NOVPUB
Chapter 163: A Chaotic Party
"That was... a lot." Tobias sighed, placing his spoon neatly in the empty bowl, it had been interesting to hear her narrate while having good food.
His fingers flexed as he leaned back in the wooden chair, the cushion beneath him sighing like it was just as tired as he was.
His black hair was slightly messy from the long carriage ride, and his usual sharp eyes looked a bit dull from exhaustion.
Elisse gave a small smile, collecting his bowl. "You still have some strength left for a second helping?"
"Do I look like someone who would say no?" he asked, giving her a tired grin.
Elisse chuckled softly, already ladling hot stew into his bowl.
She passed it over just in time for Celeste to let out an exaggerated sigh of satisfaction and lean back in her seat, patting her stomach.
"I can’t believe food like this exists outside the palace. Seriously, what is this? Magic stew?" she said, clearly impressed.
Elisse blinked and smiled gently. "It’s just rabbit stew, with potatoes, some herbs, and a little garlic. Nothing too fancy."
"That’s a lie and you know it," Celeste said with her mouth full, stabbing a potato chunk with her spoon like it had just insulted her mother. "This is divine."
She really wasn’t joking, Elisse’s cooking was divine, even able to rival, no it was better than what the cooks at the palace were making... If Elisse wanted to sign up to be a cook, she definitely wouldn’t refuse.
Elisse’s cheeks went a bit red at the praise, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Thank you, Princess."
Celeste blinked. "Wait. Did I introduce myself?"
"No. But you carry yourself like royalty, and also — You really look like the princess, even with your hair roughed." She giggled. "I just wasn’t expecting you to be so... spunky."
Tobias almost choked on his food trying to hold in a laugh.
The moment was interrupted by the sound of dragging footsteps and something like a door creaking open. All three turned toward the kitchen doorway.
There stood Zayn.
Or well — something that looked like Zayn.
His blond hair was sticking in all directions like he’d been electrocuted, the usually neat ponytail was a fuzzy, wrinkled mess, and his eyes were half-closed, bloodshot, and glaring at the floor as if it had offended him.
He was shirtless, wearing only black pants and a half-buttoned tunic that looked like it had given up halfway. There was a mark on his cheek.
"...Zayn?" Tobias asked, holding back a grin.
"Mmnn... yeah. ’S me," Zayn muttered in a gravelly, half-asleep voice as he walked in like a man condemned.
He dropped into the chair opposite Tobias and yawned wide enough to unhinge a jaw. "Chief’s back, huh. Welcome back."
Celeste raised an eyebrow at Tobias and mouthed, ’Is he always like this?’
Tobias shrugged and mouthed back, ’Worse.’
Elisse gave a light pout and placed a fresh bowl of stew in front of Zayn. "You told me to cook something amazing for Tobias, then you fall asleep before he even shows up?"
Zayn slowly blinked at her. "I was digesting time. Preparing for social combat."
"That’s not a real thing," Elisse replied.
"It is now," he mumbled and took a bite of the stew.
His eyes suddenly widened, and he sat up straighter. "Yo, this is insane. Is this stew made of pure life essence? Did you level up in the kitchen while I was asleep?"
"You always say that," Elisse said, but her blush deepened slightly.
Zayn’s eyes finally fell on Celeste, and he blinked. "Ah. The Princess. You do exist."
Celeste arched a brow. "And you must be the infamous Zayn. The one Tobias said was... how did he put it? ’Dangerously unpredictable but somehow still alive’."
’Does he really not remember? Did he hit his head on the wall?’ Celeste thought, he should be able to easily remember his childhood friend... unless he was toying with her.
Zayn gave her a lazy grin. "That’s me. I also make great tea."
Elisse rolled her eyes. "He really doesn’t."
"Blasphemy."
The group laughed, the tension that had hung in the air for days finally beginning to crack. Even Tobias looked more relaxed than he had in a while.
"So," Tobias started after another spoonful, "Elisse told us everything. About the cult attack. The priest. The spell casting. Even the part where someone wiped ichor on her dress."
"That was an accident," Zayn muttered, eyes narrowing.
"She screamed," Tobias said with a smirk.
"It was funny," Zayn replied.
"You’re lucky you’re cute," she mumbled under her breath, though everyone heard it.
Celeste tried to hide her giggle behind her spoon. "You guys are weirder than I thought. I like it."
Zayn leaned back, stretching. "We’re the best kind of weird."
"So now that you’re all reunited," Elisse said, collecting Celeste’s bowl this time, "what’s next?"
Tobias finished chewing, then stood up, wiping his hands with a napkin. "Rest today. Tomorrow, we head south. That’s where the sightings have been increasing — and the king wants someone he trusts on the trail. We’ll travel light, and I’ll send word back if we find anything."
Zayn groaned dramatically, leaning forward and planting his face in his bowl of stew.
"Please don’t drown yourself in potatoes," Tobias said flatly.
Zayn raised his head, stew dripping from his chin. "Let me sleep here. I’m comfy."
Celeste was still giggling. "This party’s chaotic. I love it."
The door to the kitchen suddenly creaked again, and Bran’s giant head popped in. "Smells like food. Can I have some?"
"No!" Elisse snapped instinctively.
"Yes!" Zayn and Tobias said at the same time.
Elisse facepalmed. "Fine. I’ll make more. But someone’s helping with the dishes this time."
Dead silence.
Everyone turned to Celeste.
"What?" she blinked. "I’m royalty. We don’t even see dishes."
Bran grinned. "Guess you’re getting your first lesson."
Tobias clapped his hands together. "Alright, dishes first, then naps."
Zayn sank lower into his chair. "This was supposed to be a relaxing day..." n𝚘𝚟𝚙𝚞𝚋.𝚌o𝚖
