Kael sat up, stunned by the figure bustling in the kitchen.
Amelia wasn't wearing her usual knight's light armor today. Instead, she was dressed in a simple white gown, her hair tied up loosely, her face bare and natural—a stark contrast to her usual heroic demeanor. She looked like an ordinary girl next door, yet this simplicity perfectly matched her straightforward personality.
Amelia, unaware of Kael's awakening, focused entirely on the kitchen. The rhythmic thudding of her chopping and the sizzling of stir-fried ingredients filled the air.
"Amelia… Why are you here?" Kael rubbed his temples, his head still throbbing.
Startled, Amelia turned and smiled in relief. "You've slept so long! I came to take you to the training ground, but your house looked ransacked… What happened yesterday? You're exhausted." She noticed the weariness etched on his face.
"Practicing magic," Kael replied, glancing at the blazing sun outside. "It's already noon? I slept that long?"
"You didn't even stir when I tried waking you earlier. Pushing yourself so hard for magic…" She frowned, half-scolding.
Kael scratched his head, vowing silently to avoid overexertion again. Thank the gods it was Amelia who found me, not someone with ill intentions.
"Something's burning…" Kael sniffed the air, eyeing the kitchen.
"Burning? Oh no, the fish!" Amelia gasped, rushing to the stove. But it was too late—the pungent smell of charred Lafei fish (a rare delicacy in this world) permeated the room. She frantically scraped the pan, muttering in frustration, "This is the fifth one… Why can't I get it right?"
Kael pictured the scene: while he slept, this knight-turned-cook had clumsily attempted five failed fish dishes, all for his sake.
She'd been busy preparing lunch for him all this time.
A warmth blossomed in his chest.
In Kael's mind, Amelia had always been the brave, straightforward knight—yet he'd never seen her like this.
Dressed simply, her hair casually tied up, her face free of adornment, she looked utterly ordinary, save for the natural beauty she couldn't conceal. The image of this Amelia merged with the knight who'd once fearlessly shielded him, standing resolute in his defense…
An indescribable emotion surged in Kael's chest.
After disposing of the ruined Lafei fish, Amelia glanced at his exhausted face and chided sternly, "Go bathe. Now. I'll handle lunch and change your bedsheets. Hurry up—we're fighting the Golden Lion this afternoon, and you're still lazing around!"
Her scolding, oddly enough, softened Kael's heart further.
"Amelia."
"No more talking! Go!" She wrinkled her delicate nose. Kael's post-magic exhaustion had left him sweaty, and the odor was unmistakable.
"Amelia… I love you."
Her body froze. Surprise flickered in her eyes, quickly replaced by shyness. "W-What did you say?"
Kael cleared his throat, unprepared for her reaction. As he gathered courage to repeat himself, he caught the faint glimmer of amusement in her gaze.
"Amelia." In one swift motion, he pulled her close, arms encircling her waist.
A hug.
Without her armor, her body felt soft and warm against his, like polished jade. The scent of orchids drifted from her hair, loose strands brushing his face. Their bodies pressed together, and he could feel the gentle curve of her breasts…
Amelia stiffened at first, then gradually relaxed in his embrace.
Heart soaring at her lack of resistance, Kael opened his mouth to speak—but Amelia suddenly pushed him away. Her cheeks flushed crimson, eyes darting nervously. "Go bathe! You reek! Don't touch me…"
Kael felt torn between laughter and tears. What a mess… I should've changed clothes yesterday.
"Don't touch me until you're clean," Amelia added, though even a fool could detect the unspoken promise in her words. Her earlier fluster had faded, replaced by a blush that lit her face with breathtaking radiance.
Kael swore he took the fastest bath of his life.
Returning to the main room, he paused at the sight of Amelia bustling in the kitchen again. All lingering desires dissolved, replaced by a quiet, swelling warmth.
Amelia was tackling her sixth Lafei fish, her focus as intense as if facing a seventh-level combatant. Kael watched, both amused and moved. A prodigy knight, a seventh-level expert… Yet here she is, pouring this much care into a simple meal for me.
"Success!" Amelia grinned triumphantly, her joy at perfecting the dish rivaling the thrill of a breakthrough in strength. She taste-tested the fish, flashed a victory sign, and Kael chuckled.
He'd never seen this side of her—or perhaps this was the real Amelia.
"What are you staring at?" she huffed, finally noticing his gaze.
"What else?" He smirked, eyes locked on her. Amelia rolled her eyes at his boldness and set the table.
Kael glanced around. The room sparkled—washed bedsheets, tidied clutter, everything meticulously organized.
"This feast!" He marveled at the spread: the Lafei fish, grilled beast meat (from some creature he'd haphazardly purchased), sandwiches, and fruit salad. Ingredients he'd stockpiled (storage was effortless in the magic world) now transformed into a banquet.
As they ate, Kael devoured the food like a storm. Amelia watched, half-amused, half-astonished. No manners at all…
"Amelia, this is amazing," he mumbled through a full mouth.
"Flattery won't work," she retorted, though her lips twitched.
Amelia ate sparingly—How does someone so slight wield such monstrous strength?—while Kael polished off the entire table.
Afterward, he drank a self-brewed stamina potion, banishing last night's exhaustion. Seeing him rejuvenated, Amelia finally relaxed.
"Let's go. It's almost time for Zone One," Kael said with a smile. Amelia's morning match had already concluded—she'd effortlessly defeated her opponent and secured her quarterfinal spot.
"Mm," Amelia nodded.
As they stepped outside, Kael suddenly took hold of her hand. Amelia instinctively tried to pull free, but his grip remained firm. Meeting his steady gaze and gentle smile, she stopped resisting, a rosy blush blooming across her fair cheeks.
In the distance, their elongated shadows stretched under the sunlight, pressed close together—a scene of quiet beauty.
Their shadows, nestled side by side, moved as one…