Chapter 12
In an awkward breakfast like this, the best way to ease the mood was always food talk. And since Ber seemed genuinely interested in cooking, Heidi figured it was the perfect topic.
She scooped a big spoonful of risotto into her mouth and chewed.
“Mmm~! Ber, this is really delicious.”
Her bright green eyes widened in surprise as she swallowed.
“The creamy milk flavor and the light taste of the meat go so well together. And the rice grains are perfectly distinct—it has such a nice texture.”
She hadn’t just said it to break the ice; the risotto really was wonderful. Its smooth, rich taste melted away the tension she’d felt earlier.
“Kii! Ber, make this again next time!” Theo cried.
“Coorook! Coorook!” The horam-squirrels, who had sniffed their way into the kitchen, licked their plates clean in agreement.
“That’s thanks to wrist movement while cooking,” Ber explained. “It lets the rice release excess water while absorbing the sauce evenly.”
Thankfully, he responded at length this time.
“So the technique I saw earlier wasn’t just for show. That’s impressive,” Heidi said.
But to really close the distance between them, she needed to go one step further.
“…Ber, how about becoming my personal chef someday? I’d love to eat food like this every day.”
She phrased it lightly, like a joke, but inside she was testing him—hinting at her desire for him to stay.
“I’ll think about it,” he replied.
His tone was as ambiguous as her question. Was he brushing it off as a joke? Or was he truly considering it? His ever-calm eyes gave nothing away.
Maybe I asked too soon… she thought.
Still, Heidi reminded herself: They say even the hardest tree falls if you strike it ten times. She’d keep trying, little by little, until he warmed up.
After a few more words, Ber excused himself, taking his plate to eat in his room as usual. Heidi stayed at the table with her coffee, waiting.
The fragrant aroma calmed her thoughts—until she remembered how Ber had stared at her during the meal.
What was that look about?
His gaze had been sharp, but he hadn’t seemed angry. Yet it was too focused, too deliberate to mean nothing.
No matter how she replayed it in her head, she couldn’t figure it out.
Ugh, forget it. There’s no point overthinking. I can’t ask him about it now anyway.
She drained the rest of her coffee, shaking off the thought.
Ber’s Thoughts
In the quiet of his east wing room, an old memory surfaced in Ber’s mind.
“Heidi, do you know when she’s prettiest?”
“…”
“When she’s eating. She stuffs food into one cheek and chews like a little squirrel. She eats everything without fuss, and it’s the most endearing thing.”
“…”
“When I get home, I want to cook for her again.”
The knight who’d said those words had grinned like a child, chattering endlessly even after a grueling mountain march.
And he had been right.
Her cheeks puffed as she chewed, her green eyes widening with every bite of his food, filled with genuine wonder. He found himself waiting, eager for her next reaction.
Without realizing it, his gaze had lingered on her delicate jawline.
“Mmm~! Ber, this is really delicious.”
Her soft, pink lips moved like a chirping bird.
Yes—she was like a bird. A bright little creature who scattered his silence and filled the air with cheerful chatter.
And somehow, the bird had dropped one of its feathers into his chest, making it itch strangely.
It was a new feeling, unfamiliar, but he reasoned it out:
Perhaps it was simply that feeding her and seeing her joy brought him happiness.
Ber left it at that, not thinking much deeper.
Back at the Table
By the time Heidi was finishing her coffee, a huge shadow fell across her face.
“Ah! You scared me!” she gasped, nearly dropping her cup.
She turned quickly.
“Ber?”
Relief washed over her at the familiar sight.
“Yes, it’s me. Why are you so startled?” he asked.
“Well, most people get startled when someone sneaks up without a sound…” she muttered, wiping spilled coffee from the table.
“I didn’t even sense you coming. Not a footstep, not even breathing. That’s why.”
“My apologies,” Ber said.
“No, no need to apologize!” she waved him off quickly.
“Ah, maybe it’s because you used to be a mercenary,” she guessed, recalling the quiet precision he often showed.
“Yes. When hunting beasts, making noise was dangerous. It became a habit.”
“Of course… makes sense.”
Animals were sensitive to sound; she remembered reading that hunters even held their breath while stalking prey.
“Well, you’re not a mercenary anymore. Next time, could you at least make some noise around me? My poor heart won’t survive otherwise.”
“I’ll be careful,” he promised.
That little misunderstanding cleared, Ber immediately asked, “What’s the schedule for today?”
Heidi was touched again. What kind of worker volunteered for the day’s tasks like this? Truly a model employee.
“Today we’re taking the strawberries to the capital, Rayben,” she said, her resolve firming. She would use the trip to grow closer to him.
She planned to auction yesterday’s harvest at the wholesale market there.
“Rayben? Wouldn’t it be better to sell in the nearest village? The transport fees to the capital will be high.”
“You’re right. But the strawberry prices in the village are too low. Even after transport, Rayben pays much better.”
It was true. A small village an hour away had poor households that couldn’t afford high prices. Selling there was barely profitable.
“Besides,” she smiled, “why not sell where they pay more?”
And truthfully, she wanted Ber to come with her.
A Surprise Offer
“Um, Ber—”
“Boss,” he said at the same time.
“Huh? You first.”
“I’d like to accompany you to Rayben,” he said.
Heidi blinked, wide-eyed. Am I dreaming?
The man who usually only gave short replies was suddenly volunteering to come along. And not just anywhere—an outing to the capital.
Could it be he was starting to feel comfortable with her? Hope bloomed inside her.
But his next words crushed it.
“Since you’ll be hiring a cart, the strawberries will need to be loaded. I’ll help with the work.”
Oh. So it’s just because of the job. Not because he wants to spend time with me.
She felt silly for getting her hopes up.
Still, she refused to let disappointment win. She had only just started her “family-like farm” plan. There was plenty of time. Someday, she’d close that distance.
“Thanks! Then let’s get ready. The cart to Rayben should be arriving soon.”
But Ber frowned slightly.
“A cart coming up here? Ordinary wheels would break on these mountain paths.”
“Well,” Heidi chuckled, “there’s one person who can make it up. The ostrich driver doubles as a freight hauler.”
