Chapter 24: Can We Refrain?
’But she’s clearly wrong about her thoughts about me. I did this for both of them, and I will protect my feelings.’
"You’re wrong, Athena. If I wanted to mess around, then I would have already run away with the hundred gold my dad bestowed upon us."
"I attempted that dungeon because I needed money to take care of you both and myself. I wanted to help our family stay intact... I didn’t want to go in the bar and spend my time messing around."
His head lowered, his gaze fixed on the ground as he continued, his voice filled with regret. "I’m sorry... I should have done better. That’s why you still think that way about me. But I promise I’ll try to change."
Before he could continue, Isolde’s voice filled the chamber. "That’s not what Athena meant, Ethan."
"She’s worried... even I was worried for you because you took considerably more time to return home."
"I don’t want to say this, but we both thought that something had happened to you... And if something had happened to you, neither of us would have ever been able to forgive ourselves. We’re both in this state, and you went out there to earn money so you could give us a better life... and because of that, you..." She couldn’t bring herself to finish the sentence, but both Ethan and Athena knew exactly what she meant.
Athena turned her head towards the opposite wall, and her eyes began to glisten. She was trying her best to not look vulnerable, and Ethan didn’t push her further.
’Her physical state is already so critical. She used to be a master of the fire tower, and this condition of hers might’ve led to her downfall. After going through all of that, it’s only natural that her mental state would be a little messed up too.’
He looked back at the floor; more thoughts stumbled in his mind. ’When she thought that someone was willing to risk their life for her, even that would have put her into a dismissive state because her family married her and Isolde to me, because they didn’t want to keep them and take unnecessary burdens. After thinking that the only person in the world who is willing to take care of her and her sister might have died... that would’ve been painful.’
He didn’t want to look sentimental right now; that’s why he forced a smile on his face. He stepped forward and grabbed Isolde’s hand gently.
When he touched her, Isolde’s back stiffened because she didn’t expect him to do this. Ethan patiently waited for her to get up; when she did, he walked her to Athena carefully.
He grabbed the handles of Athena’s wheelchair and pushed it further towards the main hall. The three of them entered the hall; both Elina and Sara were waiting for them there.
By their expressions, it was clearly visible that they had heard every single exchange of words between Ethan and his wives.
Although they didn’t want to breach their privacy, they didn’t have any choice but to do so because the noise coming from inside was too loud.
Elina had a gentle smile on her lips; she was trying to soften the atmosphere. "Awww, look at this wonderful couple!! You three definitely look perfect together." She joined both of her hands and placed them under her right cheek.
But on the other hand, Sara was standing with her arms crossed. Her expression was serious; she took a step forward. Her gaze met with Athena’s; both of them didn’t say anything for a while, but then Sara broke the silence, which felt awkward for the others.
"You, why did you shout at Ethan like that? Did you think that if I took him with me, I would return without him? His survival was my responsibility."
Athena tilted her head slightly. "Oh? Are we doing it like this?" She asked firmly.
"Then listen to me. You took my husband with you, and you clearly knew that he isn’t strong enough to attempt anything over E-Tier, and you still deliberately made him attempt a C-Tier dungeon? What kind of reckless move was that, Sara?"
A small sigh left Sara’s mouth. "We had a proper party. Two A-Ranks, Two B-Ranks, and Ethan. That’s why we didn’t have to worry about anything."
Her words didn’t control anything but made it even messier.
"You’re talking like someone who doesn’t know about warfare, Sara. Even a single attack from a dire wolf, or the boss, would have resulted in his death," Athena said, her tone loud.
"Without any danger or risk, you cannot become a great adventurer," Sara replied right away.
"Then how many of your comrades from day one have survived? Tell me?"
Sara didn’t say anything. Her back seemed to straighten a little, her brows drew together, and her chin tightened as she listened.
"See!! You don’t have any answer because no one who thinks like that survives in this field. All of this philosophical literacy is valid until you enter the dungeon where every single being is behind your blood." She raised her voice even more.
Now, even as Sara had lowered her head, her gaze was kissing the floor.
But before this could escalate further, Ethan gently placed a hand on her shoulder, making Athena’s voice hitch.
She looked at Ethan from her shoulder; she noticed that he had a peaceful smile on his face.
Without wasting even a single second, he patted her shoulder once and then warmly squeezed it a bit. "Please don’t shout at her. It was also my idea to attempt this dungeon, so can we please sort this out between you, me, and Isolde?"
"It is our personal matter; let’s talk about it when we three are alone, and please let us refrain from shouting at our guests, shall we please?" He said; gentle warmth was buried inside his tone, which certainly made Athena bite her lower lip.