Demi spoke. "…Yes," she said quietly. "We know."
Well that was surprising... , Ki thought. Aside from the time she was angry at her for breaking the shrine, Ki hadn't seen Demi in such a serious mood. She was just laying there motionless. Even if she had known Demi for a few hours she could easily tell something was off
Suddenly demi spoke " It's the day when the party of heroes saved the world "
The party of heroes. Ki let that sink in. Her mind immediately painted a familiar picture... armored knights, glowing swords, powerful mages casting spells, epic battles against impossible enemies. The kind of scenes she had only ever seen in anime, games, or movies.
"Ohhh.. is that so" Ki couldn't help but get curious " Do you know anything about these…Heroes?" Ki said, trying not to sound nosy. She looked away as if she was just asking out of passing curiosity.
Demi, still laying flat, rolled an eyeball towards her and sighed slightly, " I guess I know a few things" She said in a flat tone.
Ok. Now Ki couldn't handle it anymore. There was definitely something Demi wasn't revealing. Well considering she says she is a goddess, she definitely has to know something about the heroes…Well probably. She thought
Ki stared at her for a moment and had decided she was going to ask about it directly. But the moment she was about to say something…
Knock Knock ~ Somebody knocked on the door.
"You two settled in alright?" Marble's voice came gently from the other side.
A brief pause.
" After you both have freshened up, care to join us for dinner?"
Ki opened the door. Marble stood just outside, exactly as expected calm, composed, as if she had been there for a while rather than just arriving. The soft light from the hallway framed her mature and alluring figure, and the faint aroma of food drifted past her into the room. It was warm and inviting. The kind of smell that made your body realize it was hungry before your mind caught up.
"Do you like the room?" Marble asked gently.
Ki nodded. "Yeah… the room's great. Thank you."
And it really was. The softness of the bed, the quiet of the space. It still lingered in her senses, making it hard to believe this was the same day she had almost died.
Marble's lips curved slightly. "I'm glad." Her gaze shifted past Ki, landing on Demi, who still hadn't moved from her position on the bed. "…Will she be joining us?" Marble asked.
Ki didn't even hesitate. "She will."
"We will," Demi overlapped her voice, not bothering to sit up.
"Good," she said smiling. "Nina and I are waiting for you both downstairs"
Ki let out a small breath, something between a sigh and a faint laugh, the tension from earlier loosening just a little. "…We should go," she said, more to herself than to Demi, though her eyes drifted toward her anyway, checking her expression one last time.
Demi didn't reply immediately. She remained sprawled across the bed for another second, staring at the ceiling as if finishing a thought she hadn't voiced. Then, without a word, she pushed herself up and stood.
That alone told Ki enough.
…..The moment they stepped downstairs, the atmosphere shifted.
The air felt warmer, heavier with the scent of food, wrapping around them in a way that made the house feel lived-in rather than simply occupied.
Ki slowed slightly as she entered the dining area, her eyes instinctively taking in every detail, from the wooden table set neatly in the center to the soft lantern light that painted everything in a golden hue. It wasn't extravagant. But it didn't need to be.
There was a quiet care in the way everything had been arranged, a sense of intention behind even the smallest details.
Nina was already seated at the table, though her posture suggested she had been moments away from standing up again.
"Oh! You're here!" Nina said, her voice bright as she waved, the motion just a bit too energetic for the situation. Her hand bumped her cup in the process, sending it tilting dangerously toward the edge of the table.
Ki's body reacted before her mind did, her shoulders tensing instinctively as she watched it wobble.
Nina caught it at the very last second. " I meant to do that," she said, straightening slightly, though the faint panic still lingered in her voice.
"No you didn't!!" Ki exclaimed, almost at the exact same time.
Then, from behind them, Marble let out a soft, amused laugh, the sound smooth and light, carrying a quiet elegance. "Why don't you both sit down?" she said gently, her tone laced with quiet amusement.
Ki exhaled softly and moved toward the table, taking her seat beside Demi.
As she sat down, her attention shifted to what lay before her.
The table setting itself was surprisingly refined. The cutlery was delicate, porcelain with smooth, pale surfaces that reflected the warm lantern light in soft glimmers. It contrasted subtly with the rustic feel of the wooden table, creating a balance between simplicity and quiet sophistication.
At the center of the table sat a large, dark-brown pot, its surface slightly worn from use. Thin wisps of steam curled upward from it, carrying with them a rich, inviting aroma that filled the air almost instantly. Spices, herbs, something warm and deeply savory.
Ki leaned forward just slightly, her senses catching onto the scent before she even saw what was inside. A thick curry rested within the pot, its surface shimmering faintly under the light, chunks of meat visible beneath the rich, spiced gravy.
It smelled… Incredible.
Her stomach reacted immediately.
Beside it, freshly baked bread had been arranged neatly in a basket, each piece lightly coated with melted butter and flecked with herbs that gave off a subtle, fragrant aroma.
Ki's gaze shifted to the side. There, placed neatly on a small plate, were several pale, rectangular slices of something she didn't immediately recognize. They had a soft, milky appearance, almost translucent at the edges, with a faint sheen that caught the light. A dessert, most likely.
This meal… It was going to be good. Ki thought
….Somewhere between the first bite and the quiet rhythm that followed, the conversation faded into the background, replaced by the simple act of eating.
The food itself demanded attention. The curry was rich and deeply spiced, its warmth spreading through Ki almost instantly. The meat was unbelievably tender, practically melting the moment she bit into it, soaked through with layers of flavor—earthy, slightly smoky, with a subtle sweetness that lingered just long enough to make her go back for another bite without thinking. It wasn't overpowering, just… perfectly balanced, like every ingredient knew exactly where it belonged.
The bread was just as impressive in a completely different way. Soft on the inside, with a lightly crisp crust, it carried the aroma of butter and herbs so fresh it almost felt alive. When Ki tore off a piece, steam escaped gently, and the moment she dipped it into the curry, it absorbed just enough of the sauce without falling apart. It was simple, but the kind of simple that only worked when done perfectly.
And then there was the dessert. The small, milky jelly-like slices looked unassuming at first, but the moment Ki tasted one, her eyes widened slightly. It was smooth and cool, almost silky in texture, with a delicate sweetness that didn't overwhelm the palate.
Before she realized it, Ki had stopped thinking entirely. She was just… eating. And for the first time since arriving in this world, she was enjoying something to the fullest.
She exhaled softly after another bite, almost in disbelief.
"…This is really good."
The words slipped out naturally, quieter than she intended, but genuine in a way she didn't bother hiding. She hesitated for a moment, then glanced up at Marble, curiosity finally catching up with her.
"What… is this?" she asked, gesturing lightly toward the curry and the dessert. "I mean the meat, and that jelly thing… I've never tasted anything like it."
Marble, who had been watching her with amusement, smiled faintly.
"The meat is from a creature called a Friksher," she explained, her tone smooth and unhurried. "It's quite popular in this region. The texture you're enjoying comes from how its muscle fibers break down when cooked properly. Not the easiest thing to prepare… but rewarding when done right."
Of course it's a creature I have never heard about.
"And the dessert?" she asked.
"That," Marble said, "is called Milsy. Some refer to it as milky slime jelly."
Ki paused mid-motion.
"…Slime?"
Nina perked up instantly, practically leaning over the table. "Yep! It's made from slimes and milk!" she said brightly.
"…And it's safe?" she asked slowly.
Marble let out a soft, amused breath.
"Of course," she replied. "When prepared correctly, slimes produce a naturally stabilizing essence. It's quite a staple in desserts, actually."
Nina blinked at her, tilting her head in confusion. "Wait… don't tell me," she said, eyes widening slightly, "you've never eaten slimes before?"
Ki slowly looked up. "…No?"
Nina gasped, genuinely shocked. "But they're everywhere!" she exclaimed. "Like, literally everywhere! People eat them all the time! Didn't you know that?"
Ki had no answer, she just nodded
There was a brief silence.
"…So," Nina said suddenly, leaning forward again with renewed curiosity, "you're not from around here ?"
Ki felt her grip tighten slightly. The question had been coming. She knew it would.
"…Yeah," she answered slowly, choosing her words carefully. "You could say that."
It wasn't a lie. But it wasn't the truth either.
Nina's eyes lit up immediately. "Where are you from then?" she asked, her curiosity completely unfiltered.
Ki hesitated. Her thoughts stalled.
What do I even say…?
Before she could respond— "She is from very far away," Demi said casually, not even looking up from her food.
Ki blinked, caught slightly off guard.
Nina leaned in, even more intrigued now. "Like another kingdom?" she asked, her voice dropping slightly as if the idea itself was exciting.
"…Something like that," Ki said quickly, latching onto the explanation.
Nina looked impressed. "Woah…"
Ki forced a small smile. But her attention had already shifted back to Marble. For just a fraction of a second…..
There was a pause.
So small it could have been imagined. But Ki knew it wasn't. Marble's movement had stilled then resumed. She noticed something was off.
And somehow that felt more unsettling than the question itself.
Nina suddenly pushed her chair back with a loud scrape, the legs dragging against the wooden floor as she sprang to her feet with a burst of energy that felt completely out of place after the calm rhythm of the meal. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and before anyone could react, she had already begun stacking the used plates into a dangerously tall tower, balancing them with a confidence that did not match her earlier clumsiness.
"Come with me! Come with me!" she chirped, her voice bright and insistent as she turned toward Ki. "You have to tell me everything about your hometown! I've never heard of a place like that before!"
Before Ki could even form a response, Nina was already moving, the stack of plates wobbling slightly in her hands as she hurried toward the sink. She dropped them in with a loud clatter that echoed through the house, completely ignoring the chaos she had just created, as if cleaning had been a secondary objective all along.
And then without warning she placed both hands on Ki's back and began pushing her forward.
"Wait—hold on—" Ki stumbled slightly, caught off guard as she was guided no, shoved toward the hallway. "Nina, I can walk, you know—"
But Nina wasn't listening. Or perhaps she was and simply chose not to care.
Ki found herself being hurried along anyway, her thoughts scrambling to catch up with the sudden shift in energy. Just moments ago, everything had been calm, almost peaceful—and now she was being physically relocated like some kind of object.
Why the sudden interest…?
The question lingered in her mind, but she didn't get the chance to dwell on it. As they passed the dining area, Ki instinctively glanced back over her shoulder, just for a moment.
And that was when she noticed it.
Demi hadn't moved. She was still seated at the table, her posture completely still, her usual restless energy gone without a trace. Her eyes were locked onto Marble—no, fixed onto her with an intensity Ki hadn't seen before.
It was something else. Something sharp, deliberate.
Marble, on the other hand, sat just as composed as ever, her expression calm, her movements unhurried as she finished her meal. She held herself quiet and unreadable, that made Ki's chest tighten ever so slightly.
For a brief second, the air between them felt… heavy. Like something unseen was being exchanged.
Before Ki could make sense of it, the door to Nina's room swung open—and then shut just as quickly behind her with a soft, final click.
The moment passed. Or perhaps… it had simply moved elsewhere.
......…..
Back in the dining room, silence settled in almost instantly.
Demi's gaze didn't waver for even a second. Her eyes remained fixed on Marble, unblinking, searching, as if trying to peel back something hidden beneath the surface.
Marble, meanwhile, gently set her utensils aside with a soft, almost deliberate motion, the faint clink echoing quietly in the stillness. Then, slowly, she looked up.
"You've been watching me quite closely since we met, Miss Demeter," she said softly, resting a finger against her cheek as she tilted her head ever so slightly. Her tone was light, almost playful—like she was asking about something trivial. "Is there a problem?"
Demi didn't react to the tone. Her voice, when she spoke, was completely different from before.
Cold.
"Who are you?"
The question landed quietly, but it carried weight.
For a fraction of a second, something flickered behind Marble's eyes. Gone just as quickly as it appeared...…
"What do you mean?" she replied, her smile never faltering, her voice as warm and gentle as ever. "I'm simply a woman trying to run her bakery in this small town. Is there something wrong with that?"
The room felt smaller somehow. Tighter. As if the space itself was holding its breath.
Demi didn't move. Not even slightly, her posture remained steady.
"Don't play these games with us."
For a moment, nothing followed. No immediate response. No shift in tone. No change in expression. Just silence.
Then—
Marble laughed heartily, as if someone said a really funny joke.
"You're quite sharp, aren't you?" she said, wiping a tear from her eye, her voice carrying that same gentle warmth as before—yet now, there was something else beneath it.
She rested her chin lightly against her hand, her gaze meeting Demi's without hesitation. "Well… I suppose that's to be expected," she continued, the faintest hint of a smile touching her lips, "from the so-called Goddess of the Forest."
Demi's eyes narrowed just slightly.
Marble straightened then, slow and unhurried, as if time itself bent around her pace. Her fingers brushed lightly against the edge of the table before she leaned forward, closing just enough distance to make the space between them feel intentional.
"About your question…" she began, her voice lowering, not quieter but deeper, like it carried weight now. "I wasn't lying."
"Right now, I am simply running a bakery."
A pause followed. Then….
Her eyes, once warm and easy to read, now held something far more difficult to grasp. Something vast. Something that didn't quite belong to a person who spent her days baking bread and pastries.
"…However," she added softly, her voice brushing against the silence like a whisper that didn't want to be ignored, "if it's my past you're asking about…"
For the first time, the air felt… wrong.
Marble's gaze didn't waver.
And when she spoke again, it didn't feel like a casual answer anymore.
"I am…"