Chapter 68 Solitude
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
As expected, their breakfast had gone cold after the earlier passion. Yuuri coaxed Ashley out of her tearful apologies, warming the dishes again until they both found a truce of sorts. She led him down the long corridor toward the kitchen, but even then, he couldn’t help but glance about with curiosity. He would have to greet her family someday—best to know the place.
”This building looks rather old,” Yuuri murmured. “Not lavish, but dignified—and very well kept.”
Ashley smiled with pride. “It was built four generations ago. Reinforced with magic so it would last through the ages. Our servants maintain it every day, so even a surprise visit from you, Yuuri, would bring us no shame.”
Her chest lifted proudly as she said it, the loose collar of her uniform shifting slightly with the motion. Yuuri looked away before guilt could settle too heavily on him—admiring a noble lady in her own house felt unforgivably improper. He turned his gaze to the manicured gardens instead. Every path and hedge spoke of care and reverence. This, he thought, was a house truly worthy of respect.
The realization struck harder then: he had reduced this well-born daughter, this cherished child of a noble family, to a servant. The weight of that truth pressed down on his shoulders. No apology would mean anything unless he gained enough power—enough authority—to make amends. The thought left his stomach twisting in unease.
Still, he smiled as Ashley chatted proudly about her home.
”So this is the kitchen,” he said when they arrived. “It’s… enormous.”
”Of course,” she replied lightly. “A Count’s household must be ready to entertain guests at any moment.”
They talked as they descended, and when they reached the servants’ wing, Yuuri realized the kitchen was far larger than necessary. Before he could ask, Ashley explained with quiet pride, “We don’t separate the kitchens of the household and the servants. Our first lord shared every meal with those who served him, and we’ve honored that tradition ever since.”
”I see,” Yuuri said softly. “That fits this country.”
The Kingdom of Restea had grown by uniting its people around the exploration of the labyrinths. In battle and discovery alike, status meant little when everyone risked their lives together. The Alegria Count family, one of the founding houses, had kept that bond alive—even here, in the design of their home.
He almost winced at how deeply his own actions had insulted that legacy. But hunger soon won out; after their morning exertions, his stomach was rumbling pitifully. Ashley invited him to wait in the adjoining servants’ hall, but he insisted on helping instead.
”Even preserved food—and vegetables, too?” he said, peering into the pantry.
”Yes,” she replied. “Though some were already spoiling. It must be a partial re-creation of our real home.”
While the food warmed over a magical stove, Yuuri explored the storeroom. He wanted to judge how long a servant’s personal realm—this strange replica of Ashley’s home—could sustain them. The kitchen was stocked just enough for a day or two; enough to rest, not to live.
Ashley sighed in quiet relief. “It’s… comforting, somehow.”
Yuuri chuckled. “True. Even when I hold you, I’d rather not worry about starving halfway through.”
She flushed at the remark. Though they both knew that a servant could always create a ‘gate’ to leave, Yuuri preferred to treat their time together as more than mere ritual. Whatever the reason, he didn’t want intimacy reduced to a mechanical act.
Ashley glanced up, eyes softening. Then she looked down, cheeks pink. “No, Yuuri. I’m relieved we can’t stay too long.”
He blinked, puzzled, then slowly understood. Her face was scarlet to the tips of her ears.
”Ah,” he said at last.
”Right?” she murmured.
He nodded heavily, embarrassed but amused. If the food here were endless, he would probably never leave. Perhaps that was the goddess’s will—that they only linger briefly before returning to the world outside.
”But wouldn’t you be happy, Ashley,” he teased gently, “to be alone with me forever?”
Her smile was wistful. “Of course I would. But if that were allowed, you’d end up doing the same with every other girl.”
The sharp glare that followed silenced him. She wasn’t wrong. Even if time flowed differently here, staying too long would only distance him from the others. A brief stay, then, was the wisest course.
”So,” she said softly, “let’s leave soon. Even a single night apart makes you a Yuuri I don’t know anymore. I don’t want that.”
He nodded, humbled. “You’re right. A night is plenty.”
For a moment, he thought of how foolish he’d been—thinking he could dote on each servant endlessly. The ones left behind had no way to miss him at all. Perhaps Shelm, in her design, had meant this world as a short respite, not an escape.
Ashley smiled faintly. “Even if my memory fades someday… I still want to stay within your sight, Yuuri. Always.”
”All right,” Yuuri said at last. “I’ll talk to the other two about it. I don’t want any of you feeling uneasy. We’ll make good use of this ability—flaws and all—by deciding together.”
He drew Ashley into his arms, holding the wife who, even as a servant, spoke her mind without fear. He might have lingered longer in the warmth of her body, but the aroma of reheated breakfast drifted from the stove, and his stomach betrayed him with a loud growl. Both laughed, flustered, and parted. Working in graceful harmony, they plated the meal again and carried it to the servants’ hall.
”This brings back memories,” Yuuri said as he sat down. “Didn’t think I’d find village food like this in a Count’s mansion.”
Ashley smiled as she poured the soup. “We’re far from the capital, after all. Even a noble house must rely on what the land can provide.”
In Restea, fine ingredients mostly came from the labyrinth. That left little to export, and so each region depended on its own harvests. The Count family made it a point to eat as their people did—to share in the same sustenance that kept the land alive.
The meal—warm bread, a soup of beans and smoked meat, bright vegetables—was simple but heartfelt. It reminded Yuuri of his childhood village, of the mornings he’d dreamed might one day belong to a peaceful married life. To live that dream here, even as imitation, filled him with both awkward joy and tender gratitude.
”You managed all this while I was sleeping?” he asked, astonished.
Ashley laughed softly. “I used the skill I gained last night—it let me finish much faster.”
Indeed, even the bread and broth were crafted with care. When Yuuri praised her, she playfully stuck out her tongue. “I may have overdone it a little,” she admitted.
”Well, we did tire ourselves out,” he chuckled.
”Yes♡ Thanks to that, I could use the [Cooking] skill to finish early—and wake you up properly♡.”
The result had been their passionate morning, but Yuuri wasn’t about to complain. Still, better to steer the talk toward the flavor of the meal before she teased him further. And truthfully, it was delicious.
By the time they finished, sunlight filled the dining room. A late breakfast, but one that felt timeless.
Afterward, they decided to gather any materials or items that might serve as components for future skills before leaving the replica of Alegria Manor. Ashley, who would return to the workshop first, searched for rare ingredients and fine fabrics that could be used for sewing or enchantment. One thing led to another, and soon they were standing before the master bedroom.
Yuuri hesitated. “Ashley, maybe not that room. It doesn’t feel right.”
”It will all vanish once we leave,” she said gently. “Better that we use what’s here while we can.”
Even so, the thought of stepping into her parents’ private chamber felt wrong. He had already taken their daughter’s freedom—how could he face them after invading their space as well?
Ashley smiled knowingly. “Then let me handle it. You prepare lunch instead. I’d love to taste your cooking this time.”
He sighed, defeated. “All right, but don’t expect much. I can cook enough to eat, not enough to impress.”
”That’s fine,” she said warmly. “We’re husband and wife. It doesn’t need to be fancy—just yours.”
”Understood,” he replied, laughing. “Leave it to me, then.”
She whispered, “I’m counting on you,” and slipped away toward the lord’s chambers. As the great door closed behind her, Yuuri couldn’t help but smile. Bound though she was by a powerful skill, Ashley had never lost her will. When needed, she even commanded him with calm authority—a sign of deep trust between them.
He watched her go, thinking that her confidence made him seem small by comparison. Her leadership was real, his own strength a borrowed mask. The truth stung, but it was necessary.
”Yeah,” he muttered, scratching his head. “I’m not catching up anytime soon.”
In truth, his victories were few—and mostly confined to the bedroom. Even that balance felt precarious. With a wry grin, he turned back toward the kitchen to start lunch.
* * *
Later, by midday, their bags were packed. Ashley stood by the glowing ‘gate,’ dressed again in her plain apron dress.
”Nothing forgotten?” she asked.
”Just this tuxedo,” Yuuri said with a grin. “As long as we’ve got everything else, we’re fine.”
After a last shared meal, they stood before the fading illusion of the Alegria estate. Their luggage—clothes wrapped in heavy drapery—rested by their feet. Ashley hoisted the bundle easily and faced him.
”Then, I’ll go first,” she said softly. “Please, return soon.”
”I will,” he promised. “I don’t want to make you lonely.”
Even among servants who shared the same bond, the ache of watching a beloved husband depart for another woman was no small thing. They both knew that. And as agreed that morning, he would spend no more than one night with each.
Ashley nodded silently. Already her tone, her posture, had shifted back to that of a noblewoman’s attendant—composed and proper.
Yet in her heart, Yuuri knew, she wanted to speak to him again as the girl she once was.
Was that yearning part of her plan—to leave him aching with the same solitude she felt?
He didn’t know. Watching her step through the curtain of light, Yuuri stood alone on the balcony, the last rays of the setting sun painting the sky in amber. The view stretched across the recreated hills of her homeland—so real it hurt, yet a place that never truly existed.
’Someday,’ he vowed silently, ‘I’ll stand here again with her—and see this world through her eyes.’
With that promise, Yuuri reached toward the shimmering edge of the ‘gate.’
Notes:
• Ashley – Count’s daughter, royal attendant, has a crush on Yuuri.
• Restea – Yuuri’s homeland.
• Shelm – Wicked Goddess, reincarnated Yuuri, manipulative, wants him to use his power.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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