"I'm coming!"
The voice from inside the house was gentle, carrying a warmth that matched the light spilling through the windows.
A moment later, the wooden door slowly creaked open.
Standing before them was a beautiful elf woman with long emerald-green hair that flowed past her waist. Her pointed ears peeked through her silky hair, and her gentle emerald eyes immediately fell upon the visitors standing outside.
At first, she smiled.
Then...
Her eyes widened.
"...Le... Leader?"
She blinked several times as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing.
"C-Cecelion-sama...?"
For a few seconds, she simply stood there frozen.
(He's still as handsome as ever...)
(Not even time has changed him...)
A nervous smile appeared on Cecelion's face.
"It's been a long time, Yuna-san."
Before Yuna could answer—
Ejji cleared his throat loudly.
"Ahem Honey... Yuna-san."
She slowly turned toward her husband.
"Could you prepare something for our guests?"
Silence.
Her expression slowly changed.
One eyebrow twitched.
"...Excuse me?"
Ejji instinctively took one step backward.
"You heard me...I said—"
"I heard you." Yuna replied
Yuna folded both arms across her chest before narrowing her eyes.
"But why am I the one preparing everything?"
"You've been sitting on that wagon the whole trip."
"I've been cleaning the house since this morning."
Ejji let out a nervous laugh.
"Um.....Ah...I..."
"You what?" Yuna replied with smile but.
Her smile looked kind...
But somehow, it frightened him.
"I-I'll help!"
"You should."
Without another word, Yuna lightly flicked Ejji's forehead.
Bonk.
"Ow..."
Haruwiko watched the whole scene with wide crimson eyes.
(Women in this world...)
(They're really strong...)
Cecelion couldn't help laughing.
"Nothing has changed between you two."
Yuna let out a small sigh before smiling apologetically.
"I'm sorry."
"I made you watch something embarrassing."
She stepped aside and opened the door wider.
"Please."
"Come inside."
"Thank you."
Cecelion bowed politely before carrying Haruwiko into the house.
The moment Haruwiko stepped inside...
His eyes sparkled.
"...Whoa..."
The wooden floor had been polished until it shone softly beneath the lantern light.
The house wasn't luxurious.
There were no expensive decorations or glittering chandeliers.
Instead...
Everything was neat.
Simple.
Comfortable.
Bundles of dried herbs hung from the ceiling, filling the room with a pleasant fragrance.
A warm fireplace crackled quietly in one corner.
The delicious aroma of freshly baked bread and vegetable stew drifted from the kitchen, making Haruwiko's stomach rumble once again.
Grrrr...
Haruwiko quickly covered his stomach.
"...It wasn't me."
Yuna giggled behind her hand.
"What an adorable child."
Haruwiko's ears immediately turned bright red.
Cecelion gently patted his head.
"You don't have to be embarrassed, Being hungry is perfectly normal."
Still blushing, Haruwiko quietly hid behind his father's cloak.
Yuna smiled even more.
(He's so shy...)
(Just like a little rabbit.)
"Please."
"Make yourselves comfortable."
She gestured toward a set of wooden chairs surrounding a low table.
Cecelion carefully sat down before lifting Haruwiko onto the chair beside him.
The little boy looked around curiously.
His crimson eyes wandered across the room.
A bookshelf stood against one wall, filled with farming guides and old adventure journals.
Above the fireplace hung a beautifully carved staff with big gem Stone.
Beside it rested a worn steel sword whose blade had clearly seen countless battles.
(Papa's friend used to be an adventurer ...)
Haruwiko thought quietly.
Yuna returned carrying a tray.
Several cups of freshly brewed tea rested upon it.
She carefully placed one in front of Cecelion before sitting across from him.
Steam slowly rose from the cups.
For a few moments...
Only silence filled the room.
Finally—
Yuna wrapped both hands around her teacup.
"So..."
"What brings you all the way to Danos City?"
Cecelion lowered his head respectfully.
"I'm sorry for arriving without sending a letter first."
He glanced at Haruwiko before continuing.
"My son and I are traveling South East."
"Unfortunately..."
"Our journey was interrupted."
"So..."
"I was hoping..."
"If it isn't too much trouble..."
"We could stay here until another carriage is available."
Yuna listened quietly.
Her gentle smile slowly faded.
She lowered her eyes toward the warm tea in her hands.
Yuna gently wrapped both hands around her warm teacup, her eyes lowered as she searched for the right words.
"I'm truly happy that you came."
She smiled apologetically.
"Really..."
"I am."
"But..."
Her fingers tightened around the cup.
"Our farm only earns enough to feed our own family."
She glanced toward the kitchen where Ejji was busy preparing dinner.
"We have two empty rooms."
"So the rooms aren't the problem."
She took a quiet breath.
"It's the food."
"If two more people stay here for several days..."
"I'm afraid we won't have enough."
She lowered her head.
"I'm... truly sorry."
The room became quiet once again.
Haruwiko looked between the adults.
Although he was still too young to understand everything...
He could tell Yuna wasn't refusing them because she disliked them.
She simply looked worried.
Cecelion remained silent for a moment.
Then...
A gentle smile appeared on his face.
"I understand."
His voice was calm.
(You've always been honest, Yuna-san.) Cecelion said to himself
"And..."
"I appreciate that."
Yuna slowly looked up.
Instead of disappointment...
There wasn't the slightest hint of anger on Cecelion's face.
He simply smiled kindly.
"If I were in your position..."
"I would probably say the same thing."
Yuna blinked.
"Cecelion-sama..."
He slowly reached beside his chair and picked up his old travel bag.
The leather looked worn from years of traveling.
Opening it carefully, he searched inside for a few moments.
Haruwiko watched curiously.
(Papa... what are you looking for?)
Finally...
Cecelion pulled out a small leather pouch.
Compared to his large travel bag...
The pouch looked surprisingly ordinary.
He quietly placed it onto the wooden table.
Thump.
"I'm sorry."
He bowed his head.
"I don't want Haruwiko and me to become a burden to your family."
Yuna quickly shook her head.
"N-No..."
"I never meant—"
Cecelion raised his hand with a gentle smile.
"I know."
"I understand what you meant."
"You've already shown us enough kindness by opening your home to us."
He slowly pushed the leather pouch toward her.
"If you don't mind..."
"Would you please open it?"
Yuna looked at the pouch.
Then at Cecelion.
"...Are you sure?"
He nodded.
"Please."
She carefully untied the string.
The moment the pouch opened—
Golden light reflected across the wooden table.
"...Eh?"
Her eyes widened.
She carefully looked inside.
Then...
Looked again.
"...Gold pillar coins?"
Cecelion scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"I've been away from Danos City for many years."
"So..."
"I honestly don't know how much food costs nowadays."
He let out an embarrassed laugh.
"I was worried I might not bring enough."
"So I prepared a little extra..."
Yuna's hands froze.
"...A little?"
She slowly lifted the pouch.
It was much heavier than she expected.
Her eyes counted the neatly stacked gold coins.
Once...
Twice...
Three times...
Her lips slowly trembled.
"C-Cecelion-sama..."
"...There's..."
"...One million gold coins in here."
Silence.
Even the fire seemed quieter.
Ejji, who had just entered carrying a basket of freshly baked bread, nearly dropped everything onto the floor.
"L-Leader..."
His eyes became as round as dinner plates.
"That's..."
"...A little extra?"
Cecelion tilted his head innocently.
"...Is it too much?"
Both husband and wife stared at him.
Completely speechless.
Cecelion hurriedly waved both hands.
"Ah!"
"I'm sorry!"
"I wasn't trying to show off."
"I simply thought..."
"If Haruwiko and I stay for several days..."
"We'll be eating your family's food."
"We'll be using your rooms."
"And..."
"I don't want my son growing up thinking it's acceptable to trouble other people without giving something in return."
He lowered his head once more.
"So please..."
"Accept this."
"If there's anything left over after our stay..."
"Please use it for your farm..."
"Or your daughter."
"And I promised that I will help in farm work delivery, selling anything so please accept us" (bow his head)
Haruwiko quietly looked up at his father.
His crimson eyes sparkled.
(Papa...)
And Haru did the same, saying with bow head. "Me too I will help too"
Yuna slowly closed the pouch.
She looked at Cecelion and Haruwiko for several long seconds.
And waves her hand fastly saying " Hey....you two Cecelion-sama Haruwiko-chan leap your heads up that is too much."
Then...
She smiled.
The same gentle smile she had years ago.
"...You really haven't changed."
"Hm?" (Cecelion reaction)
(Yuna smile and said)
"You've always been like this.No matter how wealthy...No matter how famous...You always worry about becoming someone else's burden." (She laughed softly.)And that's exactly why everyone respected you."
Cecelion smiled sheepishly.
"I think you're giving me too much credit."
Ejji finally recovered from his shock before laughing loudly.
"Hahaha!"
"I knew it!"
"Our Leader is still the same!"
Cecelion immediately scratched his cheek in embarrassment.
"...Please."
"Don't call me 'Leader' anymore."
"We're just old friends now."
Ejji grinned.
"Then..."
"Cecelion-sama."
"Welcome home."
For a brief moment...
No one spoke.
Warm laughter quietly filled the humble house