Chapter 2: A Quiet Night and the Cruel Morning
The moon hung high in the sky, its pale light spilling into the windows of Kael's mansion. The large kitchen was quiet, save for the soft crackle of a fire in the hearth. Kael stood by the counter, sleeves rolled up, methodically slicing vegetables with practiced precision. His movements were smooth and measured, each cut clean and deliberate.
On the stove, a pot bubbled gently, filling the air with a tantalizing aroma of herbs and spices. He stirred it occasionally, adding a pinch of salt here, a sprinkle of pepper there, tasting and adjusting as he went. Despite his ragged appearance, Kael's cooking was an art—a stark contrast to the ridicule he endured at the guild earlier that day.
Behind him, the faint sound of footsteps broke the stillness. He didn't turn but smiled faintly. "You're early," he said.
Seraphina leaned against the doorway, her silver hair catching the moonlight. She crossed her arms, her sharp blue eyes watching him with an expression caught between curiosity and disdain. "What are you doing?" she asked, her voice cool as always.
"Cooking," Kael replied simply, not looking away from his work.
"For me?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"For us," he corrected, glancing at her over his shoulder. "I thought you might like to try something new."
She scoffed. "As if I'd enjoy anything you make." But despite her words, she didn't leave. Instead, she stepped closer, her gaze flickering to the dishes he had prepared.
Kael chuckled softly. "You don't have to admit it, you know. Just eat."
A short while later, they sat across from each other at the dining table. The tension between them was palpable, as it always was, but Kael seemed unaffected. He served her a plate of the dish he had spent the evening perfecting—a stew with tender cuts of meat, rich broth, and a medley of vibrant vegetables that practically melted in the mouth.
Seraphina picked up her spoon with an air of reluctance, taking a small sip of the broth. Her eyes widened slightly, though she quickly masked her surprise.
"It's... acceptable," she said after a pause, setting the spoon down.
Kael smirked. "I'll take that as a compliment."
"You shouldn't," she replied sharply. "Don't get the wrong idea."
Kael leaned back in his chair, his calm demeanor unshaken. "Of course not, my lady."
She glared at him but said nothing more, finishing her meal in silence.
---
Later that night, the two of them retired to their shared bedroom. Despite the mansion's numerous rooms, Seraphina had chosen to stay in the same one as Kael. It was a decision that puzzled him at first, though he never asked her why.
The room was spacious but modestly furnished, with a large bed taking center stage. Kael lay on one side, his back turned to her, while Seraphina occupied the other, her posture rigid as she stared at the ceiling.
"You should quit being an adventurer," she said suddenly, breaking the silence.
Kael opened his eyes but didn't turn to face her. "We've been through this already," he replied evenly.
"You're wasting your time," she continued, her tone firm. "You've been an E-ranker for three years, Kael. You're not going to get any stronger. Why not do something productive for once? Start a business, perhaps. At least then you wouldn't embarrass yourself—and me."
Kael sighed softly. "I appreciate your concern, Seraphina, but I've made my choice."
She rolled onto her side, her blue eyes narrowing as she looked at his back. "Why are you so stubborn?"
"Why do you care so much?" he countered, his voice calm but pointed.
Her lips pressed into a thin line. "Because it reflects on me. Do you think I enjoy being associated with someone who's the laughingstock of the guild? People would mock me if they knew I was married to you."
Kael turned his head slightly, glancing at her from the corner of his eye. "And yet, here you are, sharing a room with me. Why not sleep elsewhere if my presence bothers you so much?"
Seraphina's cheeks flushed, though she quickly turned away, muttering under her breath. "Don't twist my words."
Kael smiled faintly and closed his eyes again. "Good night, Seraphina."
She didn't respond, but long after he drifted off to sleep, she remained awake, staring at the ceiling with a troubled expression.
---
The next morning, Kael was up early, his usual calm demeanor in place as he prepared for the day ahead. He left the mansion quietly, not wanting to disturb Seraphina, and made his way to the Adventurer's Guild.
The guild was just as lively as it had been the previous day, though the atmosphere grew tense as Kael approached the mission board. Standing nearby was one of the kingdom's knights—a tall, imposing man with a cruel smirk on his face.
"Look who it is," the knight sneered, stepping in front of Kael. "The weakest adventurer in Velhart."
Kael met his gaze calmly. "Good morning to you too."
The knight's smirk widened. "You shouldn't be here, you know. This place is for real adventurers, not pathetic excuses like you."
Kael didn't respond, his expression remaining neutral.
"Say something, you coward!" the knight demanded, shoving Kael back.
The force of the shove sent Kael stumbling, but he quickly regained his footing. Still, he said nothing.
The knight's expression darkened. "What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?" He stepped closer, his voice dripping with malice. "You're a disgrace. If I were you, I'd crawl into a hole and never come out."
The adventurers around them laughed, their mocking voices echoing in the hall. Kael remained silent, his calm facade unbroken.
But then, the knight struck him—a heavy blow to the side of his face that sent him to the ground. Blood trickled from the corner of Kael's mouth as he slowly got back to his feet, brushing off the dirt from his clothes.
"That all you've got?" he asked quietly, his tone devoid of anger or fear.
The knight glared at him, but before he could strike again, a voice called out from across the room.
"Hey! Enough of that!"
It was the guild master, a burly man with a booming voice. He stepped forward, his expression stern. "Take your fight outside if you're going to cause trouble."
The knight scowled but eventually backed off, muttering something under his breath. Kael nodded in thanks to the guild master before returning to the mission board.
Ignoring the stares and whispers around him, he selected a low-level job and made his way out of the guild.
---
By the time Kael returned home that evening, his body was covered in dirt, and blood stained the torn edges of his shirt. He had already patched up most of his wounds, but his movements were slower than usual as he stepped inside the mansion.
Seraphina was waiting in the living room, her arms crossed as she tapped her foot impatiently.
"You're late," she said sharply.
"Got held up," Kael replied, his voice calm as always.
Her eyes narrowed as she took in his appearance. "What happened to you?"
"Ran into a monster," he said casually, brushing past her. "Nothing I couldn't handle."
Her expression softened slightly, though she quickly masked it with a scowl. "You're hopeless, you know that? One of these days, you're going to get yourself killed."
Kael glanced at her, a faint smile playing at his lips. "And yet, you're still here, worrying about me."
She huffed and turned away, though the concern in her eyes lingered. "Don't flatter yourself. I'm only worried because it would be inconvenient if something happened to you."
Kael chuckled softly. "Of course."
Later that evening, Seraphina reluctantly cooked dinner for him, muttering under her breath about how pathetic he was the entire time. But as Kael sat at the table, eating the meal she had prepared, he couldn't help but feel a faint warmth in his chest.
Despite her sharp words and cold demeanor, there was something about her presence that made the weight of the day's events a little easier to bear.
And for now, that was enough.
---
(Chapter Ended)
To be continued....