Chapter 67: Make your choice

“Take Rhea hunting?” Luke asked, his brows raised.

Gary nodded. “Yes. The young lady likes hunting and usually goes to the forest with her father, but the chief is still recovering from the previous battle. So he asked me to assign someone strong and trustworthy.” With a grin, he added, “And I couldn’t think of anyone better than you for that role. So, how about it?”

Luke hummed, crossing his arms.

Dart spoke up, a little hesitant. “Not to be rude to Luke, but he’s only been outside the perimeter once… would the chief not mind that?”

Gary waved it off. “Don’t worry. A few guards will accompany you anyway, but the young lady needs company, not just protection. That’s why I think you’d be a perfect fit.” He said, patting Luke’s arm.

The green-haired young man tilted his head. “What about the payment?”

Gary scratched his head awkwardly. “Well… how about fifty toras? The hub’s been short on funds lately. I promise I’ll compensate you later.”

Luke sighed. “That’s low… but I’ve been wanting to see the outer forest for a while now, so I’ll go with her tomorrow.”

Gary grinned. “Knew I could count on you.” Then he added, “By the way, let me know how you want your bathhouse built. The workers will arrive tomorrow.”

Luke nodded. “Here.” He handed over a rough sketch, something he had drawn earlier that morning on his way back to the village, outlining the layout and size.

Gary looked it over and scratched his head again. “This is… quite a unique design.”

“Can they do it?” Luke asked, raising a brow.

“Yeah, they can. Don’t worry.”

Gary waved them off and hurried back to his post as several hunters began to gather nearby.

Luke turned to Dart. “What are you going to do?”

“Head back home. Probably pick up some meat on the way.” Dart sighed. “Nadia’s been a bit down lately… I’ve been thinking of cheering her up somehow.”

Luke shrugged. “Will my presence help?”

Dart lit up instantly. “Really? You’ll come to our house?”

Luke chuckled. “Yeah, sure. But not today. Tomorrow evening, after I’m done with this quest.”

It was as if all his exhaustion vanished. Dart grabbed Luke by the shoulders and gave him a quick shake. “You don’t know how much that means to me. We’ll be waiting.”

Luke smiled at him, a hint of warmth in his eyes. Sweet and honest… he reminded him of his assistant from his previous life.

Soon, they parted ways, and Luke made his way toward his house, after returning the rented horse.

On the way, he picked up some meat and a bit of dessert for his mother.

“How many Toras do I have now?”

[Around twelve hundred, host.]

He nodded. With tomorrow’s hunt, he could push it to around two thousand. There were a few things he wanted to buy.

As he reached home, he found his mother, father, and Caleb seated in the dining hall.

“Ah, you’re back.” The woman stood up with a warm smile and wrapped her arms around him.

Luke hugged her tightly, lifting her off the ground with ease.

“How are you? Missed me?” he asked softly, leaning in as if to kiss her, stopping only because of the two men staring at them.

Monica hummed, her lips brushing close to his ear as she whispered so quietly that only he could hear, “Didn’t know I’d miss someone just from being apart for a day.”

Luke was on the verge of kissing her. The way she made his heart tremble was almost impossible to resist.

But before he could lean in, Gustav stood up and spoke, “Well done, son. Bringing Dalia’s mother home under those circumstances… I’m proud of you.”

Luke let out a quiet sigh and turned toward him. “She’ll be working here now. And Mom, I’m paying her, so if you go easy on her just because of her age, you’ll only make her feel guilty.”

Monica gave a sheepish smile. “You really do know me too well… but don’t worry. I’ll have her help me around. I won’t do everything myself.”

Luke shook his head, then pulled her into one last side hug before asking, “Where’s Laila, by the way?”

“In the kitchen… why?” Caleb asked, tilting his head.

Luke chuckled. “Nothing important. Anyway, I heard you went hunting yesterday. How much did you earn?”

Caleb looked down, his fist tightening under the table. “Not much… I couldn’t find anything big.”

Truth be told, he has earned only ten toras in three days. And even that not from hunting.

“Heh.” Luke grinned. “Want me to help you find something? I know where you can track a deer… maybe even a wolf.”

Caleb stiffened at those words. He averted his gaze, refusing to look up.

Shaking his head, he gave his mother one last hug and soon made his way to the kitchen.

There stood a familiar brunette with her back facing him. Her hips swayed slightly as she stirred something in the pot.

Luke grinned and approached her.

Without warning, he gave her butt a soft pat, making the woman jolt in panic and twirl on her heels to glare at him.

“You….”

Luke inched closer, pinning her against the counter before telling her, “Don’t move.”

Laila was taken aback when suddenly he crouched low and inserted his hand under her dress.

“Hiick…” She gasped as his hands parted her ass cheeks and touched the plug.

Luke grinned, “So you have kept yourself prepared, huh?” He licked his lips and got up.

Drawing closer until their lips were almost brushing, he told her, “If you want those coins, come to me in the well house.”

Laila panicked, “But…I have finally made up with Caleb and he wants to have lunch together today…”

Luke backed away and shrugged, “Your choice. Your mate or the coins, you choose.” Leaving those words behind, he walked away.

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