After Retirement, Living a Stud Life in Another World - 139

Episode 139: Childhood Friends…

“Lutz, are you okay? It’s dangerous to space out like that.”

At the sound of Gretel’s voice beside me, I suddenly snapped back to reality. Oh dear, it seems I’ve been inadvertently picturing Beatrice’s face in my mind while swaying on horseback. I must have been indulging in sentimentality over the separation from Beatrice, who has now become my complete wife.

Come to think of it, although Gretel, who also became my wife, was supposed to be spending maximum time with me during this past week since our wedding, she had been left alone. It seems that was due to her consideration for Beatrice, who, because of her position as the Crown Princess, had to stay in the capital. However, seeing her indifferent attitude, which was quite the opposite of her usual jealousy, left me feeling a bit lonely. It’s probably just a man’s selfishness.

“Yeah, I was lost in thought. Thanks for the warning.”

“Let’s return to the capital next summer. We’ll meet again then.”

Her response seemed to acknowledge that Beatrice had been occupying my thoughts. This won’t do. We’re about to spend our first night together, yet here I am, preoccupied with Beatrice.

“Sorry, I’ll only think about Gretel today.”

“Hehe, don’t make that face. Beatrice won’t be able to see Lutz for over half a year, so it’s only fair to have him all to myself for a week, isn’t it? But…”

“But?”

“From now on, please dote on me to your heart’s content. Of course, also on Ayaka…”

I was bewildered by Gretel’s sudden transformation into a gentle and honest girl. Moreover, she seemed to have matured quite a bit to even consider the feelings of Ayaka, who would become a lower-ranking concubine. Although she hasn’t been as jealous and aggressive toward me lately, I’ve felt she’s become remarkably cute since around the time of the wedding.

Tonight, Gretel will become my… de facto wife. Imagining that… makes my heart beat faster. Uh-oh, even though we’re in the middle of a march, I’m getting energized.

The town where we will spend tonight is just around the corner.

—

Finally, we arrived at our lodging for the first day.

It’s said to be the best inn in town, but considering it’s a small town, the building, while designed with high taste, is quite old. When you open the door, it creaks, and as you walk down the hallway, it squeaks just like the nightingale floors of Nijo Castle. The only consolation is that it’s relatively clean… In any case, this rundown inn is where Gretel and I will spend our honeymoon’s first day.

“Lutz-sama. I’m inexperienced, but please take care of me from now on.”

Huh? Who is this girl bowing so formally in front of me?

Of course, her strawberry blond hair and the bright gray eyes are unmistakably those of my beloved childhood friend, Gretel. But she was never the type to speak so humbly and respectfully to a man. What on earth happened to her?

“Hey, didn’t you like it?”

Gretel suddenly changed her tone, looking surprised.

“No, it was very refreshing, but I was so surprised that I couldn’t find the words… Hey, where did you learn those manners?”

“Well, didn’t you hear that the world you came from is a society similar to the Dark Clan’s culture? So, I went to the downtown area and asked the Dark Clan Chief about various things, like how to behave on the first night, what would please men.”

Whoa. So, that’s the result of her efforts, the bowing and saying, ‘I’m inexperienced…’ It feels somewhat offbeat, but I really appreciate her efforts to liven up this night in her own way. However, being kneeled to and having fingers pointed at me by Gretel, a clearly Western beauty, feels like a scene from an old TV drama, like a foreign young landlady who married into a declining hot spring inn… It’s cute, but it feels so out of place.

“What’s that supposed to mean…”

She pouted discontentedly as I burst out laughing. Yep, this side of her, the Gretel who’s a bit stubborn and lively, is the one I like.

“Sorry, and thank you for trying so hard for me. But I love the usual strong, energetic, and slightly selfish Gretel. Ayaka has her charm, and you have yours, so let’s just act naturally… and love each other.”

“Oh… um, yes…”

Blushing at my words, Gretel looked down, seeming incredibly innocent and cute. That’s right, unlike me who’s impregnating everyone left and right without any restraint… for her, tonight is a once-in-a-lifetime anniversary.

“I’ll be as gentle as possible.”

…

Although no words were exchanged, her raised gray eyes were fixed straight on me. Slowly pressing our lips together… I placed my hand on her slightly trembling back and gently sank her into the sea of sheets.