Transmigrated Into A Tragic Romance Fantasy-Chapter 79: To the Grand Duchy

I always thought that Lumia had been kidding when she said that all the monster dishes served during the Betrothal were cooked by her.

Because saying ‘she’ had cooked them, would encourage the finalists to eat even the most disgusting of dishes.

But this Red Lounger’s roasted leg tasted the exact same as the one I had to stop eating after a single bite during the first official meeting.

Thus, with this wonderful food boosting my mental faculties, I received enlightenment.

I realized that Lumia had truly prepared those dishes.

Only now I realized the foolishness of wanting to recruit the ‘Grand Duchy’s monster chef’.

[Thank you all for enjoying the meal.]

Lumia quickly scribbled this on her note as we devoured her meal in seconds.

No, we should be the ones thanking you.

So, after quickly wiping my mouth I offered my thanks for such a delicious meal.

“I had no idea you were such a skilled cook, My Duchess. You could rack up a fortune with those dishes!”

Ariel also didn’t hold back on her praise as she finished her meal with wide eyes.

“T-This! It’s the best monster cuisine I’ve ever tasted...! I...Still have a long way to go...!”

A long way, huh...?

From Ariel’s perspective, it might feel that way.

For a hard-working chef who’s been practicing and pondering for months, this absolute taste could feel like an insurmountable wall.

I worried this might discourage her, but fortunately, Ariel’s eyes were filled with admiration and her mouth curved in a bright smile.

“......”

Rachel nodded her head with a satisfied expression on her face, after thoroughly cleaning her plate.

And Rendler clapped his hands to Lumia.

[I’m glad everyone enjoyed it. I want to repay you all somehow... May I cook for you during our time together?]

Following Lumia’s words, all our eyes turned toward Ariel.

A single meal had more than proven its worth.

Subjectively, it was the best monster cuisine we had tasted while touring the western part of the northern territories, the very flavor we had been eagerly searching for.

How long would we be together, or what might happen, I did not know, but it was clear that her skills were worth indulging while we had the chance.

As our gazes converged, it seemed we were all thinking the same thing, but it was crucial to consider Ariel, who was struggling as a temporary chef for the Culinary Journey due to a shortage of monster chefs.

If Ariel was adamant about maintaining her role, I would respect her decision even though it might pain my stomach a little...

I didn’t want to interfere with the joy she felt in cooking.

Fortunately(?).

“Of course! I’ve been worried about my decreasing writing time for a while now! But if the Duchess handles the cooking I can focus more on my book-!”

Ariel clapped her hands as she gladly accepted this new arrangement.

Just like that, we gained a brilliant chef.

***It’s been three days since Lumia became our new chef.

Despite my concerns about her health, she was overjoyed at the opportunity to repay us, in some way.

And thanks to her new routine and healthy food, she was steadily improving, as her previous anemic frame regained some of its former weight.

Although, every now or then, some traces of her past seemed to rear its ugly head, as her eyes clouded over.

Other times she would become lost in her own world, mumbling incoherently.

But considering her state when we had first reunited, Lumia was recovering swiftly.

Witnessing the ‘Protagonist’, who was once so lively and vibrant in such a shabby state was heart-wrenching.

So, being able to aid in Lumia’s recovery was indeed a joyful thing.

For this reason,

Protecting her from the dangers Deron posed was also an undeniable duty.

We had been residing in Lugan Village for a week now.

Throughout this time, Lumia had quietly devoted herself to preparing monster cuisine for us without mentioning returning home or needing to do something else.

But it was also time to ask her something.

We had wasted too much time in Lugan Village already.

Staying in one location for too long would only attract her pursuers, and we had already overstayed our welcome.

Besides, with the Fierce Winter nearing, we needed to move east to milder climates.

Thus, on the seventh day, I approached Lumia.

“My Duchess.”

[?]

“I plan to depart for the Marquisate of Eris tomorrow morning.”

[ Is that so...?]

“What are your plans, My Duchess?”

[...]

Her pen hovered awkwardly over her notebook.

She looked at me, lost for words.

Eventually, she wrote a single phrase.

[I...I’m not sure...]

I smiled at her answer.

It seemed the best response she could offer under the circumstances, reflecting the complexity of her situation and thoughts.

It was the best answer for me, and hence, I offered a warm smile.

After all, I had no intention of leaving Lumia behind.

To abandon the Heroine who had lost her life’s purpose and goals, after having aided her, would be worse than not helping at all.

That’s why I was a little worried she might refuse to accompany us, but her answer dispelled those worries.

“Then that’s fortunate.”

Lumia looked a bit puzzled by my words as she wrote,

[Why...?]

“Won’t you stay with us until you figure out what you want to do?”

This was something the entire party had agreed to.

Knowing the threat Deron posed, there was no need to prolong the discussion.

Lumia momentarily brightened, but soon her face clouded over as if dark clouds had obscured her expression.

[But... I’m already in a debt I can’t repay...I don’t wish to burden you all even more...]

Lady...We aren’t so fragile to abandon our morals out of fear.

During my past life, I endured countless responsibilities and debts that weren’t mine to pay, and even when plunged into the abyss, I tried my hardest.

I knew full well the injustice of life.

But now, I had the power to deal with such injustices and threats like Deron paled in comparison to the evils of my past life.

Moreover, there were no constraints now.

The Grand Ducal Betrothal was not underway, nor was there any need to consider the intentions of the absolute power, Logan Winterfell.

Thus, Lumia’s concerns were rather welcome to me, and I reassured her with a pleased smile.

“There was never a debt to pay, but if you truly feel you must repay me, then there’s no need to worry.”

[Eh...?]

“Didn’t you say so, Duchess?”

[What did I say...?]

“That you’d like to keep cooking for us?”

Ah.

A silent exclamation escaped Lumia as she became unable to write anything.

And so, a new member joined our Culinary Journey.

For the time being at least.

How long this would last,

I couldn’t tell.

***The next morning,

After packing up, we loaded our belongings on the wagon that Rendler arranged for us.

It wasn’t large, but it was sufficient to carry our gear and still have room for one person.

The wagon was also outfitted with a black tarp, making it easy to conceal anything necessary.

A single donkey, responsible for pulling the wagon, scraped its hooves in place.

Even if Lumia’s recovery was swift, trekking through rough terrain was still too much for her.

We had rented the wagon partly to evade any potential pursuers and to avoid large towns or cities with checkpoints where Lumia would need to remain hidden.

“You can get on the wagon.”

[Thank you.]

Lumia reached into the bundle of papers she had attached to her waistband and pulled one out.

It was a stack of about twenty papers, where she had pre-written simple greetings and phrases she frequently used.

She had created it to avoid unnecessarily taking others’ time during the conversation, and it indeed made communication faster and smoother.

However, since it was impossible to vary the tone of the handwriting, they all had a somewhat stiff feel.

“If you find the seat uncomfortable or need assistance, just shake the bell.”

[Yes.]

[Don’t worry.]

[I’m fine.]

After Lumia had pulled out three papers in succession to express her thoughts and settled in, Rendler took hold of the reins.

“Well, let’s go.”

Pulling on the reins, the donkey started to move, pulling the wagon along.

Our destination was the Marquisate of Eris, but we couldn’t cross the high mountain ranges since we bought a wagon.

Thus, we were forced to pass through the Grand Duchy of Winterfell to reach the eastern entrance of the Marquisate.

Since the Grand Duchy was the largest territory in the North, it should be easy to remain undetected as they traveled through it.

However,

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For some reason, I couldn’t shake the feeling that we wouldn’t be able to pass through quietly.

“Ahh! We should have bought a wagon earlier! Not having to carry anything is so much better! Right, Dame Rachel?”

“Since I’m here as My Lord’s bodyguard, I don’t really have much luggage to carry.”

“Oh.”