The mashed flavor of potatoes and carrots melted in my mouth along with the creamy softness of the stew. I swallowed the mouthful after savoring every particle of it. Madame Korrine’s cooking skills were above any chef in the kingdom.

“Disciple, you look like you’re in heaven.” Master whispered, squinting at my expression.

I shot Master a look, “Master, that’s because I just realized how bad your cooking is.”

Master feigned a hurt expression, “Lupus, how could you say that?”

I sniggered on the inside. Master only knew how to make meat and curry to dip bread in.

“So, Lupus,” Madame interrupted my savoring, “How’s the meal?”

I looked up, “Amazing, Madame Korrine. Definitely better than Master’s cooking.”

Everyone at the table laughed, except for Master. He looked like he was about to throw a tantrum. I glanced at Hesna. She was giggling, so I let myself join in with a grin,

Dinner continued under the illumination of the chandelier. Laughs filled the air with casual banter. As Hesna and I left the table, the adults continued, cracking open bottles of beer.

“There’s a lot of stars today.” Hesna commented, staring up at the dark sky.

Splashes of glittering dots lined the airspace above. They seemed to stretch up to the heavens. Hesna had brought me out to the balcony after we left the table.

“Yeah,” I replied, “They’re beautiful also.”

A soft smile appeared on Hesna’s lips as she stared up. Crickets chirped in the distance and a guffaw erupted from the direction of the table.

“Have a candy,” Hesna rummaged in her pocket and revealed two wrapped pieces of sugarcoated dried fruit, “Mom and Dad have a whole jar of it in their study.”

I took one tentatively. The wrapper crunched as I unwrapped the candy. Popping it into my mouth, sweetness exploded on my tongue. Hesna and I were leaning on the balcony railing while stargazing.

“It’s good.” I told Hesna as she also started to chew on the other candy.

Hesna licked her lips, removing sugar bits from the edge of her lips, “It’s supposed to be from Borinzol.”

No wonder. Borinzol was the production capital from the knowledge Master passed on to me.

I smirked, “Then it’s high-class candy.”

Hesna giggled, “I wonder how it was made. Maybe they got the fruit from a distant kingdom.”

“Oh, and they stole dragon fire to heat the candy.” I joked.

“And they used a recipe from ancient dwarves.” Hesna added.

I allowed myself to be swept up in the stream of friendly musings and snickers. It was refreshing to feel like a kid again. I didn’t quite know why, but seeing Hesna would melt the ice freeze my heart. Perhaps it was because of her similarity to my old girlfriend.

“You’re welcome to stay the night, both of you.” Madame Korrine invited.

I was standing next to Master, who hesitated at the offer, “We can't, Korrine. You and Bretan have already been so generous with your hospitality.”

“It’s fine, Zanharu. You’re our friend,” Sir Bretan spoke up, “So drop that polite act of yours.”

Master grumbled, but gave in, “Fine, but you better be prepared to continue drinking…”

“Lupus, you can stay in the guest room upstairs.” Sir Bretan told me while bringing out an armful of beer bottles.

I climbed the stairs to see Hesna waiting by the guest room door, dressed in a pink nightgown.

“So, Dad told you to stay in the guest room.” Hesna whispered.

I nodded, “Yeah. Master and I are staying for the night.”

“Are you gonna sleep right now?” Hesna asked, seemingly pressing me for an answer.

I shrugged while plopping on the bed, “Are you?”

“Nah,” Hesna shook her head, “I’m not sleepy.”

She sat down next to me. The room seemed strangely quiet. The curtains of the open window rustled and faint shouting was heard from beyond the closed door.

“Do you know any stories?” Hesna glanced at me curiously.

“Let me think…” I rubbed my chin, “Wait, I do know one.”

“Tell me that story then.” Hesna replied.

“Are you sure? It’s a bit long.” I teased.

Hesna nodded, “It’s okay. I like long stories the most.”

“Alright then,” I took a deep breath, “Once upon a time, there was a prince of a kingdom…”

I told her that the prince, who was just an extra third child, rose to become the crown prince. Then an evil man invaded the kingdom and the prince died.

“That’s the end?” Hesna exclaimed, “Who’s that man anyways?”

I put a finger to my lips, “Shhh. The story isn’t over yet.”

That prince got reincarnated in the body of a baby. That baby was adopted by an old woman who had strolled by where the baby had been abandoned on a snowy day. The reincarnated prince lived with the old woman for four years before she died and the boy started wandering around the land.

“What next?” Hesna’s jade-green eyes were blurred with immersion and curiosity.

I explained to Hesna that the boy was wandering aimlessly when he met a transcendent man. The transcendent man became the boy’s Master. I put in all my experiences with Master into the story. I also said that the boy met a girl who was a lot like his girlfriend back when he was the crown prince of a kingdom.

“And so, the boy still lives somewhere with his Master.” I concluded.

Hesna breathed in wonder, “I wonder where he is!”

“Yeah,” I smiled genuinely, “Same here.”

“Well, I’m sleepy now.” Hesna declared, standing up.

“Did I bore you with my story?” I joked.

Hesna rolled her eyes playfully, “Of course.”

The door closed behind her figure and I was left to contemplate alone. Throwing off my shoes and socks, I wrapped the white fur blanket around my body. The coziness of the fur enveloping me welcomed me along with deep sleep.