TN: This is an interlude volume titled “A Blessed Beginning” with just two chapters so I’ll just add this to chapter 42
Even as the old year ended and the new year began, the city of Sidera remained grounded, without any festive atmosphere.
In Sui-Hatano’s world, the turn of the year was marked by celebrations and festivities, and even some nations within this continent shared similar traditions. Berde’s homeland, for example, was one such place.
However, among the commoners of the kingdom—especially in the frontline town adjacent to the ‘Void Forest’—winter was a time of leaner profits. For someone like Berde, it meant downtime, with adventurer work slowing down. Inevitably, it became a time of waiting at home for his wife, Lila, to return from her work at the guild.
That said, they were newlyweds.
Regardless of the time of year, unexpected surprises were bound to happen.
As night fell, Lila returned home, carrying a wooden crate.
「I’m home! I brought us some wine! It’s a gift to celebrate our wedding!」
「Oh? More gifts, huh? Where’s this one from?」
「The folks at the Research Bureau! Apparently, they ordered it all the way from the capital.」
Lila replied with a grin and Berde chuckled.
「You sure are loved by everyone, huh?」
「Really? Well, if that’s the case, I’m grateful!」
She said cheerfully, handing the crate to him. He opened it to reveal several bottles nestled in sawdust. Pulling one out and examining the label, he raised an eyebrow in surprise.
「This is a nineteen-year-old Nertep. This stuff’s expensive.」
「Is it? I tried to refuse, saying it was too much, but they insisted it was no big deal, just a little extra.」
「A little extra, huh? I see…」
Nertep was known for its temperate climate, which produced excellent wine. However, it was also the region where that house in the depths of the forest once stood. And nineteen years ago, well…
「Yeah, I guess it really was just an extra. The Research Bureau sure knows how to pick the perfect touch.」
「What do you mean?」
「Nineteen years ago, Nertep… that’s when and where Sui was born.」
「Oh! So this wine is for Sui-chin?」
Perhaps it was arranged by the elderly Seralinde, or maybe a noble trying to curry favor with someone. If it was the latter, though, it seemed the Research Bureau had shielded them from any political strings attached to the gift.
「Well, even if it’s just a side thought, it’s still a celebration. Since we’ve got five bottles, how about we share?」
「Good idea! Let’s give some to Tomoe-san and her family, the oldy Novium, Noah-kun’s place, and—」
「The elf twins have gone back to their village, so we’ll save a bottle for them.」
「Ahaha,looks like we’ll be down to just one bottle for us, huh?」
「That’s fine. It’ll be perfect for you, me, and your father and the others to share.」
Hearing that, Lila beamed, leaping up to wrap her arms around his neck.
「I’m so glad I married you, old man!」
「Stop calling me ‘old man’.」
Lila released him, grabbed one of the bottles, and dashed inside the house.
「Dad, Mom, Grandma! I brought wine for us!」
※※※
Naturally, when a couple marries, they live together.
Berde was a top-tier adventurer in the town, known for his skill and success. In plain terms, he was doing well for himself. Unlike the average adventurer who might rent a room in a boarding house, Berde had already purchased a plot of land and built a house. It wasn’t overly luxurious—his straightforward personality wouldn’t allow for that—but as a prominent figure in the adventurer world, he couldn’t live in a shabby place either. It was spacious enough that even with Lila moving in, they still had more room than they knew what to do with.
Lila, on the other hand, had lived with her parents and grandmother in an old house that was a bit cramped for the four of them. She vividly remembered when, at twelve years old, they had to clear out the storage room to make space for her own room—a chaotic ordeal that was hard to forget.
Now, leaving that familiar home behind. That’s what marriage is about. And really, moving to a bigger, nicer house is an amazing thing, isn’t it? She told herself this repeatedly, trying to ignore the bittersweet feeling in her heart.
But.
Yes, but…
Berde, the man who was now her husband, said something to her that she hadn’t expected.
「Lila, how about having your family live with us? Just because you’re married doesn’t mean you have to be separated from your parents and grandma. 」
And so, now when Lila returned home to be greeted by her husband, she walked through the house to the living room and found herself welcomed by the smiles of her parents and grandmother.
Her mother had prepared dinner. The table was set with plates, and steam rose from the dishes. On days when Lila worked late, it was a great relief to have her mother take care of the housework.
「I’m home! Look at this, I got some wine! Let’s all have some tonight! 」
「Oh my, is it a wedding gift? Isn’t it expensive?」
「Yeah, it seems to be a high endish.」
「Well then, your father and I can skip it. You two should enjoy a quiet drink together as newlyweds.」
Her mother said, smiling.
Her father, too, smiled gently, and her grandmother nodded approvingly with a warm ‘That’s wonderful, dear.’
Just then, Berde caught up and placed his hand on Lila’s shoulder.
「That won’t do, Father. There’s no way just the two of us could finish a whole bottle. And I wouldn’t want to miss out on the chance to drink with my father-in-law.」
He had told her before.
Berde was from the Zazario Empire, far to the west of the kingdom. A lot had happened there, and when he was young, he came to this kingdom. It was almost like an exile, and he had said he would never return, even for a visit.
Lila hadn’t asked if his parents were still alive or what kind of relationship he had with them.
But one thing was clear—Berde treated Lila’s parents and grandmother with the utmost care and respect. He was always polite yet familiar, facing them with sincerity. He even welcomed them to move in together with him and Lila.
Her father scratched his head, looking pleased.
「Well, I can’t say no after that. I’ll join you for a drink, then.」
「Yeah, let’s have a toast between men.」
Lila’s father worked at the Adventurers’ Guild, just like she did, so he had known Berde for quite some time. In fact, their ages were closer than that of Lila and Berde, so they seemed to live comfortably together without much awkwardness.
「Still, it feels a bit unfair, doesn’t it? My daughter’s working late, and here I am drinking. The dismantling yard is practically on break with nothing to do.」
「Well, it can’t be helped since us adventurers are also taking a break. If anything, it’s me who should feel bad, making my wife work while I’m at home.」
Watching the easy banter between her father and husband, Lila felt a warm, tingling sensation in her chest. It made her a little shy, but at the same time, it filled her with happiness and a sense of comfort.
「Come on, hurry up and change. Dinner’s almost ready.」
「And well done today, Lila.」
Her mother called out, as she always had before the wedding and her grandmother added with an expression kinder than ever before.
Her husband, sitting confidently and chatting with her father. Her mother, urging her like always. And her grandmother, beaming with pride.
「Thanks! Just give me a minute!」
With the familiar sounds of her family’s voices and the smell of dinner filling the house, Lila headed to her room.
This year—and from now on—this would be her everyday life, she realized once more, smiling to herself.
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