[Empire Calendar 421, 5th Month, 2nd]
IN THE HIDDEN ROOM.
I woke up on her lap and muttered, "How much time has passed?"
She replied, "About a day and a half."
I let out a tired sigh, rubbing my eyes as I shifted slightly. "I guess that's why I'm starving."
Pushing myself up from her lap, I stretched before turning toward the exit with the intention of heading to the kitchen.
She tilted her head slightly. "Where are you going?"
"To the kitchen. Need to eat something," I said, still groggy. Then, after a brief pause, I asked, "Do you want anything?"
Her silver eyes studied me for a moment before she nodded.
"Yes. Though I don't need sustenance to survive, bring anything you pick for me."
That answer made me pause. "Then... why not come with me to the kitchen?"
At my words, her expression subtly shifted. Sadness, regret... emotions I hadn't seen in her before flickered across her face as she lifted a gauntleted hand to the heavy chains that wrapped around her limbs.
"I cannot leave this place," she said, her voice quieter now. "Not until the seal is broken. These chains bind me to this room."
Her words carried an undeniable weight, and for a moment, I didn't know what to say.
A being as powerful as her… imprisoned here, unable to set foot beyond these walls.
I clenched my fists. Why was she sealed here? Who had the strength to do this? And more importantly… what exactly was she?
"Then, I'll bring you something," I finally said. "Wait here."
A small smile formed on her lips, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I don't have much choice."
With that, I turned and left the chamber, my mind swirling with thoughts as I made my way toward the kitchen.
Even as exhaustion still clung to my limbs, the encounter with the Guardian left me restless.
I reached the kitchen, only to realize that I had to cook for myself. I searched through the supplies, eventually finding a collection of old cooking books.
I flipped through the pages, searching for something simple yet fulfilling. Then, I found it...a recipe for meat soup noodles. A dish common among the commoners of the Empire, yet said to be one of the most comforting meals one could have.
I nodded to myself. If I was going to serve her something, I wanted it to be good.
I gathered the ingredients carefully. From the preserved meat storage, which was maintained using ice magic, I took a cut of well-marbled meat.
Then, I collected various spices that were common in the Empire...pepper, star anise, garlic, and a few fresh herbs. Finally, I brought out the necessary ingredients for the broth, the noodles, and the finishing touches.
Filling a large pot with water, I placed the meat inside and set it over the fire. A flick of my fingers ignited the flame, and I carefully adjusted the intensity with my mana, following the book's instructions precisely.
As the broth simmered, I prepared the noodles, kneading and rolling the dough before slicing them into thin, even strands. The aroma of the slow-cooked meat filled the air, rich and inviting.
While waiting, I crafted an aromatic oil using roasted garlic and spices, then boiled two eggs to serve alongside the dish according to the Book.
The process required patience, but I found a strange sense of calm in it. Unlike swordsmanship or magic, cooking had its own rhythm-a steady, deliberate flow that I followed instinctively.
Finally, the dish was ready. I carefully assembled the bowl: a generous serving of tender meat, the golden broth poured over soft noodles, two perfectly boiled eggs, and a final drizzle of the fragrant oil.
Satisfied with my work, I placed the dish onto a silver tray, along with a second bowl for myself.
With everything set, I turned back toward the hidden chamber.
As I walked through the halls, carrying the tray, I found myself wondering.
Would she enjoy it? Did someone like her someone who had existed for who knows how long--still find joy in something as simple as a warm meal?
I was about to find out.
Returning to the hidden chamber, I carefully balanced the tray in my hands.
The aroma of the broth filled the air, its warmth cutting through the cold stillness of the underground space.
She sat where I had left her, her silver eyes watching as I approached.
I placed the tray down between us and took a seat on the ground.
The contrast between us was almost amusing...she, a being of immense power bound in chains, and me, a noble heir who had stumbled into something beyond his understanding.
"Here," I said, handing her a bowl. "It might not be the most extravagant meal, but it should be good."
She regarded the dish for a moment before lifting it with a graceful motion.
Even the simple act of holding the bowl felt refined when she did it. I found myself watching her closely.
She took a bite. Slowly, she chewed, her silver eyes narrowing slightly as she took in the flavors.
Then, a faint expression of surprise flickered across her face.
"This..." she murmured. "It is warm. Comforting. The balance of flavors is simple, yet satisfying."
I exhaled, feeling a small sense of relief. "So you like it?"
She nodded, taking another bite with an elegance that left me momentarily speechless.
There was no unnecessary movement, no wasted gesture...every motion of her hand, the way she lifted the chopsticks, the way she sipped the broth...it was all deliberate, refined, perfect.
I had met nobles, aristocrats who prided themselves on etiquette and grace, but even they paled in comparison. It was as if she had been born to embody perfection itself.
Leonard (thinking): Is this just natural for her? Or is it something that comes with age and experience…? Just who is she?
I shook off the thought and dug into my own bowl.
The warmth of the broth spread through my tired body, and I let out a quiet sigh of satisfaction.
After all that training and exhaustion, this was exactly what I needed.
For a while, we simply ate in silence, the only sounds being the occasional clinking of silverware and the gentle rustling of our movements.
Then, softly, she spoke.
"Thank you."
I paused mid-bite, looking up at her.
She met my gaze, her silver eyes calm yet sincere.
"It has been a long time since I have tasted something prepared for me by another's hands. This… I appreciate it."
There was something melancholic in her words, as if they carried the weight of centuries.
Leonard: "You don't have to thank me. You're the one who helped me realize my shortcomings.This much is the least I can do."
A small, almost imperceptible smile formed on her lips, but she said nothing more.
We continued eating. The quiet companionship between us felt strangely comfortable.
Though questions still swirled in my mind about her identity, about the chains that bound her, about what it all meant...I pushed them aside, just for this moment.
Tonight, there was no test. No battle. No past or future weighing down on my shoulders.
Just the warmth of a shared meal in the depths of an ancient chamber.
End of the Chapter.