Chapter 33: Morning Breakfast With Wife And Daniela
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Daniela sat down at the table and watched Riven arrive carrying a large plate piled high with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, two slices of toast, and three stacked waffles covered in thick syrup, whipped cream, and a few frozen strawberries.
"Here, have a meal."
"Ooohh?!" she gasped, almost drooling after going without proper food all morning. "I-Is this really fine? Isn’t this plate expensive?!"
"What are you talking about, girl? Just accept my husband’s generosity already!" Elisa demanded firmly, making Daniela nod quickly and accept the breakfast without further protest.
"Do you want orange juice? Coffee? Just milk?" Riven asked while setting the plate down. "My wife drinks tea in the mornings. Do you like tea?"
"She’s still growing up, so give her orange juice and milk," Elisa said, scanning Daniela’s thin body with a critical eye. "Give her an apple as well, and a banana if there’s any left."
"Got it," Riven nodded. He returned a moment later with a jug of cold orange juice, a glass of white milk, a fresh apple, and a ripe banana. "There. Make sure to eat everything so you grow strong, Daniela."
"U-um..." Daniela was overwhelmed by the kindness of the couple and, above all, by the strange sense of warm familiarity that filled this house. "Um, this is... I don’t think my tummy can fit all of this..."
"You’ll need the calories and vitamins. Hunters work a lot," Elisa said with quiet authority. "Back when I was still an active hunter, I never walked out of my house without first eating a large breakfast. Of course... there used to be fancier and better things. Such as cheesecake, my absolute favorite."
"Cheesecake, huh?" Riven nodded, making a mental note for later. "I guess I could go fetch one once we move back to the city."
"Y-You don’t need to spoil me over everything..." Elisa muttered shyly, a soft blush rising on her cheeks.
"Whatever the case, I am really glad you can move your hands again," Riven said with genuine warmth.
"Yes! I can finally eat on my own. I don’t have to be babied anymore!" Elisa laughed, her voice filled with relief. "I’ve regained a little of my humanity...!"
Daniela giggled nervously as she tasted the waffles first. Her eyes widened the moment the sweet syrup and soft texture hit her tongue. She licked her lips and then went for the eggs. They were fluffy and soft, with just the right amount of salt and pepper, creamy and perfect. The bacon was crunchy without being too salty, and it tasted delicious when eaten together with the eggs. The toast, spread with butter and orange marmalade, was simply to die for.
"Ough...! Oooghh...!" she made a series of weird, almost possessed noises as she continued devouring everything on the plate.
"Has this girl been starving this entire time? Who makes noises like these when eating?" Elisa asked in pure disbelief, her eyebrows twitching slightly. "Girl, what do you even eat back home?"
"Um... tortillas..." Daniela answered between bites. "Quesadilla... um... I make tacos."
"That’s all?!" Elisa asked, sounding almost scandalized. "I mean... I guess that does sound good every now and then, but... that’s not proper food for every single day."
"It’s not? It’s what mom always made... I just copy her recipes... lil’ bro likes them a lot," Daniela lowered her head shyly. Despite everything, she was clearly proud of her cooking.
"She shared a taco with me yesterday and it was actually tasty," Riven smiled. "It’s a good recipe, but you still have to balance better what you eat every day... Judging by your name...?"
"Mom’s from Mexico, yeah. Me and my brother were both born here..." Daniela said quietly. "Dad was... American."
"And he’s gone?" Elisa wondered gently.
"Hm," Daniela nodded in silence.
"..."
Elisa sighed, feeling a deep worry for the two children who were completely alone in their house.
"Is there no child protection service taking care of you?"
"If we did, then they would take my brother away from me because he’s too young... I wouldn’t be able to see him anymore..."
"Hm..."
"B-But we’re fine! I am earning a little money every day, and we’re alright. My brother... I will raise him myself."
Elisa shook her head firmly. "That’s not something you should be aiming for at your age. You have your own life to live."
"Um... But what else can I do?" Daniela sighed. "I have to work hard... and earn money."
"Not at your age!" Elisa said. Her voice rising with clear anger. "You’re a child. You should be going to school! You’re fourteen years old, right?! Did you drop out?"
"Geh!" Daniela panicked. "U-Um... yeah..."
Elisa face-palmed, feeling genuine sorrow for the girl. Riven still needed Daniela’s help inside the dungeons, and this world was no longer relaxed enough to allow an Awakened — even a young one — to live a completely normal life.
He sat down to enjoy breakfast beside his wife, who still struggled slightly with holding things because five full years had passed since her paralysis began.
"Here, let me help you."
"I-I can eat on my own..."
"Should I make you a sandwich instead?"
"I’m not a baby, Riven!"
"I’m just trying to help."
"Hmph... okay."
Elisa blushed as Riven quickly prepared a waffle sandwich filled with egg, bacon, and cheese. She was able to hold it more easily and take proper bites.
"Hmm!" She looked completely delighted, her face as bright as the morning sun.
Riven smiled warmly as he watched her eating happily on her own, then continued with his own breakfast. "Anyway, I am planning on making a guild. Would you like to join as the first member, Daniela? I promise you the best treatment and, above all, several real benefits."
"O-Oh?! A guild?!" Daniela’s eyes sparkled with sudden interest. "But... wouldn’t a new guild with just two members get bullied right away?"
"I don’t care," Riven shook his head. "We need a proper guild with reliable allies. I already know of some people that we can rely on... those who will not hesitate to join for the right cause."
Daniela and Elisa had no idea what he was talking about, however, Riven did.
There were dozens of incredible people who had been unable to reach their full potential in the future he came from. Riven intended to gather them all under the same roof and create the strongest guild possible.
Although he did not want to admit it out loud, when the world was in such massive peril, the only thing people who were willing to save it could do was become heroes themselves.
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