"Why... Uuu... Why does this always happen... Uuu... Why..." ［Yuna］
Questions and pandemonium were abrew in the heart. Like a turbulent storm raging through the fields and bringing chaos to all there is. Only darkness loomed over the young lady's heart as her emotions ran rampant.
The sky was still bright and the third bell had yet to come, yet the whole day was already ruined. Tears started to pop in the corner of the young lady's eyes, lowering her head as she rested them atop the table, mumbling ever so subtly,
"Yuna... Come on now, don't be too sulky..." ［Grey］
"No... This always happens... Why does this always happen..." ［Yuna］
"Yuna, it's not that big of a deal. Let's justー" ［Grey］
"Not a big deal?! Not a big deal?! This is a very big deal! How could they do this to me?! This is very unfair!" ［Yuna］
Grey tried to calm down the young lady, but all he did was add fuel to the fire. Now, his beloved fiancée is even more upset, raging about and shouting her thoughts out loud. It was amongst the most emotionally distressed times Yuna has been.
As for the reason why such a thing was happening so early in the day, it was all because of what happened a couple hours ago. It was a time when Grey and Yuna were just done having their breakfast, going about on their happy day.
"Mmn～! That was a delicious breakfast～! Thank you, Grey～!" ［Yuna］
"Hahaha. I'm glad you liked it. Now, hand me over the dishes so I can start washing them. Oh, and please hand in the dirty cups and glasses as well." ［Grey］
"Is that okay? I feel like you've been doing the most chores these days..." ［Yuna］
"Hahaha. It's fine. They're not that difficult anyway." ［Grey］
It has been a few days since Grey and Yuna returned to Galderia, and as if nothing ever happened, they continued along with their usual routine. They spend time with their friends, play with the children, do quests, cook together, and do their hobbies.
As for their love life... Well, there's really no need to tell much. After all, they are Grey and Yuna. Be it night or day, their relationship has been very harmonious with only very minor arguments popping up from time to time.
"Mmn... Grey, you're just feeling guilty, aren't you?" ［Yuna］
"Guilty... Why do you say so?" ［Grey］
"Stop pretending like you know nothing. You don't let me sleep these days that I'm always tired during the morning. Last night, you were just... This... and... and... you… Y-You know what you did..." ［Yuna］
"Don't say it if you're going to get embarrassed anyway..." ［Grey］
In fact, they're relationship has been so healthy, it puts other doting couples into great shame. They are the King and Queen of idiot couples who are nothing but fools for one another. They just love one another so much.
And though how tame Grey usually looks, he is a complete beast when night falls and the moon comes out to play. Screams of intense terrors (?) and despair (?) ring out all throughout the place, rocking heaven and earth and dyeing the night pink.
If it weren't for the fact that Grey and Yuna knew a bit of barrier magic and sound isolation, things would have gotten rowdy at night. No, actuallyー it would make one wonder whether they chose the distant house from everyone out of coincidence.
"It's not my fault, you know? Who told you to read those kinds of books in bed? You were just asking to be attacked." ［Grey］
"Th-That's because Helen recommended them to me!" ［Yuna］
"My Dear, there's a right time and place for anything." ［Grey］
As for the culprit, it was none other than the ever so mischievous Helen. It was a good thing that she was teaching Yuna how to love books and reading as a habit, however! A big however! The genre was all wrong!
All of the books she recommended were about romance, and while it is true that most of them were sweet, fluffy, and heartwarming, there are also some which are more on the... Erm... Adult side of love... The more... Erm... indecent ones...
They were books which taught Yuna about the different and more passionate side of love which unfolds between lovers. And though she may be an adult, she is still 18 years old, a teenager whose curiosity only gets the better of her.
'Haah... Should I be thankful to Helen or not...' ［Grey］
Yet despite having read all sorts of things, Yuna somehow managed to stay relatively pure. She always gets embarrassed reading and talking about it, seeming as if it was her first time reading them. She is a strange yet adorable fiancée.
"Mou... I didn't do anything wrong... This is just education... And... A-A-As your future bride! I-I should know at least this much, s-shouldn't I?!" ［Yuna］
"Yuna... You're blushing even harder now..." ［Grey］
"I-I-I know that! So stop making things harder for me already! Geez!" ［Yuna］
"Hahaha. Sorry, sorry." ［Grey］
Now, the young lady is blushing even harder. She was just like a teenage daughter who just got one of her darkest secrets exposed in the peak of puberty. Only that the one who exposed her was her fiancée, and that they are living together.
Actually, looking at how things are progressing, one could only wonder why these two aren't married yet. They are literally the sweets idiot couple there is, they are practically involved in most of each other's matters, living under the same roof, and many more. They are already acting like a married couple!
It was no wonder that the single people who see how sweet and sappy they are gets irritated at the sight of them and always curses them inside their minds. I would curse them too and evenー Oops. The author has gone too far.
"Anyway, Yuna, you're heading outside, right?" ［Grey］
"Un! I'll be meeting up with Helen later. I think I'll also be dropping by the guilds to see if we have something to do." ［Yuna］
"Ah, then can you buy some maple syrup and honey before you go home? We've actually run out of them just today." ［Grey］
"Okay～! I'll keep that in mind～!" ［Yuna］
Said the young lady as she stood up from her seat. She then headed towards Grey and placed the dishes on the sink. A little bit of water, wind, and fire magic later and the dining table was also cleaned, sparkling as if it was still brand new.
She soon washed her hands, humming ever so softly as she let the flowing water run through her hands and fingers and washed off the pure white bubbles. A flick of her fingers later, and her hands were dried. Now, there's only one thing left to do.
"Mmn～! I love you, Grey～!" ［Yuna］
Happily declared Yuna as she embraced Grey from the front, snuggling her face on his broad chest, burying it playfully. She then tip-toed and gave him a kiss on the cheek, the young man kissing him on the forehead in response.
"I love you too. Have a great day." ［Grey］
"Un! I sure will! Then, I'll be taking my leave now. Bye～!" ［Yuna］
Cheerful as can be, Yuna then headed towards the doors, skipping her steps and hopping along as she headed outside. She was still humming to herself, relishing in the fresh breeze caressing her skin and the calming scent of green grass.
Yuna soon headed towards the busy districts, happy as can be. She was greeted by the merry city folk and the energetic children running around. She was as popular as ever, all the people fond of her and chatting about the most trivial of topics.
There are a couple places she wants to check, but since the market was the nearest place to ho, she decided to head there first. Apart from honey and maple syrup, there were a couple things she wanted to buy for herself which she couldn't with Grey,
"Mmn... I wonder which would be good..." ［Yuna］
And no, it isn't sugar bags or copious amounts of sweets. After all, no matter how much she tries to hide them, Grey would always find out in the end. She has already learnt her lesson and doesn't want her sugar ban to be tighter.
What she is going to buy is lingeries and underwear!
Ever since Yuna read the books Helen recommended, she has been curious about them after reading them. She wasn't really one who is very in touch with fashion, after all. As long as it looks great and feels comfortable, she's fine with it.
But having read the books, she learnt about more knowledge the previous her would have ever known. She now knows the power of sexy lingerie and what otherworldly effects it has on men. She is both curious and nervous.
Yuna is already beautiful enough, but she wants to be even more so in front of Grey. She was strangely enthusiastic, venturing into the world of the unknown and braving for whatever awaits her on the other side. It was an interesting situation at the very least.
"Oh, Yuna! You're already here!" ［Helen］
"Helen...." ［Yuna］
And the one who pushed her to do so was none other than the Princess of mischief and trouble, Helen. She was the one who recommended Yuna those books, so she might as well see through it until the end. It was something which had to be done.
Moreover, she is also curious about Grey's reactions which Yuna would tell her after some time. She doesn't have the chance to tease them as much since they are now living separately, so she had to seize the opportunity.
"I'm really sorry about this, Helen. I know you're busy today..." ［Yuna］
"Fufufu! Don't worry about it. It's Solis so there isn't much to do, and I was also planning to buy one myself, so it's fine." ［Helen］
"Ohh～! As expected of Helen! You truly are something!" ［Yuna］
"Fufufu! Enough with the flattery. Let's get to shopping, shall we?" ［Helen］
"Un!" ［Yuna］
And there they go. With Helen now guiding her, Yuna went deeper into the shop and looked around for all sorts of lingeries and underwear the store had to offer, striding left and right, their eyes bouncing all over the place.
It was quite a large place, shelves and counters present along the rows, and several items on display. The designs were various, coming in different shapes, colors, sizes, patterns, and designs, all to suit the customers' taste.
Or course, as it was a lingerie store for adult women, there were also quite novel and risqué designs which barely covered anything in the body. They looked stylish, but too bold for the taste of the two, blushing at the mere sight of such garments.
"He... Helen... These are... Umm... Quite flashy... Aren't they...?" ［Yuna］
"I-It's okay, Yuna! No one will see you wearing them anyway! Just think of them as nightwear or undergarments." ［Helen］
"Like pajamas...?" ［Yuna］
"Yeah! Like pajamas! These are not shameful at all!" ［Helen］
Or so she says but she was bright red as she uttered such words. No matter how one looks at it, there was no way someone would consider them as pajamas. They may suit other people's taste, but not Yuna and Helen's.
In the first place, they weren't the type to only wear undergarments when sleeping. They were those who liked to wear cute and fluffy pajamas and relish in their warmth and comfort. They have never tried such bold and risqué actions.
Yuna had read about it in the novels and even seen some drawings and portraits in some newspapers before, but seeing it in front of her was on another level. Seeing them in person, she felt like her taste was too cute and childish.
"Yuna... Could I tell you something right now...?" ［Helen］
"Y-Yes...? Did you say something just now, Helen?" ［Yuna］
"Well, yeah... Actually... I... also... It's also my first time in a lingerie store like this... I-I-I mean! I've been to lingerie stores before! But! I've never bought something this bold! I-I'm sorry, Yuna! I lied to you! Please don't hate me!" ［Helen］
Worst of all, the woman she will be relying on for the whole shopping session was just as inexperienced as she was. In fact, she is so inexperienced, she is now having a breakdown, overwhelmed at the mere sight of adult lingeries.
It was only then that Yuna remembered once again about how peculiar Helen actually is. She knows a lot of things from all the books she's read, but she is a complete and utter novice when it comes to real life applications. She was actually useless.
"I... It's okay, Helen. I'm not gonna hate you for this, you know?" ［Yuna］
"R... Really...? You promise...?" ［Helen］
"Un. I promise... So let's brave through this together, okay?" ［Yuna］
"Uuu... Yuna... Thank you... I love you... Thank you..." ［Helen］
And now they are getting all emotional, Helen even teary-eyed. They have been so focused on the new and overwhelming experience before them that they have totally and completely forgotten they aren't the only ones in the store.
Yuna and Helen were so earnest, they seemed like pure girls who are on their first ever trip to a lingerie store. The older women and staff couldn't help but look at them warmly, watching them whilst giggling to themselves.
"Th-Then... Let's take a look around. Maybe there's something that will suit us. There are plenty of designs around, so I'm sure we can pick at least one." ［Yuna］
"Yeah! T-This is just the first step! We're already adults, after all! I promise I'll make Owen's eyes fall out! Just he waitー" ［Helen］
"Excuse me, is there something I could help you with, Dear Customers?"
"Kyaaa!" ［Yuna］ "Eeeek!" ［Helen］
Just when they were firing themselves out, an unfamiliar voice called out to them and sent shivers down their spines as they jolted. They turned around to see one of the store's clerks, smiling at them gently as if she was looking at little fawns.
The clerk has been observing them for quite a while now, and seeing as to how troubled they looked, she decided to be the one to reach out her hand to them first, wanting to help the little fawns out. She didn't expect to scare them though.
"Dear me, sorry for scaring you. Are you both fine?"
"U.., Un... We're fine... Thank you for asking..." ［Yuna］
To the clerk's surprise, the one she reached out her hands to weren't just normal people. She couldn't tell before because the shelves were on the way, but now that she's seen her up close, there is no way she doesn't know who the young lady was.
"O... Oh my... Pardon me for asking this so suddenly, but... Perhaps you might be Her Highness, Lady Yuna, am I correct?"
"Un... That's me. Is there something you need me for...?" ［Yuna］
"N-Nothing in particular. I just didn't think that I would meet Your Highness in this humble store of ours. It truly is our greatest pleasure."
As it seems, the clerk was actually a fan of Grey and Yuna. She had heard about a lot of their tales over the past few months, and had also seen them a couple times from afar when she was exploring the city on her days off.
It wasn't just Yuna's heroism, but her beauty and ability as well. She was especially fond of the cosmetics Yuna has developed with alchemy, and buys them for herself whenever she gets the chance to. She couldn't be any more thankful for her.
"I'm actually a big fan of Your Highness. In fact, I've been using the shampoo and conditioner you've developed every time I go out. It really does work wonders. I'm especially fond of the mild and flowery scents you incorporated....."
Well, rather than a fan, it seemed more like she was a fanatic who couldn't just stop praising Yuna for her genius in making her cosmetics. If only she had more money, she would have bought a lot more. She was very passionate.
"And then, there'sー Oh, dear me! I'm sorry for blabbering too much, Your Highness. I hope I didn't make you uncomfortable."
"No, not at all. Rather, I'm glad that you liked it. My products, that is..." ［Yuna］
"Fufufu! I'm the one who should be thanking you, Your Highnessー Ah, right! You were going to purchase some lingerie, weren't you, Your Highness?"
"Un... I was actually going to buy some with my friend here, but you see... We aren't really experienced in this sort of thing... That's that..." ［Yuna］
Softly explained Yuna, a light, pinkish tint on her face. Their actions and expressions already showed it, but admitting it out in the open was even more embarrassing. As a young and inexperienced lady, she couldn't help but feel flustered.
"Fufufu! Then it seems like I can finally show my gratitude to Your Highness! Let me guide you through "Black Fairy's" grand collection!"
Thankfully, the clerk wasn't there to make fun of them. Rather, she was there to give them a hand and assist them in their matters. She proclaimed it with her chest puffed up and her head held up. She was confident.
The clerk then took Yuna and Helen around the shop for a spin and showed them all sorts of designs and patterns they could get. She also taught them about the basics of picking lingerie, the materials. Size categories, and many more.
It didn't take too long before the young ladies took their pick and tested them out in the dressing rooms. Needless to say, there were two very bright red faces in the store as they dressed up in different styles. Such pure and innocent kids.
"Thank you for your patronage, please come again～!"
Before long, they finally finished taking their picks and bought out a couple pairs and pieces for them. They were all quiet on the pricey side, but they were all worth it after trying them out. They not only looked nice, but felt comfortable as well.
"Then, Yuna, I'll be heading back home first. Mom and Dad will be angry if I get back any later. Catch you next time～!" ［Helen］
"Un. Bye～! Thank you for everything～!" ［Yuna］
"Make sure to surprise Grey, okay?!" ［Helen］
It wasn't long before Yuna and Helen parted ways, the latter heading back to the Rabbit's Den. It was quite a hectic and embarrassing experience, but Yuna was still thankful that she managed to buy such wonderful undergarments.
She doesn't know when she would be able to wear them, but since she already went ahead and bought them, she might as well give them a try sooner or later. There was a bright and cheerful smile on her face as she headed deeper into the market...
"I'm truly sorry, Your Highness. But we're out of Honey."
"E-Eh...? How about Maple Syrup?" ［Yuna］
"We're out of Maple Syrup as well... I'm really sorry..."
... It was a smile which didn't last very long as she was surprised by the sudden and disastrous news. She tried to look around in other stores, but the results remained the same. There was not a single drop of honey or maple syrup everywhere.
Apparently, both suppliers of honey and maple syrups come from the same route, and something occurred in that route which halted the delivery for several days now. It was not just honey and maple syrups, but several goods as well. A true tragedy.
With that, Yuna came back home with a heavy heart and a crestfallen expression on her face. That was the reason why Yuna is the way she is right now, moping around as if it was the bloody and apocalyptic end of the world.
"Uuu.. This is unfair... My Honey... My Maple Syrup... Why..." ［Yuna］
There was no better way to say it than the fact that she was just being overdramatic. Grey knows she likes sweets, but even he didn't expect she would fall into a slump just because she wouldn't be able to have honey and maple syrup for some time.
"Why... Why does this always happen... First, the herbs, and now honey and maple syrup... Why is it that I always lose those which are precious to me..." ［Yuna］
But rather than that, what Grey was more worried about was the items Yuna came back with. Grey was about to unpack them, thinking they were groceries, but to his (very extreme) surprise, they were lingerie. Women's lingerie.
Grey's eyes almost popped out of its sockets at that moment, his heart beating out of his chest. He knows that Yuna is an adult already, but she never thought she'd buy such bold and mature lingeries. He was in shock.
'Haah... Yuna, just why were you buying these...' ［Grey］
He was happy, but at the same time, he was also worried. He doesn't know what to feel when his lovely and adorable fiancée bought such extreme undergarments. Or rather, he doesn't know whether he should present to know or not to know.
'Helen... I really need to talk to that girl later...' ［Grey］
There was only one thing which was certain, and that is Helen isn't a good influence on Yuna. He knows he won't be able to see the extremely pure and innocent Yuna from before, but he doesn't want her to be corrupted by such indecencies either.
It was then that Grey decided he would have to confront the vile demoness bearing the name of "Helen" as soon as he could. But first... He needs to deal with Yuna at the moment. He just can't leave her moping for the rest of the day.
"Yuna, why don't weー" ［Grey］
SLAAAAMMMMM
ー Yet before he even had the chance, Yuna suddenly slammed the table and stood up from her seat. Her tears had stopped trickling and there was only a fierce passion left burning in her eyes, determination brewing in her heart.
"If you're going to be unfair, then I'll have no choice but to pay in kind! Make sure to prepare yourself, you Syrup Fiends!" ［Yuna］
Loud and clear, the young lady declared with certainty. She looked like a warrioress ready for battle, her eyes sharp as her daggers and her determination higher than the sky above her. She is ready to set forth another quest.
"Huh....?" ［Grey］
CHAPTER 394 END