Thanks."
I thanked Kyle, who had gone out of his way to bring information to my house.
"...Even so, I'm amazed you could cut such a monster in half. I mean, it was a clean cut without any wasted effort. Are you top-class with a sword as well as a bow?"
"Ahaha, well, I guess I was better with a sword than a bow."
Being called top-class to my face like that was ticklish. My swordsmanship was self-taught, not a beautiful form like a knight's. And I was still far from perfect with a bow.
"............Geez, it's strange. Are all adventurers that strong?"
Perhaps not convinced, Kyle muttered while looking at me with a somewhat deadpan gaze.
"I wonder. Well, anyway, Flora and I are heading to Elgis-san's house."
Since it would be troublesome to have my adventurer days pried into any further, I cut off the conversation with Kyle and started walking.
Flora, her heat from embarrassment having subsided, bowed to Kyle and started walking as well.
Then, Kyle said with a strangely smirking face,
"Yes, yes, please take care on your way~, Aldo-san."
I wonder why. I thought if I went to Elgis-san's house before Kyle, I wouldn't be told about us hooking up... It was strangely bothering me.