Chapter 228
If that’s the case, then all she needed was a proposal that only the two of them could enjoy, something intimate, romantic, and at least somewhat predictable—
‘But… what would that even look like?’
Ashtel was at a loss.
After thinking for a while, she finally picked up the communicator.
“Sis Carmen, is Sis Chacha with you?”
She decided to ask Chacha, the walking encyclopedia of human customs, for advice.
Chacha usually stayed in the human world, so Ashtel thought it might be hard to reach her. Luckily, Chacha happened to be near Carmen’s territory and soon answered the call.
As soon as Chacha picked up, Ashtel got straight to the point.
“Sister! What’s a romantic, intimate, but quiet and passionate way to propose?”
—Quiet… what?
“I mean, not noisy! I want a quiet proposal!”
—Then just do it at home, right?
The answer came not from Chacha, but from Carmen, who had snatched the device and replied in her usual blunt tone.
Naturally, Ashtel puffed out her cheeks and protested.
“No, it has to be special! I want to do it somewhere nice!”
—But, little one, it seems like your human man just wants a simple confession.
This time, it was Chacha’s turn to answer.
“A simple confession?”
—Just the two of you, somewhere quiet and comfortable. What could be better than home? The most common proposal is giving flowers and a ring, nothing more.
“But I want it to be a little more special… Oh, right! I need a ring!”
At that, Chacha let out a deep sigh. Her little sister still had so much to learn about humans.
—I’d come help you myself, but I’ve got things to do here, so I might not even be able to call for a while. There’s a village there, isn’t there? Why not ask the locals?
“Oh, right! I heard there’s a grandmother who’s a doctor here.”
And actually, Ashtel was a little worried about Payne’s health, too. Humans seemed to get sick if you took your eyes off them for even a moment.
‘Wait, I’m human now too!’
If she was going to see the doctor, she might as well get a checkup herself, and she’d feel less guilty if she brought a present.
“Chacha, what should I bring as a gift?”
—Usually food. Try making a pie or something.
“A pie… Got it, thanks! Love you!”
—I love you too.
—Hey, what about me? Include me!
Carmen chimed in, but Ashtel had already hung up.
Rolling up her sleeves and full of determination, she marched out of the bedroom.
‘First, I’ll bake a pie! Then, I’ll ask Payne to go visit the grandmother with me!’
And so, rather ridiculously, the very first item on Ashtel’s proposal plan was ‘Bake a pie.’
* * *
But since Ashtel could barely boil water, it was obvious that pie baking was not going to go well.
Her attempt was thwarted from the start, as she began pouring flour into a bowl, intent on making dough.
“Ashtel, what are you doing?”
“Oh? Uh, I was going to bake some bread.”
“What? I told you not to do anything in the kitchen.”
Ashtel stuck out her lower lip in protest. So she’d spilled a little flour when she opened the bag, but she hadn’t made any real mess—yet.
She figured as long as she followed the recipe, she’d be fine.
“But Payne, I just wanted to do something nice for that doctor who took care of me last time.”
“…To thank her?”
“Yeah. You remember the old lady, right?”
The details were hazy, but Ashtel vividly remembered being looked after by an elderly woman with lots of age spots on her face.
She reached for the bag again, and this time Payne didn’t stop her. He just looked at her with a surprised expression before stepping in to help.
“If you do it alone, you’ll end up with a lump of charcoal, so I’ll help.”
“A lump of charcoal?!”
“Just focus on pouring the flour. I’ll get the milk.”
“Oh, okay.”
So, thanks to Payne’s help—though, honestly, he did most of the work—the fruit pie turned out perfectly.
The pie, stuffed with apples and blueberries, was glossy and beautiful, and when they tasted it, it was delicious.
Humming to herself, Ashtel took Payne’s hand and they headed into the village.
The townsfolk, curious about the couple who rarely left their house, turned to look at them as they passed.
The first to speak was a middle-aged man selling flowers.
“Well, the rumors were true—a beautiful young bride moved in the other day! Your husband’s a lucky man!”
“Oh, really? Thank you!”
Ashtel couldn’t help but grin ear to ear.
Hand in hand with Payne, she chirped like a little songbird.
“Payne, did you hear that? He said I’m pretty!”
“I heard. Haven’t you been told that a thousand times already?”
“Well, sure, but it still makes me happy.”
Payne glanced at Ashtel, suddenly realizing that, come to think of it, he’d never seriously complimented her looks before.
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