Chapter 82: The Price of Public Goods

Inside a small building in a certain village at Eltones, it was clear to anyone that the people living there were middle-class meaning they were well-to-do compared to the lowly. Ava, clad in a long black nightwear, seated at the dining table. A covered plate and a jug of juice and water sat before her as she waited for her husband. She had decided to accept fate—perhaps because she was in a new village, living a new life. Still, she was glad, she knew she wouldn’t sleep peacefully if she were at her own village. Not with how she had bragged to her friends and neighbors about marrying the king. Why else had that woman handed her aloe vera that night? A sigh escaped her lips. The rain outside wasn’t harsh, yet it carried a strange heaviness. She stared at the candle flickering in front of her. Why was she doing this? Was it guilt? This man, despite his flaws—flaws she very much minded—had still treated her nicely. But then again, why was she sitting here, late at night waiting for him? Another exhale slipped from her lips. Knowing how she was, she should have been asleep by now—she took her eight hours of beauty sleep seriously. Besides, her husband usually came home late, and whenever she asked, he’d say it was because of work. She understood. As a carriage driver, he had a lot on his plate, and she didn’t mind, especially since he earned a reasonable amount working at the castle. Though he didn’t always look like it, she knew he worked hard. He often spoke in vague terms about what he did, mentioning how he had to travel from the castle to the village with the carriage. Maybe she would wait a little longer, and if he still wasn’t back, she’d go to sleep. At least his meal had been prepared today. Maybe she could try to accept the fact that he wasn’t all that bad. She also believed she could change him—shape him into the man of her dreams. A knock came at the door interrupting her thoughts. A slow smile crept onto Ava’s face. "I’m coming, dear," she said, walking over. The solemn look on her face was replaced with a smile—whether real or fake, only she knew. He must have been aware she was still awake, since the key was usually left by the grassy area beside the front door so he could quietly let himself in when she was asleep. She opened the door. Her smile immediately dropped. Her husband stood outside with a woman beside him. His eyes were glassy with drunkenness, and his body swayed. The woman struggled to carry him; he was clearly too heavy for her. Thick red lipstick was smeared across his cheeks and neck. The woman wore a revealing very short dress, and her bold lipstick was the only thing noticeable on her not-so-ugly face. Ava just stared in shock. Of all days, why today? Why bring another woman into their humble home? Humble home? Maybe to the neighbors. The woman smiled, and the lipstick on both her lips and her husband’s mocked Ava... and the meal she had prepared. Her lips twitched downward. She didn’t even know why she felt this way. She never liked this man... or was it because of that little mate bond? Or was it because she had decided to change and become a better wife? "Ah, is this your housewife, Mr. John?" Ava was at a loss for words. Housewife? The woman managed a small smile, still holding the drunken man upright. Mr. John’s eyes opened sluggishly, blinking at Ava. His gaze met hers—filled with shock—and he lazily waved his hand as if swatting a fly. "S-She’s no one... special," he slurred, staggering slightly. "Oh, I see. Excuse me, madam, could you shift a bit so I can rest your husband on the sofa?" the woman said with a fake smile. Ava couldn’t react. Her brain was trying to make sense of what was happening. "He’s quite heavy. Honestly, if not for the ’golds’ he gave me earlier, I’d have left him outside for you. Consider this my repayment," the woman added shamelessly, her eyes gleaming with mockery. Ava moved aside unconsciously, and the woman nodded. "What an obedient housewife you’ve got there, John. But I’d advise you to hold her tight—she’s a rare gem," she said teasingly, as she carried him inside, wincing at his weight. Mr. John chuckled mockingly as he collapsed into the chair. "Rare gem? I had no idea rare gems could turn into public goods," he said with a snort. The woman’s eyes widened. She knew exactly what those words meant. Her gaze shifted to the frozen figure by the door—Ava. No one needed to explain this was Ava’s first time witnessing such thing ’Her husband bringing a woman home.’ The woman straightened up, preparing to leave. She knew that look. If a fight broke out, she might not make it out unharmed—especially not in this outfit, with her hair falling freely. "Public goods...?" Ava finally spoke, her gaze fixed on the woman. The woman panicked. She had to leave. Ava’s mind raced. He had given this harlot gold coins—yet just this morning he claimed he didn’t have enough shillings to buy groceries. He said his salary hadn’t been paid. And now this? Her lips curled. She waited for him to explain what he meant by "public goods." "I’m sure... you’ve already spread your legs for half the young men in your village. You should be grateful I married a non-virgin like you," he muttered. Ava’s eyes widened in disbelief. The woman made a move to leave, but staggered back as Ava yanked her hair backward. "Tonight, the whole village will know what a shameless man you are," Ava spat. "Either I die here, or you and this miserable woman die tonight." The woman’s eyes widened in fear. She tried to hold the spot on her skull where Ava was pulling. She couldn’t scream—this village was too quiet at night. News would spread faster than daylight. And it wasn’t like the afternoon when people were out working. Now, everyone was home. Even the night tourists might hear this news. "Now, tell me—who is the public goods between me and this whore?" Ava growled, tightening her grip. The woman struggled, holding her dress down with one hand—she wasn’t wearing any underwear, and that’s why she had been trying to avoid a scene. She couldn’t bear the thought of everyone seeing her like this... especially since she hadn’t even shaved. "Me... Me. I’m the public goods," the woman finally whispered, her face pale with fear—anything to get out of there. THAA! A hard slap landed on her face, snapping her head to the side. "I never told you to speak!" Ava roared. "I was talking to the fat, useless fool over there!" The woman held her cheek in shock. Candles began lighting up in the neighboring buildings. Some people had clearly been woken by the noise. The woman stood, whispering now. "I’m a street woman. That should tell you—I can fight. Let go of my hair or I’ll show you how cold the floor can be." "Oh, where you belong? Try it. I’ll tell the villagers what a married man was doing with a shameless woman like you," Ava sneered. The woman was frozen. She didn’t know what to do. "M-Mr. John, please... answer your wife’s question," she pleaded, her gown already riding up to her lower stomach. Her private area was exposed, and she couldn’t even cover it anymore—Ava’s grip was too tight on her hair that she had to use bother hands to hold it. Ava looked down. "I see you’re growing crops and weeds down there. What a disgrace to womanhood. And this is the same woman this man dares to call me a public good for?" She was furious—burning with rage. "You’re a disgrace to your forefathers and your entire generation...Imagine your children if you will ever have one, finding out their mother was known for having an unhygienic, smelly vagina. I’m sure that’s what makes my husband’s mouth stink every night—after he’s done with you and returns to me!" The woman’s eyes widened. In all her years of doing this work, she had never been insulted this deeply. It stung. Mr. John sat wide-eyed, speechless. He had never seen his wife like this—not since the day he met her in the palace. Right now, he had nothing to say. "You fucking bastard! Answer me!" Ava screamed. "P-please... she’s the one... she’s the public goods... please," he begged. He knew if he didn’t say something, he might lose his position as a carriage driver. "Good." And just like that, Ava let go of the woman’s hair. A sigh escaped the woman’s lips as she yanked her gown down. She vowed never to do this kind of work again. Never. "Now get out," Ava snapped. The woman bowed deeply and turned to leave. But before she could step out, loud knocks echoed at the door. The neighbors were here. ’Oh no.’