Investing in My Crippled Wife: Every Return Makes Me Stronger

Soren knocked on the door while speaking mentally. ’It’s me.’

Then the door’s lock clicked, and Soren pushed it open. Ethea was already waiting near the entrance, her mask removed, her hands resting on her lap, and a lovely smile on her face as their eyes met.

”Congratulations on your victory, dear.” She said, her voice full of pride and happiness. ”You were amazing.”

Soren felt the corners of his lips rise as he stepped inside and knelt in front of her. ”Thank you, dear.” He took her hands gently. ”But you weren’t bored waiting, right?”

Ethea shook her head. ”No, I wasn’t. In fact, I enjoyed it a lot.”

”Then I’m relieved.” Soren stood up. ”Actually, I discovered something during the competition.”

”Mmm, I noticed it too.” Ethea nodded. ”Is it about Miss Nuelia’s dish?”

”Yes,” Soren confirmed and then explained everything to Ethea, including the plan to meet up and have a private talk. ”What do you say? Will you accompany me?”

”Of course,” Ethea replied without hesitation. ”I am curious what she wants to talk about, too.”

”Good, then let’s not keep her waiting.” Soren chuckled and took out something from his inventory. It was an ordinary-looking necklace. But as he gently put it on Ethea, it slowly changed its appearance and then disappeared from view. At the same time, Ethea’s features blurred and changed into a completely different face within seconds. ”...Done.”

He smiled to himself as he walked behind the wheelchair.

’Let’s go, Mr. Bagdad’s Savior.’

Ethea’s mischievous voice echoed in his mind.

’On your command, my queen~.’

Soren responded with an internal chuckle, matching her playful energy step for step as he rolled the wheelchair forward.

’Hehe~’

Ethea giggled at his words.

And as they moved, a thought popped up in her mind. ’Dear, how did you come up with that idea earlier? And... I feel like the others didn’t fully understand the story behind it.’

While he was smiling faintly the whole time, she knew well enough to guess he wasn’t fully satisfied with their responses.

’...You noticed that?’ Soren raised his brow in surprise.

’Mmm.’

Soren scratched his head with his hand. ’Actually, they weren’t wrong about it. Chef Nuelia, especially, was the closest.’

’Can you tell me the truth then?’

’It’s nothing grand. I just wanted to convey my own life through that meal.’ Soren explained. ’My early life was bitter and painful; that’s why I made it so at first, the meal would taste bitter. But if you endure the bitterness and swallow, the taste will change, just like how my life changed after meeting Nura, Raine, and... you. But the message I wanted to give was, like Miss Nuelia said, if you can endure the hardships of life, you will eventually reach the sweet reward waiting on the other side.’

’...’ Ethea went silent as Soren finished his explanation. However, from the slight curvature of her lips and the overflowing affection in her gaze, it was clear his words had reached her heart.

’Soren... I love you...’

’...’

If only she could speak these words aloud. But she didn’t have the courage to do it, not yet, especially when things between them felt so comfortable as they were. That’s why she chose to keep her feelings tucked away, leaving Soren completely oblivious to the sweet truth blooming in her heart.

But even if she couldn’t express it yet, she could still share the sentiment.

’Dear... I think it also applies to my life... You said your life changed after meeting us, but meeting you changed my life as much, if not more.’

’...’ Soren fell silent this time, but he managed to recover quickly. ’Mm, then, we should call it ’Our life’, right?’

’Our life...’ Ethea replied softly, her heart fluttering at the choice of his words. ’I... like it.’

’Good, it’s decided then.’ Soren clenched his fist. ’I’ll share it with this name!’

’Huh? You’re gonna share it?’ Ethea asked in surprise.

’That’s right, and I’m going to release the recipe for free.’ Soren revealed, with a bright spark in his eyes. ’I want everyone to experience our story and keep it in their memory.’

’I see...’ Ethea smiled. ’Then I’ll support you however I can.’

’Mm... Thank you.’

They kept moving down the hallway while continuing their talk and eventually reached the exit. As soon as they stepped out into the open air, someone waved at them. However, their face was a bit blurry.

’Hmm?’ It took Soren a moment to recognize her, as she had changed into new clothes.

’Is it her?’ Ethea asked curiously. ’She looks... a lot different.’

Instead of her usual green robes, Nuelia was wearing light, sporty summer clothes while holding an umbrella with her other hand.

’Yes,’ Soren replied while waving back at her. ’She certainly looks different.’

As they drew closer, Nuelia twirled her umbrella over one shoulder, flashing them a bright smile. ”You are here.”

”We didn’t make you wait, right?” Soren asked as he brought the wheelchair to a stop in front of her.

”No, I just got out too,” Nuelia reassured them, nodding politely to Ethea. ”It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Everly.”

Ethea inclined her head. ”It’s a pleasure to meet you too. And congratulations on advancing to the final.”

”Thank you!” Nuelia smiled even more brightly. ”But it’s your husband who stole the show today. You must be very proud of him, right?”

Ethea’s smile softened. ”I am. Always.”

”Hehe, I can tell.” Nuelia giggled. ”You look like a wife who is very much in love. And I think I understand why he kept glancing in that direction now. He must have been looking in your direction the whole time.”

”Ahem.” Soren cleared his throat to get their attention, his ears heating up a little. ”Shall we get going?”

”Ah, right, sorry for getting carried away.” Nuelia smiled apologetically and turned around. ”Please follow me.”

Soren nodded and wheeled Ethea after her.

”Can you tell me the location? I can take us in the car if it’s too far to walk.”

”Don’t worry, it’s not that far from the festival grounds.” Nuelia shook her head lightly. ”And I prefer not to use a car as much as possible.”

’Right, I almost forgot about this. Elves not only love but also protect the nature...’