When a Well-Raised Son Grows Up - Chapter 47

Chapter 47

Abella couldn’t help but laugh.

Phew… It’s okay, sweetheart. Your love of children has kept you well.”

“Still, there are many things I’d like to do for you, Mom.”

“Oh, yeah? Like what?”

Abella asked with a bright smile. Carlisle narrowed his eyes slightly, and the corners of his mouth twitched upwards.

“Well, for instance………”

His large hand slid around Abella’s waist and hugged her, stroking her belly.

“Like this……?”

Carlisle rubbed her tummy like Abella used to do when she was little, and Abella laughed slyly and tried to push him away.

“Hmph. Go. It tickles, Carlisle.”

“Why? It’s something you did when I was a child.”

“That does not demonstrate childlike love.”

She laughed loudly. Carlisle felt his body tense, but he didn’t show it. He also laughed.

“It was a joke.”

and “Silly.”

Abella kissed him on the cheek and moved away. Carlisle stood up, happy to release her from his embrace.

“Take a break. I’ll clean up what you’ve eaten. Do you want me to wash some raspberries?”

“Mmm, no, thank you. I’m fine. I am running low on flour and plan to go to the market later.”

“Okay, I’ll come with you.”

Carlisle replied and cleared the table skillfully.

The kitchen was filled with the sounds of Carlisle washing the dishes, while Abella sat on the worn couch, warmed by the fire in the fireplace.

The air was peaceful and comforting. Carlisle wished this simple life could last forever.

* * *

“Sweetheart, do you want me to buy some meat?”

Abella asked a question as she stopped in front of the butcher’s shop. She glanced up at Carlisle, who also stopped and scratched his head.

“Meat? Do you still have meat at home?”

“But… is currently experiencing a high level of success. I thought I’d roast them or something.”

Upon glancing at Carlisle’s reaction, she noticed that his face was more muted than she’d expected.

“Not much?”

Carlisle shook his head. He was holding a big sack of flour in his arms.

“I don’t dislike it, but I’m okay. I’m doing well. If you’re buying meat for me, it’s not necessary.”

He had been hunting every morning before Abella woke up, so he had no complaints about his current diet. He had grown accustomed to stews with enough meat to get stuck in his teeth.

Carlisle didn’t care if Abella spent the money on a piece of meat because it was much tastier to nibble on a freshly killed deer than a roast.

“If it’s something you want to eat, you can have it. And if you’re buying it for me, you don’t have to.”

Abella was disappointed by Carlisle’s persistence and bit her lip.

“Mmmm. You’re a wolf, so you should eat more meat.”

“But it’s almost winter; why don’t we buy some more firewood than meat?”

Carlisle asked Abella to pull her coat tighter around her as they felt the cold in the air. It was not the best time to buy meat, but they decided to stock up on more firewood instead. Abella nodded in agreement.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Yes, you don’t have to worry about me, and I’ll tell you when I want some meat.”

Abella was stubborn, but she eventually walked past the butcher. Then they both wandered through the rest of the market.

“It is enjoyable to walk with you like this.”

Normally, they buy what they need and leave quickly. However, today they were wandering around, buying snacks, and eating them for some reason.

“Me too. I have not been to a market in a while.”

Carlisle narrowed his eyes in response to her comment.

“Are you having fun at the market because you’re with me?”

He pouted. He affectionately turned to Abella. She burst out laughing and pinched his cheek.

“Of course, I am enjoying walking around the market with you, Carlisle.”

Abella offered Carlisle one of her chicken skewers. He graciously accepted, smiling sheepishly at her.

“Mom.”

Carlisle held his large hand out in front of her.

“Can I hold your hand?”

“Huh? Hand?”

Abella shook her head. She seemed to think there was something wrong with barely holding his hand. Then she casually squeezed Carlisle’s hand.

“You can hold it with just your hand.”

Carlisle’s cheeks flushed with warmth. He bowed his head. Abella laughed at the vein-like appearance.

“Pooh, you’re so good at catching my hand at home.”

Abella playfully waved her hand back and forth as she spoke. Carlisle was happy to be swept away but felt embarrassed.

“At home, it’s just the two of us.”

“‘And what is the difference?’ she asked.

“I see other people. I see distractions.”

In a low voice, Carlisle muttered and tightened his hold on her hand.

“I was thinking that they might be misunderstood.”

Abella caught the implication only after a moment of blinking. She just shrugged her shoulders casually.

“It’s OK, I don’t care.”

“Really?” he asked.

“Yes,” she replied.

“Good,” he said.

Carlisle rolled her eyes and smiled.

“I thought my mom would hate it.”

He unnecessarily wriggled his clasped hands.

“I was worried that I would make you feel uncomfortable again, but I’m glad I didn’t.”

As Carlisle spoke, Abella felt a strange sensation. She could barely hold his hand and felt sorry for the way he looked at her.

Abella reflected on her behavior. At times, Carlisle would innocently try to make out with her, but she always pushed him away as if he were having a fit.

I would tell myself, “You deserve to be recognized.”

It appears that these behaviors have accumulated over time, resulting in the Carlisle that I know today. Carlisle felt a heaviness in one side of her chest. Abella smiled wryly and looked at Carlisle.

“It’s alright, you can do this on your own.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, sure.”

Abella’s words caused Carlisle’s eyes to widen in disbelief. He repeated them several times.

“I am happy.”

He smiled, so happy that he had to struggle to hide the ears and tail that threatened to jump out at him.

“I was very happy, to the point that my tail almost wagged out of control.”

“Is it that bad?”

Yes, I am very happy. I will walk hand in hand with you every day from now on.”

Carlisle held flour in one hand and Abella’s hand in the other. Abella occasionally puts a chicken skewer in his mouth to eat, and it is delicious.

Right now, he was so happy that he felt like he could soar into the sky. At least until a gnome appeared in front of her.

While exploring the market, they heard a strange man’s voice, which was only familiar to Carlisle.

“Oh, Abella?”

The voice was low but somehow light.

“Abella, right?”

He grabbed her hands casually.

Carlisle pushed away the man who grabbed her arm without permission and pulled her into his protective arms. She turned around quickly.

Carlisle instinctively bared his teeth. He also narrowed his eyes and looked at the man in a threatening manner.

He had a thin body, a freckled face, and wispy brown hair. He resembled a man she had seen ten times on the street today.

“Who are you? Why are you holding her hand without permission?”

The voice spoke with obvious displeasure, and the man gaped like a fool, unable to hide his embarrassment.

“Oh, well, that’s because I’m that…”

“Uh, Enoch?”

Unfortunately, Abella was the one who recognized him.

“I heard you joined a famous aristocratic circle in the capital. What brings you here? It’s been a while. How have you been?”

Carlisle’s face hardened instantly. The sight of Abella clapping her hands and greeting the man named Enoch with such enthusiasm turned his good mood into mud.