Kia led me back to the entrance hall, and we turned left into another long hallway. There were a bunch of paintings on the walls—landscapes, buildings, that sort of thing. Sometimes there was a door in between them. On the other side, tall windows looked out over the castle grounds. The whole place still felt kind of unreal, honestly. I just kept walking, trying to look like I belonged here, even though I definitely didn’t. I had no clue how far the dining hall was, and it was getting kind of awkward, so I thought maybe I should say something to Kia.

“Um, thanks for letting me stay here. I mean, your dad didn’t have to say yes, so… yeah. I appreciate it.”

Kia glanced over her shoulder at me and smiled.

“You do not need to thank me.”

“I guess I do. He didn’t really look happy about it or anything.”

She let out a small laugh.

“I would say that is a rather generous way of describing it.”

I chuckled.

“Honestly, if he’d said no, I don’t know what I would’ve done.”

Kia’s smile faded slightly.

“Neither do I.”

A brief silence passed between us.

“Although,” she added, “I suspect I would have managed to persuade him in the end. I can be rather persistent when I set my mind to something.”

“You mean you would’ve kept begging him?”

“Absolutely.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Why can I actually see that happening?”

“Well, it may not have been the most conventional approach, but it did work, did it not?”

“I suppose it did.”

For a moment, we continued walking in silence. Then a thought crossed my mind.

“Um, can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“What’s your dad actually like?”

Kia’s expression changed ever so slightly.

“That is… not the easiest question to answer. If I had to describe him, I would say my father is a strict man, but a noble one. He has always placed the crown and its responsibilities above nearly everything else. Especially after—”

She paused for a moment and shook her head.

“No, never mind. That is not important right now. My father has faced his share of hardships, as has every ruler before him. Perhaps that is why he sometimes seems a bit difficult to approach.”

“Oh, I see.”

A few silent seconds passed.

“And what about your mom? If you don’t mind me asking?”

“My mother... she passed away a few years ago. Still, I am quite certain she would have been delighted to have you here.”

“Ah, sorry! I shouldn’t have brought her up.”

Kia made a gesture.

“I know you did not mean any harm by it.”

Before this moment could turn even more awkward, Kia stopped and turned towards a pair of doors to her side.

“We have arrived.”

She opened the doors and let me in. The room was huge. In the middle stood a long table covered with a fancy red tablecloth. Three giant, golden chandeliers hung overhead, lighting the room. On the wall opposite the entrance hung a large portrait of Kia’s dad, looking just as serious as he had earlier. Kia showed me to my seat, then checked the kitchen through a small door to my left. As soon as she entered, I heard pans clattering and someone shouting orders. The delicious smell hanging in the air made me even hungrier. Soon, Kia returned and sat down next to me.

“Dinner will arrive soon.”

Just as she said, a few minutes later, several servants came out of the kitchen, each pushing a trolley with silver trays. When they reached the table, they put the trays down and lifted the lids, showing the most delicious food I had ever seen—perfect cuts of meat, tasty salads, and golden-brown bread. There was so much to choose from that I struggled to decide where to start. But first, I pressed my hands together and said:

“Itadakimasu!”

I started poking at the food, not really sure where to start. Kia was already eating, and she looked way more comfortable than I did. I noticed a bowl of meatballs in some kind of sauce, so I grabbed one with my fork and took a bite. It was actually really good—tender and juicy, with a sauce that was kind of sweet. I guess I got a little carried away because, before I knew it, I was just shoveling meatballs into my mouth. That sounds weird. I probably shouldn’t say it like that.

“I hope the food is to your liking.”

I turned around and noticed an old man dressed in a chef’s uniform standing behind Kia. He had a white beard, dark brown eyes, and a wrinkled face.

“This is absolutely wonderful! You have truly outdone yourself again, Luzel,” Kia said.

“You flatter me too much, My Lady.”

She turned towards me.

“Shako, please meet Alberius Luzel, our head chef.”

The chef placed his hand on his chest and made a slight bow.

“It is a pleasure meeting you. When Lady Kia told me she had brought a guest over, I was shocked. Had I known in advance, I would have prepared more food immediately.”

“Sorry for showing up out of nowhere and causing trouble. I didn’t mean to make things difficult,” I replied, trying to make him feel better. But Mr. Luzel shook his head and answered:

“There is no need to apologize. On the contrary, it only motivates me to have more people be able to enjoy my dishes.”

“Your dishes?” Kia responded sharply.

“Ahem. I meant my team’s dishes.”

“I know,” Kia said calmly. “I was joking.”

“I know, but a bit of whimsy never hurt anyone, did it?”

“Perhaps not.”

They both started laughing at once. I just smiled and watched them. Even though they were supposed to be, you know, princess and head chef, they actually seemed pretty close. Mr. Luzel talked to Kia more like a friend than someone who worked for her, and she didn’t seem to mind. I thought that was kind of nice.

“Well then, I shall let you two return to your dinner. May you have a wonderful meal.”

With a polite nod, Mr. Luzel turned around and headed back toward the kitchen. Once he was gone, Kia and I continued eating.

“Does everyone here get along like that?”

Kia looked at me with a slightly puzzled expression.

“Like what?”

“Like, with you and Mr. Luzel. You’re a princess, so… I kind of thought he’d act more formal or something.”

Kia let out a quiet laugh.

“Ah, you mean that.”

She rested her cheek against one hand and thought for a moment.

“I suppose it depends on the person. Most of the castle staff are rather formal around me, especially when we first meet. However, after spending enough time together, I would prefer that they treat me like a normal person.”

“Even though you’re royalty?”

“Even then.”

I looked around the dining hall.

“So you don’t mind if people joke around with you?”

“Not at all. In fact, I would find it rather unpleasant if everyone constantly treated me as though I were some distant figure they could not speak freely around.”

“That actually makes sense.”

I took another bite of my food.

“Where I’m from, people just talk to each other like normal. I’m still not really used to all this royalty stuff.”

Kia smiled.

“You seem to be adapting rather quickly.”

“I don’t know about that.”

I glanced down at my plate.

“I mean, I did just casually ask your dad if I could work here after finding out he didn’t want me staying for free.”

Kia covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.

“Yes, I must admit, I did not expect that at all.”

“I didn’t even think before I said it.”

“I could tell.”

“Hey, you don’t have to remind me.”

She laughed again. For some reason, hearing her laugh put me at ease. When I first met her, she seemed so mysterious. I’d woken up in a cave, somehow alive despite remembering that I had died, and the first person I encountered was a girl carrying a sword that could burst into flames. Now, somehow, I was sitting across from that same girl, having dinner with her like it was the most normal thing in the world. I still had no idea what was going on. But at least I wasn’t alone anymore.

“So…” I started.

Kia looked up.

“What is it?”

“What’s it actually like, living here?”

“In the castle?”

“Yeah.”

She tilted her head slightly.

“What would you like to know?”

“Pretty much everything, I guess.”

Kia smiled.

“That is rather broad.”

“Okay then…”

I thought for a moment.

“What do you usually do all day?”

“My days vary quite a bit. There are lessons, meetings, training, and occasionally matters that require my attention as a member of the royal family.”

“That sounds exhausting.”

“It can be, at times.”

She paused before continuing.

“But it is not always so serious. I have free time as well.”

“You do?”

“Of course.”

I looked at her skeptically.

“You?”

“Yes, me. How else do you think I was able to find you?”

“Yeah, you’re right. Still, you kind of seem like the type who’d spend every second training with that sword.”

Kia raised an eyebrow.

“And what gave you that impression?”

“I mean, you’re carrying a sword that can literally catch fire.”

She looked down at the weapon resting beside her.

“Well, when you put it like that…”

She chuckled.

“I do enjoy training, but I would hardly spend my entire day doing it.”

“So, what do you do when you’re not training?”

“I read quite often. Sometimes I walk around the castle grounds. I speak with the servants, visit the kitchens, or simply spend time with my father.”

“You’re pretty close with him, huh?”

Kia’s expression softened.

“Yes, we are. Although, I imagine it may not have seemed that way when you first met him.”

There was a brief pause.

“He can be rather strict, as you have probably noticed.”

“Yeah, that’s putting it lightly.”

Kia smiled.

“But he cares deeply about this kingdom. Sometimes, I believe he cares so much that he forgets to show it.”

I remembered the conversation in the throne room. Her father’s words had been harsh, but something lay beneath them. He hadn’t simply thrown me out. He listened, questioned Kia’s decision, and eventually let me stay.

“Yeah,” I said. “I think I understand what you mean.”

Kia looked at me curiously.

“You do?”

“He didn’t seem like he actually wanted to throw me out, well, at least not immediately.”

She seemed surprised by my answer.

“And what makes you say that?”

“To me,” I paused, searching for the right words. “I mean, it kind of sounded like he just wanted to make sure you weren’t making a decision without thinking about what might happen.”

Kia stared at me for a moment before smiling.

“Perhaps you understand him better than I expected.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

She picked up her glass and took a small sip.

“My father has always believed that being a ruler means putting the needs of the kingdom before your own feelings. I do not always agree with him.”

“Is it because you’re more… compassionate or something?”

“I suppose you could put it that way.”

She placed the glass back on the table.

“Nevertheless, I have come to realize he is not entirely wrong. Being a ruler means you cannot always help everyone who asks for it. Every decision has consequences, and sometimes you must consider what is best for the kingdom, even if it means saying no to someone who truly needs help.”

She paused and let out a small sigh.

“I still believe that kindness is important. I simply understand now that kindness alone does not always suffice.”

I nodded slowly. That made me think about what she had said earlier.

“So… is everyone here treated well?”

Kia’s expression became a little more serious.

“Yes. My father expects the castle to be orderly, but he does not permit the staff to be mistreated. They are people, not tools.”

“That’s good.”

“Most of the staff have worked here for many years. Some have even been here since before I was born.”

“Wait, seriously?”

“Yes.”

“I guess that explains why everyone seems so comfortable around you.”

“Exactly.”

I looked toward the doorway leading into the kitchen.

“So Mr. Luzel’s been here for that long?”

“He has.”

“Then I guess you two have known each other for ages.”

Kia smiled.

“I have known him for nearly my entire life.”

“That explains a lot.”

“What do you mean?”

“You two were arguing like an old married couple.”

Kia nearly choked on her drink.

“What did you say?!”

I immediately realized what I had said.

“Wait, that… that came out wrong.”

She stared at me in disbelief before bursting into laughter.

“I certainly hope you do not say things like that to everyone you meet.”

“I don’t!”

“Good.”

She was still laughing as she wiped a small tear from the corner of her eye.

“You really are an interesting person, Shako.”

I paused. It was the first time she had said my name so casually.

“Interesting?”

“Yes.”

“Uh, is that supposed to be a compliment?”

“I meant it as one.”

“Well… thanks, I guess.”

For a moment, neither of us said anything. Then Kia leaned back slightly in her chair.

“You know, you seem much more relaxed than when we first met.”

I stopped eating.

“Do I?”

“You do.”

She smiled gently.

“When I found you in the cave, you looked completely lost. You were frightened, confused, and clearly had no idea where you were.”

“I still don’t.”

“I know.”

There was something almost apologetic in her voice.

“But at least now you have somewhere to stay.”

I looked down at my plate.

“Yeah.”

Thinking about it made me feel kind of warm inside. When I first woke up, I really thought I was completely alone. I didn’t know where I was, or why I was even alive, or what had happened. Now I had a place to sleep. Food. People who actually wanted to help me. And, maybe most important, someone I could actually talk to. I wasn’t sure I deserved any of it, but I was grateful anyway.

“Thanks, Kia. Really.”

“For what?”

“For, you know, everything.”

I rubbed the back of my neck, suddenly feeling awkward.

“You found me, brought me here, convinced your dad to let me stay…”

I hesitated.

“And you’ve been putting up with all my stupid questions.”

Kia smiled.

“Your questions are not stupid.”

“They probably are.”

“They are merely… numerous.”

I laughed.

“Okay, I’ll take that.”

She smiled back.

“You do not need to thank me, Shako. I am simply glad that I was able to help.”

I nodded. For the first time since waking up in that cave, I felt like I might actually be okay. Not completely okay. There were still way too many questions. Why was I alive? What happened to me? And what did Lucifer even do? I didn’t have any answers. But maybe I didn’t need all of them tonight. Right now, I was sitting in a warm dining hall, eating real food, with someone I could trust sitting beside me. That was enough. At least for now.