Together with the meat, they drank wine from Brühl. It was a specialty product from the northern Brühl region, and was famous for its taste, especially when paired with meat. The alcohol content was very low, so there was no need to worry about getting drunk. Whenever they went to training camp, they would deliberately bring it to have with their barbecue.
In addition, because the taste of the Brühl wine would change quickly when in contact with air, the wine was sealed tightly, with a special type of lid. To open the lid, a sharp tool was required, such as a small knife. If done incorrectly you could cut yourself with the knife, or the sharp edges of the lid when opened.
At that time, Ash picked up a bottle of wine to drink. His straight fingers grasped the lid. When Elaine saw this, her body moved on its own.
“Sir, please give that to me.”
Just before Ash had the chance to open the bottle with a knife, Elaine, who had said that, took the bottle from him. She had grabbed it so quickly, he didn’t even have a chance to protest. Then, with the cool sound of the lid being opened, a fragrant scent entered the air.
“Here you go.”
“…”
She handed the neatly opened bottle back to Ash. He was speechless for a moment and looked at the wine bottle that was being held out to him. Soon, irritation flashed in his eyes.
“Dame Elaine, what do you think you are doing?”
“Oh, that’s because the lid looked sharp.”
She answered with a bright voice. Ash, who was about to say more, frowned, and ran his hand down his face, sighing quietly.
“…I can at least open the lid.”
The knights around them had all witnessed this scene. Their eyes were wide open in shock, forgetting to even chew the meat in their mouths. Some people even even choked on their food.
It was understandable. They had never seen anyone treat Ash so freely, and in such a friendly manner. The way she treated him, shocked the group. How could someone treat the Duke of Killiard, the greatest knight in the kingdom, the sharpest of blades, like a child?
They had known she was no ordinary woman ever since she had volunteered to be the Duke’s bodyguard and escort knight, but they had never thought she would behave like this. Moreover, she remained so calm even in front of the Duke who seemed uncomfortable.
The knights all had the same thought.
‘That woman is not normal!’
Elaine, completely unaware of what was going through everyone’s mind, watched with pride as Ash poured wine into a glass. Her perspective of Ash had changed a bit since the last incident, but her body still moved on instinct when she was with him.
She kept wanting to take care of everything, unable to leave him alone. It was an unconscious behavior that even she was unaware of.
“Here, have this.”
At that time, Ash offered her a drink. The wine he had poured was very sweet. She put down the glass and took off one of the legs on her plate placing it on Ash’s plate. She then started to pull off the soft flesh from the bone on another piece, also trying to place it on his plate.
“Please eat this.”
“Enough. I can do it myself.”
Another small struggle took place. This time, the knights who witnessed the event couldn’t tell whether they were putting their food into their mouths, or noses.
“Oh my god…”
Whispers spread around the campfire. Elaine was paying so much attention to her meal, she paid no mind to those around her. She had already dismembered one of the torsos and was in the process of doing the same to another.
She seemed to be eating very happily. Ash looked at her in amusement.
“You’re eating very well.”
Elaine, who had been gnawing on a bone, opened her eyes wide. Was she eating too much like a pig? Ashe added on, before she could misunderstand.
“I just thought it looked like you were enjoying the meal. Do you like to eat meat?”
“Ah, yes. I love it!”
She nodded her head and smiled. In fact, she just enjoyed eating in general. She ate everything well, but she did especially love eating meat.
In the past, she used to travel around the country looking for good restaurants. Even after Bella had married Lloyd, she had often traveled alone.
“What kinds of food do you like?”
After asking, she realized again, she really didn’t know much about Ash. The only things she had known, were from his childhood.
What kind of person had he grown into over the past years she had missed? What were the things that made him into the person he is now? She would like to know. What he likes, what he dislikes, his hobbies, his tastes, happy things, sad things, everything.
“I guess… I don’t really have a certain preference for food type.”
“But isn’t there anything you dislike eating more than others?”
Something he likes or dislikes. Ashe was generally very firm in his opinions. However, it was rare for someone to ask him this question. Since he was a child, he was not in a position where he could ask for anything in particular.
He stared into the crackling bonfire and answered.
“If I had to choose, I guess I would prefer clean food over greasy food.”
“I see.”
Elaine nodded diligently and filed away the new information into her mind. At the same time, a list of restaurants that Ash might like came to mind. Of course, it had been 20 years, so she didn’t know if they still existed at this time. Aside from good restaurants, there were many places that she wanted to go with him.
Would there come a day they would be able to go on a trip together?
When she raised her head, she made eye contact with Ash. The fire light illuminated his handsome face, as if it had been sculpted. Was this what it felt like to feel full off of beauty? She closed her eyes and smiled slightly.
That night, after eating, the knights went to sleep in their respective barracks. Knights who had reached the level of master did not need anyone to guard them. With full stomachs, sleep came quickly. The sound of breathing coming from the tents gradually became even.
At that time, when everyone had entered into sweet dreams, in the quiet camp, where the moon had risen, only the sound of grasshoppers and breathing could be heard.
Thud.
A sudden noise broke the peace.
Kwoong, kwoong
A loud roar then shook the cliff.
