The Strongest Magician Can Only Love His Dead Wife — After I Reincarnated, My Cute Younger Husband Turned Yandere - Chapter 21

The teleportation circle Arsenio had drawn transported the two of them to a villa in a small, peaceful harbor city.

This place, which carried the scent of sea breeze, seemed to be called Santa Lena.

It was the smallest rural city among the territories governed by the Duke Silva household.

“What a lovely villa with its pure white tiles.”

“It’s close to the sea here. The exterior walls are made of materials resistant to sea breeze.”

Indeed, now that he mentioned it, the garden was filled only with plants like laurel and gazania that were strong against sea breeze.

Compared to the main residence in the imperial capital, the grounds were narrower and the buildings more compact and simple, but there was a warm, pleasant atmosphere about the place.

As they stood there, an elderly man emerged from the villa.

“Ah, Master. Welcome home.”

He must have noticed the dazzling light emitted when the teleportation circle activated.

After greeting Arsenio, the man turned his gaze toward Rubia standing beside him.

“Might this be the lady I’ve heard you recently welcomed?”

“Yes, this is my wife Rubia. —Rubia, this is Marcos, who manages the villa for us.”

“Nice to meet you, Marcos. Thank you for always taking care of my husband.”

“How polite of you, thank you. It’s an honor to meet you, my lady. Let me prepare some tea right away.”

Marcos narrowed his eyes gently and began to guide them inside the villa. Though his tone remained calm, his steps were light, clearly in high spirits.

(He’s happy to see Arsenio.)

Marcos’s cheerful demeanor undoubtedly reflected his loyalty and affection toward Arsenio.

Feeling pleased, Rubia secretly smiled.

When they stepped into the villa, a plump middle-aged woman and a young woman greeted them. They looked so much alike in both face and demeanor that one could tell at a glance they were mother and daughter.

Both were wearing standard maid uniforms.

The mother was the first to speak.

“Welcome home, Master. And this lovely young lady is—?”

“Tamara, this is my wife.”

“Eh, your wife!? Master, it’s true that you got married!?”

The daughter, who had been quietly bowing until then, looked astonished at Marcos’s words.

Her rather familiar way of speaking for a servant made the mother flustered, and she hastily tapped her daughter’s back.

“Hey, Tonia! Watch your mouth!”

“Ouch!”

“—My apologies, my lady. I am Tamara, and this is my daughter Tonia. Along with my husband Marcos, our family is entrusted with managing this villa.”

“Pleased to meet you. Tamara, Tonia.”

The entire caretaker family had a very kind atmosphere and seemed to genuinely welcome Arsenio and Rubia’s visit.

“It’s truly wonderful that you’ve married such a lovely wife.”

“Really! For a while, we thought the Master might never love anyone but his late wife.”

“Tonia!”

It seemed Tonia had a habit of speaking without thinking. Her parents froze and paled at their daughter’s careless remark.

Certainly, if Rubia were an ordinary wife, Tonia’s comment would have been insensitive. But as the ‘late wife’ herself, Rubia felt happy thinking that Tonia had been worried about Arsenio remaining alone for so long.

“It’s alright. Tonia was just anxious that Arsenio might be alone forever, right?”

“Y-yes! I mean, the Master here, despite being so handsome, never let any woman near him, and even though he’s busy as a court magician, he kept pouring all his energy into managing the territory and charity work. Ah, of course, we’re very happy the local area is prospering!”

Her parents grew even more rigid at Tonia’s overly honest words, but Rubia couldn’t help bursting out laughing.

Though different from the refined servants at the imperial capital mansion, their straightforward and unpretentious personalities were likable.

“Actually, I asked Arsenio to bring me here today because I wanted to see his activities firsthand.”

“Is that so! Then please, you must try Santa Rea’s specialty tea. It uses leaves harvested from the tea fields the Master operates. —Dad, Mom, could you prepare the tea and snacks?”

Taking charge in place of her seemingly soul-departed parents, Tonia guided Rubia and the others to the living room.

As they sat on the sofa chatting, Tamara and Marcos soon brought in tea and sweets.

“Well then, we’ll take our leave.”

“If you need anything, please ring the bell. —Come on, Tonia, let’s go.”

Grabbing Tonia by the scruff of her neck as she tried to linger even after the tea was ready, Marcos and Tamara left the living room.

It was likely their considerate way of not intruding on the newlywed couple.

“Now, Rubia. Try it.”

Taking a sip of the tea as urged, Rubia was surprised.

A refreshing ginger aroma and the spicy kick of chili spreading across her tongue. It was a stimulating flavor she’d never tasted before.

“What an unusual taste! But it’s very much to my liking.”

“Try this snack too. I think you’ll like it.”

Next, Arsenio offered a treat that looked like a twisted cookie.

With a crisp, light crunch, a perfect saltiness and chili spiciness spread across her tongue.

Watching Rubia continue munching on the addictive flavor, Arsenio looked thoroughly satisfied.

He completely ignored the sugar-coated donuts Tamara had brought that seemed more to his taste.

“I’m glad. This chili is from your homeland. Initially, I used it in cooking, but I wondered if I could create something special unique to Santa Rea. The tea especially is very popular in cold seasons, and lately, trade requests have been pouring in.”

Upon hearing, it seemed that after Rubia disappeared, Arsenio, disliking the idea of severing ties with the southern territories, negotiated with the lord—who would be Rubia’s grandfather now—and secured a contract with a chili farm.

Thinking he might as well make good use of it, he discussed with the commerce association and began using it not just in tea and cooking but even in sweets, and now it had grown into a major enterprise.

“As Tonia mentioned, the people of Santa Rea must be happy the local area is prospering.”

“Yes. But, in a way, this tea was created with you in mind. Because you actually preferred spicy food over sweet things, right?”

“Y-you noticed?”

“I only realized long after you were gone. I was happy you were so considerate, but I hated how oblivious I’d been.”

Seeing Arsenio’s self-deprecating expression, Rubia grew flustered.

She had acted for his sake, never imagining it would later lead to such self-reproach.

“Um, you were still so young back then, it’s nothing to feel so down about.”

“I know, I know. You indulged me, didn’t you? But I’m not a child to be pampered anymore. I’m older than you now, and I’m your husband.”

Trailing off, Arsenio reached toward Rubia’s mouth.

His fingertip gently brushed the corner of her lips and withdrew. Apparently, a cookie crumb had been there; he stuck out his tongue and licked it off his finger.

Rubia, captivated by the surprisingly sensual series of movements, noticed herself and snapped back to reality.

Her heart was annoyingly loud. Her cheeks felt hot.

As Rubia pressed her palms to her cheeks, Arsenio smiled warmly at her.

“Now it’s my turn to spoil you. Right, Rubia?”