Meal 1

Lydia looked at Ahmad when he just stood at the side. Then she pointed the chair across. "Why don't you come sit and join me for a meal?"

"I…," Ahmad's body tensed as he looked at her. "As you wish, your grace."

He sat in the exact chair Lydia pointed. Then he just stared at the wooden table. 

When the dishes arrived, he scanned the food and looked at her. 

Contrary to his expectations, she doesn't seem bothered by the simple tableware and plain-looking dishes.

Rather, she seemed excited and pleased. However, she took time in looking at the dishes before picking the spoon, so he took it as a sign that she might be concerned about the foods safety. 

"Your grace, with your permission, I'll taste the dishes first to ensure your safety. I am familiar with the innkeeper, but I would still like to be certain."

"Alright, do so," Lydia said before watching him take a bit of everything. 'Whoa, the food smells so good, but I have to let him do his thing before I do mine. Haha, I'm gonna make sure I eat a lot.'

'Poisoning did come to mind after I remembered those nasty palace dramas I came across while reading, but seriously, if someone really wanted to kill the original owner of this body, they would've made sure she wouldn't be able to make it out alive.'

'Besides, after thinking about it more while waiting for the food, I think the original owner of this body did not go to the lake by force… and right now, I actually think that the food is safe. Unless, of course, Ahmad is actually this body's enemy, and he signaled the innkeeper to tamper with my tableware and not the food.'

'It is possible since it seemed like the previous owner of this body fired him, but nah everything I saw, heard, and felt, doesn't dictate that.'

'Besides, why am I even trying to be paranoid when I'm usually chill?'

'Maybe because I'm sure now that I'm really in a new environment...'

'Wahhh, just look at the set-up of the inn and the clothes of the middle-aged man. They all scream ancient.'

'Besides, just how long will Ahmad taste the food?'

'Actually, I think I'm just trying to distract myself so that I won't gobble up the dishes before he finishes checking everything.'

Lydia leaned her back on the chair while taking in the enticing aroma gliding all around her. 'Gosh, the roasted chicken smells so good, the soup too,' she thought as she watched Ahmad taste the last dish.

When he raised his head, her eyes brightened because she thought they could finally eat. However, what he said next disappointed her.

"Your grace, I have tasted everything and they seem fine, but it's best to wait for a few more minutes, to ensure everything is alright."

"I see, thank you for checking the food," she said weakly before looking away.

'Damn, I'm so angry. I should be eating cake at a high-end restaurant right now. Ivan even said their chefs prepared a three layered chocolate cake for me.'

'Besides, when my mother called, she said they'll dig up the biggest potatoes in the farm and cook my favorite dishes.'

'I was really looking forward to it.'

'I swear, if there's magic here, I'm gonna learn witchcraft and curse that bitch even if she's in another timeline.'

'Oh right, I shouldn't do that because she's occupying my body now. My parents will be worried for sure. Besides, they've probably arrived at the hospital by now.'

'Ahh… I can't. I don't even want to imagine the looks on their faces right now.'

'Hah, and that bitch was probably rejoicing, even though she's bedridden. I hope my body rejects her so that she'll become a wandering ghost. Then she'll get eaten by soul eaters and never be able to reincarnate again, kyahahahaha…'

"Y…your grace, are you alright?" Ahmad said as he looked at the twisted grin on her face.

"Ah, yes, of course I am fine, Ahmad, right? Can I eat now, hmn?" she asked with her head slightly tilted to the left.

"Of course, your grace, I believe enough time has passed."

"Yes, that's right. I think so too," Lydia said before picking up the spoon.

When she took in a bit of soup, her constricted pupils returned to normal and her face softened. 

'Whoa, finally, food.' 

'I'm so happy I'm finally eating,' she thought as she scooped a smoked pork along with onions and carrots.

'So good,' she thought as she chewed the combined ingredients. 

'Yes, I should be eating like this. Otherwise my thoughts might turn dark again.'

Lydia continued to relish in the soup's warmth and flavors. When she had eaten half of it, she realized Ahmad was just observing her.

"You should eat too. There's a lot of food."

"I appreciate your kindness, your grace, but I will eat after you have finished."

"No, you can just eat with me. It's fine. The meal will be more enjoyable that way."

Ahmad looked at the dishes before looking at her again. "I… As you wish, your grace."

He picked up the spoon with an unfocused gaze and ate the dish next to him. 

After a while, he glanced at Lydia and continued to eat. 'She's eating well. That's unexpected.'

Ahmad ate more meat before observing her again. This time, she was soaking a piece of bread in the soup.

When she picked it up later and took a bite, she shuddered subtly, and her lips curved like waves. 

"Here, water, your grace," he said as he handed her a wooden cup.

"Thank you."

Ahmad acknowledged her before placing the rye bread at the side. Then he moved the nuts and dried fruits closer to her.

'It seems the combination did not suit her palate. I guess that's to be expected. Even if her kingdom had fallen, she was now married to the fifth prince of the empire.'

'She's not well received, but her food was always delivered on time.'

'Since I visually scanned her every meal, I know they were always appealing and warm, but that was when I was still the guard stationed at her chamber.'