The morning sunlight slowly began to crawl up from the eastern horizon, slipping in through the gaps in the curtains of the Night Hill Inn room.
Wolvin, who had woken up earlier, did not immediately get up. He tilted his body, resting his head on one hand, and briefly gazed at the handsome face of his husband, who was still sleeping soundly beside him completely naked.
The peaceful sight made a sincere smile bloom on Wolvin's lips. His eyes radiated a gaze full of adoration.
Besides being handsome and strong, he has never once disappointed me. Wolvin thought, his heart filled with happiness at his husband's sincerity. Whether in bed or in this marital relationship, he always does everything for my happiness without ever complaining even a little about my shortcomings. He truly is the best husband ever.
Slowly, Wolvin reached out his right hand. His fingertips began to stroke Calian's right cheek very gently, as if touching a very fragile, thin piece of glass.
Not once have I ever been able to look away from a perfect husband like him in my life. Wolvin continued to muse inwardly, admiring the face of the handsome man lying next to him. There's no one else in this world who can be like him. I greatly admire, cherish, love, and adore him. I swear, I will not let anyone in this world dare to hurt him!
Feeling the gentle touch on his face, Calian opened his eyes and was immediately welcomed by a loving gaze from his spouse.
"Good morning, Wolvin." Calian greeted softly.
Wolvin responded with a sweet smile clearly carved in front of Calian before he finally answered the greeting.
"Good morning to you too, Darling!" Wolvin replied happily. "Are you ready to head to the place we planned last night?"
"Yes, let us get ready immediately!" Calian answered firmly.
And then, the two of them immediately got off the bed, picked up their clothes that were scattered carelessly on the edge of the bed, and quickly put them on.
After their clothes were perfectly donned, Calian and Wolvin walked together out of the room. They descended the stairs to the first floor, stepping toward the bathroom located at the end of the hallway as the innkeeper had mentioned, in order to wash away the sticky remnants of their lovemaking still clinging to their respective bodies before starting today's mission.
Eighteen minutes later, the bathroom door opened. The two of them stepped out of the room in a much fresher condition. Their adventurer clothes were now neatly and completely equipped along with their weapons, indicating that they were fully ready to explore the outskirts of Gias City to seek information.
The married couple walked casually down the hallway toward the inn's exit. However, their steps were slightly halted when they arrived in front of the reception desk. The Night Wolf woman greeted them both.
"Good morning!"
"Yes, good morning to you too!" Calian and Wolvin replied in unison with a polite tone.
"Are the two of you a same-sex married couple?" the woman asked bluntly, looking straight at them without any hesitation on her face. "All night long, I heard very clear moaning sounds from down here."
Hearing the innocent yet striking words from the woman, Wolvin's eyes widened slightly. He finally remembered a fatal detail that he had forgotten because he was enjoying his lovemaking with Calian too much.
Oh dear... Wolvin thought, cursing his own carelessness. I completely forgot about the presence of a woman hailing from the same clan as me in this place. The hearing, sight, and sense of smell of our race are incredibly sharp. It is certain she could hear even the slightest sound, let alone the sound of my moaning all night long.
On the other hand, Calian maintained his calm facial expression despite being slightly surprised by the direct question.
However, he made no attempt to evade it, let alone intend to lie.
"Yes, that is true! We are married couple." Calian answered honestly, openly acknowledging their status.
He then raised his left hand, which was instantly followed by Wolvin beside him. The two of them showed the backs of their hands to the woman.
"Just look at the rings worn on both of our left ring fingers!" Calian added.
Spontaneously, the woman looked at their left hands. And sure enough, a gold ring with the exact same design was beautifully fitted on the ring fingers of the two youths, serving as undeniable proof of the bond between them.
I truly did not expect that they were a family from a same-sex marriage. the woman thought with an amazed look. I thought the two of them were just an ordinary adventurer party with no relationship other than being fellow adventurers.
"Thank you for answering honestly." the Night Wolf woman said as she withdrew her gaze, immediately returning to her professional demeanor as an inn manager.
She bowed her head. "Forgive me for being presumptuous by asking about your privacy this early in the morning."
"No, we also apologize for the inconvenience last night." Calian replied, feeling slightly bad for making a commotion in someone else's inn. "The two of us completely forgot that you are a beastfolk from the Night Wolf clan like my spouse."
"I-It is alright." the woman said, suddenly also feeling bad for making her guests feel guilty. "That is the right of the two of you who are officially married. Besides, if the two of you wish to do it again tonight, I will not mind it at all. I know very well the nature of the Night Wolf clan when they are in bed with the person they acknowledge and have chosen as their life partner."
Hearing the words coming from the woman's mouth, Calian finally realized one important thing about the beastfolk race, specifically those from the Night Wolf clan. They possessed a very honest, straightforward, and blunt attitude. They don't hesitate to say whatever was in their hearts and minds without much beating around the bush. That nature was exactly the same as what Wolvin had always done to him all this time.
Calian had no other choice but to understand the innate racial nature of his spouse. He nodded in understanding, not wanting the atmosphere to feel even more awkward if discussed any further.
"Thank you for your understanding." Calian replied in a polite tone. "In that case, we shall take our leave first to carry out our mission in the city."
"Y-Yes, please go ahead. Be careful on the way." the woman answered amiably.
Calian and Wolvin resumed their steps, walking side by side out of the lobby and pushing the inn's door toward the outside area.
With steady steps, the two of them ready to investigate the outskirts of the city and find out whoever was involved in the numerous missing person cases in Gias City.