Chapter 99 - A Mother's Concern
After eating the figs and completely finishing the cleanup from breakfast, we cleaned the whole house as a final inspection.
We were inviting Flora's parents, Elgis-san and Fiona-san. We cleaned together to make sure there were no oversights.
At the same time, Flora seemed to be doing some preparation for lunch, but she had apparently finished most of it yesterday, so we were able to settle down in a fully prepared state just before noon.
"Phew, this looks like it'll be fine."
"Yes, I don't think Mother will have any complaints with this."
When we sat down on the sofa as if to catch our breath after finishing the work, Flora brewed some tea and brought it over.
"Thank you. I was just getting thirsty."
"No, no."
When I thanked her, Flora smiled as if this was nothing at all.
Just that seemed to blow away some of the hardship.
When I received the teacup, Flora also took her own teacup and sat down next to me.
Then she blew lightly on the steaming tea and slowly took a sip.
Flora let out a sound like a sigh of relief.
Tea after finishing a job must be exceptional.
Watching Flora drink her tea with such enjoyment, I also tilted my cup while enjoying the aroma.
The refreshing sweetness of Apple Mint spread in my mouth and ran cleanly through the back of my nose.
The warm tea spread through my body as if to unravel the fatigue inside. It felt like the tension was leaving my stiffened body.
"...Haa, this is relaxing."
"Yes."
Flora murmured in agreement to the voice that had escaped me.
Before we knew it, Flora and I, who had been sitting shallowly on the sofa, were sitting as if leaning our bodies against the back of the sofa.
I wonder if this is the relaxation effect of Apple Mint Tea. My shoulders have relaxed so much that I feel like I might spill the tea.
When I corrected my overly leaning posture and placed the teacup on the table, Flora, who had also placed her cup down, said apologetically.
"I'm sorry for Mother saying she was coming so suddenly. Because of that, I even had Aldo-san work so much..."
"It's fine, I don't mind. Since we're living together, it's only natural to help with cleaning the house. High places and heavy objects are difficult for Flora alone, so you can feel free to rely on me from now on too."
"Thank you very much. If there's anything difficult for me, I'll rely on Aldo-san!"
Flora hugged my right arm with both of hers.
Flora's rich twin mounds were transmitted through her clothes and were very soft.
If Flora asked me like this, I feel like I would go off to slay a dragon single-handedly.
I truly think from the bottom of my heart that it was a good thing Flora wasn't a receptionist for the Kingdom's Guild.
As we sat snuggled together like that, Flora glanced toward her knees.
Could it be that she wants a lap pillow?
"Do you want to lie down for a bit?"
"Is it okay!?"
When I patted my lap as if to encourage her, Flora asked happily.
"I promised to give you one in the flower field the other day, after all."
"I'm happy you remembered!"
Flora smiled brightly, then slowly laid her body down and rested her face on my lap. Then she moved her body as if searching for a comfortable spot for herself, and stopped moving once she found a good position.
Flora, curling her small body on the sofa, was very cute.
"...Aldo-san, am I not heavy?"
"You're not heavy. More importantly, I don't think my legs are as soft as yours, Flora, but is the comfort okay?"
"Yes, they're firm and it's very calming to rest my face on them."
When I asked, Flora stroked my thigh as if enjoying the sensation.
It's a bit ticklish.
I endured the sensation on my thigh while stroking Flora's head.
As always, Flora's hair was beautiful and silky. Even when I combed it with my hand like this, there was no catching. My fingers passed through as if it were flowing.
And above all, the scent of soap and flowers drifting from her hair was very nice. I instinctively wanted to hug her tight and sniff the scent, but I endured it since this was the time I was giving Flora a lap pillow.
The sunlight shone through the window, illuminating us as we sat on the sofa.
In the warm sunlight, I continued to stroke the head of the lying Flora.
"...Ah, no. In such pleasant sunlight, if I'm given a lap pillow and have my head stroked by Aldo-san, I'll fall asleep."
While saying that, Flora didn't lift her face from my lap.
Rather, she looked as if she didn't want to move a single step, and her voice already sounded sleepy.
It's rare for Flora to be spoiled like this in the living room.
"Fiona-san and Elgis-san are coming at noon, right? Then there's still time, so you can rest for a bit."
"...Is that so? Then, just a little. Until Mother and the others come..."
When I said that in a gentle voice, Flora slowly closed her eyelids.
And within a minute, she began to let out regular sleeping breaths.
It seems she has fallen asleep.
She had prepared various ingredients yesterday and cleaned the house until late. Some fatigue must have come out.
I'll let her sleep peacefully until noon. I gently brushed aside the hair of the breathing Flora.
Looking at Flora's innocent face, my cheeks naturally relaxed.
Thinking that I can give Flora this much of a sense of security makes me happy and proud as the man by her side.
I spent a leisurely time while gazing at Flora's innocent sleeping face.
◆
"Flora, Aldo-san? It's me, Fiona?"
I woke up to the sound of a knock on the door and a woman's voice.
"Oh? Are they not here? Aldo-san?"
While looking around with a blurry head, I heard the sound of knocking on the front door and Fiona-san's voice.
"Yes."
Since my brain was in a daze, I responded and spoke as I was called.
"Oh, you are here? That's good. May I come in?"
"...Please do."
Huh? What did Fiona-san come here for so suddenly? In my hazy thoughts, I thought as hard as I could.
That's right. Fiona-san and Elgis-san were coming at noon.
I can't stay like this. Or rather, I have to wake Flora up first!
Just as my thoughts came together, Fiona-san entered the entrance.
When Fiona-san turned her gaze toward us, her eyes widened.
It's natural. Normally, one doesn't welcome guests while giving a lap pillow.
"...Oh? Is Flora sleeping?"
"I'm sorry for being in this state. I'll wake Flora up now, okay?"
"It's fine. It's a good thing for a couple to be on good terms. Besides, I wanted to talk slowly while Flora wasn't around."
I tried to wake Flora up, but Fiona-san stopped me with her hand.
"Is that so. I understand."
I think Flora would want to be woken up, but it can't be helped if she says that much.
Flora. It would help if you woke up at an appropriate time.
"I should wear the slippers placed here, right?"
"Yes, any of them are fine!"
When I replied, Fiona-san put her feet into the slippers and entered the living room. However, her husband, Elgis-san, wasn't behind her.
"Huh? Where is Elgis-san?"
"Elgis is running late with work. He'll be coming a bit later."
"I see."
Given his job as Village Chief, he must have to deal with sudden occurrences when they happen.
" I'll leave the souvenirs in the kitchen, okay? I brought dishes using smoked meat and grilled mushrooms."
"Thank you very much. I'm sorry for always receiving things."
"It's just a small thanks for the ingredients I received yesterday."
When I bowed my head lightly, Fiona-san smiled brightly.
Normally, I should be the one to receive them and guide her to the room, so I feel apologetic for just sitting still.
Fiona-san placed several souvenirs in the kitchen and then began to look around the kitchen.
"...It seems you're using the kitchen properly and cleanly."
It seems she's checking the kitchen.
Fiona-san investigated various parts of the kitchen, picking up every single frying pan and pot.
"The frying pans, plates, and even the cups in the cupboard are clean. The seasonings are also well-organized."
Was Flora washing even the plates she didn't use yesterday in anticipation of this?
The fact that Flora was enthusiastically organizing the seasonings on the first day we moved in must have been Fiona-san's influence.
Fiona-san is gentle and easygoing, but she seems strict when it comes to the kitchen.
"I'm sorry. I just couldn't help but be curious."
After a while, Fiona-san seemed satisfied with the state of the living room and sat down on the sofa placed opposite.
"Flora is doing a great job every day."
When I spoke words from my heart, Fiona-san looked relieved.
"It seems so. I'm relieved to see the well-ordered house. This girl has worked hard since she was little to become a woman worthy of Aldo-san, so I was worried if her heart had slackened after being able to be together."
I know that story because I heard it from Flora too.
Since meeting once nine years ago, Flora had single-mindedly wished to meet me again.
And when we met again, she had lived her life striving to convey the feelings in her heart to the fullest and to become a woman worthy of being by my side.
She said she had acquired all sorts of knowledge useful for housework and life, such as cooking, laundry, cleaning, and sewing.
Thinking that she worked that hard for someone like me, whom she didn't even know if she would meet again, makes me truly happy.
"...Truly, she's more than I deserve."
I stroked Flora's head affectionately.
"Ufufu, what is a famous adventurer saying?"
"I'm just a hunter here."
"That's right, wasn't it?"
Fiona-san and I laughed together at such light banter.
Then, Flora, who was sleeping on my lap, moved restlessly.
"...Ehehe, Aldo-shan."
Is that sleep-talking? Flora let out words with a completely relaxed expression.
"...Hey, Aldo-san. Is Flora really okay?"
"She's fine. This only happens once in a while..."