Living as a Recluse Deep in the Forest - Episode 6: The Long Road Back to the Royal Capital

The air in the forest was as heavy and stagnant as ever.

Wind laced with miasma.

The sticky presence of mana.

And, wafting from all directions, the "scent of carnivores."

And yet—Princess Aurora’s party marched with surprising lightness.

"Coming through. Front-right. Three—no, four of them."

One of the guards at the lead slightly adjusted the tip of his spear.

From the shadows of the thicket, beast-type monsters leapt out, baring their fangs.

Roars. Flying saliva.

In an instant, the forest air was thick with bloodlust—and yet.

A monster’s claws swung down toward Aurora’s shoulder.

In the next moment, as if struck by something transparent, the claws bounced back with a high-pitched metallic ring.

With a shower of sparks, the monster’s arm snapped backward.

"...See?"

Aurora muttered with a sigh, lightly brushing off her shoulder.

"With this Force Field active, the tension really drains away."

Her sword flashed once.

A guard’s spear followed up with a series of thrusts.

A monster’s breath from another direction—a mist of strong acid capable of melting iron—hit an invisible membrane and dissipated before it could touch their skin.

Only the crackling of sparks in the empty air marked the reaction.

Further off, a monster’s single eye glowed red from the tree shadows.

It was a high-ranking species capable of casting a petrifying gaze.

However, even that gaze was blocked by the faintly shimmering film, rendering it completely ineffective. Only the bark of the trees outside the protective magic turned to stone and cracked.

"Peashooters, aren't they..."

A maid in the rear muttered under her breath, firing magic from her fingertips.

An arrow of fire accurately pierced the eye of the monster in the shadows.

A blade of wind followed immediately, severing its neck.

Aurora’s sword.

The spears and blades of the guards.

The magic of the maids.

Each one systematically and easily eradicated the monsters.

Overwhelming might—it was exactly as the phrase suggested.

◇◇◇

Eventually, the view suddenly opened up.

It was a slightly cleared area they had passed through many times.

Exactly halfway between the forest entrance and Yuu’s house.

The trees grew sparse, and the sky felt wide.

The setting sun shone in at an angle, illuminating the grassy field in gold.

"...If we’ve made it this far, we can take a breather."

Aurora scanned the surroundings, gave a firm nod, and issued orders in a brisk voice.

"Alright, everyone, start preparations. I’ll go gather firewood with the usual group. The rest of you, set up the tents and get dinner ready. Also—"

She looked down at the earth and pulled out a small stone.

It was a palm-sized, unremarkable pebble.

However, the magical power contained within was extraordinary.

"This spot should do."

Aurora dug a small hole in the ground and buried the stone.

In the next instant, something invisible spread softly through the area.

A "mana-infused stone" entrusted to her by Yuu.

Just by burying this in the ground, his handmade barrier would cover the area for about half a day.

An instant safe zone.

"...Honestly, this alone is worth a fortune," one of the guards grumbled in a voice meant for no one.

If they took a large quantity of these magic stones back to the capital and sold them—they could live in luxury for the rest of their lives.

But Yuu didn't have a shred of such ambition.

He wouldn't teach the manufacturing process, nor would he mass-produce them.

He simply handed Aurora exactly "two"—the amount needed for a one-night stay on the way there and the way back.

The fact that he handed them over specifically considering the "outbound trip" and the "return trip" spoke more than anything of Yuu’s good nature.

"Alright, the barrier is up. Firewood collectors, follow me."

Aurora disappeared into the forest with a few guards.

The remaining guards and maids began moving in a coordinated effort.

With practiced hands, tents rose, and luggage was moved.

Preparing the pots, lighting the fire, sorting ingredients—as the camp took shape with professional efficiency, conversation naturally began to flow.

"Failed again this time, huh?"

Leaning his spear into the ground, one of the guards looked up at the sky.

"I wonder when the day will come that Yuu-dono’s power becomes known in the Capital."

"Based on how he acts, who knows..." another guard said, shrugging his shoulders. "It really is a waste. A power that guarantees glory and prosperity."

The maids wore similar expressions.

"We want Yuu-sama to move to the Capital too," one said while washing a large pot. "...Once you've tried the baths and cosmetics Yuu-sama makes, you can't go back to the old stuff."

"He really is a sinful man... even though we know he's a good person."

The maid chopping vegetables next to her stopped her knife and sighed. Even these vegetables were given to them by Yuu as they left—food for the journey back. He stubbornly refused to leave the forest, but he showed this kind of kindness naturally.

"We can't live without Yuu-sama anymore. Honestly, I don't want to go back so soon. I want to stay longer. His cooking is exquisite, too."

"I feel you."

Everyone nodded deeply. Though the conversation was lively, their hands never stopped. The speed of the camp setup was, as always, professional-grade.

"Yuu-sama’s cooking wouldn't even be matched by the high-end restaurants in the Capital," one said, lighting a magic lantern. "Above all, the variety. We’ve been tasting it for over a year, and it feels like he still has more tricks up his sleeve."

"I wish they could at least recreate the udon," another maid lamented half-seriously. "The chefs in the Capital need to step it up. Remember? When we first taught them the recipe for udon, they just laughed and asked what was so good about something so simple!"

"Exactly!" another maid jumped in immediately. "We're the ones who should be laughing! What was that stuff they made?! The worst ones were just hard, no chewiness or 'koshi' at all!"

The maids chatted excitedly while the men laughed nearby.

"You know," one said, skillfully erecting a tent. "Surprisingly, the ladies who run the cheap diners in the city make better udon."

"Isn't that an exaggeration?"

"No, I'm serious. Well, it's still not as good as Yuu-dono’s, though."

He continued as he transferred water from a barrel.

"Yuu-dono said it too—the outcome changes drastically based on how much strength you use and how you knead the dough. The ladies at city diners do manual labor every day. Some of them even throw punches at drunks!"

"Oh, that lady... that makes sense."

The guards' laughter rang out. They were likely picturing the scenes in the city taverns.

"But really... just as Yuu said, udon is a dish that's 'profound because it's simple'."

"It’s a matter of pride for chefs, isn't it? When told that 'something this simple is the most delicious,' those who make complex dishes probably don't take it well."

One of the maids chuckled.

"But—the reality is that Yuu-sama’s udon is the best, so there's no helping it."

The campsite was filled with cheerful voices.

After a while, a maid stopped her hands and let out a sigh.

"But... the one who benefited the most was definitely Her Highness."

At those words, the surrounding air grew a little quieter.

"Since we started going to Yuu-sama’s house, she smiles so much more."

The maid’s voice was slightly tinged with sadness.

"Honestly... two years ago, Her Highness was hard to even look at."

Guards and maids alike fell silent.

Two years ago.

Aurora, having lost her husband, was supporting herself with nothing but hatred and emptiness.

She had eyes that looked as if no matter what she cut down, it wouldn't be enough.

Just remembering her state back then made their chests tighten.

"...I hope," a guard said softly, adding a branch to the fire. "That Yuu-dono will come to the Capital... and support Her Highness."

"I think so too," another guard nodded. "Some people will complain about social status and such... but with Yuu-dono’s knowledge and strength, he could shut them all up. If we list the achievements of his inventions, he could even be granted a title."

Looking at the prepared ingredients, the maids spoke up as well.

"When Her Highness talks about Yuu-sama... she laughs so happily. Like the old Her Highness, truly carefree."

"Yes," the maid next to her continued quietly. "I wonder if we can do anything... for Her Highness's sake, and for Yuu-sama's."

Everyone felt the same way.

They didn't know why Yuu lived in this dangerous Great Forest.

But whatever the reason—

Yuu was too young to be a hermit.

To live alone in this forest forever... if asked if he could truly grasp a happy future that way, they couldn't bring themselves to say yes.

To the Princess they swore loyalty to.

And to Yuu, the benefactor who saved their lives and hearts.

May the future of these two be even a little brighter—

While secretly praying in their hearts, the guards and maids continued to work in silence.

Eventually, Aurora and her group returned, and a small campfire flickered to life in the twilight forest.

That flame was just a small fire to light the camp for one night.

But the wishes of those gathered there burned quietly and intensely.

◇◇◇

The pot began to bubble and hiss.

In the small campsite amidst the twilight forest, the water in the large pot set over the campfire was boiling, and clouds of white steam were rising.

Aurora peered over the edge of the pot, checking the heat.

"Looking good."

Seeing the surface of the boiling water, she reached into the pouch at her waist.

Her fingers touched small cubes with a hard texture.

She pulled a few out and lined them up on her palm.

Small, brown, dice-like objects.

Yuu had handed them over with a blunt comment.

'A prototype. Let me know what you guys think after eating it. Well, I thought it was good, but I want other people's opinions too.'

Recalling that "this is a hassle" look on his face, Aurora couldn't help but let her lips curl into a smile.

"Now, let's see how this turns out."

Plop, plop. She dropped them into the pot.

It happened in an instant.

Before the cubes even had time to soften in the hot water, they dissolved away.

The brown color spread, and the transparent water was instantly dyed gold.

In the next moment, a fragrance wafted up softly.

"...!"

A guard instinctively leaned forward.

A rich broth scent, as if bones and meat had been simmered for hours.

A soft aroma reminiscent of the sweetness of vegetables was blended into it.

"W-what is this...?"

"The water just..."

Faced with guards and maids whose eyes were wide with surprise, Aurora jutted her chin out proudly.

"It's Yuu’s new work. He called it 'soup stock' or a 'consommé cube'."

"Con-som...?"

As a maid repeated the unfamiliar word, Aurora shrugged.

"I don't really get the name, but you can see the effect. Just a few of these result in this smell and taste. He's a god of the cooking pot."

When she stirred the pot, the cubes that had sunk to the bottom were gone without a trace.

The liquid that was supposed to be just water had already become a magnificent soup.

"That Yuu... developing something like this again."

Aurora grinned and looked around.

"Hey, everyone. Looking at this, can anyone say I'm wrong to try and scout him?"

"There's no way!" a maid nearby shouted instantly. "It smells amazing! It's cheating! Letting someone who makes things like this get away is a national loss!"

"Exactly," a guard agreed with a serious face. "This could be used for the military. Rations during marches, field kitchens on the front lines, distributions in the castle town... Honestly, there are so many uses I can't even fathom the scale of the impact."

"It could be used for refugee support during disasters too," another maid added, holding vegetables by the pot. "As long as there's water and fire, you can serve a warm meal anywhere. Even in a forest like this, look at this aroma."

Aurora nodded, satisfied.

"Right?"

She pulled out the vegetables prepared in the basket behind her.

It was packed with vividly colored vegetables.

They were shared from Yuu’s field and chopped earlier by the maids.

She took them out one by one.

"Her Highness, I'll take care of those."

"Ah, thanks."

As she handed the basket to the maid, Aurora looked up at the sky.

Night was already beginning to fall over the forest.

But thanks to the barrier, she felt almost no chill.

The forest air was heavy. Wind with miasma. Sticky mana. The scent of predators.

Normally, it would be an environment that grinds down the soul—

But right now, this small campsite felt like a different world.

The warmth of the fire.

The aroma rising from the pot.

The invisible protective film guaranteeing safety.

It was all a product of Yuu’s magic and inventions.

"...Truly, this is something to be grateful for," Aurora herself whispered.

This forest was no longer just a forest.

It contained small mountains and valleys, and was filled with a unique ecosystem—it could be called a "dungeon."

Yuu had mentioned that if you looked, there were even rivers and seas.

In fact, Yuu apparently found waterfronts many times and played there after setting up barriers.

He's the only one with that kind of leeway.

If anyone else tried to do the same, they'd be eaten by monsters before finding a river.

In the barrel placed beside the pot.

It was filled with cold, clear water.

Water that was incredibly delicious, drawn from the well in Yuu’s living area.

'You can take as much water as you can carry.'

That was the one thing he permitted with surprising ease.

"Her Highness, I've finished adding the vegetables."

At the maid’s voice, Aurora returned from her thoughts.

Various colorful vegetables were being added to the pot.

Leafy greens that cook quickly and become soft.

Root vegetables that grow sweeter the more they are simmered.

"This side is ready too!"

A guard returned with a bundle wrapped in cloth.

When opened, it revealed the meat of a bird-type monster they had hunted on the way back today.

The excess fat and quill bases had been processed.

The meat, cut into bite-sized pieces, gave off a wild aroma.

"Alright, throw it all in."

At Aurora’s signal, the meat went into the pot too.

The sound of the bubbling changed.

The stock from the consommé cube.

The sweetness of the vegetables.

The umami of the bird monster meat.

The three blended together, and the aroma from the pot gained even more depth.

"..."

Someone gulped.

No, it wasn't just one person.

The guards, the maids, and Aurora herself—everyone was swallowing their saliva at the same time.

"Her Highness, it's about time..."

"Yeah."

Aurora dipped a wooden tasting ladle into the pot and scooped some soup.

She gently brought it to her lips.

"............"

A brief silence.

The guards and maids held their breath.

Eventually, Aurora, with her eyes closed, gave a deep nod.

"It's Yuu."

A short, but ultimate compliment.

"It's definitely Yuu’s taste. ...Alright, let's eat!"

With the signal, wooden bowls and spoons were picked up one after another.

The soup served from the pot was glowing a golden color.

A few rings of fat floated on the surface, and below that, bright vegetables and white meat were submerged.

"Itadakimasu!" (Thank you for the meal!)

Starting with that exclamation, the meal began all at once.

"...!"

The moment he swallowed the first bite, a guard’s eyes widened.

"What is this..."

"Wow..."

A maid nearby let out a child-like voice.

A rich umami spread across the tongue.

The warm broth seeped into their exhausted bodies.

The vegetables were soft yet held their shape.

The bird monster meat was surprisingly free of any gamey smell, and juices overflowed with every bite.

"This is a camp... right?"

Holding his wooden bowl, a guard muttered in disbelief.

"Why is something like this in the middle of a forest..."

"It's delicious..."

One of the maids squeezed out those words.

"It’s gone beyond 'delicious' to the point where I feel 'guilty'..."

With a face that was somewhere between a laugh and a cry, she sipped the soup and ate the vegetables.

A sensation of warmth spreading from the core of the body.

Even though it was summer, the barrier blocked the heat from outside, making the campsite air perfectly cool.

Not too cold, not too hot.

Safe, secure, and on top of that, being filled from the bottom of the stomach.

The guards had eventually fallen silent.

On the battlefield, they had chewed through countless pieces of meager dried meat and hard black bread.

Even then, they had eaten without a single complaint.

But now—

"...I can't go back," a guard suddenly muttered. "To the old camp food."

"I gave up on any intention of going back a long time ago," a maid immediately retorted. "That’s exactly why I want to bring Yuu-sama to the Capital."

"That's true."

Laughter broke out.

Eventually, the contents of the pot dwindled, and the ingredients began to hit the bottom.

"Alright," Aurora announced, holding up a bundle in her hand. "Let's finish this off."

When the cloth was unwrapped, it was packed with white noodles.

Soft-looking dough.

Hand-kneaded and freshly cut udon.

"Her Highness, could that be...!"

The maids' eyes sparkled in unison.

Precious handmade raw noodles that Yuu had handed over, saying, "Eat this today."

Moreover, it seemed they had been prepared with some method to remove the excess flour so they could be put directly into the pot.

According to Yuu, they were special raw noodles with the flour removed by magic. However, since they wouldn't last, they had to be eaten today.

Aurora and her group knew these raw noodles. However, what Yuu had at home was mostly dried noodles. Since he prioritized shelf life, handmade raw noodles rarely appeared.

And now, those raw noodles were provided in a special specification for camping.

Even the dried udon was already a delicacy that the Capital's chefs couldn't compete with.

To have raw noodles—

"Hey, Your Highness," a guard said with a serious face, raising his hand. "Please, a fair distribution..."

"Leave it to me."

Aurora placed her bowl next to the pot and turned serious.

"This matter is a life-or-death mission. I won't allow any personal feelings to interfere."

"Calling udon distribution a 'mission'..." a maid chuckled, though her eyes were still glued to the noodles.

Aurora carefully loosened the noodles and dropped them into the boiling pot.

Thick white lines slid smoothly into the pot.

The soup bubbled again.

The noodles danced.

A few minutes later—

"Alright, it's time," Aurora confirmed, looking into the pot and nodding.

The noodles, having soaked up the umami of the consommé, vegetables, and meat, were soft yet retained a firm elasticity.

"Then—the finale."

With that word, everyone straightened their backs.

"First, for Her Highness, please!"

"That's right, Her Highness is in a separate category! Her Highness!"

"You guys, calm down!"

While shouting, no one slowed down the speed at which they held out their bowls.

"We'll go in order! First, the first round, make sure everyone gets some!"

Aurora issued instructions while skillfully serving the noodles.

Every time the white noodles were poured into a bowl along with the golden soup, small cheers rose from here and there.

"Thank you very much!"

"I'm grateful!"

"Thanks to God, and thanks to Yuu-sama!"

Differences in status and etiquette were all a mess for now.

The Princess, the maids, and the guards were almost in a single line around the pot, waiting their turn.

Eventually, noodles were served into Aurora’s own bowl as well.

"Then, let us partake."

She slurped the noodles.

She chewed.

In that moment, Aurora’s throat trembled slightly.

"...Ah."

The voice that leaked out was close to a sigh.

A chewy texture.

With every bite, the umami of the soup seeped out and filled her mouth.

A supple elasticity completely different from dried noodles.

And yet, a comfort of being cooked through to the core.

Aurora continued to slurp the noodles in silence for a while.

Around her, a bit of a scramble had already begun.

"Hey, isn't that a lot on your side?"

"You too! Look at the amount of noodles!"

"I said fairly!"

"E-everyone! From the second round, please exercise restraint... ah, Your Highness! Your Highness is fast too!"

A maid raised a flustered voice. Aurora had already finished her second mouthful and was starting on her third.

"...Eat in silence, you lot," she said briefly with a laugh, then slurped again.

On her face, there was neither the mask of a Princess nor the shadow of a widow.

There was only the innocent happiness of a person eating something truly delicious from the bottom of their heart.

The noodles disappeared at a terrifying speed.

Princess, maid, guard—the hierarchy that would never normally break down completely lost its meaning in this moment.

Spoons trying to scoop more noodles.

Glares keeping each other in check.

And yet, a fine line where no one truly fought over it.

Laughter and slurping filled the campsite.

And then—

"...It's over," someone muttered, looking at the bottom of the pot.

Everyone’s gaze fell on the empty pot.

They shared and drank the very last few drops of soup.

They were filled from the bottom of their stomachs.

Guards and maids alike sat down on the ground with a thud, as if the strength had left their backs.

"I'm glad to be alive..." a maid said with a voice of genuine exhaustion. "I'll say it as many times as I have to... Your Highness, please never give up on scouting Yuu-sama."

"Of course not," Aurora replied, staring at her empty bowl. "Do you think I'd give up on a future where I can eat this taste in the Capital anytime?"

"Is it for the food, Your Highness?!"

The combined retort of the guards and maids flew her way. Aurora laughed a little.

"Half of it is."

Then, she cast a glance toward the depths of the forest—toward the log house in an invisible location.

"The other half is... well, it's a secret."

In the night forest, laughter dissolved away.

In the midst of a magical land filled with poison and miasma.

Only the small flame of the campfire and the sense of fulfillment from a full stomach burned quietly and warmly.

◇◇◇

Once the meal was over, a stillness finally returned to the camp.

The sky was now completely the color of night.

Only the corner protected by the barrier was illuminated by the orange of the campfire.

The guards and maids, having finished washing the pots and bowls, began entering their respective tents.

Confirming the watch order, the first person on duty sat down by the campfire.

The forest was unnaturally quiet even outside the barrier.

This was because the barrier’s effect made nearby monsters take a wide detour.

But even so—

(It's not absolute.)

The guard on watch recalled Yuu’s voice in the back of his mind.

'Listen, my barrier won't be broken easily, but it's not zero. Not zero.'

This was when Yuu had said it with a rare serious face.

'On the west side of the forest. The guys there can be talked to. They won't attack unless we attack first. Those are on the better side.'

The guards' eyes had gone wide.

'Talked to...?'

'Yeah. Generally, words get through. They talk for a long time, though. It's a hassle, so don't get too close.'

Yuu had said it with a look of genuine annoyance.

'The guys to the east... well, as long as you don't mess with them, it's safe. But try not to get close. Their territory is pretty big.'

'Then, the problem is the north side...?'

When someone asked that, Yuu let out a short breath.

'To the north of the forest—there's something "troublesome." Someone even I find it a chore to fight. Never go to the north.'

Yuu’s tone at that time was neither a joke nor an exaggeration.

The west of the forest.

The east of the forest.

The north of the forest.

In each direction, there was an existence that Yuu acknowledged as "tough."

And the south side—that is, the southern part of the woods closer to Aurora’s country—was Yuu’s territory.

Basically, there were no monsters that could beat Yuu.

There were almost no monsters that could break Yuu’s barrier.

But Yuu himself had declared it wasn't "zero."

Even the person who had lived in this forest for years hadn't completely grasped all the types of monsters in the forest.

In other words—something that could break this barrier "might" be lurking somewhere.

That was why a watch was necessary.

Deciding on an order and watching over the night in shifts.

That alone continued just like a regular camp.

The easiest ones were the first and last shifts.

The person on the first shift was still awake.

The person on the last shift could enjoy the clear air before dawn and go straight into preparing breakfast.

The most pitiable was the shift right in the middle.

Woken up just as their sleep was getting deep, they had to force their groggy mind and body awake and face the quiet darkness.

By the time they returned to the tent, there was only a little time left until dawn, and they could only get an awkward amount of sleep.

(...Well, at least the pay is a little better for it,) one of the guards thought with a wry smile, staring into the campfire.

Upon returning to the Capital, those who took the middle shift would receive a very small allowance.

It was only enough for one night of eating and drinking their fill at a tavern, but it still made a difference.

The fact that she made such small adjustments was also very typical of Aurora.

◇◇◇

At that time, Aurora was curled up in a sleeping bag inside her tent.

A small tent for three.

A simple groundsheet on the floor.

And on top of that, three sleeping bags lined up.

Aurora.

The maid Annie—a hardworking red-head.

The maid Bella—a wise brown-haired girl.

All three were lined up like cocoons.

"...So warm," Aurora muttered contentedly, shifting inside her sleeping bag.

It wasn't quite "fluffy."

But the inner fabric was soft and designed to keep body heat from escaping.

This wasn't Yuu’s handmade item.

It was a Kingdom-made sleeping bag that the Kingdom had finally managed to shape after hearing from Yuu "what a sleeping bag is" and "how to make it" through a process of trial and error.

Even so, it was revolutionary for Aurora and the others.

In the old days, camping meant getting by with thin blankets or meager mats.

On freezing nights, they had even spent the night shivering until dawn, covered in blankets over their armor.

Compared to that, this sleeping bag was heaven.

The fabric wrapped around the body and blocked out the cold air.

Thanks to the barrier, and the fact that it was summer, the inside of the tent wasn't that cold to begin with.

But there's an insurmountable wall between "not cold" and "warm."

It doesn't reach the level of the beds at Yuu’s house.

Now that she knew those fluffy futons and soft pillows, she couldn't help but compare.

Still—compared to before she met Yuu, it was a world of difference.

"Yawwwwn..."

Aurora stuck just her face out from the opening of the sleeping bag and let out a big yawn.

Annie and Bella also rubbed their sleepy eyes while curling their backs.

But it was a waste to just fall asleep.

Her stomach was full.

Her body was warm.

Trustworthy guards were on watch outside.

At such times, a little bit of "girls' time" was born.

"The pot... was so good..." Aurora muttered.

Annie and Bella immediately nodded their heads.

"Yes, very..."

"Truly..."

Aurora lay on her back inside the sleeping bag and looked up at the ceiling of the tent.

"Hey, you two. What do you think the manufacturing process for that is?"

"...For 'that'?"

"Yuu’s 'soup stock'."

The brown cubes they had thrown into the pot earlier.

The mysterious cubes that turned hot water into golden soup in an instant.

"I think it's probably the same idea as the dried noodles... but you can't dry soup like you do noodles, right?"

At Aurora’s simple question, Annie groaned.

"Drying... or rather, concentration...? If you think of it simply as solidifying the soup, then it would be that."

"But even as I say it, it makes no sense," Annie said with a wry smile. "Before that, our country hasn't even fully recreated the dried noodles yet."

"Ugh."

Aurora shrugged inside her sleeping bag. Bella chuckled.

"The alchemists seem to be doing their best, though..." She turned on her side and stuck her face out of the sleeping bag to continue. "Speaking as someone who has eaten Yuu-sama’s udon, it's a 40 at best. It doesn't even reach half."

"That's harsh."

"It's a fact." Bella smiled a bit mischievously. "Well, those who don't know the peak are praising it, saying it's 'delicious, delicious.' Not knowing is a kind of happiness in its own way."

"That might be true..." Aurora said, stifling another yawn. "It’s a difficult thing... honestly, even when I listen to Yuu’s explanations, I don't understand all of it."

The quality of the wheat.

The water content.

The kneading method.

The resting time.

The cutting method.

Yuu had explained everything in detail.

But honestly, not even half of it stayed in her head.

"His obsession with food is just too much. It’s not just a matter of his skill with magic."

"Truly, it's the pinnacle of delicacy," Annie said in an enchanted voice. "Even with things like lotions and emulsions, you can tell immediately..."

After saying that much, Annie rolled over in her sleeping bag and continued as if pouting.

"Ah, I really want to take some home. After going back, the thought of returning to that low-quality soap and scented oil life..."

A long sigh stretched through the tent.

"Why was I happy just with scented oil back then? I’ve already forgotten."

"I know how you feel..." Bella sighed in the same way. Then, as if suddenly remembering, she turned to Aurora. "Hey, Your Highness."

"Hmm?"

"Does Yuu-sama still refuse to give permission for us to take back the cosmetics?"

"Ah—"

Aurora pressed her cheek into the small bag she was using as a pillow and narrowed her eyes.

"Yeah. He says no."

"I figured..." The two maids let out disappointed voices simultaneously.

"He said it," Aurora continued, slowly speaking as she recalled their previous conversation. "'If you can recreate it with your own technology, I don't mind. But taking it out from my place to use it is a no-go' ...that's what he said."

"I figured..." Annie repeated.

"'People who try to steal it will definitely show up, and if that gets on the market, it'll break the country's economy, you know? It could happen on the royal or noble side. That's really a no-go' ...he said that too."

As Aurora continued, a deep silence fell inside the tent.

Bella muttered softly, "...He's right, isn't he?"

"Probably."

"Yuu-sama doesn't show any interest in power, fame, wealth, or status, but..." Annie made a gesture as if counting on her fingers inside her sleeping bag. "He understands perfectly 'how to handle' those things..."

"That's true," Aurora nodded slightly. "Not only that. Yuu dislikes the aristocratic system, but he doesn't treat it with contempt."

The faces of the argument-loving nobles in the Capital floated in her mind.

Wealth, corruption, and responsibility.

All of it was packed into the class known as the nobility.

She recalled the casual conversations at Yuu’s house.

Land.

Taxes.

The military.

Whenever the talk turned to those things, Yuu’s mouth moved naturally.

"Why a privileged class has political, economic, and social superiority... he correctly understands the foundation of a nation that operates on an aristocratic system."

Yuu didn't have a shred of desire to become a noble.

But he understood the "importance" of nobles.

What they were for.

What power was wielded for.

Land ownership rights, tax management, military command—those are what nobles handle.

At the same time, Yuu had also said this:

'It's not that you're important because you're a noble. It's because you're excellent that you're praised as a noble and become important... if that's not the form it takes, a country won't last, right?'

He understood it and then rejected it.

He didn't need privileges—so he was in the forest.

Deep in the forest, which belonged to no one’s territory.

"...A mere commoner wouldn't be able to make that choice," Annie chuckled softly. "That’s why I think... could Yuu-sama be a noble from some far-off land?"

"Are those kinds of rumors going around?"

"Yes, in part of the Royal Palace," Bella said somewhat joyfully. "'Is he an exiled prince from another country?' 'Is he actually a descendant of a fallen magic-noble family?' and so on."

"They just say whatever they want, those people," Aurora muttered with a wry smile.

She herself didn't think he was just a hermit either.

His magic skill easily surpassed her own, even though she was famed as the best in the country.

His knowledge was bottomless.

And his judgment and way of thinking weren't something that could be born from "just a commoner."

You can't be that way unless you've received an excellent education—Aurora understood that much.

But.

"...Well, the past doesn't matter," Aurora said softly.

She felt the two maids blink in surprise.

"I just—"

Her words trailed off slightly.

Her eyelids were heavy.

The warm sleeping bag.

The happiness of a full stomach.

The heat from the campfire was being softly transmitted through the tent.

As her consciousness slowly began to sink.

"How can I... get Yuu to..."

From the depths of her drowsiness, words floated up.

"Be by my side... that's all I'm thinking about."

The maids caught their breath inside their sleeping bags.

Aurora, whether she was aware of her own words or not—

"It's a difficult thing..." her voice was drifting in and out. "With that much power... I could even give him a title..."

It wasn't that she had no calculations as a Princess.

If she gave him a title, she could bind him to the court.

She could give him legal protection and political status.

If she did that—

"If I did that... right away... near me..."

Having said that much.

Aurora’s words suddenly stopped.

The sound of breathing.

The sound of regular breathing dissolved into the darkness.

Annie and Bella remained silent for a while.

How should they handle the true feelings they just heard?

How should they keep the weakness and wishes of the Princess they swore loyalty to in their hearts?

Eventually, Annie whispered softly.

"...Let's pretend we didn't hear that."

"I agree," Bella whispered back. "Until Her Highness realizes it herself."

"Yes."

That exchange was also soon swallowed by the silence.

Outside the tent, the small campfire of the guard flickered.

In the distance, the voice of a night bird.

The inscrutable presence in the depths of the forest.

All of those things were events occurring outside the barrier.

Inside the tent, it was warm.

Wrapped in the warmth of full stomachs and sleeping bags, the maids' consciousness also eventually fell away.

Aurora’s turn was last—the early morning watch.

Until then, they could sleep soundly.

And so, until the time for the early morning watch—the three of them fell into a peaceful sleep.

Author's Note: I’ll be continuing the posts from here. I’m writing at a leisurely pace, so please bear with me.

If you find this interesting, I'd appreciate it if you could support me with bookmarks, ratings, or likes. Thank you very much.

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