Her Grace

Kael and the group stopped at a place where a river flowed. Jun and William walked around looking for wood to build a fireplace. Gusto sulked in his seat as he faced away. Valencia leaned her head on her shoulder.

“Is he… okay?” she asked.

Opheli grabbed a loaf of bread and broke it in half. She handed one piece to Valencia.

“He’s fine… just made a rookie mistake,” Opheli claimed.

Gusto soon wailed after hearing the word ‘rookie.’

“I didn’t mean to… I’ve been with this crew for four years…”

Valencia awkwardly smiled.

“I see…”

Opheli glared at Gusto, pulling her piece of the loaf away after she took a bite. She shook her head.

“You’re a grown man… you should already understand the consequences,” Opheli muttered.

Kael grabbed a bowl of soup and walked toward Valencia. He sat down beside her and handed her the bowl.

“This will help your stomach,” Kael said.

Valencia nodded and took it. She drank the soup and widened her eyes. She gasped.

“Who made this soup?” she asked.

Kael smiled and gleamed.

“I did! Do you like it?”

Valencia gagged and puked everything out, turning pale from… the overwhelming salt flavor.

“Your Grace!” Opheli called. She grabbed the bowl and sipped it. Her face twisted in horror. “This… is poisonous. How dare you poison Her Grace?!”

Kael dropped his jaw and held onto the lifeless Valencia as she fainted.

“Wait! I didn't cook this! Adon did! I only brought it over!” Kael exclaimed.

Adon held onto the soup spoon and paused. She poked her ear.

“Ah… is someone calling for me?”

Kael carried Valencia into the tent and groaned. He watched her day and night, making sure she removed all of the soup from her system.

As soon as Valencia opened her eyes, Kael smiled.

“My apologies. I didn’t expect Adon’s cooking to be that bad. I should never trust a mage in cooking,” Kael admitted.

Valencia stood and glared at him.

“You mean… you? You’re the cook—”

“I really didn’t cook it. I just thought you would praise me if I had lied to you… I didn’t expect a mage to be so bad at cooking,” he explained.

Valencia paused and stared at him. She chuckled and leaned on his lap, startling him.

“So are you a better cook than her?”

Kael laughed and caressed her hair. He glanced over her as he brushed her hair behind her ear.

“Yes. I’m definitely a better cook than her,” he claimed.

She closed her eyes and slowly fell asleep on his lap. As Kael realized that she had fallen asleep, he stepped out of the tent and sighed heavily, glaring at Adon.

Adon flinched, looking at Opheli and Jun with confusion.

“Why is he staring at me with murderous intent?” she asked.

Opheli squinted her eyes.

“Did you say that you’ll cook soup?”

Adon beamed and clapped her hands. She nodded firmly.

“Yes! Did Her Grace try it?! What did she think about it?” Adon asked curiously.

Opheli and Kael inhaled and held their breath.

“Adon is up for nightwatch,” Kael ordered.

Adon paled and sulked.

“Me? Why?” she wondered as her puppy eyes grew and tears fell.

Kael returned to the tent. Opheli scoffed.

“Serves you right. How dare you think your poisonous soup was edible?!”

When night fell in silence, monsters crept near the campsite. Kael stood by the entrance, watching Valencia sleep peacefully. He tilted his head with irritation.

“Opheli, make sure no one steps near the tent. Not even twelve feet near,” Kael commanded.

Opheli pulled out her sword as she stood by the black trees.

“Yes, Commander!”

“He he he he!” Gusto smiled as he stood. He swung his hammer to his shoulder. “Time to redeem myself!”