Observing Sofia's blossoming spirit and the emergence of new ideas invigorated me as well. It reminded me of how my mentor must have felt when he decided to teach me the art of trading, just as I watched his performances with wonder and curiosity. Even though I hadn't explicitly taught her about trading, this journey seemed to ignite a plethora of new interests in her. And that's a good thing. If she can find value and meaning in this short journey, then it truly holds significance for both of us.

After attending to our horse, who appeared somewhat bored in its stable, I returned to the carriage and offered to let Sofia stay inside to shield herself from the heat outside. However, she insisted on sitting beside me. I wondered if she might grow bored during the ride, but I respected her wish and welcomed her presence beside me nonetheless.

Our conversation became more relaxed compared to the earlier morning. Sofia seemed to have settled into the experience, though her excitement still lingered, evident in her animated gestures as she observed the surroundings passing by. I took this opportunity to ask her about her daily life in Goldkorb, and she gladly shared the details with me. She spoke enthusiastically about her progress in cooking, her improvements in kitchen management, and her interactions with her mother. Sofia also spoke fondly about her friends, recounting memorable moments they had shared together.

"Well, I've been using the usual ingredients – vegetables, meat, and some spices, but my stews just don't have the flavor I'm pursuing. They are still edible, but they lack that special touch."

"I've realized that handling multiple dishes at the same time for all our patrons is impossible to do alone. I've been following in my late father's footsteps by preparing the raw ingredients in advance, but even that isn't enough. So, I started assembling several plates with the ingredients ready, allowing me to cook them quickly when the orders come in. It saves much-needed time in the kitchen."

"My mother still misses my father, of course. I sleep with her every night to keep her company. I just hope she'll be alright tonight on her own. But sometimes, it can be irritating when she brags about her past romantic memories to me."

"When Isabelle got proposed to and moved to her fiancé's home, Guin was really sad. They were such a perfect pair for comedic banters, and now she feels a bit lost. That's when I decided to recruit her to work at our family tavern. Surprisingly, she fits right in. I have a feeling she'll become Dragon's Paw's new poster girl in no time."

Having a companion to talk to during this long journey is truly enjoyable. Sofia seems eager to share every experience with me, as if she wants to make up for the time I'm not at the tavern with her. I am grateful to her for keeping my mind occupied and preventing me from dwelling on the loss of Cordelia. It's not that I want to forget about her; in fact, I fear that I might someday forget. But for now, I immerse myself in Sofia's cheerful tales about her life, stories I have never heard before since I wasn't there to witness them myself.

We chatted all day, losing track of time until we realized that the sun had sunk behind the mountains, leaving the sky adorned with twinkling stars. In the distance, we could still see the faint glimmers of light, signifying other travelers or carriages continuing their journeys. I decided to park the carriage slightly off the road, providing us with a peaceful spot to rest. I disembarked from the carriage, igniting a few travel lights with the fire stone to cast a warm glow around the vicinity. Once the area was illuminated, I extended my hand to assist Sofia as she gracefully stepped down from the carriage.

"Alright, let's have our dinner here. Can you help me prepare, Sofia?" I asked.

"Of course, Takahiko. In fact, please let me do the cooking," she insisted.

"You will? That would be great," I gratefully accepted her offer, curious about her developed culinary skills.

"Do you want me to make the usual stew, Takahiko?" she offered.

"No, please create something different using the ingredients in the carriage. Feel free to use them as you see fit."

"Alright... Let's see, dried chicken meat, some vegetables.. Oh! You have spices too! That's great!" Sofia exclaimed excitedly as she browsed the ingredients inside the carriage. Her enthusiasm made me even more excited to see what she would create.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

As Sofia busied herself preparing the ingredients on the other side of the carriage, I took out the eating utensils and cooking wares. Using the fire stone, I quickly started a fire and set up the portable stove. I make sure the illumination is enough for her to cook. Sofia approached me with the finished preparations.

“I shall make Dragon’s Paw special Chicken Patties. Can I use the pans and oils, Takahiko?”

“Please do. You're in charge now. I shall eagerly await your culinary masterpiece.”

“I understand. Just give me a moment.”

Sofia confidently grabbed the large frying pan, poured in the nut oil, and waited for it to heat up before adding the prepared chicken meat. The sizzling sound and the enticing aroma filled the air, promising a delicious outcome in no time.

As Sofia focused on her cooking task, I took out the travel seat and table, marveling at the convenience of these camping tools that were the result of another king's wise vision. Such ingenious creations made our journeys much more comfortable. The travel light and fire stone, too, were products of his uncommon mind, providing us with essential sources of light and warmth. I made sure everything was prepared and ready while Sofia continued her culinary endeavor.

After a few minutes, Sofia called out, "It's ready."

I helped her carry the prepared dishes to the table, and we sat down together to enjoy our dinner.

"It's delicious. The flavor of the chicken and spices blend perfectly," I praised her culinary skills.

"Thank you, Takahiko. I'm glad I learned how to make it," she responded, a hint of shyness in her voice.

We savored the meal together, thoroughly enjoying every bite. There are no water sources nearby, so we couldn't clean the cooking utensils. So, we placed them carefully in a designated box and stored them under the carriage.

"Shall we continue our journey?" Sofia asked.

"No, the road is too dark now. It's best to stay here for the night and continue our journey tomorrow morning," I explained.

"I understand. I suppose we won't be able to bathe either. I feel sweaty from cooking," she said, a little concerned.

"Don't worry, tomorrow we'll reach another rest area with a public bath. We can clean ourselves there. For now, have some tangerines," I offered, handing her some fresh fruits.

"Thank you, Takahiko," she replied, appreciating the gesture.

We sat side by side on the travel chairs, under the twinkling stars, savoring the caress of the gentle breeze against our faces. The world around us was engulfed in darkness, with only the flickering flames casting their warm glow. Sofia's face was obscured in the dim light, but I could tell that weariness had begun to settle upon her. Tonight, she was quieter than usual, her energy from earlier in the day now fading away.

"You can sleep on the carriage, Sofia," I offered once more, concerned about her weariness.

"No, I would rather be here with you," she weakly rejected my idea, determined to stay by my side.

"Don't force yourself to stay awake. It's not good for your body," I urged her gently, worried about her well-being.

"I won't," she replied with a slow voice that betrayed her sleepy condition.

"Alright then," I relented, deciding not to push her further. I knew she would likely fall asleep soon.

“...”

In the peaceful silence, I could clearly hear the sound of her sleeping. As expected, she had drifted off to sleep. I got up from my seat, quietly opened the carriage door, and arranged the blanket inside. I returned to where Sofia was sleeping, her peaceful face illuminated by the faint glow of the fire.

It was her first day of the long journey, it was no surprise that she felt exhausted. I carefully lifted her from her seat, being mindful not to disturb her rest, and gently placed her inside the carriage. I covered her with the blanket I had bought earlier, ensuring she would be warm and comfortable throughout the night.

I returned to my seat, feeling the cool night breeze on my face. As I sat there, memories of today flooded my mind—how Sofia had filled the day with her enthusiastic smile, innocent curiosity, and ambitious plans for the tavern. Her declaration about hiring an elemental mage to produce iced beer, despite not being of legal drinking age, brought a smile to my face. She was such a spirited and determined young woman. For a brief moment, I found solace in her presence, and my thoughts shifted away from Cordelia.. Wait..

No.. It can’t be.. I’m forgetting Cordelia?

How? Was it because I became too immersed in today’s joyful event with Sofia?

No, of course not. It was never Sofia’s fault.

It was my own weak heart seeking comfort and happiness in the midst of sorrow.

It was my own weak heart longing to find joy to lift up my own sadness from losing her.

No..

Even if I could never find happiness for the fact that I couldn't see her and touch her anymore.

I don’t want to forget about her..

I must not forget.. ever..