Chapter 165

Astelle took Theor with her to their old house.

They left the whole party at the marquis’ mansion and set out as a simple party with a few knights.

The house they used to live in is not far from the marquis’ estate.

They left after breakfast and arrived around noon.

At the end of the long path, there is a small three-story mansion.

Although it was a bit small to be called a mansion, it was said to have once been a luxurious villa.

As soon as he saw the familiar roof, Theor exclaimed with joy. “That’s our house!”

The carriage entered the small front yard of the mansion. As soon as the door opened, Theor ran into the house.

“Go slowly, Theor.”

Astelle followed Theor and went inside.

Kaizen, who remained in front of the door, slowly looked around the old mansion.

The more he looked, the more shocking it became.

‘This is the house where Astelle lived.’

I heard it was an old villa, but it was worse than I had imagined.

The walls cracked and one of the pillars completely collapsed, making it impossible to recognize its shape.

Dry weeds grow between the cracked flagstones in front of the door.

‘Did she live in a place like this?’

He knew she had a hard life, but when he saw it with his own eyes, it broke his heart.

Astelle said she lived a comfortable, worry-free life here, but raising a child in this environment must have been unimaginably difficult for her.

Kaizen walked into the mansion with a heavy heart.

* * *

Theor was thrilled to be able to visit his old house. Walking around the house with Blynn, he came to a yard full of dry grass.

‘It feels good to be back here.’

Astelle looked around the house and was filled with emotion.

Before Astelle left, her grandfather said he had not cleaned this place.

“I packed my own belongings and brought them here. I left yours and Theor’s there.”

Her grandfather said so. Since Theor was going to visit, he said he wanted to keep it as it was before.

Astelle expressed her gratitude to her maternal grandfather.

“Well done.”

If he visited his old house and it was empty, Theor would be very disappointed.

Fortunately, thanks to her grandfather’s consideration, the inside of the house was the same as it had been when she left.

Old but familiar furniture with simple decorations.

It’s a long-vacant house, but much cleaner than expected.

Entering the kitchen, Astelle noticed it was cleaner than when she had used it.

The household items were polished to the point where they are shiny.

The pantry is also stocked with fresh ingredients, from cheese and cookies, bread and pickles to vegetables. There is a little bit of variety for each type.

Looks like this was all prepared beforehand.

Astelle admired her grandfather’s meticulous consideration.

‘He’s surprisingly attentive.’

Through the window, she could see Theor running in the yard.

Astelle opened the kitchen door and called Theor.

“Theor.”

Theor, who was walking on dry leaves with Blynn, ran to Astelle.

“Theor, aren’t you hungry?”

“A bit.”

Theor thought for a moment before answering.

He seems to have forgotten about his hunger because he was so absorbed in playing.

He only had a quick breakfast because he was excited to visit his old home.

Looking at Theor and Blynn, Astelle said, “I think you two need to eat something.”

It’s already past lunchtime. She couldn’t let the knights who came with her starve either.

“Theor, do you want to eat any food you used to eat when you lived here?”

“Food I used to eat here?”

Theor thought for a moment, placing his little hand on the tip of his chin.

“Well…… potato salad and sandwiches.”

“Really? Do you want to eat it?”

She was surprised that the menu was so simple that she asked again.

“Yes, it’s lunch now.”

“Right.”

Since it’s lunchtime now, it seems that he thought of a simple lunch menu.

“Okay. I’ll make it for you soon.”

Astelle called the maid who came with her. She was one of the maids working in the mansion who followed her as a porter.

Her grandfather intended to send a few more maids, but she refused because she thought there would be too many people.

“Did you call, Your Majesty?”

The young maid bowed her head with a strained face.

“Did you bring the emperor’s lunch?”

“Yes, I prepared it at the mansion.”

“Then prepare His Majesty’s food and share the rest with the knights.”

The maid who was listening to her orders asked curiously, “Then, Your Majesty the Empress and His Highness the Crown Prince…….”

“I’m fine. I can make it with what’s here. Instead, bring me a piece of bread.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Astelle went into the kitchen, took out the potatoes, and put the lettuce and ham on the counter.

She heard footsteps behind her. She wondered if the maid had brought bread and turned around to see Kaizen standing there.

“Astelle.”

“Your Majesty?”

“Why don’t you eat?” Kaizen asked curiously as he entered the kitchen.

Astelle smiled and explained, “I’m going to make lunch for Theor after a long time.”

Since he was visiting his old house after a long time, she wanted to make him some of the food he used to eat here.

Astelle and Theor always eat delicious food at the palace, but she thought it would be good to try something with old memories at least once.

“I’ll help you, too.” Kaizen, who was listening to her explanation, said abruptly.

“Yes?”

Astelle, who was cutting the ham, raised her head in surprise.

“You’re going to help me?”

“Yeah.”

Kaizen frowned slightly as if asking what was wrong.

Astelle looked at him silently.

Kaizen makes food?

I don’t think he’s ever seen what a kitchen looks like.

“I told the maid to prepare a separate meal for Your Majesty.”

“You and Theor eat the food you make here, but I alone eat what was brought from the mansion?”

Kaizen asked with a bewildered face, as if it was ridiculous.

“Well…….”

That’s what I meant, of course.

“My skills are not very good,” said Astelle with no confidence.

Although she had learned some skills from making food for the past six years, it was at the level of making simple soup, stew, or bread.

Of course, it was not enough to make His Majesty’s meal.

“I don’t care.”

A low voice followed with an indifferent answer. “Anything from you is fine.”

“…….”

Astelle, who was taking out the bowl, paused and looked back at him.

Kaizen avoided her gaze and kept his eyes fixed on the vegetables on the counter.

Astelle, feeling embarrassed for nothing, quickly fixed her gaze back on the bowl.

“Well……. could you wash the potatoes then?”

Astelle broke the uncomfortable silence and took out some potatoes from the basket and handed them to Kaizen.

Kaizen eagerly washed the potatoes one by one to remove even the slightest dust.

He was so serious that Astelle laughed.

Kaizen turned to her and asked, “Why are you laughing? Can’t I do it like this?”

“Yes, you are doing well.”

As soon as the maid finished sharing the food with the guards, she returned to the kitchen to give Astelle the bread.

Astelle made a sandwich by cutting the bread, putting lettuce, ham, and cheese in it, and spreading the sauce.

In the meantime, the boiled potatoes are ready. She mashed well-boiled potatoes, added a little butter and milk, and seasoned them with salt and pepper.

The softly mashed potatoes turned into a potato salad with a fragrant smell.

Next to the kitchen is a dining room with a small dining table that was originally used by the maids. Since the main dining room of this mansion had long ago turned into a warehouse, the three of them decided to eat in the dining room next to the kitchen.

Astelle prepared food there and called Theor.

“It’s tasty!”

“Really?”

“Yes,” Theor replied, nibbling a sandwich. “It’s just like the one we used to eat.”

It’s been a while since I made it, so I was a little worried, but I don’t think the taste is bad.

Kaizen, who was tasting the potatoes, also exclaimed, “It’s delicious.”

“It’s just a salad.”

“It’s still delicious.”

Anyway, I’m glad they like it.

Astelle also started eating the food.

“Can I sleep here from today? I want to sleep here.” Theor finished his sandwich and asked so.

Astelle coaxed Theor with a troubled face. “I would like to.”

Astelle looked around the house and continued, “But it is winter now. It will be very cold here at night.”

Even inside the mansion, winter is cold enough to make one shiver even with clothes on.

In addition, to put Theor to sleep here, the maids and guards must stay here too.

How can you let everyone sleep in an old place like this instead of the marquis’ decent mansion?

“I see…….”

Theor looked very disappointed.

“Then let’s come here every day and play together, even for a few days,” said Kaizen.

Theor regained his enthusiasm at those words and turned to Astelle.

“Can I do that?”

After all, I decided to stay at my grandfather’s estate for a few days. There is nothing to do in the meantime, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to come here and make memories.

If we go back to the imperial palace again, I don’t know when we’ll be able to come back here.

“Okay. Then let’s go to Grandpa’s mansion at night to sleep and come back here tomorrow.”

“Yes!”

Theor rejoiced and ran back to the yard with Blynn.

Seeing him like that made her happy.

* * *

After Astelle finished eating, she put away the dishes and cleaned the kitchen.

Suddenly, the setting sun could be seen through the window.

Now it’s time to go back.

After the fun time, the party prepared to return to the marquis’ mansion.

But then, a problem arose.

“Snow…….”

She could see white snowflakes through the window, falling little by little against the gray sky.

Astelle was surprised and hurriedly packed the luggage.

“Oh my God, we have to leave soon.”

Kaizen was bewildered to see her like that and said, “Don’t worry too much. Even if it snows, we can get there before night falls.”

“No.”

That’s the story of the capital or the warm southwest.

This is east.

When the snow in the east starts to fall, it piles up to the waist in an instant.