As Damian, Lancelot, and Lady Ana made their way to the main castle after stowing the items Ragnar had purchased in the storage room, they strolled along the stone pathway. Lady Ana, captivated by her surroundings, reached out to touch each delicate leaf of a nearby plant with a gentle and enraptured expression on her face.
With a warm smile gracing her lips, she spoke in a soft, reverent tone, "This is truly beautiful."
As her guards, Damian and Lancelot, followed closely behind, they turned their gazes to Lady Ana and were struck by the mesmerizing sincerity of her warm expression.
Damian observed Lady Ana's unexpected expression, his cheeks flushed with a mixture of surprise and intrigue. Lady Ana, perceptive as ever, met his gaze with a sly smile.
"Ragnar is probably already at the dining hall, so we should hurry; we can't let a visitor wait," Lady Ana remarked in a soft, composed tone.
Meanwhile, Lancelot regarded Lady Ana with a furrowed brow and voiced his concern: "Do you truly trust Ragnar to this extent, Lady Ana? Even in light of the potential threat he poses to us?"
Lady Ana's internal conflict was evident as she grappled with the paradox of her trust in Ragnar. "I don't trust him, but it's just that my spirituality and soul believe that Ragnar is telling the truth." Her contemplative gaze fell upon her small, soft hands as she spoke, her voice carrying a weight of introspection.
"Even if we were to perform a Stazyc ritual, the truth of what truly happened may elude us in our current predicament. After spying on him the whole day, he just doesn't seem to betray me. He didn't run off to steal the sledgehammer or even my clothes. But, as I've said, chilliness is just a facade for warmth waiting to be revealed."
"I firmly believe that even after clinging to a single belief for days, months, or even years, there will always be something unveiled to challenge that belief. Everything in this world is merely a facade for something even greater to be revealed." Lady Ana's words resonated with profound insight, leaving an indelible impression on those around her.
Her eyes, filled with a mix of sorrow and mischief, turned first to Lancelot and then to Damian, with a sly smile playing on her lips. "That's great, Lady Ana," Lancelot replied, his voice carrying a warmth that matched his kind eyes.
"Thank you, Lancelot," Lady Ana replied in her soft, melodic tone. "It's truly great once you have guards that can support you," she continued in her soft tone.
"Let's continue to the dining hall!" Lady Ana swiftly leaped, heading to the dining room with joy and a warm smile on her face. "Wait! Lady Ana, don't run!" While Lancelot and Damian hurried to Lady Ana.
As Ragnar entered the grand dining hall, he noticed that it was sparsely populated, with only the presence of guards, maids, and the elegant figure of Meika, Mr. Smith's daughter. She sat gracefully in her chair, her dark eyes focused on her meal as she delicately cut a piece of pork with her fork.
Upon catching sight of Ragnar at the entrance, Meika looked up and warmly beckoned him to join her. "Big man! You should grace me with your company here," she said, gesturing to the empty chair beside her.
Ragnar looked at Meika with a puzzled expression and slowly made his way over to her. As he glanced around the elegant dining room, he inquired, "Where might Lady Ana be?"
Taking another bite of her meal, Meika responded in a nonchalant tone, "Are you fond of my sister? Should I arrange for her to marry you?"
"No, no! That's not what I meant. But, where is she?" Ragnar quickly dismissed the insinuation.
The atmosphere in the room became tense as Meika continued to eat in silence, leaving Ragnar to wonder about the whereabouts of Lady Ana.
After taking another bite, she kindly said, "She's probably in the storage room; I saw her with Damian and Lancelot carrying bags."
"But even if she's not here yet, please join me. Sit here," she said, gesturing to the chair next to her with a hint of hesitation.
Ragnar looked at her with a puzzled expression but decided to sit next to her. He swiftly picked up the knife and fork and continued to eat in silence. Initially confused, he then pierced through the fork into a succulent piece of Hoggish pork.
He then dipped the succulent pork in a delectable sweet sauce before taking a savory bite. The juiciness of the pork, combined with the sweet sauce, overwhelmed Ragnar with its delicious taste.
Taking another bite, he dipped another piece of pork in the sauce and continued to eat with joy. After finishing the pork, he speared a crisp green leaf with his fork and savored its soft yet crunchy texture.
Meika noticed Ragnar's expression as he enjoyed his meal. "Why don't you have more pork and leaf? There are also other dishes here, but save some for big sister," Meika kindly suggested.
Ragnar grabbed more pork and crunched on the leaves, washing it down with the purple wine. He took another bite and savored the flavors, but his expression remained unchanged.
Meika, noticing Ragnar's haste, advised him not to rush. Ragnar nodded quickly and proceeded to devour his dinner at lightning speed, leaving Meika puzzled. "Don't rush things!" she exclaimed, but Ragnar just nodded and continued to eat hastily.
Lady Ana burst into the dining hall like a dramatic entrance in a play, and her eyes landed on Ragnar, who was shoveling food into his mouth like there was no tomorrow.
"Ragnar, slow down! You're giving me heart palpitations!" Lady Ana exclaimed, rushing over to him. "Sister's right, you're like a ravenous beast who could even devour a whole minotaur!" Meika yelled, slapping Ragnar's shoulder.
Ragnar looked up with a mouthful of food, and Lady Ana couldn't help but laugh at the sight. "No, no, Ragnar. You can't eat like you're in a competition. Let's savor the food, not inhale it," she said, gently patting his long, brown hair.
Ragnar savored a bite of his meal and nodded in appreciation to Lady Ana as he slowed down his eating pace. "That's exactly what I was hoping for. Well done, Ragnar!" Lady Ana swiftly took her plate and settled down beside Ragnar.
"Now, let's enjoy our meal together," Lady Ana said as she took a bite of her own pork, while Ragnar continued to eat at a leisurely pace. "Where are Lancelot and Damian, sister?" Meika inquired with curiosity as she savored a piece of pork.
"Lancelot mentioned needing to have a conversation with Guinevere, while Damian mentioned a visit to his home in the Lowfire District," Lady Ana explained between bites of pork.
The three of them savored their plates and dishes as they indulged in their wines and concluded their dinner. "I'm absolutely stuffed," Ragnar grumbled as he attempted to rise. Lady Ana and Meika followed suit, standing up and stretching their bodies.
"That's because you overindulged!" Lady Ana chided Ragnar with a playful glint in her eye. Meika simply waved at both of them before departing the dining hall and making her way to her bedroom. Lady Ana returned the wave with a warm smile.
"Ragnar, it's time for you to retire to your room. It's already 8:14 HU; I prefer to rest at this hour, so there's no one you can talk to now." With a final wave, Lady Ana exited the dining hall and headed to her own bedroom.
Ragnar waved with a smile, savoring the last sip of wine before departing. As he strolled away, he mused to himself, "It's quite confusing that I've been granted respite in this castle. There must be a purpose behind it, surely."
Turning to the right, Ragnar continued along the hallway. After a considerable walk, he reached the lobby and ascended the stairs, arriving at a lengthy corridor lined with doors.
From his pocket, he withdrew the key and deftly inserted it into the keyhole of the fourth room, turning it to the right to unlock the door. Stepping inside, he closed the door slowly and proceeded to remove his leather boots.
He carefully placed his leather boots next to the door before making his way towards the bed. As he approached the bed, he caught sight of his reflection in the mirror and couldn't help but smile at the sight of his tidy appearance. Settling down on the soft mattress, he slowly laid back and closed his eyes.
In that peaceful moment, a sense of contentment washed over him, and he whispered to himself, "This feels like a new life." With a serene smile, he allowed himself to fully relax. Minutes later, he drifted off into a tranquil sleep, feeling grateful for the gift of a new beginning.