***

Back at the camp, Seria seemed noticeably different from her usual self. She seemed exhausted, her energy completely drained. She barely touched her favourite foods and spent most of her time buried in bed, her body limp and motionless.

Kashan, worried, tried to talk to her several times, asking gentle, concerned questions. But each time, Seria’s only response was the same: that she was tired and needed to rest.

Finally, Kashan decided to give Seria some space and stepped outside the tent.

“Captain, is that woman really all right?”

“Yes, she’s fine. Don’t worry about it. She’s just a bit shaken up, that’s all.”

The moment he stepped outside, a group of Kuth women who had been waiting nearby rushed over to ask about Seria’s condition.

“What exactly did you talk about to leave her in that state?”

“It’s a personal matter. I can’t give you the details.”

“That man… he’s her father, isn’t he?”

Despite his best efforts to deflect their questions, the women persisted, crowding around him and bombarding him with questions. There was no malice in their words, however – only genuine concern for Seria and a hint of curiosity.

“It’s strange… That woman, she really must have been from the upper class of the Empire.”

“Then why was she so obsessed with food?”

“Exactly! And that man earlier – he ate so much that his face was practically glistening with fat.”

“Enough. She must have her reasons. Honestly, I just felt sorry for her. Facing her father like that… she looked absolutely terrified, shaking like she’d seen a ghost.”

The burly women gathered close, huddled in a circle, as they exchanged thoughts about Seria. Despite their chatter, Seria didn’t show herself, remaining hidden inside the tent.

“I wonder if she’s eaten properly today.”

“Who knows? Everyone’s been so busy running around, all the way to the border and back.”

“Wait. I’ll prepare some food and tea for her.”

The others quickly followed suit, standing up one by one and beginning to gather food and drink for Seria, their concern spurring them into action.

Freshly baked bread, salad and thick cuts of meat – all carefully selected to match Seria’s favourites. They even remembered to bring biscuits to go with the hot tea.

“Hey, girl. Are you in there?”

The women burst into Seria’s tent, where she lay sprawled out in a melancholy daze. As they set the food and tea neatly on the table, they glanced at her form as she lay motionless on the bed.

“Is she still asleep?”

“Maybe pretending.”

One of them murmured sceptically.

“Should we wake her?”

“No, let her be. She’s probably exhausted. She’ll eat when she’s ready.”

The once-lively tent quickly emptied out, leaving behind only the warmth of the food and tea. The women, after quickly arranging everything they’d brought, quietly slipped away, giving Seria the space she needed.

Even Seria, stretched out on the bed, could sense the care behind her gestures.

When the tent fell silent again, she finally got up and walked over to the table. There she found the neatly arranged food, the warm tea and even freshly baked biscuits.

‘It’s all right.’

Sure, she couldn’t have any more cake, but so what? Here she had sweet and bittersweet biscuits instead. And that wasn’t all – this place was full of friendly neighbours, even if they didn’t speak the same language.

Thanks to this, Seria was able to completely erase the lingering doubts in her heart. The worries about whether she’d made the wrong choice, whether she’d lost the chance to return to the manor and relive her old life forever, slowly faded away.

The food here wasn’t as extravagant as what she had once enjoyed at the Count’s estate, but Seria had grown quite accustomed to the simplicity and warmth of these modest meals.

She picked up a larger-than-usual piece of meat and took a bite, a faint smile tugging at her lips. The soft clatter of dishes echoed throughout the tent as she ate quietly, filling the once empty space with a gentle and soothing rhythm.

***

As soon as Seria had finished her meal and put down her cutlery, Kashan stepped quietly into the tent from outside and asked, “Are you feeling a bit better now?”

“Yes, a little… I’m fine.”

Noticing the clean plate in front of her, Kashan let out a small sigh of relief. Then, as if in praise, he patted her on the head several times.

“Well done.”

“Why didn’t you tell me before?”

“That… I’m sorry.”

Kashan looked puzzled at Seria’s sharp question. Why didn’t I tell her before? Because he didn’t want to give her too much time to think about it. The longer Seria had to consider her options, the less likely it seemed that she would decide to stay.

Fortunately, it didn’t seem as if she really wanted to blame him or put pressure on him. Her expression, which had been so tense moments ago, had already softened slightly.

“I don’t know if I made the right choice.”

“You did.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Kashan’s hand gently stroked her hair, his touch reassuring. Then, as if to comfort her further, he pulled her into a warm embrace and lightly patted her back.

“Oh, and soon we’ll be leaving this area and returning to the capital,” he said casually. “The assignments rotate every two years, so it’s time for us to go back.”

“The capital?”

“Yes, it’s in the heart of Kuth territory.”

Kashan explained, watching her expression carefully before continuing.

“Seria, come with us.”

Seria’s answer was simple.

“Of course! I mean… don’t leave me behind. I have nowhere else to go – this is the only place I have…”

The mere thought of being left here alone seemed unbearable, and Seria shook her head vigorously, as if to banish the thought.

“Anyway… thank you.”

“Suddenly?”

“Yes, for everything. For helping me survive like this, unharmed. I’m really grateful.”

“Well. Just so you know.”

Kashan replied with a small smile.

Seria vividly remembered the despair she had felt when she first arrived in the North. That hopelessness, as sharp and clear as ever, made her current gratitude all the more profound.

‘At that time I really had no idea how to go on. Everything seemed so dark…’

But now those worries no longer existed for her.