The sunlight poured lazily through the massive window of the guild's gifted mansion, cutting through the sheer curtains and painting the room in a golden warmth. Dust motes floated lazily in the air, catching the light like tiny sparks.
Shiki sat in the chair beside the oversized bed, one arm resting on the armrest, the other draped over his lap. The virtual world's subtle hum was always there in the background—like the faint buzz of life—but at this moment, it was just him and her.
Ai lay sprawled on the bed, hair messy, lips slightly parted, her slow breaths making her chest rise and fall in rhythm. Even the light caught her face in a way that felt too perfect.
It was the same damn face.
Same lips. Same nose. Same way she curled slightly on her side.
The memories came without asking.
A different room. A different time.
The scent of breakfast in the air. The sound of her voice, teasing him awake.
The faint swell of her stomach—his child.
The week they'd set aside for their wedding.
And then—
Shiki blinked hard, forcing the image away. Not now.
He looked back at Ai. His Ai. Or not his. Whatever the hell she was right now.
She stirred faintly, murmuring something incoherent before her lashes fluttered. Slowly, she blinked awake, her eyes adjusting to the light. And the first thing she saw was him—sitting there with that infuriating smirk.
"Good morning, Wife," Shiki greeted, raising his right hand in a lazy wave.
Ai's eyes widened before color flooded her cheeks. "H-huh… Were you looking at me this whole time?"
"What can I say…" Shiki shrugged, leaning back casually. "My wife looked so cute in her sleep."
Her blush deepened instantly. "I- I am not–"
"Oh… Then who was the one who shouted 'wife' in front of that busty receptionist the other day?" she countered, voice trembling in mock offense.
"S-shut up."
Ai pouted, rolling onto her back and crossing her arms like a sulking child.
Shiki tilted his head. "Why're you so angry?"
"You left last night," Ai muttered, her voice small.
"Huh? I told you I needed to sleep too. I can't just—"
"Baka…" she interrupted, cheeks pink. "I know… but I was so lonely."
"Oh…" Shiki scratched the back of his neck.
"The guild gave us this huge mansion, and this bed is really comfortable compared to the hills… but it was lonely," Ai said, her tone a blend of cuteness and mild accusation.
A slow smirk tugged at his lips. "…So, were you thinking about me the whole night, kitten?"
"S-shut up!" she cried, her blush flaring full-force.
Shiki chuckled again, leaning forward so his elbows rested on his knees. "That's a yes."
"No, it's not!" she barked, turning her head away.
"Mhm. Sure."
There was a beat of silence before Ai peeked at him from the corner of her eye. "If you really want me to forgive you…"
Shiki arched a brow. "Oh? There's a condition now?"
"Yes." She sat up, pointing a finger at him like she was issuing an imperial decree. "You have to feed me. Yourself."
Shiki blinked, then grinned slowly. "…You mean like, hold the spoon and everything?"
"Yes."
He leaned back in his chair, pretending to think. "…That sounds suspiciously like something a spoiled wifr would say."
"Exactly. I'm your wife, remember? Your spoiled wife."
"Tch." He stood, moving toward the bed. "You're really milking that 'wife' thing, huh?"
Ai's lips curled into a smug smile. "You started it."
The moment Shiki pushed open the bar's double doors, the smell of roasted meat, ale, and woodsmoke rolled over them like a wave. The warm glow of lanternlight spilled across rows of wooden tables, clinking mugs, and low chatter.
Except… the chatter wasn't the same as yesterday.
Heads turned.
Eyes flicked toward him.
And then—almost immediately—those eyes darted away.
Men and women alike suddenly found their drinks, their plates, or the empty corners of the room very interesting.
Shiki didn't need anyone to tell him why.
Word traveled fast in towns like this. Faster than plague, faster than fire. Yesterday's display of power, the casual reveal of what he was—it had already reached every ear worth hearing.
GOD-Class.
Not "maybe" or "rumor has it." No. Confirmed.
And the woman with him? His wife, Ai. A-Class in her own right, beautiful enough to draw stares even without the title.
He could practically feel the mixture of awe and fear in the air. No one wanted to be the idiot who pissed off someone who could flatten the city with a flick of his wrist.
Shiki's smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as his boots clicked against the wood floor.
And then he saw her.
Eline.
The voluptuous maid from the day before, wearing the same dangerously low-cut white blouse that seemed to defy the laws of fabric support. Her corset cinched her waist just enough to draw the eye lower, the ruffled skirt riding high over smooth thighs framed by black stockings and garters. She carried a tray of drinks with the kind of grace that wasn't really necessary — but oh, she made sure you noticed.
She straightened, brushed a strand of hair from her face, and turned toward the entrance.
Her gaze swept over the customers, then landed on them. Or more specifically… on him.
For a moment, she froze.
Then her lips curled into that knowing smile—the kind that promised trouble.
"Well, well…" she said, gliding toward them with her usual sway of the hips. "Look who came back."
The few men sitting nearby noticed where she was headed. Their gazes flicked to Shiki, then instantly down to their mugs again. One even shifted uncomfortably, like Shiki's presence alone made the ale in his glass heavier.
Shiki caught the reactions, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Guess we're famous now, huh?"
He made his way toward a corner table—the same table as yesterday—but this time, instead of sitting across from Ai, he slid onto the bench beside her. Close enough that their shoulders brushed.
Ai tilted her head, brows faintly furrowed. "…You're sitting next to me?"
"Of course," Shiki said casually. "I need to be in feeding range."
Her lips parted slightly, a flush creeping onto her cheeks. "…Idiot."
Before she could argue further, Eline arrived.
She leaned forward slightly on the table, very slightly, just enough for her heavy cleavage to take center stage. "Master Shiki," she purred, her eyes lingering on him longer than polite. "Thank you for coming again. We heard all about your performance yesterday."
Ai's eyes narrowed into slits instantly.
Without hesitation, Ai looped her arm around Shiki and pulled herself flush against him. Her soft chest pressed firmly against his shoulder, her head tilting toward him with a sweet but venomous smile.
"Yes… he did," Ai said, her tone sharp enough to cut glass. "Now take our order… and leave."
Eline didn't flinch. In fact, her smirk deepened. "Oh my… Possessive this early in the day, hmm? How cute."
Shiki, utterly unfazed, grinned at the maid. "She's like this all the time. Anyway, give us the best you've got in the house."
Eline arched an eyebrow. "Anything for you, Master Shiki." Her voice dipped just a touch on the you. She straightened with a slow, deliberate movement, and for a split second, her eyes flicked to Ai—almost as if to say he asked me, not you—before she turned and sauntered back toward the kitchen.
Ai's arm stayed locked around Shiki's, but her head swiveled toward him with the slow inevitability of an executioner's blade.
"…Anything for you?" she repeated flatly.
He met her stare, deadpan. "It's just a figure of speech."
"It's a flirt."
"It's good service."
"It's you being an idiot."
He chuckled, leaning in so his breath brushed her ear. "What, is my wife jealous?"
Her cheeks heated instantly. "No!"
Shiki tilted his head, eyes glinting. "You're squeezing me like you're trying to break me."
"That's… because I want to break you."
He smirked, clearly enjoying himself. "Guess I'll have to make it up to you."
"You better."
---
A few minutes later, Eline returned. This time, she carried a tray so loaded with food it looked like it belonged at a royal feast.
She set it down with a flourish—thick slabs of roasted meat dripping with gravy, golden potatoes with butter melting into their crevices, warm bread still steaming, and a small dish of bright berries. A glass of honey mead caught the light, glowing amber.
"Enjoy," Eline said smoothly, straightening with that same subtle show of her figure.
Ai's gaze, however, wasn't on Eline at all. The moment the food hit the table, her eyes lit up—her pupils actually sparkled as the scent of roasted meat hit her.
Shiki caught it immediately and grinned. "…You're adorable."
"I am not—" she began, but he was already picking up a fork and knife.
He carved off a piece of meat, speared it neatly, and held it up to her lips.
Ai blinked. "Wh—? Now?"
"Mm-hm," Shiki said, grin widening. "Open."
Her blush deepened. "…Idiot."
"Open, kitten."
She hesitated… but the smell was too good, and his expectant gaze made it worse. She leaned forward, lips parting just enough for him to slip the bite in.
The Instant the flavor hit her tongue, her eyes fluttered closed for half a second before she quickly chewed and swallowed.
Shiki leaned back, smirk smug. "Good?"
"…It's fine," she said softly, looking away.
"Fine?" He cut another bite, this one with a piece of potato. "Let's test that again."
She took the second bite, this time not breaking eye contact with him—though her face was red enough to betray her mood.
"Mm. That's a dangerous look," Shiki teased. "You keep staring at me like that and I might start thinking you enjoy this."
"…Shut up and feed me."
He chuckled. "Bossy wife mode. I like it."
---
For the next several minutes, he fed her bite after bite. Sometimes she leaned in shyly, sometimes she took the fork with a defiant tilt of her chin, as if daring him to comment. And sometimes, without even realizing it, she'd hum softly at the taste, which only made his grin grow wider.
From the counter, Eline watched them with her chin resting in her hand, lips curved in a faint smile. Ai noticed—oh, she noticed—and without breaking eye contact.
The silent message was clear: Mine.
Shiki? He just kept feeding her, clearly entertained by every second of this unspoken war.
---
END OF CHAPTER : 15 : FEED ME, HUSBAND!
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