Chapter 16
1811 Words
– Warmth Amid the Snow
Returning Home
After a few days of travel, Rei and Hana finally returned to the headquarters home. Neighbors and soldiers whispered as they arrived.
“That’s Rei! He’s usually icy… but look, his wife is clinging to his arm.”
“He doesn’t resist… if anyone else came close, they’d be dead.”
“Unfair… his wife is spoiled, yet he’s smiling!”
Hana didn’t care. She pulled Rei inside, hugging him tightly, a satisfied smile on her face.
“My beloved… we’re finally home. I just want to lie in your arms.”
Rei raised an eyebrow.
“You’ve been clinging to me the whole way.”
“Not enough. I want more.” Hana buried her face in his chest.
Neighbors peeking from windows could only grumble in envy.
Hana’s Unease
That night, as the first snow fell, Hana stood at the window. The white flakes reminded her of the past—cold, loneliness, whispers of people wanting to sell her. She gripped Rei’s arm tightly.
“My beloved… I’m scared. Sometimes the shadows come back. My past… I can’t fully forget it.”
Rei gently stroked her head.
“Then I’ll make you so many new memories… that your past won’t have any space.”
Hana looked at him, teary-eyed.
“New memories?”
“Yes. We’ll go on another vacation. This time, in the snow.”
Snowball Fight
The next morning, Rei brought Hana to the headquarters yard. Snow had already piled up, and soldiers were busy clearing the courtyard. But upon seeing Rei and his wife, everyone froze.
“Commander?!”
Rei slightly bowed, a faint smile on his face.
“Today, rest. Snowball fight.”
Soldiers exchanged glances, confused. Hana laughed, making the first snowball and throwing it at Rei.
“My beloved! Let’s go!”
Rei snorted, returning the throw gently. Hana laughed, hiding behind him.
The soldiers, jealous, joined in. Snowballs flew everywhere, transforming the yard into a battlefield.
Rei moved swiftly, shielding Hana with his body.
“How dare you attack me out of jealousy?”
“Unfair, Commander! Your wife is too sweet, we’re frustrated!”
Hana laughed heartily, clinging to Rei.
“My beloved… you’re the center of everyone’s envy.”
Rei sighed but a corner of his lips lifted.
“Let them be. I only need you by my side. They can be envious all they want.”
A Warm Night
After the snowball fight (and the soldiers’ defeat thanks to Rei’s strength), Hana curled up under a thick blanket with Rei that night.
“My beloved…” she whispered softly.
“Hm?”
“Thank you… for always making me forget the cold. I’m not afraid anymore, as long as you hold me.”
Rei kissed her forehead, eyes closed peacefully.
“Then we’ll make even more vacations. I won’t stop until you only remember happiness.”
Hana smiled, cheeks flushed.
“Then… I want to go on another trip tomorrow.”
Rei could only sigh.
“My spoiled wife…”
Yet in his heart, he was happy—Hana’s spoiled nature was the reason he always wanted to return from the battlefield.
– Warmth in the Winter Bath
The Journey Begins
After the epic snowball fight, Rei fulfilled his promise. Two days later, he took Hana by train to a mountain village famous for its natural hot springs.
Hana clung to his arm the entire way, eyes sparkling as she watched the snowy landscape.
“My beloved… look! The mountains are all white! So beautiful!”
Rei simply nodded, looking at her longer than the scenery.
“Yes, beautiful.”
Hana blushed and lightly tapped his chest.
“Eh… I didn’t mean me… I meant the view!”
Rei smiled faintly. “I know.”
Other passengers whispered enviously.
“That’s Rei? Commander Rei? He’s actually smiling?”
“His wife is so clingy… how can he tolerate that?”
Hana didn’t care, sticking closer, beaming.
Arrival at the Inn
Upon arrival, the cold bit sharply. Hana shivered, grabbing Rei’s hand.
“My beloved… warm me…”
Rei removed his cloak and wrapped it around her.
“Then don’t go far from me.”
They were greeted by the inn’s owners—a kindly old couple who glanced on enviously.
“My, your wife is adorable, young master. Rare to see such a sweet couple…”
Rei nodded politely, while Hana, still clingy, whispered,
“My beloved… let’s go to our room… I want to sleep in your arms.”
The innkeeper was flustered.
Hot Springs
That afternoon, Rei took Hana to the outdoor hot spring. Steam rose gently, contrasting with the falling snow.
Hana glanced around, cheeks flushed.
“My beloved… it’s beautiful. But… what if someone comes in?”
Rei patted her head gently.
“No worries. I reserved this pool just for us.”
Hana’s eyes lit up, hugging him tightly.
“My beloved… you’re the best in the world!”
They soaked together, the warm water chasing away the chill. Hana leaned against his chest, eyes closed, peaceful.
“My beloved… I feel like I’m dreaming. I used to shiver alone… now I’m surrounded by warmth, and there’s you.”
Rei held her hand firmly.
“Then never let me go. I’ll always be your warmth.”
Sweet Comedy
When Hana tried pouring water over herself, she slipped slightly. Rei caught her immediately.
“Careless. You need to be careful.”
Hana winced, then smiled shyly.
“If I fall, you’ll catch me, right? So I did it on purpose.”
Rei exhaled deeply.
“My wife… really loves to tease.”
Hana laughed, pressing against his arm again.
Outside, some soldiers who were guarding the inn eavesdropped, envious.
“Boss… why are we just guarding the door while the lady is alone with him?”
“Quiet. If we peek, we’ll be buried alive tomorrow.”
“But… she’s too sweet, I can’t take it…”
“Shhh! Or I’ll report you to the boss.”
Romantic Night
That night, in the warm inn room, Hana curled under a thick blanket. She called Rei, who had just finished closing the window.
“My beloved… come. Hold me. I can’t sleep far from you.”
Rei lay down, pulling her into his embrace. Their breaths mingled as snow fell more heavily outside.
Hana gazed at him, eyes wet.
“My beloved… are you sure you’ll never leave me? That past… sometimes makes me scared you’ll get tired.”
Rei pressed his forehead to hers.
“No past can make me let go of you. I don’t even know what life would be like without you calling me ‘my beloved’ every day.”
Hana smiled, tears falling, yet her face radiated happiness.
“Then… I’ll stay spoiled, calling you that, my whole life.”
Rei kissed her gently, whispering,
“And I will always accept it.”
– Winter Festival
A Village Alive with Light
The next morning, Hana woke up brimming with excitement. From the window of the inn, she saw the villagers busy preparing for the annual festival. The streets were filled with colorful lanterns, children ran around clutching snowballs, and the sweet aroma of pastries floated through the air.
“My darling husband! There’s a festival! Let’s go, come on, come on!”
Hana bounced in front of Rei, her eyes sparkling like a child’s.
Rei exhaled, yet his eyes were warm.
“If I refuse, you’ll drag me along anyway, won’t you?”
Hana laughed cheerfully. “Exactly!”
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A Spoiled Wife in the Crowd
As they stepped outside, all eyes turned to them. Villagers familiar with Rei as the war commander were surprised to see him walking leisurely while holding his wife’s hand.
“Is that really Rei? His expression is usually so stiff…”
“He even lets his wife pull him along like a child.”
“Unfair! Why does she get to be so spoiled?”
Hana didn’t care; she held his arm even tighter.
“My darling husband, I want to try that candy!”
Rei bought it without much fuss and fed it to her himself.
“Mmm~ delicious!” Hana leaned on his shoulder, chewing with a sweet smile.
“If you keep acting spoiled like this, the whole village will laugh at us,” Rei whispered.
“Let them. As long as I’m happy with you.”
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Village Snowball Competition
The villagers organized a snowball competition between teams. Children, youths, even adults joined. Hana eagerly signed up with Rei.
“My darling husband, we have to win!”
Rei raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure you can take on the village kids?”
Hana tapped her small chest confidently. “Don’t worry. I have the best commander in the world.”
The match began. Hana hid behind Rei, making snowballs.
“My darling husband, catch them!”
Rei moved swiftly, dodging incoming throws, then launched one back with precision.
Children tumbled while laughing, and the villagers cheered. Hana leapt with joy, clinging to Rei.
“We won! My darling husband is the best!”
Rei just shook his head, smiling faintly.
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Snow Lanterns
Night fell, and the festival reached its peak. Villagers gathered in the town square, each holding a paper lantern. Snow fell gently, creating a scene that looked like thousands of stars had descended to earth.
Hana held her lantern tightly and looked at Rei.
“My darling husband… if we release this lantern, can I make a wish?”
Rei lowered his head, his eyes soft. “Of course. Whatever you wish for.”
Hana closed her eyes and whispered,
“I wish for us to always be together. I don’t want a single day to pass without calling you my darling husband.”
Rei paused, then took her lantern and helped release it into the sky.
“I wish the same. No wars, no wounds, just you by my side.”
Their lanterns floated together, glowing in the night sky. Villagers watching felt envious—some girls even covered their faces in frustration.
“Unfair! They’re way too romantic!”
“Why am I getting emotional…”
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A Warm Night at the Inn
After the festival, Hana curled up under thick blankets, holding Rei’s hand.
“My darling husband, today was amazing. I feel… truly like the happiest girl in the world.”
Rei stroked her hair gently.
“That’s because you are my wife. As long as I’m here, you’ll always be the happiest.”
Hana smiled, her eyes slowly closing.
“Then… let’s make even more memories like this.”
Rei kissed her forehead.
“Yes, until your past no longer holds sway.”
Snow fell softly outside the window, while warmth filled the room.
- Writer
