By the time Invictus got back to their room, it was almost lunchtime. The breakfast the innkeeper gave him was cold already, and Aeriel was nowhere to be found.
Invictus did not pay that much attention to it and just dug in the cold servings. Despite its cold state after being left for a while, the food was still incredibly delicious.
As a common courtesy for receiving food from the innkeepers, Invictus picked up the tray and used kitchenware and brought it down to wash. He wanted to at least do the dishes for having a free meal from the innkeeper because it was a huge help, considering their financial status at the moment.
"Hello," Invictus called, but no one answered. "Uh, lady innkeeper? I've come to bring the dishes."
No answer was given to him. He then noticed the silence of his surroundings. It was inexplicably quiet to the point that Invictus could hear his own heart beating.
Strange as it may seem, instances like this often occur from time to time from Invictus' perspective. It's like his mind would be thrown out of this world and just float around in nothingness but silence.
"Pardon my intrusion!"
Invictus excused himself inside the kitchen, holding the tray of dishes. He put the tray down and fetched water using a wooden pail.
"Did the innkeeper go out for a bit? Aeriel must have offered her help that's why she's nowhere to be found."
It has been so long since Invictus last washed the dishes. A collection of memories flashed in his mind. His hands were full of callouses from fetching water daily and training with the sword. The last time Invictus cleaned the dishes was his last meal with the people he thought were his friends.
"Before scrubbing the oil and the flavor of the dishes, put the crumbs and tiny portions of food left on the plates to the side."
Invictus found the work surprisingly enjoyable. There were other dishes left unclean, so he included them in what he was washing. After he was done rinsing the plates and wooden spoons, Invictus then wiped them with a dry clean cloth, before putting them back on their shelf.
Laughter from outside the kitchen echoed, coming from two women, talking about how men should sometimes do the housework.
"Oh, the timing of our conversation!"
They were not so surprised to see Invictus after concluding that he just did the dishes. In fact, they were expecting him to do what he did.
"How's your morning trip, Lord Meliora?"
Aeriel's question did not really sound concerned. She was a bit flippant in his eyes, recognizing that little jolly smile of hers.
"Oh, hi, it was good. And lady innkeeper, sorry I helped myself in your kitchen. I just had the urge to do so since your cooking is so good."
There was no exaggeration in his tone or words. Everything Invictus said was genuine and not overacting about it.
"Oh, I'm flattered. It's been a long since someone complimented my cooking skills. And you can just call Rahel."
"Then, innkeeper Rahel it is."
The two were out. They bought some groceries they will need for today's lunch, and Aeriel will be helping Rahel prepare their meal.
"I wanted to share a meal with someone, so I asked Aeriel here to help me buy ingredients."
Invictus wondered where Rahel's husband might be. But he had a hunch that he was dead, and the innkeeper just did not feel like telling strangers she met yesterday.
Earlier, when the two women got a little bit emotional, Rahel began to tell her story. She told Aeriel that her husband passed away three years ago. Her husband wanted to have a baby, but the two of them weren't blessed with a child.
He died of illness and got buried in his hometown whilst Rahel inherited the inn. Their wish was to become a family and live in the city in another kingdom. Everything was erased. It crumbled all of a sudden when her husband collapsed.
---
Invictus ended up helping the two women, but since the two of them were used in cooking and housework, Invictus was left with only preparing the table and the plates.
"Innkeeper Rahel and Aeriel sure did cook a lot. It's like we're having a party."
Different varieties of dishes were cooked, from large bowls to tiny ones, and every piece of kitchenware had food in it.
It had only been an hour since Invictus ate, but he could already feel the hunger coming back. Every meal just looks deliciously appetizing.
"Make sure to eat a lot, Lord Meliora. We cooked it for you, after all."
They all sat down after putting down the last dish on the table. It smells really good, keeping you smelling for more.
"You look so happy right now, Aeriel. Did something good happen?"
Aeriel's smile would not fade off her face, getting Invictus all curious what
got her so joyous.
"Ehh? Can't I be happy from time to time?"
She replied, awfully acting like a teenage girl in love. But Invictus thought nothing of it.
"No, no, definitely not. I want you to be happy. It's just that you always
have a stiff expression, like being serious all the time."
Rahel wanted to say something, but did not want to ruin the mood between the two, happily watching over them as she scooped herself some gratin. Her own version.
"I've decided to be expressive as of this day, Lord Meliora. I don't wanna hide my emotions anymore because I learned that I will only hurt myself if I keep hiding these feelings."
It was unexpected for Aeriel to change all of a sudden for Invictus. He was used to seeing her as someone who always hides her emotions, putting her work above anything else.
Invictus cackled, "I'm glad to know that, Aeriel."
"Enough of the conversation for now. Here, try some of my gratins and tell
me who's better. Me or Aeriel."