Cooking with Wild Game (LN) - Volume 14 - Chapter 4.04

4

“So at least for now, it doesn’t seem like Deek Dom has anyone he wants to take as a bride. Looks like his plan is to take it easy and look for a fitting woman until he turns eighteen.”

It was now the following evening. Ludo Ruu was giving his report to Morun Rutim, who was once again visiting the Ruu settlement.

“And the folks up north are going to give some definite thought as to how they want to handle the matter of tasty cooking, so depending on how that goes, they may end up asking to exchange members with the clans under the Ruu like the Sauti did. If that happens, you may have another chance to form a bond with Deek Dom.”

“H-Hold on, Ludo Ruu...”

“Still, the northern settlement’s built in a pretty dangerous place. You get mundt and stuff popping up on the outskirts of the forest, and apparently it isn’t even that rare for giba to wander into the settlement. I gave some advice that for the women’s safety, they should clear out some of their encroaching trees and build a fence or something. I mean, even if you like the guy, we can’t go sending you off to such a dangerous place.”

“Ludo Ruu! I said hold on!”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“I had my suspicions when I heard about your trip from Ama Min after she returned from the Ruu settlement this morning...but did you really head up north for a reason like that?!”

“What do you mean ‘a reason like that’? This is a huge deal for you.”

“Th-That’s true, but...” Morun Rutim murmured, her cheeks turning red. However, her adorable plump face was still shooting Ludo Ruu a reproachful look. “But up until the Suun clan fell, the Ruu and the northern clans were bitter enemies, right? It’s dangerous spending the night in a place like that!”

“It wasn’t dangerous at all. And if it was, that’d be all the more reason we couldn’t let you go.”

“You didn’t go all the way there on your own just to confirm that, did you...?”

“Of course not. I just wanted to know what sort of person Deek Dom really was. After all, I couldn’t just let you go off and marry some weak-willed guy,” Ludo Ruu replied with a grin. “But, well, as far as I could see, he seemed like a great man. Maybe a bit hardheaded, but not so bad for someone from up north. But you’ll have to confirm the rest with your own two eyes.”

“Ludo Ruu, I can’t believe you...” Morun Rutim sighed. “Maybe it’s because all the men in my family have such imposing builds, but I seem to be drawn to guys like that...”

“Ooh yeah, Dan Rutim and Gazraan Rutim really do stand out.”

“If it weren’t for that, I’d probably have ended up wanting to marry you, Ludo Ruu...”

“What, so even you’re calling me a runt now, Morun Rutim?” Ludo Ruu frowned, only for the girl to shoot him back a gentle smile.

“Still, I’d say I was really lucky to be born close to someone as kind and reliable as you.”

“Cut it out. That’s embarrassing.”

“But it’s the truth,” Morun Rutim replied, smiling even brighter.

It was then that the door to the main house swung open behind them.

“Ah, I finally found you, Ludo! I’m starving, so let’s hurry up and get dinner started.”

It was the youngest daughter of the main house, Rimee Ruu.

Turning her way, Ludo Ruu stuck out his tongue.

“Quiet, you. Don’t go interrupting important discussions. If you’re hungry, then just go gnaw on a wooden spoon or something.”

“What the heck, stupid runty Ludo?! You’re just a stupid runt!”

“Do you not know any insults but ‘stupid’ and ‘runt’?”

“Shut up! If you don’t hurry up, I’ll eat your dinner too!”

With that, the door slammed shut.

“Hee hee hee,” Ludo Ruu chuckled, until Morun Rutim came in closer to him with a somewhat worried look.

“Hey, Ludo Ruu... It probably goes without saying at this point, but it’s worrying me, so there’s something I feel the need to say...”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“No matter how cute she may be and how much you may adore her, you can’t marry your little sister, you know.”

Instantly, the blood rushed to Ludo Ruu’s face.

“Wh-Why are you spouting stupid stuff like that?! How is that cheeky little crybaby Rimee cute?! You’re being weird, Morun Rutim!”

“Well, if I was mistaken then there’s no worry,” she answered with a smile meant to pacify Ludo Ruu as she patted him on the shoulder. “I hope you meet a girl you’ll find even more adorable and precious than Rimee Ruu soon.”

“Shut up!” Ludo Ruu shouted, his voice echoing throughout the darkening Ruu settlement.

It was the fourth of the ashen month at the time. News of the capture of Cyclaeus’s underlings, those outlaws in the Winds of Black Death, would be delivered the following day.