Firewood crackled softly amidst the dancing flames of the campfire, chasing away the cold night air that had begun to blanket the meadow.
Around that warm fire, the adventurers sat in a circle, enjoying dinner together after a long and exhausting journey.
The sound of light chatter and warm laughter echoed in the air, breaking the silence of the night. The atmosphere of togetherness felt increasingly alive beneath the light of the full moon hanging brightly in the night sky.
The light from the moon reflected beautifully on the surface of the calmly flowing river near them, creating a shimmer that resembled a sprinkling of floating diamonds.
Amidst that peaceful atmosphere, Wolvin scooped a spoonful of meat and vegetable soup from his wooden bowl. His eyes instantly sparkled the moment the savory broth touched his tongue.
"Catrina, your cooking is truly delicious!" praised Wolvin very sincerely, looking at the female beastfolk across from him.
"Really?" replied the Mountain Cat woman with a wide smile radiating happiness. Her cat ears twitched slightly in delight. "Thank goodness if my recipe can satisfy all of your palates tonight."
"Are all races from the Mountain Cat clan as good at cooking as you?" asked Wolvin again, his curiosity genuinely piqued.
Catrina chuckled softly while stirring the leftover soup in her bowl. "No, of course not all of us can cook. At first, I could not cook at all either. But... after I married Robert, I took the initiative to learn how to cook."
"What was the reason?" asked Wolvin, tilting his head slightly.
"Of course to be the best wife who can make my husband happy with my own hard work and cooking!" answered Catrina in a very gentle and affectionate tone. She turned to her husband sitting next to her. "Every time I see him smile happily when tasting my cooking... my exhaustion seems to just evaporate. Something that simple makes me feel very satisfied as a wife."
Hearing his wife's sweet confession in front of everyone, Robert, who was busy chewing his meat, instantly choked slightly. The solidly built man's face turned red.
"S-Stop that!" exclaimed Robert, flustered, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck. "You are embarrassing me in front of the others, Dear."
"Why are you embarrassed? It is the truth!" replied Catrina with a hearty laugh, playfully nudging her husband's arm.
The warmth of the married couple's interaction invited laughter from the other members. However, amidst the laughter, Catrina's simple words seemed to have just pressed a button in Wolvin's mind.
The Night Wolf youth suddenly fell silent. He stared at his plate with a blank gaze, while his thoughts began to wander far away.
Making my husband happy with my own cooking...
The image of his husband's happiness instantly crossed his mind. All this time, Wolvin was only used to gripping a dagger. He always thought that making love with Calian in bed and protecting him in battle were enough to prove his devotion.
However, after seeing Robert and Catrina's interaction, Wolvin realized there was another form of intimacy he had never provided.
If I can cook, will my husband smile and feel very happy too?
Secretly, Wolvin glanced at Calian sitting next to him, who was so calm, enjoying his meal in silence with a posture that was always elegant.
I want to be able to cook too! Wolvin thought, a new, warmly burning resolve beginning to take root in his heart. If Catrina can do it for the man she loves, I am certain that I can definitely do it for my husband too!
A short while later, the warm dinner gathering concluded. Some of the adventurers began to prepare for sleep, while others took their turn standing guard.
Feeling his body sticky with sweat and road dust, Wolvin decided to take a bath and began walking toward the river located not far from the camp. Calian also rose from his seat and followed his spouse's footsteps from behind.
The two of them walked along the riverbank, deliberately searching for a spot a bit further downstream to avoid the bustle of the camp.
Once they found a river alcove obscured by large rocks and thick shrubs, providing ample privacy, the married couple stopped.
Without exchanging many words, they immediately stripped off their respective clothes, then walked slowly down the rocky bank and entered the cold river beneath the moonlight.
The cool and calmly flowing river water instantly washed away the fatigue from their bodies.
However, Wolvin's mind was not in the present. He just stood frozen silently in the water. Thoughts about his status as Calian's spouse, and the words Catrina had spoken during dinner earlier, kept ringing in the Night Wolf youth's mind.
Calian, who knew Wolvin's personality very well, naturally realized that something was wrong with his beloved spouse. Feeling worried, he immediately stepped through the water, approaching the Night Wolf youth from behind.
Tap!
A gentle tap landed softly on Wolvin's right shoulder.
The Night Wolf youth gasped in surprise. He turned his head so quickly that water splashed from his black hair.
"W-What is it, Darling?" he said, slightly stuttering, his eyes widening as he looked at his husband. "You startled me!"
"I am the one who should be asking you." Calian replied in a low tone laden with genuine concern. "What exactly are you thinking about? You suddenly became very quiet after we finished dinner."
Wolvin bit his lower lip. He really wanted to keep his intention a secret until he could actually cook later. However, when looking at his husband who always spoke honestly and never hid anything from him, Wolvin could not lie.
He lowered his gaze to the water's surface, remaining silent for a moment to gather his courage.
After a few moments where only the sound of rippling water filled the silence between them, the Night Wolf youth finally raised his face back up and opened his mouth.
"I... I actually just want to be the best spouse in your life." Wolvin confessed honestly, his voice sounding slightly trembling from pent-up emotion. His eyes looked straight into Calian's purple eyes. "I want to be like Catrina. I want to learn how to cook."
Calian furrowed his brow, feeling surprised by his spouse's confession.
"Why do you feel the need to do that?" he asked in bewilderment, his tone gentle yet demanding a clear reason.
"Because I want to see you smile!" Wolvin answered quickly without hesitation. "I want to see your happy, smiling face when you eat the food I cooked with my own two hands."
Wolvin held both hands of his husband, who had been standing in front of him all along.
"All this time, I could only give you my body, but I want to give more than that." he said with undeniable sincerity. "You are my husband! And I want to make you happy just like that woman does for her husband."
Hearing such deep sincerity, Calian's chest fluttered. "Wolvin, you do not need to—"
Wolvin did not let Calian finish his sentence.
"I am your spouse! We will always be together forever!" Wolvin cut in firmly, his teary eyes radiating an unwavering resolve. "So, when we arrive at our destination later... amidst our busyness and dangerous missions... I beg you, allow me to learn how to cook. Please... let me do this to make you happy."
The plea spoken with all his soul successfully left Calian stunned and speechless. His heart felt so warm, as if a small sun had just risen inside his chest.
The hopeful gaze from the pair of golden eyes in front of him made it impossible for Calian to shatter that resolve and make his beloved spouse sad with a rejection.
Slowly, a very sincere and gentle smile was etched on the purple-haired youth's lips.
"If that is truly what you desire so much... I will allow you." Calian decided, giving his full, unconditional approval. His hand rose, gently stroking Wolvin's wet black hair. "If doing that can make you feel happy, then I have not a single reason to hinder your intention."
Hearing his husband's answer giving him permission and full support, Wolvin's eyes instantly widened. His face beamed, the brightest smile ever blooming on his lips.
Splash!
Wolvin immediately lunged forward and tightly hugged Calian's naked body, causing the river water to splash everywhere. Both of his arms wrapped firmly around his husband's body.
"Thank you, Darling!" Wolvin said in a voice trembling with joy. "I am happy... I am so happy because you gave me the opportunity to prove myself so I can be the best spouse for you!"
Calian raised both his arms, returning his spouse's tight embrace, feeling the warmth of their skin touching amidst the cold river water.
"I also feel happy seeing your happiness, Wolvin." Calian whispered softly, planting a brief kiss on the top of the Night Wolf youth's head. "I will very much look forward to the day when I can sit down and enjoy your cooking."
Within that embrace, the Night Wolf youth nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, Darling! I promise, I will try very hard and do my best just for you!"
Beneath the silent witness of the moonlight and the peaceful rippling river water, a simple promise of a warm and affectionate future had been spoken out of a mutual desire to bring each other happiness.