168
Kirigaya Kazuto had pretended to be many things. A villain, a badass swordsman, a faerie mercenary, and even once a hero. Now, he was trying his hardest not to pretend, to in actuality be the husband of Yuki Asuna.
"Are you going to wake mama up?" Yui asked as she followed him up the stairs of the Party Home's third floor.
"Shhh." Kirito hushed his daughter gently. "No, I'm not." He told her, hefting the breakfast tray in his hands. "But if she happens to smell this and wake up . . ." Father and daughter shared a look before Yui opened the door to the master suite.
With its own foyer, office, and bath, the suite was fit for the leader of a small guild. In fact, Kirito thought they could have closed up most of house and lived very comfortably. Which was a potential problem.
He appreciated the generosity, but what had Lady Sakuya been thinking gifting them a home like this? Certainly they wouldn't have the time to do all the upkeep it would require and there was the matter of money to consider.
The Faerie Court had worked out compensation for the various jobs he had taken up but Suguha was still the only one with steady employment and a small weekly salary. They did have a little money set aside, so it wasn't pressing just yet but it was beginning to weigh on his mind in a very adult way. Especially whenever he talked about it with Agil.
Food, clothes, cooking fuel, the countless little items that they would soon need. It would all require money and the young Spriggan had a sinking suspicion they didn't have nearly enough.
Then Kirito stepped across the threshold of the master bedroom and, at least for a little while, he forgot all of that.
For now . . . this place was a sacred refuge.
They had tried to make the room as peaceful as possible. The tall windows overlooking the street were wide open, letting in fresh air, the scent of spring gardens, and the muted sounds of the city barely rising over the rustling of tree branches in the breeze.
Curtains rippled softly as he set the breakfast tray down on an anachronistically sleek coffee table. Much of the rest of the room was the same with thoroughly modern brass fixtures and mahogany furniture centered on an absolutely decadent king sized platform bed.
Nearly swallowed beneath more than four square meters of fine cotton sheets, a lump in the comforter betrayed the bed's sole occupant. And just like that, Kirito was fretting again.
At first, after bringing Asuna home, everything had felt like a dream. Asuna was alive, and safe, and free. He'd been afraid he was dreaming and that he would wake up to find none of it had happened.
But as the whirl of celebration had faded, so to had Asuna. A month of danger and privation, the three months of mental captivity before that, to say nothing of the years of the Death Game had all taken their toll and, sensing that she was finally out of danger, whatever source of strength Asuna had drawn on to endlessly keep going had finally abandoned her. Since not long after arriving in Arrun she had slept for most of each day and still she seemed tired.
Tired and painfully thin.
There had been enough food, eventually, during her time in Albion, but the former sub-commander had made sure everyone else under her care had gotten what they needed first, even if that meant she had gone without.
The doctors had said that there was nothing wrong with her physically and that all he could do was let her rest and make sure she ate well. But it didn't feel like he was doing nearly enough.
The Spriggan youth took a mug from the tray and seated himself on the edge of the bed. He carefully lifted a corner of the comforter, just enough for the smell of what he was holding to waft inside. Gradually, the lump in the covers began to stir and then languidly uncurl.
A matted head of chestnut hair emerged from beneath its fortress of blankets and pillow. Asuna squinted bleary brown eyes and pawed at sleep swollen face. There was a ring of something dried and gummy around one of her nostrils.
She was beautiful.
At first the young Maeve didn't recognize where she was, then she blinked a few times, yawned. Kirito heard the sound mirrored behind him. Yui stood stretching with a hand over her mouth. "Sorry!" The little girl said quietly before climbing up on the bed to be with her mother.
"Kirito-kun?" Asuna mumbled.
"Good morning sleepyhead." He offered up the mug and watched as recognition slowly dawned in Asuna's eyes.
"Is that . . ."
He nodded. A familiar hyper focus briefly cut through the morning fog as the mug and its contents were seized. The Maeve inhaled the heavy steam before carefully taking her first sip. It ended with a contented sigh.
"Where did you get this?"
"Agil bought some beans from a Rub Al Khali merchant." The man had come to Arrun to sell the Fae novelties and had instead made a profit bringing them something familiar. "It hasn't been that long, has it?" Kirito chuckled. "I mean, since you had a cup of coffee?"
After a moment of mental computation. "Over two years and four months." Asuna said, drinking again.
"What? But what about in Aincrad . . ." He was sure he had seen Asuna drink coffee. Actually, when he thought back . . . mostly she drank oolong tea, lemonade, or sometimes a glass of white wine, but he'd never actually seen her drinking coffee. "Wait . . . really?"
Asuna nodded her head. "I tried it once, it tasted . . . fine . . . But there are a lot of subtleties to good coffee that full dive can't capture. I guess I didn't like being reminded of that." Her gaze turned thoughtful and distant then.
Rather, Kirito thought, she didn't like being reminded that the world they inhabited hadn't been quite real enough to go on living in. The moments where the illusion was broken, the reminder of their prison, had always been the hardest. But that wasn't true here. As impossible as it seemed, the sheer physical reality of Halkegenia was undeniable. As if to prove it, Yui leaned into her mother, receiving a warm arm and a gentle squeeze.
"Yui-chan."
"Good morning mama!"
"Un. Did you help your papa make this feast?" She asked, browsing the fruit slices and cheese blocks.
"I cut up the the cheese." Yui confirmed proudly. "And picked the best apples for papa to slice."
"Well you did a very good job." Asuna replied, munching on an apple slice. "Thank you, Yui-chan."
Their little girl made happy noises prompting her mother to share her breakfast with her. Kirito found himself simply sitting in the comfortable position of observing the moment taking place within its own precious time and space. But it couldn't last . . .
"So I was thinking about taking a walk down to the lake today." The Spriggan youth suggested carefully.
"The lake?" Asuna was diverted from her doting over Yui.
"Un. Yui and I have found some interesting spots. We could go for a swim . . . Or . . . We could go to the market instead. Maybe we'll find some rare ingredients to cook up or . . ."
"Kirito-kun."
The spriggan was given pause by the calm command in his wife's voice. The tone that compelled people to think of her as more than just 'Yuuki Asuna'. The look she gave him made it clear that this was no coincidence.
"I . . . I'm just a little worried about you is all." He averted his eyes. Not that he thought it would do any good. "I just thought that maybe . . . maybe it would be good for your get out of this house for a while."
Asuna kept up her gaze until he reluctantly met her eyes again. Then her expression softened and turned contemplative.
"I think seeing the city would do me some good." The maeve agreed.
"You do?" Kirito perked up a bit.
Asuna nodded. "I'm sorry I've been worrying you. But you're right, I can't spend every day in this house. Besides, we have some chores to take care of."
"Oh?"
"Un. These clothes for one." Asuna drew attention to the fact that she was wearing one of Kirito's shirts and a pair of his shorts as pajamas. Not, a juvenile part of his mind thought, that he minded at all. "I don't have any dress clothes, or any casual clothes, or really any extras of anything. The same goes for Yui-chan. And and we'll need clothes for the season change too. It's only going to get hotter. And you . . ."
"Me?" Kirito felt a sinking in his stomach.
"You can't just wear black t-shirts and slacks everywhere."
"I have a coat too." He defended quickly.
"Not that you can wear anyplace nice." His wife answered calmly before taking another apple slice.
"Agil's is nice." He mumbled.
"Agil's . . . is a friend's place." Asuna said tactfully. "That's different."
Kirito had one last card to play it was by far his most effective because it was the truth, and it was something Asuna needed to know sooner rather than later. "I agree that you and Yui need new clothes . . . But we do need to consider the expense."
"Hmm?"
He explained the situation to Asuna and that while they weren't hurting for money they couldn't afford to be anything but frugal for the time being. Watching this fact settle over Asuna he could see the gears turning as the Maeve's knows twitched. As Asuna remained quiet he began to wonder if he hadn't made it sound too harsh and his own inner critic began to kick himself.
Asuna's family was wealthy and well connected and she had probably never wanted for any possession while growing up. Being presented with a future where that might not be the case might have come as a shock.
A little fact about the role of a husband wormed its treacherously from the back of his mind. 'To support ones spouse in the fashion to which they are accustomed . . .' Which was to say Asuna's material circumstances shouldn't suffer just for who she loved. Thinking about it that way elicited a treacherous little surge of self loathing and inadequacy that was only banished by Asuna placing a slender hand on his shoulder.
She smiled kindly.
"I'm sure it will be more than enough as long as we stick together."
"Yeah but . . . I want you to be happy." He told her.
"I am happy." Asuna said. "Mostly." She admitted, a dash of melancholy troubling her features. "But when I'm not, it's not because I don't have things, Kirito-kun. You and Yui-chan make me happy . . . the rest we can figure out together." With that said said she drew him closer, into a familial embrace that encompassed all three of them. Kirito couldn't help but begin to melt into the sense of certainty Asuna radiated. The promise that everyhing would be alright.
That too was a moment that couldn't last, however. Very distantly a sound intruded on their family moment and he felt his wife's warmth withdraw, turning cold and rigid beside him.
"Asuna?"
The Maeve had already half risen from bed. Her eyes darted to the Rapier hung above the bedroom mantle before remembering where she was and that the chance of mortal danger was remote.
"It's just somebody at the door, mama." Yui assured her mother as the tension unwound from the Maeve's slender frame.
"I'll go check who it is." Kirito offered. "Why don't you and Yui get dressed."
"U-un . . ." Asuna nodded reluctantly. "We'll do that . . ."
Kirito hurried down the stairs, padding through the all but shuttered second floor and then emerging into the kitchen before cutting straight through the dining room, family room, and living room.
'This house is too damn big.' He thought again. He had to imagine other people would soon be feeling the same way. Maybe they could get roommates . . .
"Good morning." Kirito announced as he pulled open the front door and was met by the distinguished hawk nose and graying hairline of Sir Lawrence Maison, personal retainer of Prince Wales of Albion.
The butler stood on their doorstep in immaculate servant's dress carrying himself with an air of unflappable certainty that was not quite reflected by the small troop of royalists arrayed at his back, a small chest resting between them. Most of the men stood at rigid attention, but every now and then they would glance about, or cock an ear at an unfamiliar sound. They drew a crowd of curious onlookers fascinated by the stoic display but only Sir Maison refused to be distracted by anything in what had to seem like an impossibly foreign place to the rest of his men.
Kirito only partly noticed however, his eyes were drawn magnetically back to the chest no matter how he tried to look away. What was it about that chest?
"Monsieur Kirigaya." Sir Maison announced solemnly.
"Uh . . . Yeah?" Kirito was still taking in the sight even as he was addressed.
"Excellent. Then this is the Lady Asuna's domicile, is it not?"
"Uhm . . ."
Sir Maison sighed. "This is the Lady Asuna's home. Yes?"
"Yeah?" Feeling very stupid now. The Spriggan shook his head, finally starting to catch up. "I'm sorry but I don't think Asuna was expecting you. Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Quite the contrary, Monsieur Kirigaya." Sir Maison answered. "It is in fact the dearest wish of our Royal Highness and the Lady Windsor to give thanks to you and your wife for services rendered to the Crown of Albion."
"Okay." Kirito scratched behind a pointed ear. "What services are those exactly?"
Sir Maison did his best best to not look like he thought less of Kirito before making a gesture to cross the threshold. Kirito stepped aside and watched as the troop one by one stepped inside, each pausing to clean their boots on the doormat until the entry was filled up with tough looking men still carrying their stout chest. Kirito felt the hairs on the arm nearest to the container rising as if in response to an electrical charge.
When the last man entered he closed the door behind him and with a small enchantment cast a Sound Deadening charm that would make evesdropping through the door all but impossible.
"What's going on?" Kirito heard Asuna treading down the stairs with Yui close behind, clinging to her mother's side. Anxiety had gotten the better of her and Asuna had quickly dressed in simple skirt, blouse, and tights. And though she carried it casually, like a kendo sword being taken to practice, she did have her rapier. "Sir Maison?"
"Lady Asuna." Sir Maison bowed, his escorts following suit. "Allow me to extend the sincerest well wishes of his Royal Highness and his cousins, the Princess Henrietta de Tristain, and the Countess of Windsor. Good health and fortune be with you and your house."
Asuna froze for a moment and then, as if by instinct, gave a delicate courtesy. "And may good health and fortune be with their Royal Highnesses and the Countess of Windsor . . . Kirito-kun."
"Uh? Oh!" The Spriggan quickly mirrored Sir Maison's bow. He felt like he was one step behind whatever was going on. "Our sincerest well wishes." Kirito said as earnestly as he could muster.
"Now then." Asuna clasped her hands together, smiling graciously. "I'm sure there must be more to this visit than just a thank you. If that was all then I'm sure the Prince or even the Princess would have just sent us a letter."
"Indeed." Sir Maison agreed. "It is in fact his Royal Highness' wish to offer more tangible thanks for the role of you and your husband in preserving his life and succession of the Kingdom of Albion. Tradition dictates that the reward for the earnest saving of a prince would be a prince's randsom." Kirito's ears perked at that. "I am afraid that such a reward is currently beyond the means of Albion's Crown to spare. But it is hoped that this modest sum will be taken in the spirit of honoring debts and gratitude." With a gesture from Maison the guards set their chest upon the living room floor and release its locks.
Kirito's mouth went dry when he saw Wales' 'modest sum' for himself. It was, very easily, more gold than Kirigaya Kazuto had ever seen outside of VR. It wasn't a large fortune, but that was only because it was merely a small fortune. His eyes darted quickly to Asuna who seemed astonishingly unfazed by the windfall that had just dropped into their lives. Instead, she calmly stepped closer and leaned over to examine the contents of the chest.
"Germanian Imperial Septrs in fifty, seventy five, and ninety five percent purity. Gold and stirling silver." Sir Maison repeated. "A sum total equally to five hundred Albion Crowns or four hundred and seventry three Tristanian Royals. All coins, their authenticity and certificates of purity have been signed and underwritten by the Tristain Royal Treasury and the Bank of the Holy See making them fit for deposit with the banking or trade house of your choosing." The Maeve accepted a bundle of very official looking papers and certificates, not wasting any time trying to pretend she understood the writing.
"I understand. Please extend my family's most gracious thanks for this generous gift." Asuna courtesied again. "And let the Crown Prince know that it has been accepted in the spirit in which it was given. I am afraid, however, that we have not retained the services of a bank at this time." Not a bank exactly, but even Kirito had the sense that this was far more than could safely stored in a strong box at the Spriggan guild hall. "So if I may trouble you to deliver this at once to the Guild House of the Leprechaun's here in Arrun, please inform them that we would like to reserve the use of one of their vaults and I shall be along soon to arrange a meeting with Lord Rute."
"Of course, Lady Asuna." Sir Maison bowed. "It will be done at once."
Before the guards closed the chest again, Kirito's heart strings tugging as the gold disappeared from site, Asuna gingerly extracted two large gold coins that represented far more than all the copper and silver coins that they had previously had to their name combined. "Would it be safe to assume, Sir Maison, that these could also be exchanged at the Leprechaun Guild House?"
"I believe that is the arrangement between the Faerie Court and Royal Treasury, milady."
Asuna smiled. "That should be just perfect then. Thank you so much Maison-san. We wish you and your men a safe journey back to Tristania. And . . . if you could also tell Emily thank you . . . "
"Of course, milady. Farewell."
With another gesture, the troops hefted their cargo once more and withdrew from the house, leaving Kirito still frazzled by what had just transpired. Shaking his head he gave Asuna a glance. "I understand thanking Wales . . . but why Emily."
"Because Emily is most likely the one who leant him that money." His wife explained simply. "And while I can't read Tristanian, I recognize her family seal on the certificates. Which means this gold is probably from the holdings she inherited outside of Albion."
"Oh."
"Mama?" Yui tugged at the hem of her mother's blouse. "So . . . Does this mean we're rich?"
Asuna stroked her daughter's hair. "Well . . . let's just say it's not an inexhaustible amount of money, Yui-chan. We can't be careless with it. But it's enough that your papa shouldn't worry at all about whether we can afford to live here or buy nice clothes." She gave Kirito a promising look she rolled the gold septrs against one another. The Spriggan suddenly felt a knot forming in his stomach. "For all of us." She smiled.