#81. Capital (2)
It was a bit amusing to see the three men so deflated.
But she couldn’t just leave them like this.
Around them, it was as lively as a festival, yet here it was quiet like they were attending a solemn service.
If we finish eating in this mood, everyone will get indigestion.
It wasn’t like they were holding a memorial service—no need to be so serious.
Sasha looked around at the people quietly eating their soup and asked,
“But why is everyone so quiet? Is the soup not good?”
Even this light question got an immediate response.
Nikolai quickly moved his mouth.
“No, it’s delicious! Eating this makes me feel like I’m in heaven!”
That was quick thinking—typical of Nikolai, known for his silver tongue.
Next, Nina spoke loudly.
“It’s delicious! Sasha, you’re so talented, it’s amazing!”
The girl even clapped her hands, and unlike Nikolai’s joking tone, she seemed genuinely impressed.
“It’s thanks to your help. You chopped all the vegetables for this, remember?”
Sasha praised Nina warmly.
Nina had followed Sasha everywhere, helping with small tasks, including chopping the karto for the soup.
At least she had been far more helpful than the three men.
“Hehe, I didn’t really do much. You made everything, Sasha. But this is really, really good!”
“Really? I’m glad it suits your taste. And it’s probably not because my cooking is so great, but because we’re all hungry. There’s a saying—‘hunger is the best seasoning.’”
At those words, Nikolai tilted his head curiously.
“Oh? Is that a saying? ‘Hunger is the best seasoning’? What does that mean?”
Sasha didn’t answer right away.
“Um…”
She hesitated.
Ah… I slipped up again.
Maybe because Pavel was sitting right next to her, she let her guard down and spoke without thinking.
“…It just means that when you’re hungry, everything tastes better. Doesn’t the North have a saying like that?”
“No. I guess it’s something from the Central region.”
“Mm.”
Sasha couldn’t bring herself to say it was actually a Korean proverb.
Blinking slowly, she looked around—and then Pavel suddenly spoke.
“What’s in here? Karto?”
“Huh? Yeah. Karto, carrots, and…”
Sasha quickly listed the ingredients, thankful for Pavel cutting in at the right moment.
They hadn’t talked much lately—mostly because she’d been avoiding him.
Still, it was strange how they could understand each other without words now.
I’m glad… I was worried it’d still feel awkward.
Even though she told herself she shouldn’t, she kept avoiding him.
It couldn’t be helped. Just thinking about Pavel’s feelings for her made her head a mess, and once she became aware of it, she couldn’t handle the strange tension whenever she looked at him.
The longer they went without making eye contact or talking, the more uneasy she felt.
She wondered how she should act from now on.
Maybe… I should just keep pretending nothing’s wrong?
Glancing at Pavel, she finished her thought aloud.
“…There aren’t any special ingredients in it. You probably just think it tastes good because you haven’t eaten properly all day.”
“Whatever the reason, it’s good.”
With Pavel’s short reply, the conversation stopped for a moment.
Sasha sipped her soup to wet her dry lips and looked around.
Then she noticed a large black tent, isolated from the others.
It was about twice as big as the nearby tents, but no sound came from it.
It wasn’t because the soundproofing was perfect—more likely, the people inside just weren’t talking much.
It’s probably quieter in there than here.
From the faint light inside, she saw two large shadows moving.
They were sitting across a table, eating.
Unlike Sasha’s group, enjoying hot fresh soup, the two seemed to have only hard bread.
Since everyone except Sasha and Nina were knights, it wasn’t surprising they didn’t have proper food.
Sasha looked from the bread’s shadow back to the pot of soup—still half full.
Should I bring them some?
It would be nice to share what they had.
Inviting them to join here wasn’t a bad idea, but—
Nikolai and Andrei might feel tense around their superior… and Nina might faint.
Dmitri and Igor probably wouldn’t enjoy eating with kids either.
It seemed better to bring the soup to them instead.
“There’s a lot left, so I was thinking of bringing some to the Grand Duke and Sir Medvedev. Anyone else want more?”
Before scooping for Dmitri and Igor, Sasha asked.
“I’m fine.”
“Me too! I’ve had four bowls already, I’m stuffed.”
Andrei and Nikolai shook their heads.
“I’m fine too, Sasha.”
Nina, who usually ate little, also declined.
“Pavel, did you finish?”
“Yeah.”
“Perfect. Then why don’t you—”
Sasha stopped mid-sentence.
“Uh…”
The words wouldn’t come out.
What’s this?
She thought the awkwardness between them was gone… but maybe not.
Strange…
Maybe it was just the flickering firelight making Pavel’s face seem unfamiliar.
She turned away and changed her words.
“Then I’ll just go bring it to them for a moment.”
She quickly stood before anyone could stop her.
“Sasha! I’ll help you.”
“No, it’s fine. Stay here, and if anyone else wants some, serve them.”
Stopping Nina from following, Sasha walked quickly to the tent before Pavel could react.
Without hesitation, she lifted the flap.
“Young Lady?”
Igor’s deep voice brought her back to focus.
“Sir Medvedev.”
“What brings you here? And what’s that in your hands…?”
“Ah, it’s nothing special. I made some soup, and I brought some for you to try.”
“Oh!”
Igor’s face lit up.
“You made it yourself? Can I really have such a rare treat?”
“Of course. It’s nothing that special.”
Igor quickly stood, taking the two bowls from her.
“It smells great. Thank you.”
He was so playful, it was hard to believe he wasn’t Nikolai’s father.
Then Dmitri spoke quietly.
“Thank you.”
Sasha smiled brightly.
“Please enjoy it, Your Grace.”
Watching them, Igor asked,
“The young master didn’t come with you?”
“Ah…”
Sasha looked awkward, but Dmitri changed the subject.
“Aren’t you cold?”
“Pardon?”
“Your clothes. If you sleep dressed that lightly, you’ll wake up with a crooked mouth—and it’s easy to get sick.”
Sasha looked down at her outfit.
When they left, she’d worn a fur coat, but after reaching the warmer central region, she’d taken it off.
Now she wore only a comfortable velvet dress.
She wasn’t cold, but she appreciated the concern.
“Thank you for the advice. I’ll wear my coat later.”
“Good. We’ll enjoy this, so go take care of your business.”
Though blunt, Sasha knew he was being considerate, not wanting her to feel uncomfortable here.
Not only Igor, but Sasha understood that too.
Really… he’s so different on the inside.
“Then, if you want more later, let me know. There’s still plenty.”
Leaving the tent, Sasha started back to Pavel and the others.
But—
“Hey, youngsters! How long are you going to stay in the territory, huh?”
“You need to come to the battlefield, fight monsters, get injured, and spill young blood on the frozen ground!”
“Yeah! You can’t call yourself a northern knight without leaving a mark on the frozen land!”
They were surrounded by other knights.
Most of the group heading to the capital for the investiture ceremony were middle-aged knights, around their fathers’ ages.
Even the younger ones were still several years older than Andrei and Nikolai.
To them, Andrei and Nikolai were juniors to dote on.
They crowded around, teasing and ruffling their hair.
“Ah! It hurts, it hurts! Please let go!”
“…I’m not a kid.”
Pavel was no exception.
“Instead of only training with Lord Sergei, why not train with us too?”
“That’s right. I remember when you could barely walk, and now you’re a full knight—it’s moving. Let’s train together.”
“…What does that have to do with anything?”
“Well, we couldn’t help you learn to walk, but we can build memories by training together!”
“……”
Pavel couldn’t even get annoyed and just kept talking with them.
Sasha turned to check on Nina—
“Ah! Please wait your turn, I’ll serve in order.”
“Can’t I get a little more? Look at my size—one ladle’s not enough.”
“No. Others are waiting too, so I can’t give you more than this.”
She was managing the line of knights without flinching.
It was impressive to see such a small girl directing grown men.
Sasha shook her head in amusement.
Right… when I first met her, she was arguing with a much bigger maid too.
Nina might act like a sensitive fangirl around Sasha, but inside, she was strong enough to survive anywhere.
“It’s nice everyone’s getting along… but I don’t think I’ll join them.”
She wondered if she should just rest in the carriage—
Rustle.
“Hm?”
She turned toward the sound, but there was nothing beyond the dark bushes.
“…Did I hear wrong?”
She tilted her head—
Rustle—
This time she heard it clearly.
Sasha’s eyes froze on the bushes.
Rustle—
Then, pairs of glowing beast eyes appeared in the darkness.
That’s…!
Realizing the danger, Sasha shouted,
“It’s an attack!”
