Volume 1 Chapter 70 Lydia, Occupying The Kitchen In The Underground Waterway
The scenery swayed.
I felt a sense of floating and dizziness, and my vision blurred white for a moment.
I could still feel the hands of Sir Rail and Sir Roxas. I didn't really know where I was, but the fear of being left alone in some other place faded away easily, just from that.
I felt like my feet weren't on the ground──like the skin on the soles of my feet or the bottoms of my shoes had turned into something else, and with that feeling, the scenery regained its colors.
"...Princess, are you okay?"
"Y-yes... somehow."
Sir Rail supported me as I almost stumbled.
Sir Roxas looked pale, covering his mouth. He seemed less okay than I was.
"I'm used to teleporting alone, but I haven't done it with someone else much. Last time, I tore Ms. Lydia's clothes, but I changed the spell a bit, so your clothes should be fine... oh, your ribbon came undone."
Sir Ciel said with concern and tied my ribbon at my chest that was coming loose.
"Ciel, you... tore Lydia's clothes...!"
"Sir Roxas, you got my clothes all wet too."
"That wasn't me, it was the octopus."
"...Roxas. Using an octopus to soak the princess... you've changed quite a bit while I have been sick in bed..."
Sir Rail said sadly.
The passage of time can be cruel.
"That's misleading...!"
"Sir Roxas, quiet down. This is the corner of Kirschtein's town."
After Sir Ciel put a finger to his lips, he looked into my eyes and touched my cheeks and neck.
"Your focus is steady, and your pupils are not dilated. Your pulse is regular. There are no symptoms of magic sickness. You seem fine."
"Y-yes, thank you..."
Sir Ciel's finger gently pulled away from me, and I looked around at the scenery.
The houses made of red bricks stood out. They had triangular roofs and chimneys. Tall street trees lined up neatly, giving a beautiful impression of the town.
We were standing in a corner of the town, in a green area with trees. There were no people around.
It felt a bit colder than the holy capital of the Bernard Kingdom.
The sky was overcast, and while it wasn't too cold, it looked like it might snow at any moment.
"I wish we could have gone directly into the underground waterway, but teleportation magic isn't perfect. You can only specify a destination if you've been there before. I was able to come to Kirschtein because I've been here once."
"Do you know where the underground waterway is?"
Sir Roxas, who looked a bit pale from the teleportation, seemed to have calmed down a little.
When he asked, Sir Ciel nodded.
"Yes. The water source of Kirschtein draws meltwater from the Inash Mountain into the waterway. Well, it used to, at least. The river connects to the waterway. It's down the stairs next to the river that flows from the entrance on the north side of the town."
"Sir Ciel, you know everything..."
I looked at Sir Ciel with admiration, and he smiled awkwardly.
"Due to my position, I can read the records kept by the royal family. During the suppression war, Margrave Wisteria──my grandfather also led the army in that battle. After that, Kirschtein was merged with the Margrave family's territory. At that time... my mother was ill, and I didn't have the mental space to pay attention to what was happening around me... but I'm not completely unrelated to it either."
Sir Ciel is being treated badly at Wisteria's house.
He probably doesn't want to get involved at all.
After all, it's Sir Ciel's cousin who rules Kirschtein, and I think he wants to avoid meeting Francois even more than I do.
Still, he came with me, so I should be grateful.
Maybe Sir Ciel is also worried about Mr. Lucian.
He said Mr. Lucian isn't a friend, but maybe they are actually close and are friends.
That's what you call male friendship.
It's nice to have good friends.
"I think it's great that Ciel doesn't run away from his responsibilities. I, on the other hand, have left everything to Roxas and am only thinking about becoming a hero. The river that connects to the waterway... oh. That's the place. Let's go, princess."
"Brother..."
Sir Rail took my hand.
Sir Roxas let out a deep sigh.
The outer walls surrounding the town were not repaired, and about half of them had collapsed.
The outer wall has a tunnel shape, and from there, a clear river flows into the town.
Next to the river, there are stairs, and beyond that, darkness continues.
We move forward into the artificial hollow beneath the town.
In the center, there is a river, and on both sides, there are paths for people to walk.
Since we are underground, it's naturally dark, and Sir Ciel lights the way with magic.
Leading the way, Sir Rail walks confidently. It seems that being at the front is part of a hero's job.
Since there are no acquaintances around, the fox mask is off, and his long white hair, tied back, sways like a tail with every step he takes.
Behind him are me and Sir Roxas. At the back, Sir Ciel walks, creating several glowing orbs.
The glowing orbs reflect on the surface of the underground water, making it look like there are many moons floating.
Even though we are trying to walk carefully, our footsteps echo anyway.
"...I wonder where the kitchen is. Since it's a living space, I thought it would be in a bigger area."
Sir Rail said, looking around curiously.
"Sir Rail, um, I think I smell spices coming from the back on the right side."
"Can you really tell, Princess?"
"Y-yes, maybe..."
The smell of seasonings is quite unique.
It might be different, but mixed with the damp air of the underground waterway, it gives a slight sense of comfort──a delicious smell, I think.
Nutmeg. Thyme. Clove. Rosemary. Dried parsley. It has a refreshing scent.
Sir Rail strides confidently toward the direction I pointed out.
As I turned right down the corridor, I entered a slightly open space. Several paths branched off, and the light from magic stone lamps illuminated the walls of the corridor.
Sir Rail easily used the hilt of a dagger strapped to his thigh to strike the abdomen and neck of a few people in black robes who seemed to be guards, knocking them out.
Half of them were put to sleep by Sir Rail, and the other half by Sir Ciel using magic.
Sir Roxas, who was carrying all our gear, including what Sir Rail had, quietly said, "...I'm not really cut out for fighting." I nodded.
Sir Roxas doesn't have great athletic skills. I can't fight either, so I feel a sense of closeness.
I remembered Mx. Margaret's tearful face when they said, "I'm weak, I'm sorry." I don't think there are that many strong people around.
It's just that Sir Rail, Sir Ciel, and Mr. Lucian are special.
Sir Roxas can use magic too, but still, fighting is scary.
I wish no one would get hurt if possible.
It might be strange for me to think that, considering I resented Sir Stefan and Francois every day.
But rather than fighting or resenting someone, I think it would be happiness if we could just eat together with smiles.
"Princess, I found it! The kitchen. Just as expected from my princess. I have no grudge against the other side of people, but they'll have to sleep for a bit."
"...Sleepy wind, go."
As I opened the door, a scent of spices wafted in, and there were the cooks inside.
A few men in white cooking clothes and aprons were discussing something.
Sir Rail and Sir Ciel easily put them to sleep and dragged them to the corner of the kitchen.
Sir Roxas is clumsy but strong, isn't he?
"Alright, we've taken over the kitchen. What are we going to make, Princess? I'm good with my hands. If there's anything I can help with, just let me know."
Sir Roxas placed the bags he was carrying on the workbench, and Sir Rail rolled up his sleeves as he spoke.
"Let's seal the door so no one can come in while we cook."
Sir Ciel said, and a magic circle glowed on the door.
"What should I do?"
"Sir Roxas, can you keep an eye on the ones we put to sleep?"
"Got it."
Following Sir Ciel's instructions, Sir Roxas took a chair from the kitchen and sat in front of the people lying on the floor, crossing his legs.
He stopped saying he would help with the cooking. Maybe he sensed something since he kept refusing.
I feel sorry about it.
But if something breaks, like a bottle, that would be a problem.
"...Thank you, everyone. I'll do my best...!"
I bowed to Sir Ciel and the others who brought me here and washed my hands at the kitchen sink.
Even though it's a kitchen in an underground waterway, it's well-equipped.
The sink has a water magic stone, and clean water flows out.
There are 4 burners, and plenty of pots, pans, and knives.
There's a meat grinder, bowls, everything we need.
When I clenched my hands and said this, Sir Ciel and the others nodded strongly, as if to say it would be okay.
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