Chapter 13: Warm feelings

Flora could only comply with her grandpa but she was still angry so she stomped her way into the kitchen. "Hahaha, I'm sorry, she never acted like that. I guess she cares about you."

"She cares about me? But we barely know each other" Said Ray with a confused look. He also felt like he knew Flora for a long time, and even the way she acted before didn't even make him upset or feel like she's meddling with his business but he actually felt...happy? It was very weird.

"Yeah, she told me that she felt like she knew you before. Anyway, Flora never had any friends her age before, so she might be a little odd so if possible can you become her first friend?" for some reason, Galdof looked sad as if he's reminiscing about some distant past but that sad look disappeared as fast as it appeared.

"You two saved my life and gave me a place where I could stay. so I will be more than delighted to be Flora's friend" A big warm smile appeared on Ray's face. 'Mother, father I found some nice people out there. I guess this world is not completely hopeless and corrupted.' He thought. Since the moment those bastards in the Holy kingdom betrayed him and threw him like trash he completely lost hope in everyone. Ray is nothing but a child after all so he thought that every person was bad and even if he acted nice it was only because he wanted something from him and if Ray proved to be useless he will get rid of him instantly.

But when he met Galdof and Flora this idea started to change. They didn't know him, nor did they need anything from him yet they welcomed Ray with open arms inside their house as members of this small family.

"Good, very good. I might've said this before but I will repeat it again. Welcome to our home Ray."

Their small talk was cut down with Flora's voice coming from the kitchen " Come on you two, the dinner is ready." They both nodded to each other and then they joined Flora. The table was full of all kinds of meals: soup, freshly baked bread, grilled meat of a wild animal and also some salad. All in all, it was a beautiful dinner that made Ray swallow his saliva quietly with an exciting look. It was his first real meal in the lower lands.

"Did you cook all of this?" Asked Ray as he sat down on one of the chairs facing Flora.

"Hm Hm, yeah I did that. Amazing, right?" Her anger seemed to fade at some point and now she had a proud look on her face.

"Yes, this is really amazing. It looks really delicious!"

"You should know. Flora is a genius chef. I'm already addicted to her meals." Galdof started eating with a huge grin on his old wrinkled face. The two young children watched him stuffing his cheeks. Even the image Ray built of Galdof as this wise, strong and extremely smart old man crumbled into dust. But they still looked at each other and giggled before they also started eating.

The dinner was very warm, they talked about all kinds of stuff. It was enjoyable and they got to know each other more and more. Ray couldn't believe that found happiness this quickly, even if it won't last long, even if at some point their paths will diverge these moments will be very precious for Ray.

"Thanks for the food. That was the best meal I've had ever." Exclaimed Ray as he wiped his mouth.

"Fufufu, Don't exaggerate. You were nobility, right? the food must've been very extravagant." Waved Flora her hand as if she thought his words were just flattery.

"Yeah, it was but here the food feels more 'alive. I don't know how to describe it." Coughed Ray with a blush at his embarrassing words. The expression on Flora and Galdof didn't help his embarrassment much, they just silently smiled with a look of understanding.

"A-anyway...I enjoyed the dinner." Said Ray as he stood up and started collecting the plates.

"You don't need to do that, I will clean the dishes."

"No please, let me do this much at least. I'm very good at cleaning the dishes." Boasted Ray and continued his work. Flora couldn't retort and she just let him do what he wanted.

After cleaning the dishes, Ray excused himself and went to his room. The training exhausted him. A few seconds on the soft bed and he was already in the land of dreams.