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Chapter 22
I was so caught up in his enthusiastic reaction that I forgot to eat, just watching him eat.
“This is amazing. I’ve never tasted anything like this.”
Almost all the food was gone in no time. The last dish remaining was the grilled octopus skewers.
“I’ve never seen this before. Looks like a skewer dish.”
Baron’s eyes lit up with a small smile at the corner of his mouth.
“I helped prepare the ingredients for this too. Can you guess what it’s made of?”
“Baron? You cooked this?”
“Of course. He’s a good kid, so he helped a lot.”
Raven looked at the octopus skewers carefully and shook his head.
“I’m not sure… but if Baron’s hands made it, it’s impossible not to try it. I’ll taste it.”
Raven took a big bite. He chewed the octopus, moving it around in his mouth, then made a pleased hum.
“This is a flavor I’ve never had. Really rich and good.”
“I’m glad it suits your taste.”
“Really? Is it… tasty?”
“Haven’t you tried it, Baron?”
“Not yet. It looked a bit tricky, and… it’s octopus.”
“Octopus? You mean a cephalopod?”
I wondered how shocked Raven’s pupils might get.
Ahem.
Raven coughed lightly, closed his eyes, and put the remaining skewer in his mouth. He chewed it and swallowed.
“To be honest, the ingredients are shocking, but it’s too delicious not to eat. Tender yet chewy.”
Baron also took a bite of the skewer. His face, which had scrunched up like he was eating medicine, relaxed as he chewed, and soon his eyes shone.
“Wow.”
His sparkling eyes turned toward me.
“How did you even think of making this? You must be a genius.”
Baron smiled broadly, folding his eyes.
“A cooking genius.”
It was like he was returning the compliment I gave earlier, and seeing him enjoy it so much made me proud.
“It’s that good? I’ll make it again next time.”
“Yes!”
As we finished eating, the conversation shifted from cooking to foraging. Raven seemed amazed that I had caught things like crabs and octopus myself.
Hearing about where and how I caught them, Raven shook his head.
“That was really dangerous. The sea is dangerous.”
“Oh, I heard about sea slimes later. It’s different from where I originally lived…”
“Seeing this table makes me even more curious. Where did you live before, Haley?”
I didn’t remember clearly myself.
“I actually don’t remember, so I’m not sure.”
A dream I had while sore from muscle pain came to mind—burning castles, a knight with a melting face, and a badge with a pattern. The image was so vivid it still felt in front of me.
“Raven, you travel a lot as a merchant. Have you ever seen a pattern like this?”
I described the symbol to him.
“A sun-like border with crescent-shaped wings inside?”
“Yes. Kind of like vines and leaves too.”
Raven crossed his arms and thought for a long moment, as if trying to recall. Then he shook his head.
“I think I’ve seen it before… but I can’t remember where. A place that serves such unique food would be unforgettable.”
“Ah… okay.”
It was probably just a dream.
“Well, dessert is next.”
I cleared the empty plates, and Baron helped me.
“Goodness.”
“Hmm?”
A voice from behind made me turn reflexively.
Raven seemed surprised looking at Baron.
“I find it amazing that even after hearing about sea slimes, you weren’t worried.”
“Oh, that. There’s a reason.”
I wiped the table and prepared scorched rice and rice soup while explaining how Baron had helped catch the glowing fireflies.
“Glowing fireflies? That’s rare!”
“Yeah. I named it ‘Search,’ and it’s really smart.”
I felt grateful again—Baron saved me, and I saved Baron. Mutual rescue.
“Baron saved me from danger. He’s such a lucky kid.”
Baron smiled brightly at me. Seeing his handsome, cute face made me smile too.
“If Baron hadn’t caught and tamed the fireflies, I might not even be here now.”
I joked lightly, placing the crispy scorched rice and soft rice soup in front of them.
“This is scorched rice, and this is rice soup. It’s hot, so be careful.”
They carefully tasted the rice soup, and both immediately expressed amazement.
“How should I describe this? It’s flavorful, warm, and comforting for both the heart and stomach.”
“I’ve never tasted this before. It’s really soothing and warm. Feels relaxing too.”
“Ha ha, that’s ‘gusu’ (savory and comforting),” I said.
“Gusu… I’ve never heard that word. Is it from your country?”
“Yes.”
“What does it mean?”
I paused, then pointed at the rice soup.
“It means exactly what you feel—rich, warm, and comforting.”
Raven’s eyes shone as he looked at the rice soup.
He didn’t ask more, so I felt relieved. I sipped my soup while Raven genuinely admired it.
“Amazing. Perfect for a royal tea party.”
Cough!
Raven quickly turned his head as he coughed.
“Sorry! Something got stuck in my throat.”
Baron patted my back.
“Are you okay?”
“Y-yeah. Thanks.”
I offered them some scorched rice too.
“You said you’re a merchant, right? Do you deal with the royal family?”
“Yes. Wow, this is really tasty. The texture is special too.”
Raven looked around the house and said,
“The rice soup and scorched rice are excellent enough to present as gifts.”
I thought—he must be hinting at helping us make money with the royal family. A good neighbor. But…
“What’s it made of?”
I hesitated. Should I explain honestly? I just poured water into the pot after cooking rice and boiled the stuck rice. Easy cleanup.
“…Should I explain like this?”
It’s true, but maybe I should phrase it differently. Cooking this way isn’t a rare skill. Anyone could make scorched rice or rice soup with normal ingredients.
‘Better not overthink it. If the royal family tried it, it could be fine as is.’
I decided to leave it simple. Scorched rice lasts long, so maybe it could be sold as a snack.
Baron suddenly said,
“It’s too good to give to the royal family.”
“…Huh?”
“I want to eat it all myself.”
