"Wait a minute... Just a minute. Why are you calling ’brother-in-law’?" Aron stamred, his voice cracking slightly from the rush of confusion.
Es slowed her pace and gave him a curious glance, then looked him up and down with a smug smile. "Well, isn’t that what everyone says to their friend’s husband?" she replied with a tone that suggested this was the most obvious thing in the world.
Aron’s face flushed beet red in an instant. "What the heck? What the hell do you an by ’friend’s husband’? I’m not soone’s husband!" He was half-shouting now, completely taken aback.
Es tilted her head, her expression as calm as ever, though there was a hint of amusent in her eyes. "Of course, you’re not right now." She crossed her arms, adding with the sa infuriatingly matter-of-fact tone, "But it’s only a few years’ ti. As soon as you guys beco adults, you’re going to get married anyway."
Aron’s face turned an even deeper shade of crimson. He could feel the heat rising up his neck and spreading to his ears. "W-what are you talking about?" His voice cracked again, betraying his embarrassnt. "That’s not... That’s not even... You can’t just—"
Es waved her hand dismissively, cutting him off. "Oh, co on, Aron. Everyone knows it. You’re practically destined for each other. It’s not like you can change fate."
Aron spluttered, at a complete loss for words. His mind raced, trying to form a coherent response. "But I’m not—she’s not—how do you even—"
Es shrugged, grinning like she was enjoying his discomfort. "You’re really slow on the uptake, aren’t you? Anyway, you’ll thank for this one day."
Aron shook his head, still bright red, trying to regain his composure. "I don’t... I don’t know what you’re talking about," he mumbled, feeling flustered and helpless under her casual certainty.
Es smirked, clearly finding his reaction hilarious. "Sure, keep pretending like you don’t know. But don’t worry, I’ll be there to say ’I told you so’ at your wedding."
Aron groaned in disbelief, burying his face in his hands. This girl was impossible.
Aaron stood frozen, his feet planted at the entrance of the small house, feeling like he’d just stepped into the most bizarre situation of his life. The house looked humble, maybe a bit worn down, but cozy enough for a single person. The scent of fresh wood and faint cooking lingered in the air, which would have been comforting if not for the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside him.
"Whose house is this?" His voice trembled slightly, betraying his growing apprehension. He glanced nervously at Es, hoping for a reasonable answer.
Es, however, just turned around with a grin that sent a new wave of anxiety through Aaron. She didn’t look like soone who’d offer comfort; she looked like she was enjoying this far too much. "Oh, this?" she said, her voice casual, but her eyes sparkled with mischief. "It’s the kidnapper’s house."
Aaron’s stomach dropped. His eyes widened in horror. "What?!"
The look of utter fright on his face shot Es a grin that she had to suppress like an overexcited balloon. With a straight face, she declared, "Don’t worry, let’s skedaddle!"
Aaron stared at her, still pale, still trying to process her words. It didn’t help that he wasn’t entirely sure she was joking, given the way she seed to take pleasure in tornting him. He inched backward, his eyes darting around as if expecting danger to pop out at any second.
He shook his head furiously. "I-I’m not going inside," he said, his voice stronger now, gripping the doorfra with a desperate firmness.
Es groaned dramatically, rolling her eyes. "Oh, co on!" she tugged at his arm, her small fra surprisingly strong.
"What, you’re just going to stay out here like a stray cat? I was just about to sell you for a good price, you know? You’ll be fine." She winked at him, tugging him harder, her voice teasing but with that dark edge that sent a cold shiver down Aaron’s spine.
"No! I’m not going!" Aaron yelled, clinging to the doorfra like it was the only thing keeping him from falling off a cliff. His heartbeat pounded in his ears, and he wasn’t sure if she was still joking or if he was truly in danger. Every muscle in his body tensed as Es pulled at him with relentless determination.
"Why not?" Es shot back, still yanking on his arm, though her tone now bordered on impatience. "It’s not like you have a choice! You’re going in!"
"No!" Aaron was practically shouting now, his voice a mix of fear and frustration. He dug his heels in, refusing to budge an inch despite Es’s insistence.
Suddenly, a voice, calm yet full of authority, cut through the commotion. "What the hell are you shouting for, Es?"
The words hit Aaron like a lightning bolt, and he froze. His mind went blank, and for a second, everything around him seed to still.
That voice. He knew that voice. He had heard it every day for the past month. It was warm, familiar, and yet hearing it in this setting threw him completely off balance.
Helga.
Es stopped pulling at him and turned to face the source of the voice with a triumphant grin. "Look who I found, Helga!" She stepped back, her arm sweeping theatrically towards Aaron like she was presenting a grand prize. "Your husband!"
Aaron’s face flushed a deep crimson as the words sank in, and he instinctively stepped back, still holding onto the doorfra as if his life depended on it. His heart pounded harder, the blood rushing to his face as he stamred, "W-What?!"
Helga stepped out from the house, her apron tied around her waist, her hands dusted with flour. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, likely from whatever task she’d been in the middle of, and her expression was one of slight annoyance, mixed with curiosity.
She had the look of soone who’d just stepped into chaos but wasn’t entirely surprised to find it there. Her eyes t Aaron’s, and for a mont, sothing softened in her gaze before it shifted back to Es.
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