Chapter 3: The Wedding and the Expedition Cooking Feast
SLY had told us about a meteor shower known as the Griffinids. She described how shooting stars soared gracefully through the sky just like a griffin in flight.
I knew I wanted to see it. Even though we had work the next day, Zara and I weren’t going to miss this opportunity. One late night wouldn’t be the end of the world.
On the evening of the Griffinids, we left work early.
We invited Charlotte and Sir Aiskoletta to have dinner with us outside and watch the meteor shower.
Zara spread out his handmade rose-pattern blanket and set dishes out for us on top. Meanwhile, Sir Aiskoletta and Charlotte got a fire going. Amelia and Rih came outside for the occasion too. They seemed to take an interest in the Griffinids.
Umataro, on the other hand, sprawled out in the garden and fell asleep. Komerv didn’t like fire, so he sat on a nearby tree stump and played a flute he’d made with a leaf. His performance seemed to accompany the chirping of the bugs.
“Mell! I brought utensils!”
“Oh, thank you, Album.”
Album brought forks and knives from inside and laid them out on the plates. He was a helpful creature to have around. I stroked his head, getting a pleased chuckle out of him.
Sir Aiskoletta treated us to sausages he’d made. He informed us that he learned the recipe from a book in the national library. “It is made with herbs I gathered in the forest and minced boar-pig meat. I ask that you pay close attention to its flavor.”
We all stuck our sausages on skewers and roasted them over the fire.
Album had greedily chosen one of the biggest sausages. But it was so heavy, he almost couldn’t hold it up.
“Whoa, whoa!”
“It’s too big for you, Album.”
“But this one looked the best!”
“Yes, I’m sure. Just please don’t fall into the campfire, okay?” I cautioned.
“Eeeek…!”
Sir Aiskoletta, appearing to take pity on the fairy, roasted Album’s sausage for him.
“Wow, thanks a bunch, Gramps!”
“It is no trouble.”
The only sound in the garden was the crackling of the campfire. Every now and then, fat from the sausage would fall into the fire with a loud sizzle.
“It has been seasoned with great care, but by all means, pair it with your sauce of choice!” Sir Aiskoletta had prepared chili paste, tomato sauce, salt, pepper, and more for us to choose from.
“Hmm. I think I’ll try my first bite plain.”
Charlotte was roasting her sausage with a look of intense concentration. It was already starting to turn a nice golden-brown.
“I think they’re just about done.”
“Here, I have finished roasting Album’s portion.”
“Woo-hoo! Thank you!”
Album chomped down on the sausage Sir Aiskoletta cooked for him. The juices seemed to have burst from the sausage, as they were now dripping down the sides of his mouth.
“I-It’s soooo hot! But it’s soooo good!”
The sausages looked too dangerous to bite directly into. I decided to remove mine from the skewer and cut a bit off with my knife instead. Vowing not to forget Album’s sacrifice, I took a bite of my carefully sliced sausage.
“Mmmm!”
The skin burst apart to allow the juices within to ooze out—juices that hadn’t been lost even once I cut the sausage into pieces. The strong taste of herbs made me wish I had a glass of alcohol with this meal.
“It’s delicious, Sir Aiskoletta.”
“Melly’s right. This tastes like something a veteran chef would cook up.”
“I love the sausage too!”
“Is that so? I am most pleased.”
After that, Sir Aiskoletta placed a steel plate on top of the fire to grill large cuts of three-horned cow meat. The meat was seasoned with nothing more than salt and pepper. Album started drooling once the beef began to sizzle.
When the meat was finished grilling, Sir Aiskoletta sliced it up with a silver knife.
“It is ready. What portions do you choose?”
“Want the fatty cut!”
“Very well. Eat up.”
“Thank you!”
The great hero divided up the grilled beef for all of us. He told us he’d bought the three-horned cow meat during his afternoon trip into town, going from butcher to butcher until he found the perfect cut.
We wasted no time before we tried our first bites.
Charlotte’s eyes were sparkling as she cried out, “Aaaah, the meat is melting in my mouth!”
“It’s sooooo delicious! I wish I could live here too!”
“You do live here, Album.”
“Oh yeah! That’s right!”
“I want to live here forever and ever!”
“You can live here forever too, Charlotte.”
“What? Really?”
“Of course.”
“Th-Thank you. I am so happy.” Charlotte came over and gave me a big hug. I stroked her soft ears.
Maybe she’d been worried that she would have to move out one day. I felt like I could see her eyes growing wet, and I wished I could have reassured her much sooner than this. She was a precious member of my family. I hoped to be with her forever, if it was possible. Once I had that thought, I looked at Zara and found him smiling softly.
In the middle of this emotional moment, I received a completely unexpected question.
“Miss Mell…may I become a member of this household too?” Sir Aiskoletta’s voice was so serious, I nearly spit out my tea.
“I’d love it if you stayed here as long as you please, Sir Aiskoletta.”
“I see. You have my gratitude for adopting me into your household.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. The night was turning out to be a delightful one.
We sipped hot chocolate and gazed up at the night sky. Just then…
“Ah, a shooting star!” Sir Aiskoletta was pointing at a glinting trail in the sky.
“He’s right.”
One by one, more stars began to rain across the night sky. The Griffinids had begun.
“They’re beautiful…”
“I never see shooting stars before.”
After we watched them for a while, Charlotte suddenly sneezed.
“Mmm, it is cold…”
“Want little ol’ Album to warm you up?”
“Uh-huh.”
Once she had a source of warmth, Charlotte started to doze off.
“Let’s get you to bed, Charlotte. You still have work tomorrow.”
“I shall turn in as well. I have plans to attend the morning market.”
Sir Aiskoletta lifted Charlotte onto his back and carried her inside, all while Album remained draped around her neck. Komerv ceased his flute playing to return to Sir Aiskoletta’s shoulder as he departed.
Amelia and Rih were tired too, so they were the next to go inside.
“What about you, Melly?” Zara asked.
“I want to keep watching a bit longer.”
“Then I’ll do the same.”
Charlotte was right—it was a bit chilly. When I wrapped my arms around my body, Zara draped his coat over my shoulders.
“Oh, it’s so warm! But aren’t you cold, Zara?”
“Did you already forget, Melly? I grew up in a snowy land.”
“Ah, that’s right!”
In that case, I decided to accept the kind favor.
“With so many shooting stars, I bet we’ll be able to get all of our wishes granted.”
“That’s true!”
The legend was that each wish made on a falling star was soon to come true.
“Let’s see… I wish that the Second Expeditionary Squadron, Charlotte, and Sir Aiskoletta will be healthy! I also wish that good things will come to Lord Lichtenberger! And that my family will be happy! Oh, and that Amelia, Rih, and Album will stay happy and healthy forever!” I made wish after wish, never feeling satisfied. Zara chuckled from his seat next to me.
“Shouldn’t you wish for something for yourself, Melly?”
“Oh, that’s right.”
I pressed my hands together and made my wish. The one and only thing I wanted was a happy marriage with Zara.
“Whatever your wish is, it looks like you’re really hammering it home.”
“Yes. I want to make sure it comes true no matter what. Did you make a wish, Zara?”
“Uh-huh. I wished that the two of us would have a happy marriage.”
“What?! Th-That’s exactly what I wished for!”
“Oh my gosh! Did you really?”
I couldn’t help but laugh. It was such a funny coincidence.
“If that’s true, Melly, why don’t we get married already?”
“Yes, I agree.”
There was no need to wish on a shooting star after all. This was something the two of us could do together.
My wish on the stars was already on the verge of being granted.
🥞🥞🥞