CHAPTER 218: CELEBRATION

"When my husband told me that I should close the shop early because we will celebrate, I didn’t think that he meant that we will celebrate his first day of being friends with you." Mrs. Tani grunted out, taking a sip from her glass.

Coco smiled and shook her head, finding the whole situation ridiculous.

Apparently, Joachim left the inn after telling the chefs to cook a feast because there will be a celebration and fetched his wife from the magic stone shop, telling her that they will celebrate something important at the inn’s pub.

Of course, Mrs. Tani is a loving and caring wife so she didn’t hesitate to close the shop, only to be greeted by the sight of Joachim running to Coco with a huge smile on his face.

"I promised that we will be friends after I paid off my debt, but I didn’t think that he would celebrate it as soon as he was able to." Coco chuckled and shifted her attention away from the merchant, her gaze landing on Coco Hughes’ mediators.

When the feast started, the tables were pushed to the side so they could create a small space where people could dance.

In just a short amount of time, the chefs managed to cook a few main dishes— roasted pork, sweetened poison tiger’s meat, and a few dishes that contained pasta— and had them served at the tables.

It’s a feast that could have been mistaken to be thrown by a noble and knowing Mrs. Tani and her mediator? Joachim may have been considered a noble in the village.

Now that I think about it.. Didn’t Mrs. Tani said that Jacques and Joachim came from somewhere else? Coco thought, staring blankly at Zaque and Heiren who was conversing with Joachim.

I don’t know much, but they may really be children of a noble. She added to her train of thoughts, a quiet hum escaping her lips.

"Still, I didn’t expect my husband to be this joyous." Mrs. Tani sighed out which made Coco snap her attention back to the merchant, "He was quite quiet for the past few days so I was glad to see him bouncing in his shoes earlier."

Coco watched the merchant talk about her husband, her face creased with concern, but her eyes shining with a hint of relief.

"He had a lot on his mind lately and I don’t know how to elevate his worry. No matter how much I tell him that I’m here, he’s still stubborn about it because he doesn’t want to burden me." Mrs. Tani said, her expression was a mix of worry and happiness.

"I know I shouldn’t be burdening you with this kind of thing, but I just want to let you know that you make my husband happy and I’m relieved that it was you who is helping him." The merchant’s voice was soft with concern.

It was as if her heart was torn in two, her love for her husband and her worry for him warring inside her and honestly? Coco found that beautiful— beautiful love like theirs is such a rare find and she was glad that she was there to be one of its witnesses.

"I didn’t want to force him to confide in me, you know? But there were times this week that I found him mumbling to himself as he worked in his office at home." The merchant mumbled, bringing the glass to her lips and taking a sip.

"It worried me that he probably thought the inn wasn’t doing well because there has not been new visitors lately, but to be honest, I’m just glad that he’s doing omething that keeps him on his toes."

Coco listened intently as the merchant rambled on about her husband, her expression revealing her feelings.

"But even so, the moment we have the chance to spend time, he would tell me how he was looking forward to being your friend." Mrs. Tani smiled softly as she gazed at the dark liquid inside her glass, "His face would shine so bright during those moments."

It was clear that she was genuinely worried that he was being too hard on himself and was refusing to lean on her, but her expression was also relaxed, as if there was also a sense of reassurance or relief mixed in with her concern.

"So, thank you." Mrs. Tani looked away from the glass and turned to Coco, "Thank you for protecting him and becoming his friend. You’re the first one whom I know became his friend without any ulterior motives."

Her words were heartfelt, her worry for her husband clear in every word she spoke, but there was a hint of a smile on her face, a gentle curve at the corner of her lips, as she expressed his gratitude.

Coco could only return the smile. "You shouldn’t thank me, Mrs. Tani. I just didn’t want him to be the subject of the gossip just because I became his friend while I still have my debt."

"You’re also too hard on yourself." Mrs. Tani laughed halfheartedly under her breath, "Everything he told me is true.. No wonder he wanted to be your friend so badly."

Coco blinked owlishly and tilted her head. "Pardon..? Did he say something weird about me?"

"No." The merchant laughed as she shook her head, "All he told me are good things that it made me doubtful.. Because everything was just too good to be true, but what do I know? You’re acting exactly like what he told me."

"Should I be worried?" Coco asked, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

Mrs. Tani only laughed at that and drank the remaining liquid in one gulp before she faced Coco. "No, you should be celebrating with my husband because you’re now going to be a part of our family."

"What? Family? We’re just frien—"

Coco couldn’t finish what she was saying because the merchant grabbed her by the wrist and tugged her towards where Joachim was.