Seraphine lounged in her seat, a soft, patient smile playing on her lips as she watched the scene unfold on the screen. Adrian moved with steady focus, drawing water to fill the last of the containers while Lina hovered nearby, offering occasional quiet directions. Everything looked perfectly ordinary.
"Still complaining," Seraphine murmured, a hint of amusement warming her voice. "The boy just can't appreciate his good luck."
For someone she had personally chosen and sent into this world, Adrian seemed almost too ordinary. But that was fine. Everyone needed time to grow.
A soft chime broke the quiet. She picked up the device without hesitation, her expression shifting into something smoother, warmer, perfectly convincing.
"Yes, I'm fine."
She listened for a moment, then continued in that same reassuring tone.
"No, don't worry. I told you—I'm just traveling for a while. With Adrian, yes."
A few more gentle words, and the conversation ended naturally. She set the device down, her smile fading for the briefest instant as a darker thought flickered through her mind.
*If their parents had simply died in some random accident, it would have been so much easier. Fewer questions, no need for careful adjustments.*
Guilt washed over her immediately. She blinked, pressing the thought away.
*Oh no… What am I thinking?*
She was the goddess of life and love. Wishing death on anyone—even for convenience—went against everything she stood for. With a quiet sigh, she pushed the shadow aside and let her usual warmth return as she turned her attention back to the screen.
By then, Adrian had finished with the containers. He stepped back, wiping his hands absently as Lina turned toward the house and gestured for him to follow. He fell into step behind her without a word.
The interior was modest and plain, but Adrian barely noticed. His mind was elsewhere.
Water was supposed to be expensive here Lina had made that clear enough. Yet the fields outside looked healthy and well-tended, and even this simple wooden house felt solid and cared for. None of it quite added up.
He considered asking about it, but the idea faded quickly. Probing like an outsider would only draw unwanted attention. Better to keep his questions to himself for now.
Instead, he slipped his bag off his shoulder, unzipped it, and pulled out a few packaged snacks. The familiar crinkle of the wrappers felt strangely grounding. His fingers brushed the sandwich he'd saved, but he decided it could wait until tomorrow. He held the snacks out to Lina.
"These would taste better heated up," he said. "Maybe serve them with dinner?"
Lina accepted them with a curious look, clearly unfamiliar with the packaging, but she nodded and headed for the kitchen.
Adrian took a seat at the table and let himself relax while the sounds of cooking filled the air—soft clinks of utensils, the gentle simmer of something on the stove.
Before long, Lina returned with the first dish, Mara close behind with the rest. The table was set with quiet efficiency: a rich, thick broth dotted with meat, and those small brown spheres he'd noticed earlier.
Adrian picked one up. Elena did the same across from him. He took a bite.
The texture was unexpected at first firm, then yielding but the mild, comforting taste clicked into place almost immediately.
It was rice, just shaped into neat little marble-sized balls.
He washed it down with a sip of the warm broth. Across the table, Lina had opened one of the snacks. Her eyes widened slightly after the first taste.
"This is really flavorful," she said, genuine surprise in her voice.
Mara tried one next, slower and more reserved, but her reaction was much the same.
Adrian gave a small nod, returning to his own meal. The exchange felt balanced new tastes for everyone.
For a while, the table stayed quiet, filled only with the soft sounds of eating and the occasional clink of spoons. Each of them adjusted to the unfamiliar flavors in their own way.
When the bowls were nearly empty and a comfortable lull had settled in, Mara leaned back and wiped her hands on a cloth.
"You two must be tired after all that work today," she said kindly. "Lina, why don't you show them upstairs? We have a spare room ready."
Lina stood with a small smile. "Of course. Follow me."
The wooden stairs creaked softly under their weight as she led them up. She opened the first door on the right, revealing a modest but clean room dominated by a single large bed and a small window looking out over the fields.
"This is the spare room," she said lightly. "It's comfortable enough for two."
Adrian glanced at the bed and hesitated. "Actually… we'd prefer separate rooms, if that's possible."
Lina turned, her eyes sparkling with quiet mischief. A playful grin curved her lips as she tilted her head.
"Oh? Well, if you're worried about sharing…" she teased, her voice dropping into a warm, tone, "you can always sleep in my room. I don't mind at all."
The offer lingered with just enough flirtatious warmth to feel half-serious.
Elena reacted instantly. She stepped closer to Adrian, her body brushing lightly against his side as her hand slid possessively around his arm, fingers tightening. Her eyes narrowed at Lina, a flash of jealousy clear in her expression.
*No way is he sleeping in her room. He's mine.*
"No need," Elena said firmly, defensiveness sharpening her tone. She glared at the younger woman, making her stance unmistakable. "He's not staying in your room. We'll manage in the same room."
Lina's smile only widened, clearly entertained by the protective reaction, but she didn't push. Mara, who had followed them upstairs, let out a soft chuckle and waved a hand.
"There's another small room down It's a bit narrower, but it should work for him" older woman said, her voice warm and knowing.
As they sorted out the final arrangements, a light, teasing undercurrent lingered in the air mixing with the day's exhaustion.
---
Author's Note:
Curious to see if anyone can guess what kind of meat it was and since the chapter was short term going to add a part 3 next week.
Other thing I want to ask this would be the first time I have actually written what is somebody actually eating usually I tried to avoid this as someone can be a vegetarian like me but I guess I have to start from somewhere where I can write different dishes not just talking about their eating food. 😣