<CHAPTER 51>
The Shameless Man
Today again, Redenberk came to Ehilie’s house.
Of course, he had prepared a perfect excuse.
‘Yesterday I saw some mosquitoes in the house. I came because I was worried Ehilie might be bitten and fall seriously ill.’
The reason was growing more flimsy by the day, but…
Does it matter?
‘It’s daytime, so I don’t see any mosquitoes. I’ll have to wait until night.’
That way, he could naturally spend the night with her.
It was a perfect plan.
From recent experience, Redenberk knew just how naive Ehilie was.
He was certain she would fall for even such a clumsy excuse.
‘With someone this naive, I worry she might get scammed somewhere.’
Of course, if anyone tried to swindle Ehilie, Redenberk wouldn’t let it happen.
He was worried that her delicate heart might get hurt.
Or perhaps, it might even be a good thing?
He imagined a wounded Ehilie leaning on him more naturally, and a smile curved his lips.
Yes, this is just a little misfortune for greater happiness. I can endure her being slightly sad to get closer to her…
“…Ehilie?”
While indulging in such silly thoughts and walking happily, Redenberk saw Ehilie’s face.
Her expression was dark as she stood in the yard.
Seeing her shoulders slump helplessly, Redenberk ran without thinking of propriety.
“Ehilie, what’s wrong?”
“Ah, Rek.”
Her jewel-like eyes looked downcast.
Redenberk clenched his teeth.
“It’s… because of this…”
“Yes, please tell me.”
“This.”
Red eyes followed Ehilie’s slender fingers.
He hesitated, unwilling to let anything make Ehilie sad.
She was pointing to the small garden.
The garden was divided into two sections: medicinal herbs and poisonous plants.
Only the poisonous plants had withered completely, while the medicinal herbs thrived.
“Even poisonous plants can become medicine depending on how they’re combined and used. Take the Belladonna growing in the border of the magic-infused area. Three seeds could kill, but one crushed and used in small amounts can relieve pain and tension.”
Most of the poisonous plants could only be found in areas where the magic realm and human realm intersected or in land infused with magic.
“The medicinal herbs are growing well… but these just keep withering no matter how I care for them.”
Ehilie pouted.
Is she really upset over something like this?
So cute.
No, this wasn’t the time for such thoughts.
“Ehilie, let me check them for a moment.”
Redenberk inspected each withered plant.
As expected, her pure divine power surrounded the poisonous plants.
No wonder they’re all dying!
Ehilie’s divine power was poison to these plants.
These particular plants thrived only in strong magic zones.
With magic-infused plants sprinkled daily with divine power, death was inevitable.
“Rek, wait. Be careful touching them. They might be dangerous.”
Ehilie grabbed his hand with a worried look.
After countless times of contact with Ehilie, Redenberk had grown used to the sting of divine power.
He almost felt empty without it.
Redenberk smiled with his eyes.
“It’s fine.”
“Yes?”
“If the poison rises, Ehilie will treat it.”
Poison.
Ehilie didn’t know that he was already poisoned by an incurable toxin.
“I’ll revive these plants so you won’t be sad, Ehilie.”
“How will you do that?”
It was simple. By using magic to neutralize her divine power, he could save the plants.
Fortunately, Redenberk possessed magic strong enough to match Ehilie’s divine power.
Ordinary plants would die from the potent magic, but at this moment, the withered poisonous plants became medicine.
***
The way Rek tended to the poisonous plants was no different from how Ehilie normally did.
Just watering and applying nutrients…
“Wow…”
The dying plants regained their freshness.
Ehilie was surprised.
“Did you cast some magic?”
“Nothing extraordinary. I just took care of them so you would be happy.”
“Rek…”
“From now on, I’ll manage this section.”
“What? No, Rek, you’re busy… I’d feel too guilty asking you to do this.”
“No need to feel sorry. Honestly, if finding an excuse to see you often makes me happy… would I look too shameless?”
Ehilie had only one answer for him, having already grown endlessly indulgent.
“Ah, no! Not at all!”
Now that they were lovers, even his lame excuses seemed endearing.
“And so what if you’re shameless? It’s natural to want to see each other often as lovers.”
Ehilie admitted to herself that she didn’t mind Rek coming daily with excuses.
Sometimes she even looked forward to it, wondering what excuse he would bring.
Even a blatantly obvious excuse seemed cute.
“Thank you, Ehilie.”
Rek’s previously downcast eyes brightened.
Yes, it doesn’t matter at all if he’s this happy.
***
Ehilie finally went to the village after a long time, to sell the potions she had made.
Naturally, Rek accompanied her.
They set up in their usual corner of the market and displayed the potions.
Not long after opening, a customer arrived.
“Ehilie, long time no see.”
It was her regular, William.
“William, yes, it’s been a while. How have you been?”
“So-so. Oh, Ehilie, I hurt my back yesterday. Can you take a look?”
Ehilie’s eyes lit up.
“Don’t worry, William. I happen to have a potion that’s perfect for muscle pain.”
As she reached out with the potion, William waved his hand.
“No, no, wait. Ehilie, first I need you to check my back.”
“Huh? If it’s just a minor sprain, I don’t really need…”
Before she could finish, William lifted his shirt.
“Hmm!”
Taking a deep breath, William asked,
“How’s it look?”
How should she answer…?
Ehilie was flustered.
He said it was his back, but what he was showing was his abdomen.
“Ahem.”
William coughed and started babbling.
“I’ve been exercising lately. Not that I’m bragging, but I can lift a sack of wheat with one arm. And you probably don’t know, but a man’s waist is key. With abs like mine, a man’s core is strong.”
Abs?
Ehilie squinted and looked at his stomach.
Unfortunately, there were no abs.
All that was visible through his trembling muscles were his ribs, not abs.
I wish he’d just turn around so I could see his back instead.
Redenberk stepped beside the flustered Ehilie.
“He’s right, Ehilie.”
His long, slender fingers reached for the edge of her shirt and gracefully lifted it slightly.
“I also always strive to be a man worthy of your love, Ehilie.”
Smooth, pale skin revealed firm, perfectly sculpted abs.
They weren’t forced or strained; the muscles looked as if they had been there naturally from the start.
Ehilie couldn’t help but admire his flawless body.
William, who had been showing off nonexistent abs, blushed red and laughed nervously.
“Ehilie!”
Startled, she turned to see William pointing at Redenberk.
“Who… who is this guy?”
“William, that’s rude. We just met!”
“No, I’m fine.”
Redenberk smiled without offense and whispered.
“Ehilie, would you tell him directly what our relationship is?”
His gentle voice tickled her ears.
“…Rek is my boyfriend.”
Ehilie felt strangely shy.
To think she would say “my boyfriend.”
“Boyfriend?”
William’s eyebrows furrowed sharply.
Then he let out a hollow laugh.
“Why are you laughing all of a sudden, William?”
“Ha. Nothing, it’s just… unexpected.”
“Unexpected?”
“I thought you were different from the vain city women. That you were sincere and modest, not someone who only cared about wealth or a man’s appearance.”
“So in the end, you’re just like any ordinary woman who’s swayed by appearances. Disappointing.”
