Alluring Secret [TechiNeru]

Beyond Affection

Gana village where Techi's villa is located was secluded at the very edge of their kingdom, a mountain range on one side while most of the area is covered by forests. Most residents were farmers as the village was not as developed as Keyaki was, yet most villagers are self-sufficient. A village where not many from Keyaki would come to spend their lives with.

Half a year passed since Neru decided to leave everything behind and follow her heart's desire. And although Techi's villa is in a small village at the very edge of their kingdom, news about the prestigious Nagahama heiress' sudden disappearance had been spread far and wide. It was much like the crown princess' disappearance and a lot of speculative articles had been written, some claiming it to be a serial kidnapper although no ransom had been issued, others elopement, and even saying it was spiriting away. But as Neru stared at those flat, printed words, it was as if the person who had been mentioned was completely unrelated to her. She had thought back then about how were her parents now, had they been looking for her? Fuyuka could be crying her heart out or could be very angry and resenting her. Her friends, the people who attended the supposed wedding. Her betrayal towards her family and Fuyuka had weighed down on her, it continuously cause pain in her heart. She was sure that if they found out of her current situation they'd be both angry and saddened. But regret never came to her mind; that her decision that day had been a mistake. What she gained from what she lost that day is something very precious to her. It was more than anything she could wish for. And more than enough for her to continue living the life she chose.

"Neru," Techi called the girl enthusiastically bringing Neru back from her reverie, "I'm done peeling the apples."

"Then, please prepare the butter... Eh?!"

"Hmm? What's wrong?" Techi asked innocently.

The thing that Techi had just finished peeling should be an apple that now looked strangely smaller. She glanced at the apple skin scattered on the kitchen table.

"I guess we'll have to make use of the skins too."

"Eh? We're using the skins too?"

"No, we aren't. That's why I asked you to peel them but you shaved so much of the fruit that these won't be enough to make the apple pie that you wanted."

Techi pouts, gazes fixed at the apples she had peeled as she fiddles with her hands. Neru heaves a sigh.

"I guess you'll have to pick two to three more apples then. I'll take care of the rest." Neru tells the girl with a smile.

"Eh?! But I wanna help you out!" Techi contested.

"It's alright, the thought alone makes me happy." She tells the girl as she pecks her cheek.

A blush creeps up Techi's cheek, she makes a slightly embarrassed face as she went off to pick the apples cheerfully.

Neru couldn't wrap her head around how the girl could do other things skillfully but was particularly clumsy with cleaning and cooking. Just like how she peeled the apple skins so thickly or during the time the servants were on vacation and she helped out with the dishes but ended up breaking most of them. While she did say she hadn't done household chores before, there were many other things in her daily routine that's quite odd. It was maybe because the Shida's are a family of soldiers; their heirs and heiresses are mostly enlisted in the army just like how her cousin Manaka is. Despite that, the young girl rarely mentions about her family, who lives in another country, but when she does, she'd talk about her elder brother. Still she knows very little of Techi's past and her family. She figured that her lover would tell her about those things eventually. Besides, all that matters at the moment is her and Techi and their love for each other.