13 Will you stay here longer?

Finally seeing the beautiful couple the shop owner remembered so long ago, she asked happily, "Oh? Sir, you came again and with your wife this time! Was two not enough?" The shopkeeper was feeling proud that their pancakes were delicious enough for both of them to come back. They became regulars in her heart.

"Yes! It was a taste I missed so much!" Lily answered for Chen.

"Well, how many can I get for you?"

"Hmm..." Lily gave Chen a side glance before teasing, "Just one! My husband ate them earlier today. I was deeply disappointed when he came home empty-handed, so I'll eat this one by myself!"

"Shame on you!" The shopkeeper joked with a severe tone, "Then, I'll give you a cookie on the house! I hope this would also give you guys a bit of luck!"

"Oh? Thank you, But what kind of luck would it be for?" Lily curiously asked.

Chen quickly paid for the pancake and said, "Thank you for your kind gesture. We'll try harder!"

He then cupped her ears and shyly pushed her in the opposite direction. No more! We need to leave!

Lily gave a smug glance after seeing him so flustered. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

After their pancake fiasco, they decided to walk into another part of town to digest their food.

"Oh, wow! Look at all the beautiful decorations, Chen!" Lily exclaimed, unconsciously grabbing his arm.

He naturally answered her. "Yes, the Harvest festival will be held soon with the Northern country. They have an excellent relationship with us and hoped this would increase more trading as well as promote peace."

"But isn't the West of them dangerous? They are also planning to conquer other countries, are they not? Soon, they would come for us and the Northern country. If we lower the city down, it would be perilous during the festival." Lily said in a relaxed tone.

Chen raised his eyebrows.

He knows that she was somewhat educated because she's connected to Anne. He didn't expect her to very well-versed in these types of topics even Anne herself wasn't interested in learning.

Just who are you? He thought. He was very intrigued by her.

Despite Chen's efforts to push free education for the poor, only the highest of nobility can afford high education currently so very few people knew of what was generally happening around them.

Chen knew other beings exist in this world, but books have minimal information on them, considering that those people tend to be very to themselves. If it's necessary for them to voice their opinions to humans, only a few people know what their culture and lifestyle were like.

"Well, that's why we have to tighten security," Chen darkened his expression and smirked, giving himself a sinister look. "Don't worry, this amazing man in front of you have a lot of cards up his sleeve."

Lily gave him sarcastically, 'Oh really?' look.

Chen looked at the girl who was holding his arm and confidently said, "If they want to attack us, they can try! I have my men keeping a keen eye on them."

Lily held in her laughter before she playfully commented, "My, my. Aren't you dashing!"

"Of course, I have to be dashing; I need to set an example as a role model for future men!" He stroked her head.

"Very well, I have to set an example for everyone on how to live" Lily shrugged. "by eating."

Always food on her mind. Is there nothing else in that little head of hers?

They continued to walk, talked until the sun started to set.

________

Lily suddenly lowered her voice and asked Chen softly, "It's late, should we head back?"

"Mmm, it's getting late." He agreed naturally.

Wait.

"Where are you going to go?" He abruptly stopped.

He was too busy following her all day that he forgot to ask many essential details on her appearance today!

"Your house!" Lily responded happily.

"Why?"

"Isn't it obvious? Where would I stay?" She retorted in 'as a matter of fact' way.

He furrowed his brows before muttering, "The palace?"

"I didn't tell Anne yet; I want it to be a surprise! The palace feels too stuffy, and I feel like I'm intruding." She replied awkwardly.

Though he already agreed in his heart, he was subconsciously expecting a different answer, something more. "But mine is ok?"

"Of course! You let me stay there before!" She replied in a slight whining tone.

Chen froze, his eyes formed a smile as he gently said. "Yes, I did."

After hearing a satisfying answer, she ushered him, "Hurry up, I'll make dinner as payment for this time and last time!"

_________________

At his home, Chen let her used whatever she wanted in the kitchen while he sat by the dining table and continued some of his work earlier today. They created a harmonious, marriage-like atmosphere that made the house felt strange from its previously cold ambiance.

By the time she was done, it was a little deep into the night.

"Chen, can you help me put them on the table?" Lily asked, having her head poking out of the kitchen.

It made her seem adorable and small despite her height.

Chen looked up to see Lily wear an apron with messy hair tied in a low ponytail. The stray strands were slightly sticking the side of her sweating face.

His chest tightened.

His face softened as he stood up to help her and replied gently. "Un."

The servants had all return to their home after their duties since Chen disliked having a lot of people in his home. They were both completely alone together.

After setting the food on the table did he realized, it was some of the food Chen had given her the recipe too.

"Looks good right?! Hurry and try it, I can assure you, it tastes as good as it looks."

Chen glanced at her before picking up the bun.

The texture of the pastry was very soft and bouncy. It had a slight stretch to it when he bit it off; he can tell it was made gently with care. Once Chen took a bite, he could feel the flavors of the filling came oozing out, melting in his mouth harmoniously like puree despite its bumpy nature.

It tasted as good as the one he ate by the chef who made it. Maybe even better.

"You made it?" He doubted.

"Of course!" She replied proudly with her chest, puffed up. "I love cooking! How am I going to feed myself all day if I can't find food and cook?"

"...You are right." Chen said unwillingly before raising his brows. "But I'm feeding you now though."

"But are you the one that's going to feed me forever?" Lily crossed her arms.

"Why not?" Chen replied cooly.

"..."

"Then try! I'm going to make your wallet go out of business!" Lily blushed as she tried to find a comeback.

He let out a small laugh.

Adorable.

"So what brings you here this time?" Chen finally asked what was on his mind.

Lily bewailed, "Can't I just come to visit?"

"But I was expecting you to come here with a serious reason."

"Hmm...If I don't visit, Anne would eventually pester me with many different methods not that she hadn't already." Lily replied casually as she ate.

"Then will you stay here longer?" Chen responded with an expectant tone.

"For a decent amount of time. But I would have to return, otherwise, where would I stay? I don't want to be a burden on anyone." She said solemnly.

"You can stay with me for as long as you like." Chen looked into her eyes.

"..."

Lily lifted her head from her food and stared at him.

Seeing her stunned face, he quickly continued his words. "...It's not like you haven't intruded already."

She curved her lips upwards and gave a soft giggle.

"Okay."