When the Stay-at-Home Dad Starts Crawling in the Shadows

[Flora] x [Diketi]

While patrolling his territory, Diketi fell in love with a human. Hiding his arthropod limbs and gloomy compound eyes, he disguised himself as someone more considerate than even the gentlest priest. Keeping his beloved companion by his side, Diketi was willing to work endlessly to preserve this illusory happiness.

Then, one ordinary morning, his wife suddenly grew cold. Flora began coming home later and later. She would impatiently leave whenever Diketi approached. Suddenly, Flora insisted they sleep in separate rooms. The scent of an unfamiliar male clung to her clothes.

His wife was plotting to escape him...

Had she discovered his secret? Or had someone seduced her into falling for another? His agonizing attempts to sound her out earned no response. His wife turned away from him once more, and left with her back to him. Despair and jealousy made it almost impossible for Diketi to keep his expression fixed on his human face.

Deep in the night, he carried his sleeping wife back to his nest.

Silver spider silk wove a vast, supple, intricate web. Transparent strands hung beside his wife's face. Feeling the tremors of each breath she took, the giant spider, its body like a pile of bones, hung perfectly still from the ceiling of the cage. All his compound eyes stared toward the center of the cave. In the warm, humid air, he waited quietly for the moment his wife would wake.

[Reader's Guide]

1. A sweet, romance-focused story, one-on-one, both leads are each other's first and only, happy ending

2. Humans and magical creatures coexist. The male lead is an undead creature, but he's not scary, and is even a little cute.

3. No cheating at all. The only one tormenting himself from beginning to end is the male lead, a devoted househusband.

Theme: Love requires honesty