Chapter 123

It’s snowing.

The swirling snowflakes touch the carriage and gently melt away. Yul stares at this peculiar sight where the snow doesn’t accumulate around the carriage.

From the driver’s seat, it was especially clear to see this strange phenomenon. Inside the carriage, you could only see so much through the window, but thoughts drift to how traveling outside rather than inside the carriage might be a novel experience.

Even if the driver’s seat is cramped and cozy, slightly inconvenient for being so close together—it’s still amusing.

“Wow…”

Since the snow started falling, Anne has been glued to my side. Her face buried in my chest, her eyes tightly shut as though she doesn’t want to look at the snow.

Though we said it was different from rain, there’s always that lingering possibility of lightning on days like this. Even if the odds are rare, fear lingers. Someday, I hope we can heal from this kind of fear.

While thinking this, I gently stroke Anne’s hair. In response to the steady rhythm, she subtly moves her head, silently asking for more—a truly adorable sight.

“It’s lunchtime, are you okay with eating now?”

“Yes!”

When I ask Anne, she forcibly regains her energy. Seeing her determination not to inconvenience anyone makes me deliberately stick close to her side. If being by my side brings her peace, then that’s what I’ll do.

We stop the carriage and prepare our meal. On a flat spot, we lay down a mat and cast a small magical barrier to keep the snow from falling directly on us. The effect is light warmth. Snowflakes touching the barrier turn into droplets, rolling off in circles before trickling down.

“Whoa…”

Yul seems amazed by everything. Reaching in and out of the barrier, he enjoys the temperature change. But he isn’t the only one doing this—Jack does the same. The two dart back and forth across the barrier like hyperactive kids.

Children…

The white-draped mountain road leads to the capital. We stop to feed the horses too. Afterward, Evangelin starts preparing the food using materials and tools pulled out of my magical bag. She always handles our meals, so everyone waits quietly, watching her work.

Of course, not everything is her responsibility.

“Do you need help?”

“Thank you.”

With those words, I bring along Anne—who clings to me like glue—and approach her side.

The flames crackle. The bonfire is my job. Though we could use other cooking utensils, part of the charm of traveling is this romantic setup. Placing a flat griddle pan over the fire completes the preparation. We just wait for the heat to spread evenly.

“It’s warm.”

“Jack, Yul! Come here and warm yourselves?”

“What?”

“It means come closer and get warm.”

“Yes! Cool!”

They rush over, mimicking Anne by stretching their hands toward the bonfire. The gentle warmth rising from the cold ground contrasts beautifully. Watching the three of them lean forward, lost in the sensation, is oddly funny. With a little chuckle, I check the pan’s temperature.

“This will taste good.”

The food looks irresistible enough to make me say that automatically. A prime piece of pork belly appears. Personally, I think the highlight of traveling is pork belly—or more accurately, eating itself.

This mindset reflects my experiences from Earth, and I don’t think it’s wrong. Right now, all three pairs of eyes are fixed on the pork in my hands.

The sizzling sound of oil frying, the rich aroma spreading—it’s unmistakably the joy of travel brought by meat.

“Wow! It’s so good!”

Yul claps his hands excitedly. Jack sees this and joins in, clapping too. Clapping must be contagious. Anne also quietly joins in with a smile.

“Chiiiii!”

A piece of meat sticks to the pan due to lack of oil, emitting a stubborn squeak. Soon, the fat melts, creating a golden hue as the long slices of pork cook thoroughly. The grease drips toward the center of the pan, bubbling softly as the meat cooks.

“That smell is amazing.”

Anne leans her head against my shoulder. The snowfall intensifies, yet our space remains cozy, untouched by the storm. Yul’s loud swallow echoes clearly. His desperate gaze pierces right through me.

“When can we eat?”

“Just a little longer.”

“Yes!”

After saying that, about 30 seconds pass…

“All done?”

“Just a bit more.”

“Yes…!”

The patience of children. Their excitement and anticipation shine through their tone, making it impossible not to smile. Anne relaxes her stiff posture, gently embracing Yul. Meanwhile, Jack sits calmly and patiently like an elegant fairy. Maybe because he’s Evangelin’s brother? He’s calm and composed, unlike when he’s with the spirits. It’d be nice if Yul could learn from this side of him, though imagining such a tranquil Yul feels unlikely.

Once the meat is cooked just right, I cut it into pieces and distribute individual plates. Alongside comes the stew and rice. Evangelin’s quick gochujang stew is placed before us.

“Let’s sit and eat together.”

“Yes.”

With a soft smile, Evangelin takes her seat last, and we form a circle around the food. Cutting the cooked meat and serving it onto each plate, we begin to eat.

The juices bursting with every bite, the savory umami flavors, the delicate seasoning—all perfectly balanced.

Isn’t it true that the first bite of any dish is always the best? This first bite satisfies the start of our journey perfectly.

Especially paired with the special ambiance of falling snow, it leaves an unforgettable impression. The serene white light brushing past us, softly accumulating around us. Slowly enjoying the meal while gazing around feels natural.

“Eat up!”

Holding hot food in his mouth, Yul’s pronunciation is almost muffled as he crunches happily. While I should teach him not to talk with food in his mouth later, it feels wrong to interrupt his pure enjoyment right now. Witnessing someone delightfully devouring food prepared by us is the ultimate satisfaction for a cook—even if it’s just roasting meat.

When the meal is finished, Yul pats his full belly. Now comes the cleanup. Having helped with dishes at home with Anne and Evangelin many times, I gather the plates step by step.

“Can I do it?”

Wide-eyed, Yul stands before me with five stacked plates, seeking approval. Though I don’t know what he plans to do without water, his eagerness is heartwarming. His gem-like eyes lock onto mine as I reach out and pat his head.

“Yes. Good job, Yul.”

“Hehe.”

I conjure water with magic, forming it into round droplets imbued with purification properties. Normally, dishes require thorough scrubbing, but these drops effortlessly dissolve any residue with just a light wipe.

Yul marvels at the floating plates before eagerly washing them with his tiny hands. Jack quietly joins the process. The sight of the two children doing dishes amidst the snowy landscape feels rare and precious.

“All done!”

“Great job.”

With both Yul and Jack finishing their tasks, the remaining cleanup is ours. Since it’s not time-consuming, we quickly finish and enjoy some post-meal rest. Anne stays glued to me while Evangelin tends to Yul and Jack.

The children leave their footprints in the pristine white snowfield. The soft crunching sounds echo in our ears.

“Are you feeling better?”

“Yes. As long as I’m with you…”

Sometimes Anne gets like this. Maybe it’s the rainy or snowy weather making her sentimental. Saying this while blushing, she buries her face in my chest and hums softly. There’s no need to press further. It’s reassuring to see her gradually improving.

“Good thing.”

“Heh.”

Yul’s laughter reminds me of Anne’s. His bright, innocent giggles feel like a distant whisper resonating through my mind.

Glancing at the carriage, the driver’s seat is narrow. It’s also the place where you fully face the swirling snow. Though automating the system isn’t possible right now, maybe tweaking things during our travels will eventually lead somewhere. Ideally, I’d prefer sharing the fun inside the carriage.

Alternatively, hiring a driver could work. That’s usually what nobles would do, but since we’re traveling together, I’d rather enjoy our time fully.

So, either creating a driverless carriage or one without horses altogether might be solutions. Something to consider later.

We tidy up and stand. The children, who’ve been running around, seem a bit tired. Evangelin, who worked hard looking after them, looks sleepy too. So, I let the three rest inside the carriage while we prepare to move again. Anne shows no signs of leaving my side despite the snow. She even seems happy about the extra room in the driver’s seat—or perhaps she simply enjoys having me all to herself. Either way, it’s fortunate she’s in good spirits.

“Hmm?”

A warm touch lands on my cheek. Then, as if nothing happened, she buries her face back in my arms. Checking, I notice she avoids meeting my eyes before resuming guiding the horse.

As I focus ahead, Anne slowly lifts her head from my embrace once more. Soon enough, she repeats the same action. Again, the soft, warm sensation lands on my right cheek.

Turning my head faster this time, I find her hiding her bashful smile in my arms. Like an animal thinking hiding its face solves everything. Her audacity is baffling but undeniably cute.

Refocusing ahead, Anne glances at me briefly before attempting the same trick. How long does she plan to keep this up?

Playfulness isn’t limited to Anne anymore. It’s catching.

“Eep!”

Her subtle movements catch my senses. Aligning with her careful approach toward my cheek, I smoothly turn my head. Our lips meet softly. Her breath brushes against mine as I teasingly nibble her upper lip in response.

Anne freezes like prey before a tiger, her blue eyes closed, fully absorbed in the moment.

This time, I turn my head first. The lingering warmth on my lips fades as she raises her fingers to touch her own.

“Hehe.”

Then, wrapping her arms around me, preventing any escape, she plants another kiss on my right cheek. Is it really that satisfying? Her quiet giggles never cease. Regardless, it’s relieving to see her overcoming her trauma bit by bit. Though my right cheek is the sacrifice, it’s worth it.

Even now, it continues.

Does my cheek have something sweet on it? Another warm imprint lands on my cheek. Then, embarrassed, she buries her face in my chest again.

Apparently, this scene will repeat for a while in the driver’s seat.