Chapter 1 The Newlywed Trilemma

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"Welcome home! Would you like dinner first? A bath? Or...m-me?" she stammers with a blush.

Please forgive me for dropping the basket full of vegetables we were given; it was such a waste.

My discussion with the mayor about town matters took even longer than expected, and on my way back, I got delayed further when an old farm lady stopped me on the road.

So as soon as I hurried home, these were the very first words Maria greeted me with.

"Shall we take a bath?" She managed to keep her composure until that last option, but it must have embarrassed her, since she blushed deeply and rushed through the words.

The Newlywed Trilemma.

This game supposedly originated as a gag from a famous comedian, but it's become a classic pastime for newly married couples. Strictly speaking, Maria and I haven't even had our wedding ceremony yet, so maybe "newlyweds" isn't quite accurate, but I don't really care about that.

What puzzles me is how she knows this game at all.

Unfortunately, the erotic books she reads don't seem to include content like this. And it doesn't strike me as something she would just know offhand. So then... Did someone nearby teach it to her out of amusement? On one hand, the idea of her gaining knowledge behind my back frightens me, but on the other, it makes me happy. Unexpected actions pierce my heart with several times the emotional impact.

With some progress made toward solving that mystery, let's move on to more practical matters now.

It's amusing just watching Maria freeze up with her question hanging in the air, but I don't want to torment her too much—it'd be cruel. I have to answer soon.

The only choice is obviously Maria, but as a devout priest, should I really say so? On the other hand, if I ask her seriously what she means by that, she'll probably retreat out of embarrassment. That isn't a viable option for a man like me, either.

So there's only one thing left to do.

Mind you, all this deliberation takes about a second at most.

"After warming my body with the meal you've prepared with such care, would you please take your time and share our bed together?"

That response might actually make things even more embarrassing for both of us... Ahh, how humiliating! Well then, it seems easier to just dive right in than try to feign composure.

"Ah, I knew it..."

"Did you not enjoy it?"

After sharing Maria's homemade cream stew, we listened to each other's stories while relaxing together in the hot spring bath.

As I suspected, she'd learned about those newlywed questions from some precocious neighborhood girls. Honestly, if they've even infiltrated this fantasy world with their antics, they truly deserve credit.

"Oh no, quite the opposite! You were so adorable, my heart nearly leaped out of my chest."

She dropped her basket of vegetables.

But apparently, neither my reaction nor my response was satisfactory for her. She seemed relieved but also somewhat discontented as she lowered her head.

"Were you expecting something else?"

"S-s-sort of..."

"Sort of?"

"...Quite a lot, actually."

"I'm sorry about that."

I pulled her close despite her bowed head.

Since she didn't resist, I took advantage of the moment to savor her soft and supple skin.

Her plump body plops softly onto my lap as I sit cross-legged.

Drops of sweat mixed with hot spring water trickle from her neck down her back and into the tub.

"I let my vanity hurt you."

"Lord Ain, it's wrong to show off for pride."

"I'm sorry."

Even without being in erotic mode, we've connected deeply enough that she can scold me, which nearly brings tears to my eyes. Feeling loved by such a beautiful girl is harder to achieve than reincarnation in another world.

"The goddess might reprimand me, too."

"I hope she does!"

It's true.

The goddess enjoys observing human desires more than anything, but there's nothing less interesting to her than actions motivated purely by vanity. Vanity itself may be a desire, but surely Norma doesn't approve of yearnings shallow enough to mask behind a façade.

If this keeps up, not only Maria but also the goddess herself will be angry with me. That won't do at all. I've pledged my loyalty to the goddess.

She wasn't pouting yet, but I still lovingly stroked her pregnant belly with affection.

I knew that tension between parents can have negative effects on unborn children.

"Could you please give me another chance?"

"...Of course."

She was angry, pretending or not. So, I took her lips in mine.

"Well, then, tomorrow sounds good, but could you give me just a little time first?"

"Time?"

"I need to make preparations."

Since she had asked for this honeymoon trifecta of requests, after all...

Why not go all out?

Perhaps sensing something in my smile, Maria's eyes sparkled faintly.