Chapter 86

Following Ryn, I finished preparing breakfast.

Now, before my eyes is a delightful breakfast.

There’s the thick-sliced bread with a golden-brown crust and thinly spread melted butter, a consomme soup packed with diced vegetables, and on the side dish plate, a colorful vegetable salad and two sausages with a perfectly creamy scrambled egg.

...It looks delicious!

Moreover, Ryn’s thoughtfulness in preparing the meal in a size suitable for children, just like for adults, is truly wonderful. For example, the bread is cut into quarters of the same thickness, and the sausages are in small sizes like pork nuggets, with the same number of pieces.

Ryn must have done the same for her own children.

She’s really a wonderful mom. Yeah, I could never do that.

"Then, let’s start. Itadakimasu."

"Itadakimasu."

Following Vincent’s lead, the three of us start eating.

Mmm! The taste doesn’t disappoint!

It’s different from the noisy meals at the Northern Demon Castle, but having a family meal around the table has a different kind of deliciousness.

"Yuri, I have some berry jam if you need it, just let me know."

"Ryn’s homemade jam is delicious."

"I want to eat it!"

As I munch away, when the bread is about halfway gone, Ryn reminds me...

If it’s Vincent’s recommendation, I have to eat it!

Without hesitation, I declare I’ll eat it, and Ryn, laughing, opens the jar on the table.

"Should I spread it on the rest?"

"Yes, please, plenty!"

"Plenty it is."

I hand the bread to Ryn, who spreads the jam as requested and returns it to me.

The jam, with its vivid red color and shiny appearance, is full of fruit pieces.

Ahn! I open my mouth wide and take a bite, and the wonderful aroma and sweetness of strawberries spread instantly.

It’s so delicious!!

"Watching you eat makes me want to eat too."

"Seeing you enjoy it so much makes me happy too."

"Delicious."

After such a warm and cozy meal, it’s time to clean up.

I carry the dishes to the sink with Vincent and clear the table, wiping it down.

Meanwhile, Vincent dries the dishes Ryn has washed with a towel.

"Ryn, what are your plans for today?"

"I’m thinking of going to the market. Then maybe we’ll stop by the park?"

"Sounds good."

While cleaning up, Vincent and Ryn have this conversation.

"Shopping?"

"Yes, to buy ingredients for lunch and dinner."

"…Yuri, you’ve been to the commercial district before, but this is your first time at the market, right?"

"Yep."

"In the morning, stalls selling fresh produce line the main street of the residential area, where the residents of this settlement buy their ingredients. There are a lot of options."

"Besides the basic vegetables, meat, and fish, there are seasonal vegetables and rare ingredients too."

"Wow."

I really want to go!

"Then, let’s go as soon as we finish cleaning up."

"Okay!"

Oh, I’m so excited.

I can’t help but be in a good mood as I clean up, and Vincent and Ryn look at me with incredibly warm eyes.

...It’s embarrassing.

---

And so, we arrive at the market!

Since it’s an outing, I even have a sun hat.

I look like a village girl. Objectively, I think I look very cute.

But, you know, I’m still me inside.

Anyway.

We walk for about five minutes from Vincent’s house towards the commercial district.

The scene that unfolds is like a European morning market.

Holding hands with Vincent and Ryn, we first take a quick look around.

"Ryn, good morning! Your husband is off today, and you’ve brought such a cute daughter!!"

"Good morning."

"Ryn, our pumpkins are the best today! Come by, you won’t regret it!!"

"We have freebies too!"

Voices from all over the market, from men and women alike, call out to Ryn.

Well, Ryn is a gentle and beautiful person, so it makes sense.

I also greet the vendors with Vincent and Ryn.

After a quick look around, we start shopping.

Since we already have a list, it goes quickly.

I ask about any rare items and get to try some fruit samples.

"Delicious."

As I savor the sweet seasonal fruit, I realize Vincent is smiling and paying for it.

For some reason, the freebies are more than the items we bought.

I give my best smile in gratitude, and for some reason, ingredients even come from stores we didn’t buy from.

When I saw a rare ingredient and my body trembled from the weight, not only the store owner but also the other shoppers smiled warmly.

No, I need help there. If the important item gets damaged, it’s a big deal.

After about an hour of such a pleasant shopping time, we finish.

I realize we have quite a lot of groceries.

Vincent carries them effortlessly.

"Having you around makes shopping so much easier."

"Sometimes, I have to carry the groceries."

"Today, we got a lot of freebies because Yuri was with us."

While having this conversation, we head in a different direction.

"Wait, our house is that way?"

"Since we’re out, let’s stop by the park on the way back."

"It’s just a short detour. I’m sure there will be children around Yuri’s age at the park, so you can play with them."

When I voice my question, Ryn and Vincent answer.

With their smiling faces, I nod, but...

...Can I really play with children my age? (Sweat)