The Possessor Mistook the Genre for 20 Years

60 – Treating the Hero to a Homemade Meal

“Franz, compared to the Magic Tower, my house is shabby and unimpressive, isn’t it?”

Yuna laughed awkwardly, as if embarrassed.

Indeed, compared to the Magic Tower, her house was quite shabby.

But how many houses wouldn’t look shabby compared to the Magic Tower?

If you put 100 houses where commoners live next to each other, all 100 would look shabby.

So, it’s more accurate to say that the Magic Tower is exceptional rather than saying commoners’ houses are shabby.

And objectively speaking, Yuna’s house wasn’t bad at all.

I thought the interior would be similar since the exterior was shabby, but surprisingly, the interior was quite decent.

Should I say it felt rather endearing?

Living in a place like this didn’t seem so bad.

It was exactly like the log cabin I once saw on TV.

Of course, it’s probably because I already have everything I need that I can think this way.

“Well, I’m fine. Don’t worry too much.”

Franz, too, had lived in a semi-basement during the 21st century when he had black hair, so he had no particular complaints.

Even if he did have complaints, he wasn’t foolish enough to voice them.

“That’s a relief. I was worried you might feel bad because it’s dirty.”

“Me? Do I look like that kind of person?”

“No, absolutely not…!”

Yuna widened her eyes and waved her hands side to side.

‘I almost got hurt.’

Of course, even if Yuna thought that way, he had no right to say anything because of what he had done in the past.

Honestly, back then, he had been a bit strict.

To be honest, he had to risk his life every moment, and there were times when his life was actually in danger. If he hadn’t been that way, he might have died by now.

But haven’t I been treating her well lately?

Even if it was because of the quest given by the status window.

“Anyway, I’m glad you’re okay.”

“But where are your mother and sister?”

No matter how late it was, they should have shown up by now, but they were nowhere to be seen.

“Yeah, they said they had to go buy something in the village for a bit.”

“Yuna, I don’t know if I should say this… Is it okay to send them alone…?”

Franz asked in a very cautious tone.

Yuna’s mother and sister had been captured by Duke Ishtar and subjected to terrible experiments.

He was worried that their bodies might not have fully recovered.

Yuna answered with a pouty face.

“Right?! I’m worried too. But mom and Yuria keep saying they’re fine. It’s so frustrating.”

“Well, they probably don’t want to make you worry.”

“But I’m still worried…”

Yuna drooped her shoulders.

It’s only natural that Yuna would be worried, given what happened to her family after so many years.

But I also understand the family’s desire not to burden Yuna with their worries.

Their mutual concern for each other is so great that it becomes complicated.

“Keep a close eye on them. But don’t be overly protective.”

“Got it…”

“Weren’t you supposed to be preparing a meal? Are you just going to stand there? I’m hungry.”

“Oh, sorry. I’ll get it ready right away. You sit there for a moment.”

Yuna, snapping back to reality, hurried off somewhere.

I didn’t want to say it, as it felt like I was rushing someone who was already doing me a favor, but if I left her alone, she would probably stay gloomy.

‘Honestly, she always smiles, but she’s so delicate inside.’

Franz thought this as he found a suitable place to sit.

He then began to slowly look around the house.

From the clothes hanging here and there to the household items, it wasn’t tidy, but it felt very much like a home.

If I were to marry someone, living in a house like this wouldn’t be so bad.

Fishing at the lake, living harmoniously with the family.

Eating the meals my wife prepared…

Meals?

Come to think of it, was Yuna good at cooking?

His train of thought took a strangely odd turn.

Franz tried to recall a day when Yuna had cooked for him.

They had traveled together for years, so there must have been at least one time.

For one thing, Yuna ate well.

Not as much as Hera, but Yuna could eat quite a lot too.

Cooking…

‘Why can’t I remember?’

In fact, the ones in charge of cooking for the hero party were Franz and Justia.

Hera and Yuna were in charge of eating.

Still, I thought there would be at least one time, but since I can’t remember, it probably never happened.

Maybe she makes inedible food.

But since she spoke so confidently, that probably wouldn’t be the case.

‘This won’t do.’

Eventually, the anxious Franz stood up from his seat.

If I’m going to check anyway, it’s better to move a little earlier.

Tap, tap, tap-.

As he followed Yuna’s footsteps, the familiar sound of a knife hitting a cutting board soon reached his ears.

Judging by the consistent sound, it seemed she had some skill with the knife.

Soon, Franz found Yuna cooking in the kitchen.

“Yuna…?”

“Hm? Franz, why?”

Yuna was chopping vegetables, wearing an apron.

Her natural movements suggested she was quite used to cooking.

Well, she did confidently say she would cook, so of course she would be good at it.

He felt sorry for doubting her.

“No, I just wondered if you needed any help.”

“You can just sit and relax. I want to do it today, so just accept my… Ah…”

Yuna, who had been speaking naturally, suddenly let out a sigh.

Did she cut herself because he distracted her?

Hoping that wasn’t the case, Franz approached her.

“Yuna, why? Are you hurt?”

“No, I’m fine…”

“Then?”

“I made a mistake with the knife and it touched my finger. But the knife tip broke.”

…?

So, the knife and her finger touched, but her finger won.

It was hard to believe, but with Yuna’s warrior-like body, it was entirely possible.

“Then should I just go back?”

“Ah, yes. Come when I call you later.”

“Got it.”

Franz turned around and went back to where he had been.

If he kept talking to her, it seemed the knife would be left with only the handle.

By the way, why has he never cooked for the hero party despite being so good at it?

‘Well, there must be a reason for that.’

Since there’s no point in obsessing over the past, he decided to let it go.

How much time had passed like that?

“Franz, come here for a moment-.”

At Yuna’s call, Franz immediately headed towards her.

“Can you taste this and see if it’s seasoned properly?”

Yuna’s face was filled with tension.

It was only natural, as she was presenting food she had made herself to someone else.

“Sure, that’s not difficult.”

“Here. Ah-.”

As Franz responded, Yuna eagerly scooped up some stew with a spoon and held it out to him.

Without thinking, Franz naturally accepted it.

“Oh, it’s good. Delicious.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, really good.”

The stew Yuna made was truly delicious.

It was good enough to eat without suspicion even if it came from a famous restaurant.

“Thank goodness. Then go and wait. I’ll bring it over soon.”

“Okay.”

Franz returned to where he had been.

Before long, Yuna began placing the finished dishes on the table one by one.

Soon, Yuna sat across from Franz, and the meal began.

“Yuna, you’re a good cook.”

“Oh, it’s not that great.”

Despite her words, a smile spread across Yuna’s lips, showing her happiness.

“I think your food is delicious, Franz.”

“Really? Then I’ll make it for you next time. Come with your family.”

“Got it. Let me know when it’s convenient.”

Franz and Yuna continued their light conversation as they enjoyed their meal.

And it was around the time when the meal was coming to an end.

“Have you talked to your family?”

Franz brought up the main topic.

He was asking if she had discussed living in the Ishtar mansion with her family.

“They both said it was fine, but they were worried if it would be okay with you.”

“I’m fine. If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t have suggested it in the first place.”

“Thank you, though. For always worrying about me and caring.”

“…Yeah.”

Franz felt embarrassed by Yuna’s gratitude and lowered his head, eating his stew.

He still wasn’t used to such things.

After a while, when his emotions had somewhat settled, Franz continued speaking.

“I need to receive the title of duke first. Just stay here until then. It won’t take long. I’ve asked them to schedule it as soon as possible.”

“You don’t have to go that far. Anyway, I understand.”

A gentle smile spread across Yuna’s face.

It wasn’t a forced smile, but one that came from genuine happiness.

As more time passed, the once full plates were now empty.

Franz stood up from his seat after finishing his meal.

“Yuna, I’ll be going now. Thanks for the food.”

“Sure, come again next time. Oh, right, by then, it won’t be ‘coming’ but ‘returning’ since I’ll be living at your place.”

Both the fact that she would be living at his place and the idea of ‘returning’ were quite subtle.

Franz didn’t take it seriously and left Yuna’s house.

* * * * *

The next day.

‘Finally, a day with nothing to do.’

No plans.

That was exactly what Franz had been longing for.

Of course, that didn’t mean he could skip work, as there were still tasks to be done.

But it didn’t take long for Franz’s peace to be disrupted.

“Master of the tower, I found this stuck in the wall…”

Arian, who had just arrived at work, came straight to him and handed something over.

It was an arrow with a letter tied to it.

There was only one person who would do such a thing.

‘Hera.’

I told her she could just send a normal letter, but she never listens and does things like this.

She claims to be a slave, but it seems she has no intention of obeying.

Franz sighed as he untied the letter from the arrow and unfolded it.