Gazing at the pale blue-white bowl of steaming noodle soup, warm wisps rising from the surface, she wondered what this dish would taste like.
But the words that slipped from Finihiya’s cherry lips caused a subtle change to flicker across her face in an instant.
“Darlian-sama, would you like some?”
“…Please, Miss Finihiya, don’t say such things aloud. Otherwise, why do you think I’m standing here?”
Finihiya seemed not to hear the teasing undertone in that remark. Silently, she used the soup ladle to scoop half of the noodles and broth from the pot into a larger porcelain bowl.
After transferring all the noodle soup from the pot, Darlian held the bowl and left the kitchen.
She walked a short distance down the corridor before noticing something unusual behind her. Turning her head, she looked back.
The corridor, shrouded in night’s embrace, was dimly lit.
The air was filled with the scent of animal fat burning in oil lamps.
Within her field of vision, she did not see the petite, adorable young woman.
“Hm?”
Seeing that Miss Saintess hadn’t followed her, Darlian held the bowl and walked back.
When she returned to the kitchen, she immediately spotted Finihiya sitting at the rough wooden table. She approached and sat down opposite her.
“Why are you sitting here eating?”
That cherry-like mouth chewed the noodles delicately. Only after swallowing did she answer the Saintess’s question in a measured tone.
“It’s more convenient here. Carrying the bowl all the way to the dining hall is really too far. Darlian-sama, don’t mind me.”
Darlian said nothing in response to Finihiya’s words but silently agreed with her reasoning.
She picked up the steel fork and examined this novel noodle soup dish carefully.
The thick white broth was dotted with chopped cilantro, soft noodles, green vegetables, and a single egg resting on top.
She twirled a portion of noodles with the fork and took a bite.
The unique flavor immediately caused a hint of surprise to cross her face.
“This dish is quite good!”
Perhaps encouraged by her praise, the Saintess’s delicate cheeks curved into a faint, gentle smile.
“I’m glad Darlian-sama likes it.”
“Is this a dish from your side?” Darlian’s interest deepened because of how delicious it was.
“But that can’t be right. Your local food customs should be similar to mine. Could this dish be your own creation, Miss Saintess?”
“No…” Finihiya shook her head lightly. “A long time ago, I met a traveler from a foreign land. This dish was taught to me by him.”
“A traveler from a foreign land?” Upon hearing this, Darlian pursed her lips. “Where exactly was he from?”
“He… didn’t say at the time.”
“I see.”
At that, Darlian furrowed her brow, searching through the deep recesses of her memory.
She had traveled to countless places across this continent and encountered various foreign cultures, but after much thought, she had no clue.
It made sense.
If she had encountered such a delicious dish before, she surely wouldn’t have forgotten it.
The distinctive taste felt refreshingly novel.
With that thought, Darlian cast aside the wandering thoughts and looked straight at Finihiya, a hint of playful smile in her expression.
“Come to think of it, I never expected Miss Saintess to actually cook.”
“Is that strange? To cook.”
“Of course it is.” She speared some lettuce with the fork and took a bite, swallowing slowly before continuing.
“You are the Saintess, the highest symbol of human faith. Someone of such exalted status cooking food is indeed quite unusual.”
“But…” Finihiya’s fork twirling the noodles paused slightly. “I wasn’t born the Saintess. Before becoming the Saintess, I was just an ordinary person.”
“That’s true.”
As if reminded by those words, Darlian’s expression shifted to one of realization. Then, in a more casual tone, she asked as if chatting idly, “Miss Saintess, what were you like before becoming the Saintess?”
“I lived at an orphanage run by the Church.”
“…What about your parents?”
“They were killed by bandits who raided the village right after I was born.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I don’t mind.” Finihiya smiled softly from one side of her mouth. “What about your parents, Darlian-sama?”
“My parents?” Darlian tilted her head, as if probing into distant memories. “I think I’ve been alone for as long as I can remember.”
“Could it be you too…”
“Who knows.” Darlian shrugged lightly, then suddenly slapped her hands together with a sharp clap. “Alright, let’s not talk about this anymore. The mood’s getting a bit too heavy.”
“Does Miss Saintess often make this kind of dish?”
“Only when I feel like eating it.”
“Oh, only occasionally.” Hearing that, a trace of regret seemed to rise in Darlian’s heart. Then, as if speaking to herself, she murmured, “Then I suppose I’ll rarely get to eat such a delicious meal again.”
Finihiya appeared not to have heard her, quietly continuing to eat.
Seeing this, Darlian deliberately cleared her throat and repeated what she had just said.
“Then I suppose I’ll rarely get to eat such a delicious meal again?”
This time, her voice was clearer, making sure the Saintess could hear her distinctly.
Finihiya’s small hand holding the steel fork suddenly stopped. Then she lifted those clear, sky-blue eyes and looked toward her.
“Darlian-sama.”
Seeing Finihiya finally react, Darlian made a soft sound of acknowledgement mixed with pleasure and waited silently for her to speak.
“Um… may I ask you something?”
A question?
Had her earlier murmured words been ignored?
A small wave of frustration rose deep within Darlian’s heart. She sighed helplessly but still took the lead.
“What is it?”
“To be honest…” Finihiya pursed her lips, her delicate face showing seriousness and thoughtfulness. “I’ve wondered about this for a long time but still don’t quite understand.”
“Miss Saintess, feel free to ask directly.”
“Why is it that after you occupied all our lands, you ultimately chose to return them all to us?”
“That matter…”
Upon hearing such a serious topic, Darlian’s enthusiasm immediately waned by half. Still, she patiently explained to the Saintess.
“The reason boils down to two main conditions. I hoped that the Demon Race could receive proper citizen treatment on human lands and that normal trade relations could be established between both sides. This is what I wanted to change by waging war.”