Ch 44 - My First Wife
Toma had just gotten home when he stepped inside the house and saw Lina already dressed and looking like she was about to head out.
"Hey, Toma. Looks like you two had quite a morning together. A fun morning, huh? Young married couple," she teased.
"Where are you going, Lina?" he asked.
"What do you mean? Of course I'm going to look for another job. Did you think I'd just sit around at home doing nothing?" she replied before turning toward Zetia.
"You stay here for now, okay? Enjoy your time together. I won't be gone long today, so I'll spend some time with Zetia later and take her out to play. I know you'll probably end up spending your time playing games again, won't you?"
"Lina."
He called out to her as if trying to stop her from leaving, but by then Lina had already wrapped Zetia in a warm hug.
"Take care while I'm gone, okay, sweetheart? Be a good girl, listen to Toma, and do whatever you can to help him. But don't push yourself too hard, alright?"
"Lina, you don't have to go to work. I might start making more money from the game. You can stay here."
Lina turned back to him with a sharp look.
"I mean... you need to rest. Take at least a week off. And don't worry, I have enough money for now. I'll be making even more soon."
"You think I'm a burden now just because you can make money?" she asked.
"That's not what I mean. I just don't want you worrying about money anymore. No, I don't have a lot yet, but I can earn plenty."
"Then save your money, okay? Buy Zetia something nice. And once you've earned enough, find a better place for the two of you to live."
Lina stepped closer to Toma and gently kissed his left cheek.
"Be good while I'm gone, okay? I won't be long."
With that, she disappeared behind the door, and a moment later it quietly closed behind her.
Toma let out a slow sigh before turning his gaze toward Zetia again.
The girl simply smiled at him. "She said she won't be long. But... you're worried about her, aren't you?"
He slowly shook his head.
"I don't have the right to worry about her. So far, I'm the one who's only caused her trouble."
The two of them then walked over to the sink to wash their hands and faces. After that, Toma made a few sandwiches, and they enjoyed breakfast together at the dining table while chatting about little things.
Some time later, they took turns having a morning shower after working up a sweat earlier.
When they were done, Toma spent some time in the kitchen preparing both lunch and dinner. He fully intended to stay inside the game for the rest of the day, only logging out if he got hungry, so he wanted to finish all the cooking beforehand.
Zetia stayed beside him the whole time, quietly keeping him company even though she wasn't really doing anything.
"Pass me that spoon," he said.
The girl smiled, nodded obediently, and handed him the spoon with both hands.
"Can you get me that?"
"Please cut this into smaller pieces, okay?"
"No, no. Those pieces are still too big."
"Careful. You could cut your finger, and I'm sure you wouldn't like that. It would hurt, and you'd start bleeding."
He stepped beside the girl and showed her the proper way to do it. Their shoulders brushed lightly against each other as he carefully demonstrated every movement.
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"You can do it, right?"
"Uh-huh," she replied, giving him a small, obedient nod.
Once all the food was finally ready, Toma took a moment to put everything away neatly in his room before sitting down in front of his laptop to do some research.
Meanwhile, Zetia stood quietly behind him, curiously watching everything displayed on the screen as he browsed through one page after another.
A silver sword filled the screen in front of him, its polished blade shining clearly in the image.
"Beautiful sword," Zetia said from behind him.
Toma simply nodded.
"This is the Sword Saint's sword. It's said to be Mythic-grade, and only a true Sword Saint can wield it properly."
Zetia tilted her head. "Then the girl you married could become incredibly strong with this sword. She inherited the talent of a Sword Saint, after all. With enough training, she could become an extraordinary swordswoman."
Toma fell silent for a moment.
If Lucia could truly wield this sword, she would become an outstanding fighter. That would mean he would have someone by his side he could rely on in battle.
Having someone who had mastered the sword while also being a Saintess would be an enormous advantage.
Then Toma suddenly realized what Zetia had just said.
"I didn't marry her," he quietly replied.
After that, he continued reading.
"The Sword Saint's sword is currently enshrined within the Hall of Blades, where it is guarded by the disciples of the current Sword Saint. It is said that even to this day, no one has been able to draw out the sword's true power, despite many claiming the title of Sword Saint."
"You aren't thinking about stealing that sword, are you?"
Instead of answering right away, Toma closed the laptop and stood up. He turned to face the girl.
"If even the people who call themselves Sword Saints can't wield it properly, then the sword is clearly in the hands of the wrong people."
A faint smile appeared on his face. "If I take it and give it to someone who truly deserves to wield it, I wouldn't call that stealing."
Zetia let out a quiet sigh. "I'm starting to understand why Divinity chose a scythe for you."
"Hey, don't you start making fun of me too, my first wife," he said with a laugh.
After that, Toma made sure Zetia would be able to manage on her own while he was gone. He showed her where to find food if she got hungry, how to use the television for entertainment, and even how to play games if she felt bored.
It still felt like he was leaving her all alone. But she was already an adult, not a child. She should be able to take care of herself for a while.
"I'm fine here. I'll wait for you to come back," she said with a gentle smile.
"I'll be back in time for lunch," he replied.
With that, Toma climbed back into the game capsule, and before long, his consciousness was once again pulled into the world of Yunatea.
**
Jester opened his eyes and found himself inside his study.
A large wooden desk stood in front of him, with several neatly stacked piles of documents arranged on one side. Against one wall stood a tall bookshelf filled with books of various sizes.
Near the windows was a small sitting area furnished with a comfortable sofa, a low table, and a pair of armchairs. Another door at the far end of the room led deeper into the residence.
As soon as he looked toward the entrance, he noticed someone already standing there.
The girl visibly flinched the moment she realized he had returned.
She wore a maid uniform with a short skirt, her long green hair flowing down her back, while a pair of pointed ears peeked through her hair.
"Your Highness," Elora said, bowing respectfully. "Welcome back.
“It is a relief to see you safely returned, Your Highness. Everything you instructed us to prepare has been completed. Every room in the residence has been thoroughly inspected and cleaned from top to bottom.”
“The garden beside the manor has also been restored and properly maintained, while all damaged sections of the estate have been repaired. Security has been strengthened as well. Guards are stationed at every entrance, regular patrols have been established, and no suspicious activity has been reported in the surrounding area.”
"Good," he replied. "I'm glad to hear it."
"And... Your Highness, someone has come to see you."
"Someone?" he asked, tilting his head.
"Yes." The maid smiled politely. "Would you like to meet them downstairs, or shall I bring them here?"
"Bring them to this room," he said with a faint smile.
Elora left the study for a few moments. Before long, there was another knock at the door.
"Come in."
She stepped inside once more, and this time two people followed behind her. One of them was so small that Jester had to lower his gaze to meet her eyes.
He walked out from behind his desk as the two figures stopped in front of him.
"My Lord, thank you for receiving us," Lucia said with a respectful bow. "I have brought Lula with me today."
She gently placed a hand on the little girl's shoulder.
"Lula, this is Lord Jester, the one who saved my life and graciously gave us both a place to stay here in Necroton."
The little girl's eyes widened. She quickly performed a polite curtsy, lifting both sides of her skirt.
"My Lord, my name is Lula. Thank you very much for saving my sister and for taking care of her. Thank you for letting both of us stay here and even giving us the chance to work in this place. I... I'm truly grateful for your kindness."
Jester lowered himself slightly and let out a quiet chuckle.
"Your manners are very good, Lula. Who taught you all that?"
"The big sisters downstairs did." Lula smiled brightly. "They're all really kind and very pretty. They also said I could stay here with everyone."
"So you've already made friends with the others." Jester smiled. "Then, welcome to Necroton."
Lula could no longer contain her excitement.
"Yay! We really get to live and work here!"
Lucia couldn't help laughing softly as she watched the little girl happily jump up and down.
Jester smiled as well, but a question quietly crossed his mind. He had never actually asked Lucia to be sure.
Lula wasn't her biological little sister... Was she?