After my son became a Hero, we received a huge one-time payment from the country. This money, it's enough to sustain us for a lifetime if we live frugally.
But I never thought this money would change my husband Zect's character so drastically. Or maybe, his nature was always twisted.
Perhaps, when we had no money, he was just pretending to be a decent person.
"You've worked hard until now, so it's okay for you to enjoy yourself a little. But would you like to take care of the fields and rice paddies?"
After all, he's a farmer, and neglecting the crops would not only affect us but the whole village too.
"Why don't you do it? Besides, with money, who needs to bother with fields and farms?"
"Sure, we have money, but if we keep indulging like this, it'll run out eventually! Can't we save at least a little?"
Following this, he said this to me.
"You're such a nag! Here!"
"What's this?"
"Money, money! I'll give you that much, don't complain!"
He tossed a leather bag at me, but when I checked its contents, there wasn't much inside.
"This... It's less than a tenth! You should..."
"You're still complaining about money, aren't you? Ugh!"
He threw up his hands in frustration and walked away.
"Where are you going?"
"The city! The city! I won't be back for a while!"
It was futile to stop him. Words were useless.
"Fine... I get it."
I sighed in exasperation as he left, laughing at me from behind.
I wish we hadn't accepted the dowry. I really do.
It's always gambling, women, or alcohol with him...
While other families are saving money or buying land...
Sigh, it's pointless to think about it. At least I need to save this money! Otherwise, I won't be able to pay this year's taxes.
But what should I do about the field work?
I guess I'll have to do it all by myself.
But that man, he never gets tired of it night after night... He really is worthless.
I'm truly disgusted. And after that, he finally stopped coming home.
Two months passed, and my husband Sector returns.
"I'm home."
He says it so nonchalantly.
"Home?! What have you been doing all this time? I thought you'd never come back!"
"Well, don't make such a sour face! I was in the wrong..."
"Is that so? I bet you've already spent all the money, haven't you? From now on, you'll have to work diligently!"
"Yeah, you're right. I really messed up. From now on, I'll work hard. Let's go to the city together and indulge a little, and then I'll stop wasting money!"
Has he truly repented?
I thought so... but I couldn't have been more wrong.
He said that, and I happily went with him to the city, never imagining that it was a trap, and I would be sold as a slave.
I'm furious.
Who would have thought he'd use drugs on his own wife to make her sleep? All for the remaining one-tenth of the money? I'm his wife, for crying out loud!
I let my guard down completely.
Sigh... The former S-rank adventurer, the one they call the Black-haired Healer, turned into a laughingstock.
Money changed that man, for sure.
Thinking back, that rotten old man has been terrible for a long time!
Just like at that time.
Ceres-kun once said, "When I grow up, I want to marry Aunt Shizuko."
And what did he say?
'Hmm, Ceres. But by the time you're 15, she'll be an old lady... Ah, yeah, you can have this gold coin instead of her.'
He said it with a laugh!
Zect, too, said, "Don't do it, don't do it, she's not worth it."
And they laughed together... I remember now.
Indeed, it's been a long time since there was any romantic relationship between us.
I can't even remember the last time we were intimate.
Probably more than ten years without that kind of relationship.
There may be no love between a man and a woman!
But then again, there should be family love!
There is trust!
I thought so...
But there wasn't even that.
Ugh... No matter how much I cry, it won't change anything.
I know that!
But I'm overwhelmed by regret, and the tears won't stop.
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