Lena’s wounds were getting better each day, and her body was slowly returning to normal.
The small village was peaceful and quiet, almost like it was cut off from the rest of the world. Even though it was
close to Centrolis, it didn’t have the busy feel of a big city.
Lena liked the vibe there. She would often sit in the yard, looking at the flowers growing freely, taking deep breaths,
and listening to birds singing.
At meal times, Chris would come to get her. The first time Lena saw the fancy meal Chris had made—four dishes
and soup—her calm expression turned into one of amazement.
“How is it?” Chris, who still had on an apron, proudly showed her the dishes. “Try it. It’s going to make your taste
buds dance!”
“How did you learn to cook like this? I thought…”
“Thought I’d blow up the kitchen like those two spoiled heirs?” Chris chuckled.
He had shredded the potatoes that way back in the Thompsons the last time just to preserve Zuko’s pride.
“When I first joined the military, I was assigned to the mess hall. Frying, sautéing, and cooking are all basic skills!”
Lena stared at him in a daze. Whenever he came close, she could smell the lingering aroma of cooking on him. She
remembered someone saying that men were cuter when they cooked than when they smoked. She understood it
now.
Who wouldn’t want to share their life with a man who possessed both a rugged charm and domestic qualities? Plus,
he was adept at handling a sniper rifle…
A light blush appeared on Lena’s cheeks, but the slight flutter in her heart settled swiftly like a warm iron smoothing
out wrinkled fabric.
Chris readied another meal that night and called her in from the yard.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtLena’s movement was still limited, so Chris had been carrying her to and fro the house whenever necessary these
days. Today was the same—gently, he settled her into her seat.
“I’ve cooked fried mushroom slices.” Chris beamed. “They’re fresh from the lady who lives at the beginning of the
village! Have a taste.”
Lena pursed her lips slightly.
Chris had an outgoing personality. While he stayed in the village, he occasionally assisted the villagers with tasks
besides taking care of Lena. Gradually, the villagers grew attached to him.
Lena recalled a specific day when a middle-aged woman living at the village’s entrance appeared as if she intended
to introduce her daughter to Chris.
An uncomfortable feeling stirred within her. She took a bite of the mushroom slice but sensed no freshness.
Instead, it left a sour taste in her mouth.
Setting her fork down abruptly, Lena fixed her gaze on Chris.
Caught off guard by her intense stare, Chris dropped the mushroom slice he had just picked up back onto the plate,
his eyes widening as he looked at her.
“W-What’s… What’s the matter?”
Lena stared at him momentarily, then uttered a few words through her gritted teeth, “Too sour, not good.”
Chris initially looked at her with an innocent expression before bursting into laughter. “I added vinegar dressing for
the salad! Who told you to dip the mushroom in it? Hahaha…”
As his eyes met Lena’s, his laughter abruptly stopped.
Lena looked downward, considering that she might have been imagining things. She had mistakenly placed the fried
mushroom into the vinegar dressing dish.
“Um… Maybe try something else?” Chris attempted to appease her, sliding a plate of shrimp her way. He added
with a smile, “I was thinking of preparing some raw sliced fish for you, but I don’t want to take chances since your
injuries haven’t completely healed yet. It’s better to avoid raw foods… I promise, once you’re better, I’ll make it!”
Lena glanced at him and then at the vinegar dressing plate. She remembered that Chris didn’t know how to make
the dressing—but the woman did, and her daughter was even better at it!
With that realization, Lena’s jealousy began to ferment slowly…
Meanwhile, Chris, unaware of what Lena was thinking, felt confused. Was there really no food on this table that she
liked?
Reflecting on this, he set down his utensils and remained seated, motionless.
“L-Lena.” He grinned awkwardly, attempting to change the subject. “Let’s talk about how you got hurt. Why are you
so certain that Kaitlyn had someone attack you?”
Lena maintained a blank expression. “She’s the most suspicious.”
“Just because she once snooped around Uncle Nicholas’ study?”
“Yes,” Lena replied lightly. “Also, she thinks I’m not normal. Someone who thinks someone else is odd must be
suspicious, too.”
“Well…” Chris was both amused and exasperated.
This was a new kind of reasoning to him, yet it strangely made sense.
“Forgive my bluntness, Lena.” He continued. “In the military, we never really encountered this sort of logic.
Normally, when everyone considers someone odd, that person is often the one who’s actually different.
“But, you see, you don’t really fit that pattern. Because, from our viewpoint, neither you nor Kaitlyn quite fit the
norm.”
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm“Oh?” Lena raised an eyebrow. “Are you trying to reason with me?”
“I’m just trying to analyze…” Chris’s voice faded as he looked at her. Then he changed what he was about to say.
“My analysis is probably wrong. I’ve spent many years in the military, and there’s a gap between military
knowledge and everyday life.”
“Okay, good to know.” Lena nodded and replied, “People often think I’m different, but that doesn’t bother me. I just
want to follow my heart…”
“Your heart… does it belong to the Thompsons?” Chris asked cautiously, “Or is it all about Pammy?”
“Yes,” Lena said firmly.
“Why?”
Lena lowered her gaze and stayed quiet.
“Can you share with me? I’m quite curious,” Chris grinned. “Is there some history between you and the
Thompsons? You were right by Pammy’s side, guarding her closely on her wedding day! Zuko even got a bit
jealous!”
Lena remained silent as she poured the vinegar dressing onto the salad and took a bite.
The dressing was skillfully prepared…
While eating, she imagined a scene where Chris and the woman’s daughter laughed together while making the
dressing in the kitchen.
Unbeknownst to Chris, who was trying to engage Lena in conversation, her imagination was running wild. He
persistently questioned why she treated Lina so well.
“Why? Lena, why?”
Growing irritated, Lena felt a sour taste in her mouth and her heart. She snapped, “Why do you ask? I like her,
okay?”
Chris was taken aback, and the food in his mouth suddenly lost its flavor…