Food for the Heart

After determining that the two wouldn't be able to give an answer right away, Stain dismissed the group temporarily so they could gather their bearings. While they did so, he went ahead to map the cave underneath the lord's dungeon so they could proceed without getting lost later.

Snow also detached herself, electing to go to the treasury to calm her nerves. Leave it to her to do so while surrounded by gold and treasures.

Meanwhile, Rain wandered around the mansion aimlessly, his thoughts in turmoil that produced no productive results. It wasn't a case of his logic and feelings colliding because if that was the case, then it would have been easy to make a decision based on the subjective pros and cons. But that wasn't the case.

Not even his mind and heart could make a choice.

That was why he meandered about, unconsciously seeking an answer from the change in scenery. As he did so, the many servants of the manor continued their responsibilities around him, with many passing each window a glance to check the outside. It could be a force of habit because none of these attempts proved to be of use due to the layer of rust that covered the glass of every window.

He continued walking along the halls, mostly ignorant of the events around him, but something tickled his senses after a while. Particularly his nose.

The smell caused his stomach to make noises. Ah, that was right. He hadn't had breakfast yet. He had slept through the entire early morning only to be awakened by Snow, who bore the bad news. But who could be cooking at that time? Perhaps it was one of the servants seeking to calm themselves by performing their regular duties?

Succumbing to his curiosity and grasping an opportunity to temporarily distract himself, he followed the scent to the kitchen to find a dramatic scene.

It was Hornet, stooped over a pot while her lance as if it was a sentient being, tended the fire by itself.

"Oh? Client. What are you–I haven't called you yet."

A familiar voice called out beside him. He turned to see something that made his mouth open in further shock. It was Rex. And she was wearing a dirty apron while holding a tray of steaming-hot bread.

"Mm. Ya' came at a good time," Hornet stretched her arms and said after noticing the two. "We made ya' some food. Should fill ya' right up and over yer hangover."

While Hornet finished her dish, Rex placed the tray on the table. She then led the slack-jawed Rain onto a seat as Hornet gave him a bowl of her creation.

It looked like a stew but much clearer and refined. It reminded him of those watery soups served in cheap taverns, but unlike those, the dish had a tantalizing scent that stimulated his appetite. Large chunks of meat were on it together with strands of white… whatever it was. Red spices and sparkling oil circles floated on its surface, which elevated the visual appeal together with the colorful carrots and greens.

"Chick'n soup. An' I added somethin' called noodles 'ta make it more fillin'," Hornet explained before taking a swig from her gourd. "Try it out. Ain't gonna kill 'ya."

Absentmindedly going along with the flow, Rain grabbed the utensil, only to find that it was not a spoon but a fork.

"Mm. Silly. 'Ya drink the soup from the bowl, an' use the fork for the meat."

Hornet demonstrated what she meant using an imaginary bowl, mimicking that he should lift the bowl with both hands in a strangely elegant way of eating off a plate. Personally, he was inclined to look for a spoon instead, but since the former was looking at him with both anticipation and impatience, he elected to follow her example.

"Woah… that's really good."

He gave an honest compliment. The soup was quite salty and a bit spicy. However, the carrots gave it a sweet accent that contrasted nicely with the tang. Those alone managed to assuage the headache he forgot he had. Moving on to the meat, besides its tenderness, he was surprised to find that its skin was crunchy despite being submerged in the soup. It even had a slightly peppery taste that stimulated his hunger even more.

"Right? Try the noodles, too."

Then, he had to move on to the mysterious white strings. It didn't look anything impressive, just a bunch of slippery strands of what looked like wet dough. But since it was served to him, he had to try it. So he stuck his fork through the garbled mass and shoved them into his mouth.

Bland. That was all he could describe it… Though it picked up some of the flavors of the soup and the meat, the taste was still muted by its solid mass. But after chewing for a while, he eventually understood its purpose. It was to balance the soup's intense flavors of saltiness and spiciness.

It only took a little while for him to finish the entire bowl.

"It's… a very well-planned dish."

The considerations that went into the ingredients were very impressive. Rain hardly expected it from someone like Hornet, who didn't look like she cared about complexities like that when she was all too eager to eat beans and nuts straight from a storehouse.

"Thanks! I've been practicin'. Good booze needs good food, 'ya know."

Ah, so that was it. What a committed alcoholic. In pursuit of the ultimate drinking experience, Hornet learned to cook her own food to go along with the booze.

Compared to her… Rain looked to the side of the table where a tray of freshly-baked bread was laid, isolated from the colorful dish that Hornet had made. Then, he saw Rex smiling at him.

"She's good, right? You know, she learned quickly when she realized that she could eat whenever she wanted if she knew how to cook."

As she recounted the reason for her companion's talent, Rain noticed something resembling disappointment. Though her face didn't show anything that hinted at such an emotion, Rain was experienced enough in dealing with Snow and her consistent episodes of sickness that he was able to feel it.

So, after he nodded in agreement, he quickly reached out to the tray and picked up a loaf of bread. Rex's expression gave away to a look of slight panic.

"Oh, you don't have to–"

Rain took a bite before he could even register what Rex was trying to say. And it was good. The bread was very soft in the center, and the crust was just hard enough to keep its form without being too difficult to bite. It was even sweet and tasted slightly of honey. There were no small pebbles, nor were there any whole grains inside, either. It was definitely made well enough and with care to be placed on sale at a bakery in a large city.

But that was it.

"Tastes just like bread, right?" she remarked slowly. "I'm at least decent at making that."

Rex laughed in self-derision. In response, Rain tilted his head in wonder.

"What's wrong with it? It's good. I'm more surprised that someone of royalty knew how to bake."

Being a mercenary, Rain was familiar with dealing with the nobility, for they were often hired as muscle for various work that they deemed too bothersome to deal with themselves. In his experience, particularly on escort missions, the nobility rarely knew how to perform these "lowly" tasks. They preferred to use their money to hire skilled people who could do it for them.

Rex sighed, slightly embarrassed.

"Well, you know… It's hard to eat good food when the palace chefs hate you. So I had to learn from the people in Coin's employ. Unluckily for me, it looks like I don't have the talent for it."

Even her own servants were intimidated by her? That was… shocking. He thought that someone as widely feared and hated as her would only surround themselves with people she trusted. But it seemed that that wasn't the case.

"That's why she always hangs out at th'cave. A'least she can eat well, eh?"

"Oh, shut up."

Rain finished the bread. It paired surprisingly well with the soup. He regretted not leaving some so he could use it as a dip.

"Thank you," he said and bowed his head to them. It was a kind gesture from them, who had nothing to do with him besides being in his temporary employ.

In response, Rex assumed her usual, kind-hearted smile.

"Don't mention it. Initially, I wanted to do this myself, but Hornet saw me and insisted on making some for you, too."

The person in question flashed a strange sign with her index and middle fingers outstretched.

"You're done eating?"

He nodded. Though he could do with a few more bites, he didn't feel like doing so after remembering the decision he still had to make.

"Okay. It's good that you enjoyed the food. Hornet, take care of the dishes."

"Mm. Ugh… Yeah, yeah, alright."

The way she ordered her peer made it seem like she was all too used to giving them. Rain was in awe of her ability.

"Now that that's out of the way… Rain. I do have a favor I need to ask."

Suddenly, Rex's mood turned around. He felt the gravity in her words, signified by the fact that she didn't call him "client" as she usually did. Unconsciously, he straightened his back and focused. At that moment, she didn't seem like Rex, the friendly hero who addressed her companions as equals. He remembered how she was when she faced the sentries at the village gates, unwavering and majestic. Like she had all the power in her hands to do whatever she wanted.

But then, she lowered her voice in a submissive tone and asked:

"Please. Save my people."