I Own A Brothel In Another World (Ch. 1-196)

Chapter 145 - Changes Are on the Horizon

"Are we heading straight home?" Cornelia asks as we ride inside the carriage together.

I turn my face to meet her gaze and smile at my beautiful wife. "Isn't it a violation of privacy to spy on your husband's thoughts?"

She smirks and raises a brow at me, entwining her arm with mine. "Shouldn't a loving wife worry about the reason her husband has been silent for quite a while?"

Chuckling, I lean in to place a tender peck on Cornelia's cheek. "I was thinking about visiting a certain place considering all the plans we set in motion, including the King's upcoming reforms. Would you like to accompany me or...?"

"Like you even have to ask. And you know that well. So, what's wrong with it for you to bring it up like this?"

"Selina's Splendid Servants," I reveal the name of the establishment I've had on my mind.

"Ah. That female slave trader." Cornelia cocks her head back in understanding. "Thank you for being considerate of me but I will naturally come with you. What do you need from her? I'm pretty sure it's been a moment since your last visit and purchase. You are doing quite fine acquiring new employees on your own. And new wives."

My charming magician smirks at me, pushing her perky chest into my arm. I steal Cornelia's lips this time and pepper them with a myriad of tiny kisses as we sigh into each other's mouths softly. It's truly a bliss to share such a delicate and casual moment with the person you love.

"Leaving aside the matter of my rapidly increasing number of wives," I let out a little laugh and she joins too, "I just want to discuss the near future with her. But, nothing stops us from trying to break someone else out while we are there."

"You wouldn't be yourself if you didn't." Cornelia shows a warm smile. "Let's go, then. We don't have that much work personally. Most things are on the shoulders of Sirgia, Velen, Mari, and other girls doing their best to aid you on your new journey."

"Our new journey," I correct her with a boop on the nose. "Or did you decide to stay behind? Of course, I will respect any choice you make and you should be fully aware of that."

Giving Cornelia a moment to gather her thoughts, I stand up and get closer to the carriage's door. Using a small, square window, I lean outside and inform our driver about the change of destination. He accepts the new directions without a word of protest and I return to my beautiful companion.

"I'm sure you can feel how happy I am to have a chance to go with you guys, but I can't stop having doubts," she admits with an exasperated sigh. "Ice might be my thing but I don't have much experience with water as big bodies of liquid, to be perfectly honest. Especially such deep ones. I'm afraid I will drag you guys down, or worse, panic at a critical moment."

Instead of sitting next to her, I get on my knees in front of Cornelia and bring myself more or less to her eye level. Taking her hands into mine, I smile at her reassuringly.

"You are much braver and composed than you assume. Have you forgotten who came to save my ass during the underground raid?"

She snorts to the side but soon returns her gaze to me, with a faint trace of a blush covering her gorgeous cheeks.

"If you don't feel like going, I will not drag you out by force. But, I would love to have you by my side too," I continue. "We have some time before the departure. If you would like, we can go to the shore and get you a little bit more used to the underwater atmosphere. I could use a refresh of my memories too. It's been a few years since I went diving."

Cornelia strokes my hands with her fingers while pondering my words. After a few long seconds, she nods. "That's a good idea. I'll take you up on that."