Chapter 49
“The End of Summer, On the Road Home”
(Kai and Rutia’s Summer Vacation Arc XVIII)
The sound of insects, much like cicadas, echoed through the skies above the duke’s estate.
The long summer vacation had finally come to an end.
In front of the mansion, a grand carriage stood ready, already loaded with luggage.
“Man… that went by fast.”
Kai rolled his shoulders and looked out over the courtyard.
“Between fixin’ the farmland soil and diggin’ water channels, this summer felt more like a construction boot camp than a vacation.”
“Hehe, but my dear husband looked like he was having fun the whole time,”
Rutia said with a satisfied smile, hiding her lips behind her fan.
“Fun? I was drippin’ sweat while you sat there fannin’ yourself, yellin’ ‘My husband, how wonderful!’”
“I was simply speaking the truth.”
Kai groaned and rubbed his temples. Meanwhile, Rutia’s older brothers approached, having finished loading their things.
“Sir Cross, we are deeply grateful for saving our lands. Take care of our sister.”
“Now hold on, I never agreed to that—”
“Hmph. Acceptance is the first step, my friend.”
And with that, the carriage began to roll forward.
As they passed through the nearby village, crowds of townsfolk gathered along the road.
“Master Cross!”
“Mister Son-in-Law Teacher!”
“Sir Son-in-Law—!”
“Quit callin’ me that!”
Kai stopped the carriage with a wry smile and greeted them one by one.
The children from the farmlands offered handmade flower bouquets, and the elders bowed deeply.
“Because of you, our fields are alive again.”
“With the new waterway, we can face the winter without fear.”
“Truly… thank you.”
Kai scratched his cheek, embarrassed, and pulled out his usual stash of candies from his pocket.
“Alright, kiddos. One piece each, okay? No fightin’, ya hear?”
“Yaaay!”
Their bright smiles lit up the scene, and warmth spread through Kai’s chest.
(Yeah… Moments like this make teachin’ worth it.)
Back in the carriage, Rutia silently handed him a canteen.
“You must be hot, my dear husband. Here, please.”
“Oh, thoughtful of ya. Thanks.”
He gulped it down in one go.
“Phew—! That hits the spot… huh?”
A strange bitterness spread across his tongue. Slowly, his eyelids began to feel heavy.
“H-hold on, young lady… this…”
“Hehe. Even you, my dear husband, are no match for a little sleeping potion.”
“You’ve gotta be kiddin’ me—on the way back tooooo?!”
When he came to, the familiar gates of the academy loomed before him.
The sky was bright blue, and through the carriage window, curious students peeked in at the scene.
“…Ngh… huh…?”
He blinked his eyes open—only to find his head resting on something soft.
Rutia’s lap.
“Good afternoon, my dear husband. Did you enjoy your little nap?”
“Enjoy it!? How could I—why does this keep happenin’!?”
“Because you keep trying to run away, of course.”
“I wasn’t runnin’—I was coming back! That’s all!”
The students at the gate began whispering and giggling.
“See? Teacher and Lady Rutia really are close.”
“We’re not close—!”
Kai’s exasperated shout echoed into the bright blue sky, marking the lively start of the new school term.
