Chapter 8: Sharing the bed

As Luke stepped into the house, his gaze settled on his mother. At that moment, the system assigned him a new quest:

[Quest: Sleep on the same bed as your mother]

[Reward: 20G]

So he spoke plainly.

“In return for these coins, send Mom to my room tonight.”

Luke was fully aware of how those words would have sounded back in his old world—enough to earn him the label of a complete pervert. Here, though, they simply came across as odd and unexpected.

“Why would you want her to sleep in your room?” Lex asked, brow furrowed in genuine confusion.

“Your father needs her help with several things at night,” Laila added quickly. “You shouldn’t ask for something so unreasonable.”

But Gustav cut them off with a sharp look.

“Why are the two of you interfering? This is between my son and me.”

He turned to Luke with an easy smile.

“It’s fine, son. You can have your mother for tonight.”

Luke glanced at Monica and asked gently, “I hope you don’t mind, Mother?”

She pressed a hand to her chest, hesitation flickering across her face.

“But your bed… It’s quite small.”

Luke gave a soft chuckle.

“Don’t worry. We’ll manage somehow.”

He stood, then stepped close and murmured low against her ear,

“I will wait for you in my room.”

A faint shiver ran down Monica’s spine. She gave a small, almost imperceptible nod.

Soon Laila and Lex excused themselves, followed by Caleb. Gustav, still counting the coins in his palm, headed toward his own room. Right before disappearing down the hallway he called back to his wife without turning around:

“Take good care of him tonight.”

Not so long after, Monica prepared dinner. And the funny part, only Gustav, Monica and Luke were present at the dinning table. The rest? They were probably sulking in their rooms.

…..

After a hearty meal, Luke made his way to the back of the house, where a small bathing area had been set up.

It was nothing more than a short wall erected between the house and another partition, a spot where the people of the household usually bathed.

Truth be told, anyone passing by on the street could easily sneak a look at someone bathing here. But the men of this world were so disinterested in female bodies and sex that they genuinely didn’t care.

Still, someone like Luke, who believed bathing was a private affair, was deeply uncomfortable stripping naked in the open. Especially with the chilly breeze brushing against his skin.

Because of that, he resolved to build a proper bathroom soon.

He often liked to reflect on his life while taking a long bath.

And while he was slowly adapting to many things this world had to offer, there were a few habits that simply wouldn’t change.

Haah… it’s cold.

Shivering slightly, he washed the blood off his skin and used the charcoal-like soap available to clean himself properly.

Once he finished, Luke wiped himself dry and slipped into the only fresh set of clothes he had left.

He owned just two outfits in total—a troubling detail, considering he would soon be hunting regularly. Torn fabric, bloodstains, and general wear would quickly become a problem.

The more he thought about it, the longer the list of necessities grew.

Shaking his head with a quiet sigh, he decided it was time to head back inside. A faint, eager anticipation already stirred in his chest.

Even now he could feel himself hardening slightly at the simple thought of sharing a narrow bed with such a voluptuous woman. Add in the forbidden edge of it being his own mother, and the grin that spread across his face refused to fade.

The house had fallen silent, everyone likely already retreated to their rooms.

Luke reached his own door and eased it open slowly.

*Creak*

Just as he had hoped—and expected—the beautiful brunette sat on the edge of the bed, gazing out the window.

At the sound of his entrance, she turned.

“Oh, you’re here. Does it hurt anywhere?”

She rose and came toward him, worry still lingering in her eyes over the fight Luke had fought that morning to earn Tora.

He shook his head.

“Nah, I’m fine. Don’t worry about it.”

Monica let out a soft breath of relief and cupped his cheek with gentle affection.

“Really… what you did today… I can’t tell you how proud I am.”

Luke smiled.

Maybe she was the only one who would have said those words even if he had come home empty-handed.

The only person in the family who never measured his worth by the coins he brought in.

“Look, what I brought for you.”

Summoning it from his inventory, Luke held it up for his mother to see.

It was something neatly wrapped in thin paper.

Monica blinked in surprise. The fragrance hit her instantly, unmistakable.

“Is it… blue rose pastry?”

Luke nodded with a small smile.

“I know how much you like it, so I bought one on the way.”

Monica’s expression wavered between happiness and worry.

“You shouldn’t spend on such luxuries, Luke.”

He gently took her hand.

“If it’s for your happiness, I wouldn’t think twice before spending every coin I have.”

Monica’s heart gave a soft flutter at his words. How deeply her son cared.

She didn’t want to brush aside his feelings, so she accepted the pastry with a quiet, grateful smile.

“Do you want to try some?” she asked, already starting to unwrap it.

Luke shook his head and walked over to his bed instead.

Monica smilingly unwrapped the delicate pastry and took three bites to finish it.

“Come, sleep now.” Luke urged as he lifted the sheet slightly to welcome her

Monica turned and walked over to the bed.

Smiling a little wryly she asked, “Are you sure, though? Your mother isn’t exactly slim to comfortably fit.”

Luke chuckled, “Don’t worry, we will hug each other to sleep comfortably.”

Monica didn’t show reluctance for long and slowly lay down on the bed.

A thin grin stretched Luke’s lips as he muttered under his breath, ’Finally, about time I get a taste.’

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