Chapter 31: Chapter 30: Dinner at Home
[20ps]
The sky had dimmed to a soft indigo, and the faint sounds of the city buzzed in the background like a lullaby. Inside the small, newly lit dining space of the old church, a warm golden glow from a lantern filled the room.
The dinner table wasn’t anything special—a simple, roughly repaired wooden surface with mismatched chairs—but tonight, it felt like a feast hall.
Ethan stood at the small cooking area they’d set up, stirring a pot of stew over a flickering flame. The scent of simmering vegetables and spices filled the air.
Behind him, Lili set the plates down with practiced care. She had offered to help after he returned from the market with fresh groceries. Though he insisted he could do it alone, she didn’t take no for an answer.
"You sure you’re not secretly a housewife?" Ethan joked, glancing at her.
Lili smirked. "If I was, I’d be charging rent."
He chuckled. "Fair enough."
Hestia entered the room a moment later, arms stretching high above her head as she let out a satisfied sigh. "That smells so good... Ethan, you’re the best!" she said, plopping down in a chair with the grace of a falling pillow.
"I’m starting to believe you only keep me around for my cooking," he replied dryly.
"I keep you around for your abs too," she shot back, grinning.
Lili choked slightly on her own breath, cheeks pink.
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Goddess, can you not say things like that before dinner?"
"What? I’m just being honest!" Hestia said, sticking out her tongue playfully.
Dinner was served shortly after—simple, hearty stew with sliced bread and fresh vegetables. Nothing extravagant, but after a long day of work, it tasted like heaven.
The three of them ate around the table, relaxed and quiet at first, just enjoying the food. But as the bowls emptied, conversation filled the air.
"So," Lili began carefully, "what’s the plan now that the place is mostly renovated?"
"Sleep," Hestia answered immediately, dropping her spoon dramatically into the bowl. "Like a goddess should. I haven’t had a decent nap in a week."
Ethan chuckled. "We’ll rest for a day or two. Then I’ll start planning the next dungeon dive. With better gear and Lili as my porter, I can push deeper."
Lili looked up. "You sure about that?"
"You worried?" Ethan asked.
She paused, then shook her head. "No. Just... I know how dangerous it gets. I’ve seen it."
"I’ve felt it," he said, remembering the fight with the minotaur. The scars on his side still ached sometimes, despite the healing.
There was a brief silence after that. Even Hestia looked a little more serious.
"I trust you," Lili said suddenly, softly. "I’ll do my best to support you."
Ethan gave her a nod. "I know."
Hestia watched them both. A tiny flicker of something—jealousy?—passed in her chest. But it was different now. She could see how much Lili respected him. She could see how much Ethan trusted her.
Still... she wasn’t going to give up her place beside him.
After they finished eating, Ethan stood to collect the bowls, but Lili quickly reached for them. "You cooked, I’ll clean."
"You sure?"
She gave him a mock-serious nod. "If you interfere, I’ll bite you."
"Terrifying," he said with a grin, letting her take the dishes.
Hestia leaned back in her chair, watching the two of them again. It was strange, having people here. Having people help. Having... a family.
Her lips curled into a small, genuine smile.
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Maybe this wasn’t such a bad idea after all.
Later that night, as the lantern flickered out and the quiet of the sleeping church returned, the warmth lingered—not from the stew, but from something else.
It was the warmth of belonging.