After relaxing for a couple of minutes, I finally decided to sit up and stop looking like a slumped-over bum. No need to make my gracious host regret his choice of essentially picking a homeless person up off the streets.
Looking across the table at said gracious host, I caught him just... staring at me. Embarrassing. I coughed into my shoulder, totally the smoothest recovery ever seen in a social setting, and scrambled for a conversation topic.
Luckily, one came to mind quickly.
Earlier today, when Reinhard had been leading me here through the so-called "Residential District," I had asked about the royalty of the kingdom. What with this world seeming to be a medieval fantasy type world, I figured there was probably a monarchy in place. Seemed obvious.
To my surprise, he told me there wasn't one anymore.
But then some overly shiny merchant had jumped out trying to sell him "limited edition sword polish" or something, and that was where the conversation ended. Naturally, I'd been left dangling on a cliffhanger that left me craving to learn how this royal family all mysteriously disappeared.
That was a topic I could ask about.
"Hey Rein, what ever happened to the royal family? You said they weren't around anymore. Did they just pack up and leave?"
He met my gaze, and something shifted in his expression, thoughtful, maybe even... remorseful.
"The royal family is dead," he said plainly.
I blinked. That was about what I expected, just not delivered with quite that much blunt force.
"Damn. I—how?" I stammered.
Reinhard's gaze dropped to the table, his tone quiet.
"They succumbed to a plague. It was sudden and entirely resistant to healing magic, and only affected them. Every member of the bloodline was gone within a year."
I sat there, slightly stunned. Emotional topics weren't my strong suit, and judging by Reinhard's tone, he might've been close with them. Given his title and how well-known he was, it made sense.
"That's… horrible," I said at last. "So who's been steering the ship since then?"
The mood eased slightly as we moved on, and I got a crash course on the Council of Wise Men, the group that had taken over national leadership after the royal collapse.
Naturally, I was skeptical.
"You're telling me the entire royal bloodline dies to some magical plague that only targets them and can't be cured, and when the nation is left leaderless, a group of guys just steps up and takes power?"
It sounded exactly like how a power grab would go down after a political assassination back on Earth, or in countries riddled with infighting and shady faction wars.
But to my surprise, the council had been around for a while, put in place by the royals, helping with national decisions long before the crown fell. Still sounded sketchy, but at least there was a paper trail.
Before I could keep digging, something caught my attention. A faint aroma drifting in from the hallway. Food.
It hit me all at once, just how starving I was. I hadn't eaten since... dinner yesterday? Pulled an all-nighter gaming like a responsible adult, then went to the convenience store in the morning to grab a bite and got isekai'd before I could even unwrap a gas station burger. After that, I'd walked across what felt like the entire capital running on anxiety and raw vibes.
Now, safe and with the scent of real food getting stronger, my body decided it was time to remind me just how empty it was.
Right on cue, the door opened, and the clatter of food carts filled the air. Perfect timing, too, because my stomach chose that exact moment to let out a loud grumble that would've sent me to hell and back with embarrassment, if anyone had heard.
In came the twin maids who'd greeted us earlier. Reinhard had introduced them as Flam and Grassis, but with their matching uniforms and unreadable expressions, I still couldn't tell which was which.
In any case. They came bearing gifts.
One by one, they laid out platter after platter of heavenly-smelling food with flawless coordination. Then came a pitcher of golden… something. Not a single drop spilled. Not one plate misplaced.
They moved with a kind of practiced grace, almost like a performance. And judging by the faint smirks tugging at the corners of their lips? They knew it. And they were proud.
As they stepped back, I stared in awe at the feast in front of me. "And this is supposed to be regular lunch?" I deadpanned.
The spread looked like something reserved for a coronation, not a midday meal.
After thanking both Reinhard and the twins, who, to my surprise, had cooked the food themselves, I finally dove in.
Biting into some kind of beef sandwich, I couldn't help but speak up. The twins stood off to the side like statues, but I could feel them listening.
"You girls can seriously cook. Thank you." I couldn't hide the sincerity in my tone, not that I wanted to, and the girls silently preened under my praise.
Glancing across the table, I watched Reinhard eat with immaculate manners, calmly slicing what looked like chicken and dipping it into a vibrant orange sauce. He caught me watching and gave me a soft smile before turning toward the twins.
"Thank you. Truly."
That seemed to have hit the girls far harder than my thanks, as I watched them literally try to straighten their posture even further and stand a little taller. It didn't work, but it did look adorable.
Seeing that beneath their professional exteriors, they were still just young girls, I decided to try and entertain them. After a meaningful glance at Reinhard who seemingly understood my pointed gaze, I began to tell them all sorts of exaggerated stories or simply took ideas from movies and claimed them as personal experience.
What started as playful nonsense turned into a proper cultural exchange.
I told them whatever popped into my head about Earth, and they shared bits of their world in return. Like ground dragons. Or the Divine Dragon Volcanica, whom the country basically worshipped. Or tips on how to tell when someone's scamming you on appas, apparently the janked-up way they pronounce apples here.
An hour passed like nothing.
After a solid hour of indulging myself in good food, talking with the twins, learning things from them and Reinhard, and even discovering that both little girls actually had a vicious teasing streak once let loose, I finally slumped back into my chair.
My stomach was full and my heart was feeling weirdly lighter. I sat there for a moment contemplating that feeling and identified that it probably came from the nascent understanding that I wouldn't be alone in this world.
Then came the next realization.
I was really here. In another world. And everything I'd learned back on Earth? Most of it was useless now.
What was I supposed to do with U.S. history? Or quadratic equations? Or Spanish?
I was just starting to spiral again when the quiet scrape of a chair snapped me out of it.
I looked up.
Reinhard was standing, stretching lightly, eyes flicking toward the lush garden outside.
"I can hear you thinking from over here, Ethan," he said, grinning. "It's a beautiful day. Why don't we go for a walk? Give our food time to settle, then head to the sparring grounds."
Honestly? It sounded perfect.
Fresh air. Motion. Distraction. Staying here and mulling over foolish thoughts would get me nowhere.
I nodded at Reinhard and stood up from the table. Immediately, Flam and Grassis got to work cleaning up and loading their trollies with empty plates. That's when I noticed how little was left. We'd cleaned house.
Stepping toward the door with Rein, I slowed my steps. I could just stroll out and say nothing to the two hard-working kids, but it didn't feel right. Sure, I'd already said my thanks, but a little extra gratitude never hurt, right?
I paused, turned, and said, "Thanks again for the food. That was the best meal of my life. And if you're ever curious about my world, just ask. I'd love to share. It's the least I can do to repay you."
The girls, just beginning to clear the table, paused. Then, as if reading each other's minds, they turned to Reinhard.
He gave a single nod.
"We would enjoy that," they said in unison.
I gave them one last gentle smile and scanned the room to make sure I wasn't leaving anything behind before finally following Reinhard out and into the hallway.
The door closed behind us with a soft thud.
I understood then that it was just like he'd said…
That room really was a peaceful place.