“All right, stop hovering around me. Just go ahead—having Finihiya here is enough.”
“…Yes.”
After a brief silence at Darlian’s words, the servants obediently stepped back.
Darlian turned her body back, a gentle smile playing on her lips as she continued, “Lately, you’ve been the one cooking for me all the time. Occasionally, I want to make something for you to try.”
At these words, Finihiya’s slender, graceful brows lifted slightly.
“Darlian can cook too?”
“Of course.” Darlian lifted her chin a little, “After all, I’ve lived quite a while.”
“I see.” Hearing that, a faint, delicate smile appeared on Finihiya’s exquisite cheeks. “Then Darlian is really reliable.”
Not long after this compliment was spoken,
the dish Darlian had made herself was placed before her.
Finihiya sat at the roughly made wooden table in the corner of the kitchen, her gaze fixed intently on the seafood fried rice that Darlian pushed toward her.
The grains of rice displayed an unusual mix of creamy white and burnt black hues, causing a flicker of concern to rise in Finihiya’s heart.
Moreover, the thick layer of golden animal oil coating the rice was enough to dampen her appetite.
Is this what they call cooking?
“How much oil did you put in this?”
Muttering helplessly deep inside, she raised her head to meet Darlian’s calm eyes.
“Hm?” Darlian tilted her head slightly, “What’s wrong? Try it.”
Pressed by Darlian’s encouragement, Finihiya picked up the small spoon beside her and slowly scooped a bite of the seafood fried rice.
***
After a brief hesitation, she finally brought the spoon to her lips.
The first thing her taste buds detected was an unpleasant greasiness that slightly unsettled her stomach, followed by a thick seafood fishiness and rice that lacked any flavor.
“How is it?”
Darlian’s eyes glimmered faintly.
Though her tone and expression remained as usual, it was easy to see the silent hope in her gaze for an approving answer.
Biting her cherry lips tightly, Finihiya hesitated and pondered in silence for a long moment.
Soft-hearted deep down as she was, Finihiya finally forced a faint smile and replied vaguely and tactfully.
“It’s a unique flavor, very much in line with Lady Darlian’s style.”
“Unique?”
Perhaps sensing the hidden meaning behind Finihiya’s words, Darlian’s face stiffened slightly before she picked up the small spoon beside her and scooped some fried rice from the bowl into her mouth.
Barely chewing twice, Darlian covered her mouth with one hand and let out a gagging sound.
After a moment’s pause, Darlian sat back upright, her eyes as clear as glass now brimming with tears brought on by the overwhelming taste.
“How could it be this awful? The fishiness is so disgusting.”
“Many ingredients require proper fishy odor removal,” Finihiya said earnestly, then pushed the bowl of egg fried rice she had made over to Darlian. “This one I made.”
“Sorry!” Darlian sighed softly, then raised her right hand and rubbed her temple with her fingertips. “I originally wanted to cook something for you myself.”
Seeing Darlian’s defeated expression, a gentle smile like summer grass blossomed on Finihiya’s delicate cheeks.
“Everyone goes through this. What matters most is your intention…”
“Delicious!” Darlian’s eyes sparkled once again. “How is it that Finihiya can make food this tasty?”
In response to Darlian’s amazed words, Finihiya only smiled quietly and watched as Darlian enjoyed the food.
“But…”
How long had passed was unclear—perhaps just a blink of an eye.
While Finihiya was lost in thought, she suddenly heard Darlian’s voice tinged with a slight melancholy.
She raised her gaze.
Darlian’s face was suddenly clouded with a shadow.
The abrupt change made Finihiya tilt her head in puzzlement.
“What is it?”
“Nothing much,” Darlian’s voice was heavy and stifled, “Though it sounds selfish, I can’t help but feel that once the Holy Maiden returns to Saint Margaret, I’ll rarely get to eat such delicious food again.”
Return…
Darlian’s words brought memories of life in the Church’s sanctuary back to Finihiya.
Although it had only been about half a year since leaving the Church State, it felt like a long time ago.
Finihiya’s slightly narrowed eyes became misty, and her lips, soft and cherry-like, murmured indistinctly.
“The future is too uncertain. What’s important is the present.”
“What’s that? Words with unclear meaning.” Darlian’s melancholic mood came and went quickly, soon returning to her usual calm demeanor. “Speaking of which, wouldn’t it be enough just to keep Finihiya from going back to Saint Margaret?”
Darlian’s words abruptly pulled Finihiya from her hazy thoughts, and her ocean-blue eyes showed a subtle expression.
“Then I won’t cook for you anymore.”
“Just kidding.” Darlian smiled sweetly, pressing her lips together, “Really, Finihiya, you have no sense of humor.”
“Lady Darlian’s jokes are not funny at all.”
With those words, a brief silence settled between them.
But not long after, Finihiya, still seated, lifted her eyes to glance secretly at Darlian, who was still eating the bowl of egg fried rice.
Gazing at Darlian’s delicate, fair face, Finihiya parted her cherry lips softly and spoke in a gentle voice.
“I think the time spent here has been very enjoyable…”
Darlian, head lowered, let out a questioning “Hm,” then lifted her head to look at Finihiya.
“So…”
Finihiya bit her lower lip lightly, “Even if Darlian were to send me back now, I want to stay here a little longer.”
Hearing this, Darlian’s brief surprise gave way to a soft smile.
Under the lingering, affectionate gaze, Finihiya’s face betrayed a hint of embarrassment before she shifted her eyes toward the kitchen window.
The heavy rain continued to fall as if it would never stop.
Large drops pattered against the glass with a steady “dong dong” sound.
Looking out at the gray, misty scenery, Finihiya murmured in a low tone, “This rain’s been going on a long time.”
Darlian followed Finihiya’s gaze.
“Indeed.”
“How long has it been raining? It feels like it hasn’t stopped for half a month.”
“Yes.” Darlian’s delicate, fair fingers brushed a lock of hair from her forehead behind her ear, her voice tinged with a slight wistfulness. “I hope it doesn’t last much longer; otherwise, we’ll have to cancel.”
“Cancel?” Hearing this, Finihiya tilted her head and looked at Darlian again. “Cancel what?”
“The celebration.”