To the Empire [5]
I dumped the fainted kid into the guest room inside the carriage—far from Lulu's room—and shuffled back to the living room.
Peeking out the window, the sun hadn't quite set yet. A little time left.
I lazily called toward the front of the carriage.
"Nana, Lara. Let's go."
Prrrrng—!
No sooner had the words left my mouth than an energetic snort echoed from outside, and the carriage glided smoothly toward the Empire once more.
I sank deep into the living room sofa, picking up my teacup. The tea was cold, but whatever.
Good call. Snagged myself a guide.
The more I thought about it, the better it seemed. A hero of the Empire, no less. No tedious inspections at the gates, and he'd know the lay of the land inside out.
A free pass and top-tier guide, all in one.
Once we hit the Empire, time to squeeze some cash outta that kid... nah, borrow it.
A hero oughta have deep pockets.
Imagining all the cute clothes for Lulu bought with his money brought a grin to my face.
My old hoodie was cute enough on her, but the capital would have lacy dresses, fluffy pajamas, that kinda thing.
Gotta figure out Lulu's tastes too.
Hmm, yellow suit her? Or pink?
Sketching outfits in my head, even the carriage's sway felt pleasant.
Before long, the scenery outside faded into darkness. The orange sunset gone, cold night air settling in.
That's when it happened.
"...Daddyyy?"
The door creaked open cautiously. Lulu shuffled out, rubbing her eyes.
Mimi was still clutched tight in her arms.
Spotting me on the sofa, Lulu toddled over and buried her face in my lap.
Half-asleep mumbling.
"Sun... gone... already... nighttiiime...?"
Face smooshed against my knee, she grumbled sadly. I chuckled, gently stroking her messy hair.
Then Mimi, nestled in Lulu's arms, perked up her ears in surprise and yelped.
"Nighttime?! Bad suuun... nighttime?!"
I patted their backs at Mimi's dazed cry, murmuring softly.
"Don't worry. The sun comes up every day. You'll see it again soon."
Scooping up the two regretful little ones, I headed to the sink. Wiped their faces and Mimi's cotton-paw feet with warm water, then plopped them side by side on dining chairs.
Pulling ingredients from the fridge, I casually asked.
"Lulu, there's someone in the other room, right?"
Both heads swiveled toward the guest room. Lulu nodded, and I kept chopping veggies.
"Some guy's sleeping in there. Uncle... or young guy, whatever. Don't freak if he pops out later."
"Stranger... person...?"
Lulu's eyes went wide, flustered.
Still scared of unknowns, huh.
"No big deal. Just needed a guide to the Empire, so I brought him along. He's out cold 'cause he's not feeling great."
"Ow... hurty...?"
Worry crept into Lulu's voice. Worrying over some rando just 'cause he's sick. So Lulu.
"Not too bad. He'll be fine after sleep."
Steamy soup bubbled, filling the air. Mimi suddenly jumped up on the table, flexing her cotton arms.
"I... protect... Luluuu!"
What're you gonna protect, cotton ball? I swallowed a laugh, flicking her head.
"Yeah, yeah. Our Mimi's super strong."
"Heehee...!"
Beaming at the praise, Mimi shrugged proudly and sat back down.
I ladled steaming soup into bowls for the kids.
"Hot, so eat slow. Tear the bread like this, dunk it, eat."
Demo'd with a piece—eyes lit up.
"Ooooh—!"
Tore generous chunks into their plates, adding,
"Try it. Pretty good."
Lulu dipped cautiously, then yelped in delight.
"Yummmm... so gooood...!"
"Yummmm... so tasty...!"
Melty texture got her all melty too. Mimi chomped away, soup on her face, no wiping.
"Eat up. Pot's still full."
Propping my chin, I watched their munching lips fondly.
Capital'd be overflowing with ingredients. My mental library held thousands of recipes from my past life—chef shows, YouTuber hacks.
Modern methods on this world's stuff... what flavors? Excited to expand Lulu's palate. Fingers itching already.
Gotta analyze local specialties too.
Lost in lazy thoughts—
Thud!
Something heavy hit the guest room floor.
"...!"
Lulu and Mimi froze mid-dip, shoulders jumping. Fear in Lulu's big eyes. I glanced at the door.
Moments later, the shut door slid open—very carefully.
First thing: wild platinum blond mess poking out. Kid peeked, bleary-eyed, scanning the room.
Hero Ethan. Color back in his face. Probably slept deep without those voices.
I eyed him chin-on-hand.
Slept well, huh. Bedhead and daze make him look like any country boy.
Ethan's gaze drifted, landing on Lulu and Mimi munching at the table.
Lulu stared blankly bread-in-hand at the blond head. Mimi gripped her paws, ready to launch.
I set down my cup, drawling.
"Awake, kid?"
Hearing me, Ethan flinched, opening the door wider and stepping out. Instinctively patted his waist—no holy sword. I'd stashed it.
Fingers clenched empty air. Confusion in his eyes.
Staring at his palm forever, then trembling voice.
"...Something's wrong."
"Huh?"
"No... voices... at all."
His eyes met mine—questioning the vanished curse-voices from his god.
I smirked, nodding to the end seat.
"Just muted the noise. Sit already."
At my lazy reply, he gawked, world-shaken expression.
"Muted... the interference...?"
"Why's it a question? Noisy's noisy."
Shrugged it off, standing. He tensed hard. Ignored, grabbed another bowl, filled with hot soup.
Plunked it in front of him.
"Eat. You must be starving."
"..."
No time to refuse—he stared, then sat. But instead of spoon, he alternated stares at the staring Lulu and Mimi.
Awkward silence, stranger dinner. His eyes darted lost. I added flatly.
"My daughters."
"...!"
His eyes bulged. Forgot his bedhead, shot up straight, bowed formally.
"Ah... my apologies. Ethan, hero of the Empire."
Short, firm greeting. Hair a bird's nest, though.
Chin-propped, I watched. Called 'em daughters, but bowing to Mimi the moving doll?
Weird guy. Impressive? Something.
Snorted inwardly. His seriousness embarrassed me.
Lulu, first formal bow ever, hid behind me wide-eyed.
Mimi approved, cotton-arm akimbo, ahem-shoulder shrug.
"Enough. Sit. You're scaring 'em."
He scratched his head, sat—back ramrod straight, tense.
Nodded at his soup.
"Greeted. Eat before it cools."
Hesitated, then spooned tentatively. Eyes flicked: kids, me, soup.
Big slurp.
"...!"
Eyes wide again.
Imperial delicacies galore, but my modern recipe + MSG? Next level. Wholesome ingredients, too.
Incredulous stares between bowl and me.
"How... did you make this? Even the palace chefs can't match it."
"No secret. Just boiled it right."
Not like they could anyway. Shrugged, tore bread for the kids.
Ethan dazed but hunger won—spoon flew.
Later.
Gloved hands washing dishes, I passed a wet plate to the hero beside me.
He took it reflexively, fumbling dry towel to wipe.
Living room: belly-bloated Lulu and Mimi chased each other happily.
Empire's top hero, apronless houseguest helping chores.
Wiping carefully, stacking, he spoke.
"What... are you, exactly?"
Clink of dishes mixed with his serious tone.
Rinsing, I replied offhand.
"Hmm... can't tell from my hair and eyes?"
He paused mid-wipe, side-eyeing my profile.
Cautious.
"Demon...?"
Didn't look, countered.
"You think?"
Thought, eyes narrowing.
"...No. Looks similar, but no demonic energy. More like... divine power."
Kept wiping handed plates, trailing off.
Self-proclaimed gods couldn't ID me up close—hero won't either. Flicked suds.
"Know about devils?"
Random question froze him, then wry chuckle.
"...Yes. Mom read fairy tales. Bad kids who don't sleep get snatched by devils."
Wiped reminiscing.
"Every Empire kid hears it. 'Be good or the black devil drags you to Hell.'"
Light joke, smiled glancing at me.
But facing my black hair, blood-red eyes—smile froze.
Legend monster overlaid on me—eyes quivered.
"That... fairy-tale devil. You?"
Handed clean dish, nodded.
"Yeah."
"..."
Casual affirm—Ethan inhaled sharp.
Terror of Empire bedtime stories, humming (not really) beside him drying dishes.
Brain overload, couldn't process.
Then Lulu toddled over from play, grabbing my pant leg.
"Daddyyy... what doooing...?"
Dried hands, petted her head.
"Dishes. That uncle's helping."
Lulu looked up at frozen mid-wipe Ethan.
Now Ethan had to decide.
How to take this: fairy-tale kid-snatcher doting on his daughter, doing dishes.