"We shall rest for a while. Prepare lunch." Maxim announced, signaling a brief halt in their journey.
Aria didn't catch what he said, but when everyone stopped walking, she guessed they were taking a break. She glanced around and noticed one of the knights tending a fire. A flicker of thought passed through her—perhaps she could help?
But past attempts had often been met with polite refusal. She wondered if they saw her as a nuisance. They did everything so effortlessly. They took care of her… but maybe only because of Rayan.
Aria had begun the day in high spirits, but now the familiar heaviness crept in again.
A voice from behind pulled her out of her thoughts. She turned to see Maxim laying a blanket on the ground.
"My Lady!"
He called her that again. Ma Ladii… Aria mouthed the words to herself, unsure of their meaning. Still, she walked over as Maxim gestured for her to rest. Before stepping away to assist the others, he handed her a water pouch.
Needless to say, she rested while the others worked.
Bored and feeling rather useless, she pouted slightly. What might Rayan be doing right now…?
Her thoughts wandered aimlessly until she noticed the burly knight she'd healed the previous night returning from the forest—with freshly washed vegetables in hand.
Without needing to ask, she knew: they were meant for her vegetable soup.
That's it. At the very least, she should be allowed to prepare her own meal.
Determined, Aria stood up. But as she approached the burly knight, her courage slowly drained away. She found herself standing in front of him, as he gave her a puzzled look.
She looked up at him briefly, then dropped her gaze to the basket of vegetables, as though trying to bore a hole through it with sheer will. A second passed, then she cleared her throat.
What was his name again?
Unsure, she repeated the last phrase she'd heard from Maxim. Maybe it was a general form of address in their language… hopefully.
"Ma Ladii…"
The world went oddly silent for a moment—then laughter erupted all around her.
Startled, Aria turned. One knight was doubled over in laughter, another grinning. Even Tristan had a smile tugging at his lips.
Despite herself, the scene warmed her heart, easing the weight she'd been carrying.
But when her eyes flicked back to the burly knight—who didn't appear amused—her confidence shriveled. Ugh… definitely said something wrong.
Flustered, she snatched the basket from his hands and hurried away. She didn't dare raise her head as she chopped the vegetables, but to her relief, no one tried to stop her this time.
Elsewhere among the knights…
They turned amused eyes to the expressionless Linus.
"Seems witches have a third eye too—they can see right through us," Eden teased.
A cough came from Tristan.
When no one responded, he coughed again, louder this time. Eden gave him a weird look.
"Didn't take you for a shy one, Maii Ladiii," he smirked.
Tristan glared at him as the others chuckled. Ignoring them, he said plainly:
"She's cooking."
All eyes turned to Aria, still busy at the fire.
"Let her be," Magnus said while gutting a bird. His calm voice was a contrast to his ruthless hands.
"Of course," Eden agreed quickly.
"Who knows what kind of awful soup the old man would've made. No wonder she fainted last night after healing Linus. She's a witch—healing's probably normal for her—but if she collapsed, it must be because of Maxim's cooking."
Silence.
"…Is that so?"
The sharp voice cut through the air like a blade. Eden stiffened.
Maxim had returned at some point, unnoticed. His narrowed eyes and flaring moustache said enough.
"Why don't we try your cooking today?" He said calmly, then walked over to assist Aria without another word.
Everyone grimaced—even Linus.
They didn't know about soup, but meat cooked by Maxim was a blessing on hard travel days.
Sensing the mood shift, Eden sighed.
"You could at least help me."
Wordlessly, the others picked up their own portions and began cooking separately.
Everyone in the barracks knew the unspoken rule: Eden was cursed in the kitchen. Touching food was practically forbidden for him.
Years of disasters had taught them well.
"Bastards," Eden muttered, clicking his tongue. "The old man should really visit a tavern and loosen up…"
Or maybe Eden should just learn to control his own mouth.
That afternoon, everyone ate their own meals. Maxim shared the vegetable soup with Aria in silence, and then they resumed their journey.
As they walked, Maxim glanced at Aria, who had remained quiet since the incident. His moustache twitched slightly, remembering how she had tried to say "My Lady."
She was trying to learn their language.
"My Lady…" Maxim repeated aloud. Aria looked up.
He pointed at her and said again, slowly: "Lady."
Aria blinked, then pointed to herself as well. "Lady," she echoed.
So that's what they called people like her?
Maxim nodded. He then pointed at himself.
"Man."
Aria's eyes sparkled with anticipation, absorbing the lesson.
"Rayan… man," she said, testing the word.
Maxim smiled in approval.
From then on, she pointed at everything—trees, water, clouds—and repeated the words they taught her. Eden, Magnus, and even Linus began chiming in to help.
By the time they reached the capital's city wall, Aria had learned all their names.
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