The First Night (4)

As Sebas pulled the spoon from her mouth, Anastasia could finally experience the full taste of the monster meat stew...!

In her mouth, the meat felt unbelievably tender... as if it were melting with every bite...!

It lacked the unpleasant pungency or gaminess that was so often associated with wild game—especially the monster meat steak before that she'd hesitated to eat.

But this meat? It carried a rich, savory flavor that reminded her of the finest cuts of beef she'd once eaten in the capital...!

'It's hard to believe this is monster meat...!'

Then there was the broth itself—it was perfectly seasoned, its warmth spreading through her like a comforting embrace...!

She could taste the herbs, spices, and even the vegetables that had been simmered deeply into the slightly thick broth, enhancing its depth and richness.

Her taste buds were overjoyed with every bite, and for a fleeting moment... she forgot that she was eating monster meat stew in the wilderness of the Garden of Hell...

Instead, she felt as if she were back in Florentia... back in her home... where she had once eaten warm... comforting... and delicious stews just like this with her family...

Anastasia fell silent, her gaze dropping to the grassy meadow beneath her—hiding her expression from everyone present.

Her three servants watched in silence. Martha and Bella waited anxiously for their mistress's reaction, while the butler stood patiently, ready to scoop another spoonful of stew for her.

"Sebas... would you kindly give me back the bowl of stew?" she finally said, her voice soft and steady, though she still kept her head lowered. "I would like to continue eating it by myself."

"Sure..." Sebas replied gently, promptly holding out the bowl of stew to her. She slowly took it from his hand, her fingers brushing lightly against his as she did.

Anastasia finally and truly felt the warmth of the bowl in her hands. The stew that she'd viewed previously with hesitation and doubt...

Now, it looked as if it was the most comforting meal she had ever seen in her life.

She picked up the spoon resting inside the bowl, her fingers trembling slightly, and began to scoop a small spoonful... Slowly, she brought it to her lips and tasted it...

She savored the flavor carefully; each bite of tender meat melted in her mouth...

But then... her pace began to quicken. She took another spoonful, then another, and another—each one bringing a flicker of life back into her eyes...!

The warmth of the stew was reigniting something long dormant within her...!

Before long, the contents of the bowl were completely cleaned out by hers truly. However, the noblewoman... turned silent once more, holding the empty bowl in her hands tightly.

"My lady...?" Bella called out softly, her concern evident over her mistress's silence. Martha, too, looked worried as she exchanged glances with the maid, their unease clear.

Only Sebas remained calm, patiently waiting.

And eventually...

A single tear fell into the empty bowl.

Another tear followed, then another, and another... until streams of tears flowed freely from Anastasia's eyes.

"Sob..."

Anastasia... finally let out her emotions, a burst of tears pouring from her eyes as she wept silently, clutching the empty bowl as if it were her lifeline.

"My lady...!"

Both Martha and Bella quickly hurried over to their mistress's side as Lady Anastasia displayed her emotions—her feelings fully exposed.

This was... the first time they had witnessed Anastasia crying. They knew that their mistress had always held herself back—appearing strong and maintaining her dignity in front of everyone... and, of course, in front of the two of them.

But... now, her façade had broken... and she finally let out all of the burdens that she'd been carrying all this time...

"M-My lady..."

Her loyal maid couldn't help but also let out her tears, joining her mistress's sorrow. Bella gently reached out, her hand trembling as she began to rub Anastasia's back in a soothing motion, offering silent comfort to her grieving mistress.

Meanwhile, the loyal knight knelt silently at her side, her quiet presence serving as a steadfast pillar of support in this fragile moment.

Sebas... only showed a small smile. He then turned around, leaving Anastasia and her two aides some room for solace and comfort.

< | X | >

Eventually... Anastasia had calmed down, her tear-streaked eyes drying as her emotions finally subsided. After letting out her pent-up emotions, the red-haired noblewoman succumbed to exhaustion and drifted into sleep.

She was now resting inside the large tent Sebas had meticulously prepared for her and her entourage. Her tired form lay on the strangely comfortable cloth bedding stuffed with dry grass.

Bella was also sleeping in the tent, beside her mistress, on her own bedding. She'd tried to stay awake, but the ever-anxious maid had also grown tired from all that had happened today.

The only one who hadn't yet rested... was Martha, who stepped out from the tent.

The first thing she saw was the still-lit campfire, offering warmth in the cold night... and the enigmatic butler, who was sitting nearby. He was casually enjoying a bowl of stew, his gaze fixed on the campfire.

"Does our dear Lady Ana rest comfortably inside the tent?" he asked nonchalantly, his gaze still on the dancing flames.

"Yeah... she does," Martha replied, which earned a small chuckle from the butler.

"Good to know. I thought I would have to make a wooden bed for her," he joked, taking another sip of his bowl of stew. "And if that didn't work out, I would've suggested she sleep inside that coach of yours."

As if on cue, the nearby horses of the coach neighed in response.

Martha... actually let out a chuckle of her own at his joke.

"That wouldn't be appropriate for a noblewoman to sleep inside a coach."

"And my tent isn't?"

"...This one's a bit different, much as I hate to admit it."

"Good to know..."

He continued to enjoy his bowl of stew, leaving a comfortable silence with only the occasional cackling of the fire.

But...

"Butler..." Martha called out, catching his attention. Sebas turned his head toward the brunette knight and saw a serious but also anxious expression on her face.

"...What is it, Miss Knight?"

Another silence followed as he waited for her to speak. But eventually... her lips parted.

"Who are you...?"