The journey from Luminor Academy to the Kingdom of Defrin was a long one.
Even though it was a neighboring country, traveling to Defrin's royal palace required passing the imperial border, which alone would take at least a week. From there, another three-day journey awaited us to reach the royal estate, meaning we'd spend almost ten days living out of carriages and campsites—a demanding journey already written in stone.
Considering the return journey, we were looking at nearly three weeks on the road, which meant I couldn't bring Isabel along. Regretfully, she would have to make her way back with Harold alone.
We departed in the morning and spent most of the day traveling before choosing a plain suitable for camping to set up our tents.
"Let's hurry up. First, we should pitch the tents while it's still light, and then we can start preparing dinner."
"Do we really need four tents? There are only nine of us."
"Yes, but Princess Rainy and Lydia need their own tent, as do Master Ethan and Lady Rosewood."
"Ah, right."
Agnes glanced at me and Ethan briefly, seemingly understanding, and nodded. While I wasn't sure exactly what she inferred, she didn’t seem bothered by the setup, nor was anyone else. After all, everyone except for Agnes and Princess Rainy was capable of pitching a tent independently, so adding one more tent didn't consume much extra time.
"I'm aware that the journey to Defrin will be challenging for all of you... I hope you can understand," Lydia said, offering an apology on behalf of the Princess.
"No need to apologize twice. We understand," replied Agnes.
"Yes, we were just tagging along to Defrin anyway, so we anticipated as much. And, as adventurers, sleeping outside is not exactly new to us," the Hero added with a nod.
"Thank you both for your understanding."
In reality, if it weren’t for Princess Rainy’s condition, we could have found accommodations at a nearby village or inn. However, Princess Rainy’s bad luck was currently at its peak, making such options risky. Taking her into a village could easily lead to a scenario where villagers suddenly grew violent or an old, neglected inn collapsed unexpectedly.
Camping out here was the safer option, even if it meant running into the occasional wild monster or bandit.
After setting up the four tents, we started preparing dinner. Geffard José Guise suddenly appeared at the supply tent, nudging Lydia and me out with an air of nonchalance.
"I’ll handle dinner preparations. You both should rest for a while."
"No, really, I can’t accept a guest of Defrin preparing our meal...."
"It’s faster if I do it alone. My ‘Hero’s Authority’ includes some culinary abilities, after all. With the journey length uncertain, it’d be best for Lydia here to get some rest, don’t you think?"
"...Very well."
"Are you sure you don’t need any assistance, Hero?"
"No, Lady Rosewood. I handle the cooking in our party anyway, as you’ve seen a few «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» times before."
"Alright. In that case, please allow me to handle the cleanup after the meal."
Effortlessly asserting control over the cooking with the aid of his "recipe" ability, Geffard José Guise set to work. Camping without needing to prepare food myself was a welcome change, a perk of being with the Hero's party.
‘Though this will probably be our last time traveling together.’
Originally, I had planned to leave shortly after winter break started. However, having received Princess Rainy’s letter, there was one last thing I had to do. Once this was over, I could leave without regret.
For Ethan, perhaps a letter explaining everything would be enough to prevent too much shock.
⁎ ⁎ ⁎
"Dinner’s ready! Grab your dishes, everyone!" Geffard called out cheerily, summoning the Defrin expedition members one by one to the campfire.
From the smell, tonight’s meal seemed to be curry, something rarely enjoyed in a medieval fantasy setting. I was looking forward to it, as replicating curry without a recipe would require countless rare ingredients.
"Ah, it’s that yellow stew from last time."
"Isn’t it the same as that soup you made for the outdoor research class? It was delicious!"
"There’s plenty, so feel free to help yourselves," Geffard replied, dishing out portions for the Hero’s party as each of them approached.
Ethan and I joined the line, ladling the thick, fragrant curry over rice.
"Paella with a hot, thick sauce? A bit unusual, but... not bad," Ethan observed with interest.
"If anything, it’s probably less shocking than that ‘creative cuisine’ Lady Rosewood made for the humanities research class."
"Don’t compare Lilith’s cooking to yours. Hers is delicious without question."
"...Alright then," I mumbled, feeling my face flush at Ethan’s blatant praise, while Agnes sighed at his shameless words.
But during meals like this, my attention had to be on someone else.
"......."
"Princess Rainy, please take it slow and carefully. There’s plenty of time, so no need to rush with the spoon."
-Nod, nod.
"And there’s no need to respond. Just take your time...."
Princess Rainy, focused on her meal, was carefully attended to by Lydia to ensure her safety.
During this high-risk phase, even a simple meal required intense focus for Princess Rainy. A single slip could result in a dropped spoon or plate, ending the meal entirely.
Only ten days remained before her curse of bad luck would subside, but those days would not be easy.
-Clink.
"......!"
"It’s alright, Princess! A little spill can be cleaned later. Just continue as you are."
"......."
-Nod, nod.
"Deep breath..."
-Drop, drop.
"......."
-Snap, crackle.
"......Ah!"
"P-pardon me, Princess. Let me move away from the fire for a moment...."
-Wobble!
"Oh no, Princess!"
"Gah...."
"Wow...."
"Hmm...."
First, she tilted the spoon a bit too far, spilling half the curry onto her dress. Then, a spark from the campfire landed on her hem, singing her dress, which caused her to jump back, tipping over her chair.
From a distance, it almost looked like some slapstick comedy. Watching it unfold, I was reminded of the true extent of her misfortune. If Lydia hadn’t been helping, things would likely have turned out even worse—perhaps with her entire meal upended onto herself.
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"......."
"Princess, are you unhurt?"
"......."
-Nod, nod.
"I’ll fetch a new spoon. Let’s also move a bit further from the fire, and for your dress...."
...No, I couldn’t stand by any longer.
While I wasn’t her maid, seeing her struggle like this made it impossible to ignore. At this rate, she’d still be working on that one bowl of curry by morning.
"Master Ethan, I’ll go help Princess Rainy for a bit."
"...Lilith?"
Leaving my half-finished bowl, I approached Princess Rainy, who sat in disarray, and helped her to her feet.
"Allow me to assist you, Princess."
"......?"
"Lilith?" Lydia asked, startled.
"As both the recipient of the Princess’s invitation and a maid, I can’t simply stand by. I’ll assist with Princess Rainy’s meal, so please, Lydia, let’s work together."
"I appreciate the offer, but... how exactly do you intend to help?"
"I’ll eliminate as much of the misfortune surrounding her meal as possible."
I cast a quick clean spell on Princess Rainy’s soiled dress, then scanned the ground, clearing it of any rocks or uneven surfaces. Placing a handkerchief on the newly flattened area, I set up a spot for her to sit.
"Please, sit here, Princess."
"W-wait, Miss Lilith. We can’t have her sitting on the ground...."
"Removing all elements of bad luck is essential. Otherwise, her chair could break next."
"But still...."
"I understand that sitting on the ground may appear undignified, but overcoming her misfortune should be more important right now. I’m sure, as someone who has served her closely, you can appreciate that."
"...Very well. Princess, I apologize, but would you mind continuing your meal here?"
"......."
-Nod, nod.
After a brief hesitation, Princess Rainy carefully seated herself on the ground and resumed her meal.
In the end, it seemed more like I was here to look after the Princess than to help her overcome her curse, but... well, that was fine, too.