THE following day, just as we are about to cross Longhurst’s border, the servant we sent ahead rushes back in panic. Normally, the servant rides to the next settlement to prepare for our arrival. He reserves our lodging before meeting us at the town’s edge. Yet he presently stands outside our carriage, speaking with my lord husband, who appears very grim.
Tabitha and Rodney have also alighted from their carriage; they frown as they listen to the conversation. I try to frown as well. Just like a Drewett! Very stern!
I have amazing hearing, so I can listen too. The servant is saying that he can’t find lodging for us.
“But His Highness’s entourage managed to secure lodging?” asks my lord husband.
“Yes…at the same inn we stayed at on our way to Longhurst. That’s the only place that can accommodate a party of our size. They insisted they’re full, and I know that can’t be true because I looked in the stables.”
“I see. I understand why they said that… How disappointing.”
I wonder why he thinks the inn is disappointing. We had delicious cherries there. I’m sure the cherries will be tasty this time too.
My lord husband pats the defeated-looking servant on the shoulder, then turns as I poke my head out of the window. Our eyes meet, and he strides toward me.
I jump and he catches me in midair. How quickly he moves!
“Didn’t Tabitha teach you to wait for someone to escort you off the carriage?”
“Oh, that’s right!” I’d forgotten.
He returns to where she and the others are gathered, cradling me in his arms. “Well, since His Highness will be staying in the next town, how about we camp out somewhere around here?”
“We’ll be sleeping outdoors?!” I exclaim.
“Y-Yes. It’s your first time, right? It won’t be as comfo—”
“We’ll be eating outdoors too?! Who will cook the food?!”
“Ah, yes. Rodney and I will—”
“You will cook, my lord?!”
“…Yes. I’m glad you seem fine with the idea.”
The last time I slept outdoors was when I was the Monster King! Falling asleep in my lord husband’s lap will feel amazing!
Where shall we set up camp? I think back to the areas we passed that day. The clearings along the road where a large grassland has overtaken the trees will make great sleeping spots.
“What’s this? I hear from my servants that your people will be camping? I’ll join you then,” declares the fourth prince when he catches up to us.
“Your servants have secured an inn for Your Highness, so please proceed,” my lord husband replies.
“I’ve camped out before, and you know I’m not the sort of royal who’s too arrogant to read between the lines.”
“Then please read between the lines and spare your knights the worry.”
“Well, if you put it that way! I guess you’re right!”
The fourth prince leaves with much reluctance. I feel sorry for him. Sleeping outdoors is so much fun. Maybe I can gather some mushrooms and leaves for him.
We separate from his entourage and shop around town for a bit before retreating down the road.
“How about this spot?!” I cry.
“It looks a little small,” judges Rodney.
“Oh! Oh! How about that spot there?!”
“I think somewhere flatter will be good.”
I continue to point out various options through the carriage window. There are so many to choose from.
Just before nightfall, we arrive at a rest stop often used by travelers and merchants. It is grassy with a great view, and a short walk from a stream. We’ll have a campfire, so an open area is good. We can’t light fires in forests.
The guards split up to scout the surrounds, gather firewood, and fetch water. The driver tends to the horses. Since we hadn’t planned to camp, Rodney and Tabitha are busy with the other servants, sorting through our luggage to retrieve what we’ll need.
My lord husband settles onto one of the logs scattered around and starts to tend to his sword.
What shall I do…? I know!
“Where are you going?”
“To get dinner!”
“Wait, wait, wait.” He pulls me back down as I make to stand. “We bought ingredients in town, remember?”
“But we don’t have a head cook, my lord. As mistress of the house, I need to take his place and make arrangements.”
“Head cooks don’t gather their own ingredients.”
“Our chef told me he used to hunt rabbits and deer in Drewett.”
“I see. I forgot you’re friends with him.”
Yes, we are friends. He doesn’t talk much but has taught me a lot about food and cooking. I know he has a wife, who’s great at martial arts, and a small daughter too.
A guard returns with water, so I decide to tag along as he goes to bucket more.
As I reach for a pail, the guard hands me my washbasin, which is much lighter. That’s better.
“Oh! Mouse grapes! My lord! Mouse grapes!”
“Wait, stay put! I’ll pick them! …I can’t see them. Your vision is too good.”
The fruits, as tiny as my pinky fingernail, grow in the obscuring shadow of the plant’s tangled leaves and vines. They’re called mouse grapes because mice are usually the first to find them.
I point toward the back of the grove beside the path leading to the stream, and my lord husband pushes through the foliage to find the grapes.
“Here you go, though they may be too sour for yo—… Wait, they’re sweet?” He sounds surprised.
There were no mouse grapes in the woodland behind the Longhurst mansion, so I haven’t eaten them since becoming Abigail. I’m glad they’re sweet. I place one bunch in my washbasin and the rest in my lord husband’s bigger bucket.
The stream is about the width of four large paces and knee-deep at most. I can easily discern the stones in the riverbed. The setting sun is starting to dye the sky red, capping the gentle swells of the water in gold.
Below the surface, a shadow slithers past… There! I run past the guard to the stream’s edge.
“Ah, wait!”
“Freeze!”
Numerous small bolts of lightning strike the water with loud crackling noises.