Chapter 13
1467 Words
– The First Truly Edible Meal
The kitchen at headquarters was filled with… for the first time… a normal aroma. No burnt smell, no mysterious boiling liquids. This time, Hana was genuinely serious, her hair tied messily, apron dusted with flour, face bright like a soldier heading to battle.
“My beloved husband, look! I chopped the onions without crying!” Hana proudly raised her knife.
Rei exhaled, a faint curve on his lips.
“Good. But the onions aren’t peeled yet.”
“Eh?!” Hana panicked, quickly peeling the onions while sneezing. Nearby soldiers exchanged glances.
“Bro… I can’t take this. It’s too cute.” whispered one.
“Quiet. Boss said don’t let the little lady lose heart,” replied another, pretending to be serious while their eyes watered with laughter.
Finally, Hana’s dishes were laid out: simple stir-fried vegetables, chicken soup, and steaming rice. Nothing burnt, nothing exploded.
Rei sat at the front. All the soldiers held their breath. Hana sat beside him, eyes shining.
“Try it, my beloved husband. This time I promise I won’t make you gag.”
Rei lifted his spoon, tasted the soup slowly. Silence. All eyes on him.
Then… Rei nodded slightly.
“Delicious.”
Hana jumped with joy, clapping her hands.
“YAAAY! I did it! I made my beloved husband happy!”
The soldiers quietly cheered, relieved and happy.
“Bro… it tastes normal!”
“Thank goodness… finally we can eat without risking our lives.”
Hana looked at Rei with love, whispering softly.
“From now on, I’ll keep learning, my beloved husband… so I can be your ideal wife.”
Rei gazed at his wife, gently stroking her head as she leaned on his shoulder.
“For me… you’re already more than enough.”
Hana smiled, cheeks flushed.
“You tease…” she murmured sweetly.
– First Night at Headquarters
The headquarters, usually filled with clanging swords and training shouts, felt different that night. The lamps glowed warmly, the air was calm, and in the central room, only Rei and Hana sat together.
Hana still wore her flour-stained apron, but her face shone like a child who just won a contest.
“My beloved husband, I’m so happy. Today I made you say ‘delicious’ for the first time.”
Rei gently stroked her head.
“It’s not the food that makes me happy… it’s seeing you try for me.”
– Shadows of the Past
Morning After the Sweet Moment
The next morning, Hana woke up earlier than usual. Her hair was still messy, but she was determined to help the soldiers with laundry.
“My dear husband is still sleeping… time to be a useful wife!” she said enthusiastically.
Ten minutes later, the entire courtyard was in chaos—soldiers’ uniforms mixed up, foam overflowing, and some armor completely soaked in soap.
“Bro… my armor! That’s not clothing!”
“Quiet! Don’t let the little lady feel like a failure again!”
The soldiers shut their mouths, faces full of despair.
Hana sighed, staring at her hands covered in foam. Why do I always mess up? she muttered softly.
Before her spirit could fade, Rei appeared. He stood near the well, face as cold as ever, but his eyes looked at Hana with meaning.
“If you want to learn… take it slow. No one expects perfection.”
Rei rolled up his sleeves and crouched to help wash. The soldiers witnessing this were stunned.
“Boss… the boss is helping with laundry?!”
“Quiet. That’s a matter of life and death.”
Hana smiled faintly, her heart warming again. But… that warmth didn’t last long.
---
The Lurking Shadow
That afternoon, a soldier approached Rei with a tense face.
“Boss, bad news. A hitman has been spotted near a village. They say… the target is the Lady.”
Rei froze. His eyes instantly turned icy.
“Who spread this news?”
“An old informant… and they say they don’t just want to kidnap her, but to take her to someone offering a huge ransom.”
Rei clenched his fist. They dare touch Hana?
---
The Hidden Past
At night, Hana sat alone on the balcony. Her smile faded, gaze empty toward the moon. Rei approached and immediately sensed it—his wife carried old wounds.
“Hana.”
Rei’s gentle voice made Hana startle. She tried to smile, but tears fell.
“My dear husband… I’m scared. I… don’t want my past to haunt me.”
Rei stayed silent, waiting for her to open her heart.
Hana bit her lip, voice trembling as she spoke:
“I was spoiled by my parents… but after they suddenly died, I lived with my uncle and aunt. They seemed caring, but secretly wanted to sell me to a wealthy noble. When I tried to escape, I was harassed by street thugs. I thought my life was over… until I met you.”
Rei stared deeply. “Your parents… died suddenly?”
Hana nodded, hands shaking.
“Yes. They said they were poisoned for refusing an arranged marriage. But I never knew who did it…”
Rei immediately understood: this story wasn’t finished. And his intuition was right—the shadows of enemies were moving from the darkness, hunting Hana again.
– The k********g Night
The Calm Before the Storm
That night, the base seemed calm. Hana slept in her room, hugging her bolster, cheeks pressed, acting cute as usual. Rei sat by the window, eyes sharp like a predator.
He knew something was wrong.
The wind was too quiet. Shadows outside moved too fast.
“They’re coming.”
---
The Attack
Suddenly, the window trembled. Three black-clad figures leapt inside silently, graceful and deadly. Short swords glimmered under the moonlight.
Their target was clear: Hana.
Before they could reach her, Rei was already standing, his cold gaze piercing.
“How dare you touch what’s mine.”
In an instant, one assassin’s sword fell—his hand broken by Rei’s lightning-fast grip.
The soldiers rushed toward the room, but Rei was already in motion. His body moved like a shadow, kicking one enemy into the wall.
Hana woke, eyes wide.
“My dear husband?! W-what’s happening?!”
“Don’t look.” Rei shielded her with his body, cold but protective.
---
The Brief Duel
The lead assassin stepped forward, his voice hoarse.
“Our master only wants the girl. Hand her over, and we’ll leave.”
Rei narrowed his eyes.
“Your master should already know… I never bargain.”
The fight exploded. Sword clashes, shadows flashing. Within seconds, two assassins fell, injured. Rei moved too fast to be tracked by the eye.
The lead assassin tried to flee, but Rei stabbed the floor with his dagger, locking the enemy’s movement.
“Go back and tell your master… if he sends anyone else, I will come for his head.”
With injuries, the assassin fled into the darkness.
---
Hana’s Fear
Hana clutched Rei tightly, hands trembling.
“They… they really wanted to kidnap me…”
Rei stroked her head, voice calm but firm.
“As long as I’m here, no one will touch you.”
Tears fell from Hana—not just from fear, but memories of her past.
“Why… why does someone always want to take me away from you?”
Rei hugged her tighter.
“Because you are precious. That’s exactly why I will never let go.”
That night, the soldiers guarded more strictly than ever. Rumors spread—who was behind the attack?
Rei already knew. The shadow of Hana’s past was reaching out.
Hana immediately covered her face with both hands, cheeks red.
“You tease… you always know how to make me embarrassed.”
Rei smiled faintly, then took her hands away from her face.
“If you keep hiding your face, how can I see your smile?”
Her heart raced. “My beloved husband… don’t… I might faint.”
Rei leaned in slightly, his voice soft.
“If you faint, I’ll be the one watching over you until you wake. So it’s fine.”
The soldiers guarding outside exchanged glances, their faces red from holding back comments.
“Bro… I feel like a third wheel.”
“Quiet! If the boss sees, we’re dead.”
Finally, Hana rested her head on Rei’s shoulder, holding his hand tightly.
“Thank you… for choosing me. I know I’m troublesome, childish, and cause problems. But I promise I’ll always be by your side, my beloved husband.”
Rei bent down, gently kissing her forehead.
“As long as I breathe, nothing can separate us.”
That night, without excessive words, just simple togetherness, Hana felt like the luckiest woman in the world.
- Writer
