Route 1: Tastes Like Home

**Scarlet Aubrielle**

It’s been a while since we started traveling headed towards the empire, my eyes are just glued outside of the carriage’s window because there is nothing that I can do to kill some time in this travel anyways and I cannot even bring myself to sleep. I guess it is a trauma response to what happened in my previous life, the time when I got into an accident and the reason why I died.

Well, I know I wasn’t sleeping that time and I am clearly the one who is driving the car when the truck hit me and caused my death so it isn’t a reason for me to be traumatized but then again, that experience is still pinned on my mind and I feel like if I stayed awake during the whole ride then I am going to be alert of everything that is happening around my surroundings and that I am going to be able to prevent anything bad that is about to happen.

I know that Theo is here inside the carriage with me and that he is mandated to protect me at all cost but then again, I cannot help but to worry about my well being because no matter how talented or strong Theo may be, he is still a human being and he can be gravely injured.

The sun is almost about to say its farewell for today and the moon is about to say its hello. Here I am just admiring the scenery because this is the first time that I have seen the sunsets outside of the duchy, I often admired it only at the veranda of my room often wondering when will be the time that I will be admiring it at see or any other places.

Well, it is because I have always been fond of sunsets - I strongly believe that it signifies end but also another beginning, that maybe there are people that leave me but that does mean that it is already the end of the world. I guess, the reason why I was able to instantly adapt to this world is because I do find a connection with sunsets or the sun itself - why not the moon? Well, the moon is different here in this world because there are two moons.

“My lady, what time and where do you want to camp?” suddenly Theo asked me which made me return to reality and I also turn my head towards his direction and there I saw him holding a map - it is a map that will be our guide going to the empire.

Well, speaking of we haven’t really gotten outside of the carriage ever since we left the duchy and indeed it is about time that we are already to set camp to be able to rest for a while and also eat dinner because it is still going to be a long ride and I cannot let them starve. That would be so cruel of me.
“I think it is better if we are to set camp the moment that the sun sets, do you have any suggestion Theo on where should we stay for a little while to rest?” I responded and I also asked him a question because again, I am not familiar with this terrain and the places that we are going - maybe if I have that map then I will be able to know where is the best place to camp but also I don’t trust myself too much because again this is the first time that I am going out and I really don’t know which place is the best.

“Well, I would say that it would be best if we are going to camp here - this is also the place where young master and I often camp when we are traveling to the empire” that is what he said and he pointed out a certain place on the map and that I nod my head.

Well, from the looks of it - it is obvious that the place is indeed a worthy place to camp and rest for a while.

“Then I’ll let you handle it Theo” that is what I replied to him and he eventually nod his head as a response.

*

After a few minutes, approximately about fifteen minutes, the carriage finally stopped from its tracks and the knights are already busy getting out from the carriage some things that we are going to need for cooking and also mats to be able to sit on.

“Wait, my lady we haven’t brought a maid with us so, who will cook your food?” Theo suddenly asked which made me turn my head towards him and I smiled. I know that Theo will worry about the food that I will eat - well, not only him but the other knights as well because they are going to highly expect that I wouldn’t eat the food that they also eat.

But then again, the food that I eat is also the same as the food that they do and also, there is a reason why I didn’t bring a maid in the first place - not only because of the fact that I am going to the empire not as the young lady of the Elovi Duchy but as a person that will lead knights into exploring the dungeon but also because I need to show to the minority that I am not like the other ladies out there.

“I will be the one to cook our food, Theo and yes I am going to eat together with you guys” that is what I said and as if on cue, the eyes of the ten knights shifted to me and they had this surprised expression plastered on their faces and even some of them actually had their jaws drop on the ground. Seriously, are they really that shocked?

*

“Okay done, you may now get your own share of food” I said right after I tasted the soup that I made. Well, I cooked three things - a soup in order to keep our stomachs warm and it is a must have in journeys, some braised meat in order to fill up our stomachs and it is also high in protein and lastly stir fried vegtables to ensure that we have a balanced diet.

I grab my respective plate and I am about to get my share when I saw the reaction on the knights faces - they are all surprised especially Theo. Well, of course because he didn’t know in the first place that I know how to cook and my brother wouldn’t inform him about it because Calyx is also clueless.

Of course, the original Scarlet Aubrielle Elvoi does not really perform chores - she doesn’t know how to cook however since I have possessed her body then I just cannot be a princess and not do things that I usually do in my previous life, one of those is cooking which I greatly enjoyed.
“What are you still looking? You can now eat, don’t worry there is no poison in it” that is what I said and as if on cue, the knights came back to reality and I almost let out a chuckle because their reaction is indeed priceless.

I saw them grab their plates and also at the same time their shares with the food. I started eating and I saw them too take a bite of whatever they are eating and in just a second I kind of witnessed how their eyes twinkled and then all of them started eating as if it is their last day alive.

Is that really that tasty for them? Well, for me it tastes like the food that I usually eat in my previous life and I am going to lie if I said that I don’t miss the taste.

“I didn’t know that you know how to cook, lady Scarlet” someone suddenly said from beside me and when I turn my head to know who it was I saw Lucas holding his plate and he is even smiling, obviously he is enjoying his food.

“Well, I just found it interesting so I decided to learn it. I really didn’t expect that it will turn out to be good and that you will enjoy it” that is what I said and then the next thing that came out of his mouth made me let out a satisfied smile because I never thought that I would hear such kind words in this life.

Also, I do already expected at some point that he will really say such a thing because Lucas Williams is known to be a sentimental man.

“Well, the food you made my lady, actually tastes like home and it makes me feel at home here even if I am just new”