Chapter 29: Two sets of married couple
“Perhaps Gustav-sama doesn’t have much experience putting his heart into something,”
Leon said as he dug into the potato gratin for dinner.
“Putting his heart into it?”
Diana echoed.
“He probably has only given Ilsa-sama pre-made products made by others,”
Leon replied.
“I hope Ilsa-sama’s reaction when she receives the candy Diana made can give him some hints.”
Diana twisted her neck.
“Well, take a look. If he doesn’t notice anything, then Gustav-sama must be quite oblivious when it comes to Ilsa-sama.”
・・・
【”A̲w̲e̲b̲s̲t̲o̲r̲i̲e̲s̲.c̲o̲m̲” – D̲i̲s̲c̲o̲v̲e̲r̲ a̲ c̲a̲p̲t̲i̲v̲a̲t̲i̲n̲g̲ w̲o̲r̲l̲d̲ o̲f̲ l̲o̲v̲e̲, p̲a̲s̲s̲i̲o̲n̲ a̲n̲d̲ a̲d̲v̲e̲n̲t̲u̲r̲e̲, w̲h̲e̲r̲e̲ y̲o̲u̲ c̲a̲n̲ i̲n̲d̲u̲l̲g̲e̲ i̲n̲ a̲ c̲o̲l̲l̲e̲c̲t̲i̲o̲n̲ o̲f̲ t̲r̲a̲n̲s̲l̲a̲t̲e̲d̲ n̲o̲v̲e̲l̲s̲ w̲i̲t̲h̲ d̲a̲i̲l̲y̲ u̲p̲d̲a̲t̲e̲s̲ a̲n̲d̲ e̲x̲c̲l̲u̲s̲i̲v̲e̲ a̲c̲c̲e̲s̲s̲ t̲o̲ a̲d̲v̲a̲n̲c̲e̲d̲ c̲h̲a̲p̲t̲e̲r̲s̲.】
・・・
Gustav approached Ilsa, who was waiting at the entrance when he returned to the hot spring inn.
Ilsa maintained her usual “on duty” smile.
Gustav promptly followed the instructions and took out the flower-filled candy made by Diana to show her.
“Ilsa, it’s a present.”
Ilsa accepted it with a vague smile and peered into the organza wrapping.
“Oh, flower-filled candy?”
“Yes, that’s right. Diana made it, actually.”
Ilsa raised her eyebrows in surprise.
“. . .Diana?!”
“Yeah, we met in Pabst village.”
“Well! That girl, she can make something like this. . .!”
Ilsa’s cheeks flushed with excitement as she repeatedly examined the blue flower-filled candy from various angles.
Gustav was secretly amazed by his wife’s reaction.
She seemed happier than when he spent a fortune buying her expensive jewelry.
“I wonder what kind of flower this is? I’ve never seen this flower before.”
“According to Diana, it’s an edible flower. She said it tastes like mint,” Gustav explained.
“Oh, really? After we finish eating, let’s try it right away. Will you have some too?”
Gustav nodded hesitantly. It was actually the first time he received an invitation from Ilsa.
“She worked hard to make it. It must be delicious,”
Ilsa said, her eyes sparkling more than usual.
Gustav’s heart raced with anticipation. He felt a strange excitement.
After the meal, Ilsa immediately opened the homemade candy on a plate. They both picked it up and tasted it, experiencing a refreshing spiciness and sweetness spreading on their tongues.
“Oh, it’s delicious,”
Ilsa said, rolling the candy on one cheek and smiling.
“Fufufu. That girl will surely make a good wife. . .”
Gustav gazed at his wife’s profile.
“. . .What’s wrong? Aren’t you going to eat it too?”
Gustav cautiously put the candy in his mouth.
“How is it? Delicious, right?”
“Well, um. . .It’s refreshing, so it might be good after a meal.”
“That’s right, that’s right! If Gustav, the renowned gourmet of Eisenstadt, says so, then there’s no doubt!”
Gustav sniffled a little. It was the first time he had been praised by his wife.
“It’s interesting what she made. It’s good to see her being creative and enjoying herself.”
Ilsa looked at the remaining flower-filled candy with sparkling eyes, reminiscent of that girl.
Gustav pondered something intently.
・・・
Diana and Leon sleep cramped in that narrow bed at night.
They gaze at each other’s faces from such a close distance, looking somewhat fascinated.
They still couldn’t help but feel like they were in a dream. They touched each other’s faces, felt their forms, and finally felt like it was becoming a tangible reality, drawing closer.
“. . .This bed is small.”
“Hmm. . .But if we want to buy a slightly bigger bed, we’ll have to make the house bigger.”
Expanding the house seemed like a dream within a dream.
Diana sat up and, in the moonlight, searched for Leon’s lips to kiss.
“. . .I don’t want to sleep apart anymore.”
“Then, bear with it. . .”
Leon closed his eyes. He must have been tired from everything that happened today.
Diana gently traced Leon’s eyelashes and whispered.
“. . .I’ll earn the money to rebuild this house.”
With his eyes still closed, Leon chuckled as if tickled.
“What? Are you serious?!”
“You’re reliable, Diana.”
“Well, I just want to sleep peacefully in a spacious bed.”
Leon embraced Diana, who was peering at him while half sitting up.
“. . .Diana.”
“What?”
“When I’m with you, I feel like I can do anything.”
“. . .Leon.”
“That’s why.”
“Yeah.”
“. . .One more time.”
“Well. . .It can’t be helped.”
Diana surrendered herself to the familiar touch.
Outside the cabin, under the moonlight, new flowers of different colors began to bud.
