Chapter 16

Chapter 16: Storm Approaching

When I opened my eyes, it was just dawn.

Ugh… My head felt slightly sore.

This body’s alcohol tolerance seems quite poor… The abyssal monsters are so weak. Not only did they fall after one cup, but there was also menstruation.

This is not what we agreed upon!

It seems I blacked out; I can’t remember what happened last night.

I shook my head hard, trying to recall the fragmented memories.

Hmm… It seems there was some fighting… Elia came to chat with me… pre-wedding anxiety… Then I went to the toilet, and then what?

“What should I say…”

The familiar voice suddenly echoed in my mind! My eyes snapped open!

Last night, I met the bearded swordsman!!

Instantly, cold sweat broke out.

What happened!?

I frantically searched my body… My head was still here, my arms and legs were fine too.

I’m alive! Why didn’t he kill me? And how did I get back?

He… seemed to have said something to me. What did he say?

Can’t remember.

Creaking sound, the door of the room was pushed open.

“Little Hill, you’re already up, breakfast will be ready soon.”

Grandma’s voice sounded from outside the door.

“…Oh.”

During the meal, I appeared deep in thought.

“Little Hill, what are you thinking about? You’re almost eating it through your nose.”

“Grandma. Last night, how did I, come back home?”

“We wanted to ask you too, do you know how scared you made us!” Elia, who had been silent during the meal, suddenly slammed the table, “You went to the toilet and ran so far away, I waited until the party almost ended and still didn’t see you return! Everyone was almost frantic, searching everywhere for you!! They said… They said you might have been carried away by wild wolves…”

Her voice was unusually stern, and her eyes turned red at the end.

“I’m sorry.”

Seeing Elia’s deeply hidden fear in her eyes, I couldn’t say anything more and immediately apologized.

“It’s not your fault, it’s mine. I was also drunk, I let you go to the toilet alone…”

Her tone shifted from stern to self-blame.

“Hill sister, don’t drink anymore in the future.”

Barry’s face was swollen, and he frowned tightly, speaking with a muffled voice.

“Barry, your face?”

“…Do you even remember?”

I shook my head.

“…Forget it, it’s nothing, just fought someone.” Barry avoided eye contact and quickly changed the subject, “Hill sister, yesterday I couldn’t stop you, you’re a girl, you shouldn’t act like that.”

…You are a girl too.

“Where did you find me?”

“We didn’t find you, Grandma discovered you. You were like a cat, curled up sleeping at the door.”

“I, came back by myself?”

What about the bearded swordsman, did anyone see him?

“Yes! Probably walked back on your own after drinking too much, you really don’t remember at all?”

“I don’t remember…”

“Alright, let’s not talk about this, the most important thing is that you’re safe. Come, Little Hill, open your mouth.” Grandma scooped up a spoonful of vegetable soup, blew on it twice, and fed it to me, “Last night, I happened to go out to collect clothes, otherwise Grandma wouldn’t have known you were sleeping at the door, what if you caught a cold… That rascal Ryan, I’ll make Doug teach him a lesson properly.”

The warm soup filled my stomach, dispelling the lingering smell of alcohol.

On the simple dining table, a warmth named home lingered in my heart.

Sometimes, it may be difficult to tell if someone is lying to you, but you can always instantly recognize that sincere heart.

“I won’t do it again.”

After repeatedly assuring, this matter was put to rest.

After breakfast, I took some copper coins from Grandma and went to Uncle Doyle to buy meat.

Along the way, I encountered many kind greetings.

“Hey, Little Hill, you’re fine.”

“Little Hill, you really worried Little Barry yesterday, hahaha.”

“Little Hill, if you’re naughty again, Grandma will spank your bottom~”

“Little Hill, come, uncle will take you to watch wrestling.”

…Just ignore the last one.

“Little Hill, sorry yesterday, I drank too much horse urine, I was out of my mind.” Seeing Uncle Doyle, he scratched his head embarrassedly, “It’s really good that everything turned out fine, otherwise Uncle wouldn’t know how to explain to Grandma Claire.”

“Uncle, I’m fine.”

I gave him a sweet smile, making him feel even more ashamed.

“Here, this is the fresh front leg of the wild boar killed yesterday, look! Fresh and hot, hahaha! Here you go!”

Uncle Doyle held up a large piece of pig leg and handed it over.

“Uncle, I don’t have enough money.”

“No need, this is Uncle’s gift to you, a small token of affection. You don’t know how badly your aunt scolded me when I got home yesterday! If you don’t accept it, Uncle might get scolded again tonight.”

“Really, no need…”

“Take it!” Seeing me hesitate, Uncle Doyle forcefully stuffed the pig leg into my arms, “By the way, isn’t little Elia getting married soon? Uncle doesn’t have much to give, this is also an early blessing for her! Allen is a nice guy, his father and I are close friends, Little Hill, don’t be so polite!”

In the end, I couldn’t resist Uncle’s persistence.

When I returned home with the big pig leg,

Grandmother was discussing the upcoming wedding with Alia.

“……I wonder if Father Merlin will have time. He’s so busy, it would be rude to trouble him… Ah! Xiao Shi, where did you get that wild boar leg!”

Alia’s eyes lit up when she saw the meat I was holding.

“Uncle Doyle sent it.”

“How nice of Uncle Doyle!”

“Xiao Shi, put the wild boar leg away.” Grandmother glanced at me and then pointed at Alia, “Don’t change the subject, my dear. A wedding without a priest’s blessing wouldn’t be proper. Tomorrow I’ll go to the town to find the priest; I still have some face left.”

“No, Grandma, Allen’s father has already arranged for a monk to lead the ceremony!”

“A monk or a priest, who is closer to God? If possible, I’d like to invite His Excellency the Bishop.”

“Grandma! Why do you have to run around at your age!”

“What do you mean by running around? Young lady, how can you speak like that? You don’t even care about your own wedding!”

“There’s Allen, he’ll take care of everything.”

Alia pouted.

“Grandma, tomorrow, I’ll go.”

I put the meat in the kitchen and interjected.

“You’ve never been to the town, you don’t even know where the church is. Don’t meddle. Anyway, let’s not talk about this anymore.”

Grandmother took out a long light blue dress.

Blue represents loyalty in this world. The dress was quite simple compared to the elaborate modern dresses, but it was handmade by Grandmother for Alia’s wedding.

“Alia, try this on.”

“Oh~ How beautiful, thank you Grandma!”

Alia happily took the dress into the room.

“Xiao Shi, how is the hymn going? Don’t push yourself too hard.”

I had mentioned to Grandmother that I would lead the wedding hymn, and I had been practicing every night recently. Due to my pronunciation issues, it had been extremely difficult, but I could now sing it completely. When everyone in the church sang along, no one would notice any problems.

“Mmm! I can do it.”

“Xiao Shi, you’re so good.”

Grandmother patted my head, and I immediately closed my eyes and snuggled into her arms.

No matter what happened, even if I didn’t do well, Grandmother never criticized me, always giving me the best first.

This must be what it feels like to be loved.

“Grandma! Xiao Shi! Come quick, how does it look~”

Dressed in the new gown, Alia skipped over, lifted her skirt, and twirled gracefully, radiating joy.

“Alia, you look beautiful.”

She was far from beautiful, but such a simple and plain happiness was more heart-stirring than pure beauty.

“Hehe.” Alia hugged me happily, “How could our Xiao Shi not be the most beautiful!”

“Alia, don’t worry anymore?”

I remembered the words Alia told me last night.

“Annoying, Xiao Shi still remembers those words… I was just drunk, but I really like Allen…”

Alia showed a rare bashful expression.

“……Is the shoulder a bit wide? Stand still, let me measure, we need to adjust it these two days.”

“Grandma~ Can’t you praise me first!”

“Beautiful, beautiful, my Alia is naturally beautiful~”

“Thank you, Grandma~” Alia kissed her grandmother’s cheek.

“Alia, here, take this.”

I took out a blue satin ribbon tied in a bow from the small room and gave it to Alia.

“This is made by Xiao Shi, he pricked his fingers several times, such a silly boy.”

“Really? Thank you, Xiao Shi.”

Alia kissed me on the cheek as well.

“Alia, be happy.”

“Yes, definitely.”

…………

There were still two days until the wedding.

Grandmother Claire went to the neighboring town early in the morning, while Alia went to Allen’s house.

“Xiaoshi sister, do you think Alia will like this hairband?”

Barry turned the hairband over and over in his hands. He had specially gone to the neighboring village yesterday to ask someone to make this hairband for the wedding day.

“She will. You’ve asked me eight times.”

My gaze at Barry was quite impatient.

“……Fine. Anyway, even if she doesn’t like it, she can’t say anything. Otherwise, I won’t talk to her for the rest of my life.”

“Don’t you want to find Alia?”

“That’s right, there’s too much to prepare, I need to hurry over to help. Xiaoshi sister isn’t coming?”

“I’m going to pick fresh flowers.”

For the next two days, I had to go to the forest to pick enough flowers to make bouquets to decorate the church.

The workload was quite heavy.

I planned to make the most beautiful wreath to wear on the wedding day for Alia, making her the prettiest bride in the village.

“Oh, be careful. I’m off!”

Barry left.

I carried a bamboo basket, humming a tune as I walked toward the forest.

At noon, the sun and gentle breeze were warm, bathing the peaceful little village.

I walked on the muddy path.

As I approached the forest, I gradually stopped, looking puzzled at the nearby hill.

There, I felt a presence.

A very familiar and comforting presence.

—

End of translation.