That night marked the first time Megrie stood in the kitchen properly.
Not sneaking in.
Not cooking to survive.
But cooking as someone who had been allowed to do so.
The ingredients were neatly laid out on the counter.
A wild rabbit Chino had brought back, cleanly prepared.
Several root vegetables—misshapen, but fresh.
A small pouch of coarse salt and herbs Kai had dug out from storage.
"…Is this enough?" Chino asked, a little uncertain.
Megrie glanced over them and nodded.
"It's enough."
She rolled up her sleeves, her movements efficient yet unassuming.
Aaron stood by the doorway, appearing casual,
but his eyes missed nothing.
He was used to observing people—
especially those who didn't fit the norm.
And Megrie was one of them.
She was far too thin, her shoulders narrow,
yet standing before the stove, she radiated a strange sense of calm.
As if this was exactly where she belonged.
The fire lit.
The pan heated.
The scent of fat and herbs slowly filled the room.
Chino was the first to sniff the air.
"…This smells even better than the noodles earlier."
Kai said nothing, quietly setting his ledger aside as his gaze drifted toward the pot.
Megrie worked as she spoke, her voice light.
"This isn't noble cuisine."
She didn't turn around.
"No elaborate plating. No expensive spices."
"Just food that fills you up, tastes good, and makes you want to live another day."
Aaron's fingers paused.
That didn't sound like a description of food.
It sounded like a confession.
Soon, three steaming dishes were placed on the table.
Meat stewed until tender, rich but not heavy.
Simply sautéed vegetables, their sweetness intact.
And a pot of hot soup that warmed the chest with every sip.
Megrie sat at the edge of the table, not reaching for her chopsticks.
"Eat," she said.
The three men exchanged glances.
Chino took the first bite.
Then Kai.
Finally, Aaron sat down as well.
No one spoke.
Only the soft clink of bowls and chopsticks filled the room.
Halfway through the meal, Chino suddenly looked up.
"…Were you really the lord's daughter before?"
Megrie paused, then smiled faintly.
"Not anymore."
Kai slowly set his chopsticks down, studying her.
"Then what are you now?"
Firelight reflected in her eyes.
"I'm a chef," she said—
calm, unwavering.
And in that moment,
all three men understood something clearly.
She hadn't stayed
just to cook.