Hildeburg's Doll Princess
We spent the night right there in the Monster Forest. At night, the monsters ramp up their activity, making it dangerous—but with me around, Rosaria's safety was guaranteed. If anything, staying at the restaurant would have been far riskier for her. Who knew when her family might come looking?
"Boss, aren't you going to sleep?"
While Rosaria lay down on a blanket by the campfire, trying to get some rest, Aris asked me that. Being a ghost, Aris didn't need sleep unless she deliberately willed herself into it.
"Thinking I'll stay up a bit longer. It's been ages since I camped out like this—brings back old memories. Feels good."
"Um... we're really safe, right?"
"Don't worry. Before I crash, I'll set up a barrier magic circle to keep the monsters away."
I wasn't sacrificing sleep just to protect them from monsters. Even if I dozed off, there were plenty of ways to block any approaches. No, being out here camping in the woods had stirred up memories from my adventuring days, and I just wanted to savor them a little longer.
"Boss... um."
"What? If you're gonna whine about being scared of the dark even though you're a ghost, then go to sleep yourself."
"Nooo, can I ask you something?"
"Shoot."
Aris scooted closer to me, dripping water from her seaweed-like hair.
"Were you actually, like, super amazing back in the day?"
"Huh?"
"I mean, you know the heroes and stuff... and your magic is insane... Doesn't that make you, like, a total big deal?"
"Hmm..."
Her sudden question gave me pause. Was I some incredibly amazing person? Well, yeah, I had been, once upon a time. I'd pioneered a whole new principle of magic called Meta Control, earned the title of Grand Mage, adventured with Irit and the other four heroes, and successfully sealed the Abyss Rift. But that was over ten years ago now. I'd made waves among mages back then, but unless someone was deliberately studying magic and Meta Control, they wouldn't hear my name these days. Sure, it was in the Grand Mage directory, but without constant flashy feats, the general public had no clue who I was.
After sealing the rift, I'd even asked to be removed from the official party records, so I'm not on the hero statues in the Royal Capital Elgraf either. Opportunities to make a name for myself? Plenty. But my goal had always been to retire from adventuring and open a quiet little restaurant, so I never chased fame. Hell, I'd actively downplayed my reputation over the years. Still, I had the baseline recognition that came with being a Grand Mage.
"Eh, I just got a little carried away with magic for a while. Made some good friends."
"Eek... somehow that feels like an understatement..."
"Quiet. If you're gonna ask dumb questions, scatter and sleep."
"I don't need to sleep, you know~"
The drops from her watery hair hit the ground and vanished with a soft slither. Technically, what fell from her wasn't water—it was part of her ethereal body, since she'd become a ghost while soaked through. Curious about the texture, I reached out and caught a droplet on my hand. It dissolved on contact, neither cold nor tangible. Moments like this really drove home that she was the real deal, even if I'd forced her to materialize with mana infusion.
"My turn to ask something."
"Huh? What're you curious about?"
"What'd you do before you died?"
Come to think of it, I'd never properly asked. I'd never expected her to stick around as an employee this long, either. I'd just grabbed her when she tried to dine and dash on her way to the afterlife, planning a little lesson—turns out that made her a full-time waitress.
"I fell in the lake."
"Yeah, I know that part."
Aris stared at me, still dripping.
"Uuum... before that, uh..."
She pressed a pale finger to her lips, tilting her head in thought. Wait, did this girl not remember her life properly?
"When you first came to the shop, you were looking for your mom's home cooking."
"Ah! Right, yeah. That stew was so good. Like, really, really tasty."
"So you must remember your mom, at least."
"Eh... um..."
Aris tilted her head every which way, groaning in frustration.
"You don't remember?"
"Nee... sorry... All I know is I drowned in the lake..."
"Hmm."
Was this my fault? Had pinning her soul here with force stopped her from moving on properly? I wasn't deep into necromancy, so who knew. Even if it was, there wasn't much I could do about it now.
"Why~? Is it something important~?"
"Nah, just curious."
I dropped the prying and flopped onto my blanket.
"Boss? Boss~ It's bugging me now~"
"You sleep too."
"Uuu~"
Ignoring her whining, I rolled over. Monster howls echoed faintly in the distance as I drifted off, thinking of tomorrow's breakfast.
The next day, now that Rosaria could eat again, I got serious about cooking. I used the leftover cockatrice meat from yesterday to make braised chicken. Soy sauce-based, using the batch I'd fermented back at the restaurant and packed in my bag. After the death's-head mushrooms yesterday, her stomach should be primed. But regaining full appetite was another matter entirely—the pure hunger, the craving for food. That's what I aimed to awaken with this dish.
I marinated it first, then tossed the meat and veggies in the pot and poured in the soy sauce blend. Using mana to maintain steady heat under the pot, I brought it to a boil. Start hot to let the sauce seep quick into the meat, then simmer low and slow. That's the trick.
Soon, the aroma spread through the forest air. Sweet-salty soy, mingling with the cockatrice's rich savoriness as the sauce reduced, wafting subtly even beyond the campfire.
"......"
Rosaria sat blankly at first, blanket over her knees. Then, at some point, her gaze drifted to the pot. Unconsciously, just naturally turning toward the scent.
I said nothing. No need for words—the smell would rouse her hunger on its own. That was the power of cooking.
"Here."
I ladled the well-braised chicken into a bowl and set it before Rosaria. Glossy soy sauce coated the meat; the veggies had softened, soaking it up.
She stared at it a moment, then slowly picked up a spoon. Gingerly scooped a piece of meat and brought it to her lips.
Aris held her breath, watching.
Silence.
"......"
Rosaria took a second spoonful. Third. Fourth. Soon her hand didn't stop. From tentative nibbles to steadily emptying the bowl.
"......It's delicious."
She murmured it softly after a while.
"Good to hear."
I checked the pot—plenty left—and replied evenly.
"More?"
"......Yes."
No hesitation. Aris, watching from the side with sparkling eyes, thrust her empty bowl at me. I pretended not to notice and refilled Rosaria's.
We got back to the restaurant around lunchtime. I had Rosaria rest inside and sent off a messenger bird to summon Irit, infusing it with a touch of mana for speed and precision. An old adventuring trick.
While waiting, I spread a wide detection spell centered on the restaurant to spot any approaching people.
"No need to worry. If anyone's coming, I'll sense it with magic. Even if your family sends someone, I'll pick them up from far enough away to handle it."
"Yes... thank you."
Rosaria nodded, visibly relieved. Color had returned to her cheeks, making her look far more vibrant and beautiful than when we'd first met.
"I called Irit. Take your time thinking about what you want to do next, under her protection."
"This feels strange. I've never felt like this before."
"That's freedom for you. Not all sunshine—comes with responsibility."
I smiled faintly at her.
"But it's way better than the alternative."
Irit arrived that evening—faster than expected. She'd flown straight over after getting the bird.
"Klaus~! What's up? You calling me first for once~?"
She burst in the door, then spotted Rosaria and went wide-eyed.
"......The Doll Princess?"
A beat of silence. She looked at me. I gave her the short version.
Her face twisted in disbelief.
"......And you want me to take the Doll Princess?"
"You can hide her from the family, give her options no matter what she chooses."
Irit eyed Rosaria. Rosaria met her gaze steadily, though worn—resolute eyes.
"......Shouldn't you have checked with me first?"
"What're friends for?"
"Haa... fine, whatever."
Irit turned to Rosaria.
"You look much healthier. Ready to go, Princess?"
Rosaria paused, then spoke softly.
"......Please take care of me."
Before leaving with Irit, she turned back to me briefly.
"Um......"
"Yes?"
"For the food."
She slipped a ring off her left hand and handed it over. Platinum with a red gem—worth more than enough to cover the bill.
"Thank you. Truly."
That was it. The door shut.
Aris pressed to the window, watching them go, then turned to me.
"Boss~ What'll happen to the princess now?"
"Who knows."
I propped my chin, seated.
"She'll figure it out and live well. Service is over."
Aris started to say more but closed her mouth. On the counter, Rosaria's ring gleamed iridescently.