Chapter 0.79 Jokes

The aroma of mana-infused spices lingered in the air — rich, savory, mouthwatering. Jin moved with practiced grace as he plated breakfast: a slice of premium beef shimmering faintly with blue mana, perfectly seared tomatoes, crisp mana-cured bacon, two golden eggs, fresh butter, and toasted bread so soft it practically sighed under his fingertips.

He set the plate in front of Rina with a casual elegance, then placed a second serving for himself.

The two of them sat at the kitchen's small obsidian table — the very same table where they had first spoken alone. A strange memory now, as if it belonged to two different people entirely.

Rina picked up her fork, keeping her eyes pointedly on the food, avoiding even the edge of Jin's gaze. Her cheeks still burned from what happened earlier — from how close he had leaned in, from the heat in his voice, from the weight of his stare and the cruel twist of his smirk when he didn't kiss her.

> *Why does he enjoy this so much?*

Her thoughts swirled with confusion, frustration, and — worse — that quiet, treacherous throb of something else she refused to name. She stabbed a piece of egg too hard. The yolk bled across the plate like a sun melting.

> "You're very beautiful," Jin said suddenly.

She froze.

Her golden eyes flicked up — hesitant, sharp, uncertain.

He was leaning forward, elbow resting on the obsidian table, chin propped lazily in one gloved hand. His crimson eyes were fixed on her, glowing faintly with that teasing glint she was beginning to both dread and anticipate.

> "W-What?" she muttered.

> "My wife," he said softly, smiling. "You're beautiful. Especially when you're trying not to look at me."

Rina's fork paused halfway to her mouth. Her throat clenched. Her heart did something stupid again.

> *Stop it,* she told herself. *He's playing with you. Again. Always.*

Still, her cheeks flushed darker, and she turned her face slightly away — as if that would hide it.

She tried to focus on her food. Bite after bite. Focus. Focus. Nothing but eggs and bread. Just a normal breakfast. Ignore his—

Then she noticed the change.

That shift in the air.

The glint in his eyes turned wicked.

She knew that look now.

> *No. Don't—*

His smirk widened.

> "So…" Jin said, voice a little too casual. "My dear wife… what color are your undergarments today?"

Silence.

Rina froze mid-chew.

Her eyes widened — golden irises shimmering like startled coins.

Her entire body went still, then hot — as if every vein had been pumped full of steam. She blinked. Once. Twice. Her hand trembled slightly as she set her fork down.

Jin smiled in triumph, eyes gleaming.

> *He's doing this on purpose.*

> *He wants me to explode. To yell. To react.*

And yet… it was working.

Her heart was thundering.

Her face burned so hot she thought it might combust.

> *Why would he—?*

He leaned back with a sigh of satisfaction, stretching his arms and crossing one leg casually over the other.

> "What's the matter, darling?" he asked, feigning innocence. "Did I say something that flustered you?"

That smug, self-satisfied tone made something snap.

Before she could stop herself, Rina grabbed the nearest object — a large, ripe tomato from her plate — and *hurled* it.

It flew with impressive force, hissing through the air like a blazing meteor.

Jin casually leaned to the side.

The tomato exploded against the black obsidian wall behind him with a wet, violent *splat*.

He didn't flinch.

> "Missed," he said, grinning. "But I appreciate the passion."

Rina stood, trembling slightly with rage and embarrassment. Her fiery red hair tumbled down her back and over her bare shoulders, matching the flush of her cheeks. Her white dress clung softly to her frame, short and elegant, exposing the graceful curve of her legs — but at this moment, she didn't care how she looked.

> "You're a pervert!" she shouted. "A shameless, insufferable pervert! I hate you!"

Jin laughed — an actual laugh — rich and melodic and maddening.

Then he stood, walked up to her, and without a word, reached out and pinched her right cheek gently.

> "Adorable," he said.

Rina slapped his hand away, golden eyes flashing. "Don't touch me!"

> "But you're already my wife," he said, tone mock-innocent. "A little touch is perfectly legal."

> "I *swear*, Jin—"

> "Oh, she uses my name now," he interrupted gleefully. "We're already on such good terms."

She fumed.

But she wouldn't back down.

> *Fine.*

> *If he wants a verbal duel, I'll give him one.*

She folded her arms, raised an eyebrow, and said in her most dignified tone, "If you're trying to impress me, you're failing. Miserably."

> "Oh, I'm not trying to impress you," Jin replied smoothly. "That would imply I care what you think."

> "Then why do you keep staring at me like a starved dog at a banquet?"

Jin grinned. "Because I enjoy gourmet meals. And you, Rina, are a particularly rare delicacy."

Rina rolled her eyes, but she was smirking now despite herself. "You're disgusting."

> "I've been called worse. Especially by beautiful women."

> "Is that your goal?" she shot back. "Collect insults from every noble lady in the empire?"

> "No, just one." He winked. "My wife."

She grabbed a napkin, crumpled it, and threw it at his face.

He let it hit him.

Then picked it up, and pressed it to his heart like a love letter. "You spoil me."

> *Why does he make me laugh when I want to scream?*

She sighed, taking her seat again with a shake of her head.

> "You know," she said, her tone softening just a touch, "you really *are* unbearable sometimes."

> "Only sometimes?" Jin replied, feigning disappointment.

> "You're lucky I'm patient."

> "I think," he said, leaning forward slightly, "you enjoy this more than you pretend."

She didn't answer right away.

Instead, she picked up her fork again, quietly chewing on a piece of mana-infused beef. It was tender, juicy — annoyingly good. Just like the cook.

> *Damn him.*

A small smile tugged at her lips, despite herself.

> *Maybe I do enjoy it. A little.*

> *Just a little.*

> *But that doesn't mean he's won.*

Not yet.