Chapter 63
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: A Proper Meal
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“I see.”
I replied nonchalantly, nodding my head.
It was something I had fully anticipated. I’d even seriously considered whether I might have to escort him all the way to the capital myself.
If Ethan was determined to go, there was nothing I could do. It was difficult to argue against it for safety reasons, especially after witnessing his incredible combat skills firsthand.
Besides, with his immunity to the virus, there was no need for me to go out of my way to protect him.
And by now, Ethan had experienced for himself just how dangerous the monsters were.
He seemed to have a decent grasp of their weaknesses and what to watch out for, so I figured I didn't need to worry too much.
“Why do you agree so easily?”
Ethan asked, his voice tinged with surprise. I was at a loss for words and just stared at him blankly. What did he want from me?
Reading my expression, Ethan burst out laughing. Then, he took a step closer to me.
I stepped back by the same amount.
As he watched me, one of his eyebrows arched in displeasure.
He cocked his head to one side and said.
“You said you’d protect me.”
I recalled what I had said on the roof before going to Brunel.
“Don’t you dare think about sacrificing yourself for a phone that might not even work. I’ll protect you, Sir Ethan.”
Yeah. Right. I did say something like that.
“But you’re the one who just said you were leaving. I was just respecting your decision.”
Ethan faltered, then simply closed his mouth without another word. He looked somewhat dissatisfied.
“But can you even get out?”
I pointed to the main gate, where the monsters were still thumping against the door.
Ethan fell silent as he, too, looked at the firmly shut gate. No matter how he thought about it, getting out didn't seem like it would be easy.
“Are they gathering because they smell people?”
Ethan muttered. I agreed with his assessment.
“That’s a definite possibility.”
Honestly, I didn't know the exact reason. How was I supposed to know what was going on inside those monsters' heads?
With the solid stone gate and walls blocking the way, they shouldn't have been able to confirm that we were inside.
My original plan had been to nurse the collapsed Knox and use my free time to go into the forest to gather more stones for the catapult.
But with the monsters occupying the area in front of the gate for a full day, I couldn't go outside.
In other words, it had become difficult to use the catapult to divert their attention elsewhere.
‘This is exactly why I set up the bells.’
Yesterday, Ethan and I had tried ringing the bells again to draw the monsters' attention, but once more, it wasn't very effective.
‘If I’d known this would happen, I would have installed more bells.’
Even though I knew there hadn't been enough time, the regret washed over me.
“Once their numbers thin out a bit, I’ll have to find a way out. Until then, would it be alright if I stayed at the mansion?”
Ethan asked me. I nodded readily. At that point, we both assumed the monsters would eventually lose interest and disperse.
In any case, after finishing my conversation with Ethan, I looked up at the sky. Evening was already approaching.
“First, I should get dinner started.”
‘Ugh, what a pain. Why do humans have to eat?’
I pondered this fundamental question as I picked up the basket of eggs from beside the chicken coop.
Since Knox had woken up after two days, I thought I’d prepare a proper meal today.
It’s paradoxical, but having a proper, well-prepared meal, rather than just eating whatever to survive, is crucial for survival. It’s a way of holding on to your humanity.
I knew very well how important such small details were for maintaining one's mental health in difficult situations.
It was for a similar reason that I had stocked Happy House with the highest quality furniture and survival supplies.
As much as possible, I wanted to maintain a normal daily life within these walls, however difficult it might be.
And, to be honest, there was the additional reason that after eating nothing but tomato stew for two straight days, I didn't want to even look at a tomato for a while.
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
Ethan asked as he held the front door open for me. What’s this? Why is he being so formal? Was he feeling guilty about staying a few more days after declaring he was leaving?
But I naturally passed the egg basket I was holding to Ethan.
“Thank you.”
Ethan took the basket without a word of complaint and followed behind me.
Once in the kitchen, I loaded coal into the stove and lit the burner. I placed a frying pan on the heat and, once it was sizzling hot, I added the bacon.
The fat rendered from the bacon and bubbled away. I immediately started cracking eggs into the pan to fry them.
‘I’ve been dying to eat this.’
Perfectly cooked bacon and rich, runny fried eggs. I never understood why such a simple meal from some animated movie looked so appetizing.
Attracted by the delicious smell, Knox also shuffled toward the kitchen.
I placed a new pan on the other burner and dropped in a pat of butter.
As the butter melted into a luscious pool in the heat, I placed sliced bread on it and began toasting it diligently.
I set a cutting board on the counter, sliced the cheese into bite-sized pieces, and arranged them on a plate. It was finally ready.
After plating all the food, I gave Ethan a look, and he quickly carried the finished dishes out to the banquet hall.
Knox, who had been quietly observing, quickly figured out what he could do and started gathering cutlery to set the table.
“This is my first time doing something like this, but I’m pretty good at it, don’t you think?”
I heard Knox ask Ethan in a gentle tone. Of course, Ethan’s scoff followed immediately, but Knox paid it no mind.
Neither Ethan nor Knox uttered a single complaint. That was what surprised me.
Don't nobles usually expect to be served, even when they're the ones receiving help? They are nobles, after all.
I was just thinking I'd have to teach them to pull their own weight while they were here. But for them to help on their own without being told was a relief.
I arranged the toasted bread, bacon, and fried eggs nicely on a large platter.
Then, in the same pan I used for the bacon, I grilled some tomatoes and mushrooms. When they were browned nicely, I sprinkled some basil powder over them to enhance the flavor.
I transferred the grilled tomatoes and mushrooms to a bowl with a few other vegetables and placed it on the counter. Ethan and Knox came and took them away.
In the meantime, I drew water from the water tank. Then I went to the kitchen pantry and brought out a bottle of wine.
Knox’s face lit up when he saw the wine.
“Miss Cherry certainly knows a thing or two about fine dining.”
In Graydon, just about anyone would react that way if you brought out wine for a meal. That’s how much everyone loved to drink.
Ethan looked uninterested in the wine, but he did thank me when I poured him a glass.
After pouring the wine, I sat at the head of the banquet table. Ethan was on my right, and Knox was on my left.
I had no idea why the seating was arranged this way. According to Knox, Ethan had done it.
Knox looked a little moved as he surveyed the food spread out before him. A soft smile played on his lips as he spoke to me.
“I never expected to taste food like this again. It’s amazing. More than anything, I never thought I’d be treated to such a meal by you, Miss Cherry, in a ruined house like this.”
“Having a proper meal is important, isn’t it? It lets you forget the grim situation outside, even for a moment… and it also reminds us that we’re humans who make use of the comforts of civilization.”
At my response, Knox looked at me with great interest. Before starting his meal, he rested his chin on the back of his clasped hands and asked me.
“Miss Cherry, there’s something I’m curious about.”
I paused with my fork in hand and nodded at Knox. As if to say, go on.
“I am truly moved by this luxurious meal, but no matter how I think about it, I find it strange that you’re so skilled at this sort of thing.”
Knox was sharp. Behind his smiling eyes, it felt like a sly fox was lurking.
That was why I could never let my guard down around him.
“How are you so skilled at what is essentially a maid's work? Come to think of it, you also took out a loan for a staggering 100 million gold before the fall. Could it be that the Sinclair family's circumstances were different from what was publicly known, and that you didn't have such a pampered upbringing…?”
“…”
To think that after all that long-winded speculation and prejudice, his conclusion was completely and utterly wrong.
I take back what I thought about him being sharp.