Hansel’s Enchanted Fairytale: Fill Me Up With Magic! - Chapter 16
The kitchen, in one word, looked like a toy playset.
The cabinets and walls were pastel blue and pink, while the floor tiles were a buttery yellow. The antique utensils, likely made of copper originally, somehow shimmered in various rainbow hues.
What was surprising was that despite the ridiculous and whimsical design, every piece of furniture and item seemed meticulously arranged with care. Even the teacup saucers were crafted in toy-like shapes.
Yet, oddly enough, there was not a single cooking appliance like an oven or stove in sight.
It was a space that became more incomprehensible the longer one looked at it.
“Sit there,” he said.
He took a seat at the end of a cloud-shaped table. Hansel, who had been momentarily dazed, hurriedly scurried to the seat across from him. Even after sitting down, her eyes darted around as she continued to take in the cute yet bizarre dining area.
“You’re really looking around,” he remarked.
“It’s… uh, the kitchen is so pretty. Did you decorate it all yourself?”
“Yes.”
He seemed quite pleased with the compliment, nodding with a satisfied expression. Sensing an opportunity, Hansel decided to push for more favor.
The night before, he seemed utterly jaded by pleas for mercy, having heard such cries countless times. He had mentioned that Hansel was the first person to ask him for help. That likely meant he had little experience with casual, comfortable conversations.
Hansel mustered her warmest smile.
“Judging by how many things you’ve got here, it must’ve taken a lot of effort. You’re surprisingly good at keeping things tidy.”
“It’s mine,” he said, as if the answer were self-evident.
He glanced around the dining room, then added,
“I care a lot about my things. That’s why it’s not hard.”
Finally, his gaze landed back on Hansel, watching her intently.
Hansel took his words to heart and continued surveying the dining room. Since he cared so much about his belongings, he probably had the layout memorized. If she ever needed to snoop around, she would have to remember this carefully.
She scanned every corner, but the only possible escape route seemed to be a tiny window. It was too small for most people to pass through, but if the frame was removed, Hansel’s petite figure might just squeeze through.
Suddenly, the pink, arched dining room door creaked open. Reflexively, Hansel turned toward the sound, her eyes widening.
A tablecloth, two soup bowls, and silverware floated in midair before gently landing in front of Hansel and him. It was surreal.
“So, that’s why there’s no oven here. This is just a dining room, and the kitchen must be elsewhere, right?” Hansel guessed.
“Yes, it’s in the basement,” he replied.
“Then, downstairs, are the utensils cooking on their own?”
“I’m doing it,” he said.
The thought that he could remotely control objects so precisely with magic was unsettling. If she managed to escape this house, would she be captured within seconds?
Feeling a bit gloomy, Hansel looked down at the bowl of soup in front of her.
It looked like potato soup at first glance. But given his otherworldly magical skills, she couldn’t trust what she saw. What if, as rumors claimed, he had boiled humans in a massive cauldron and served them as soup? Or worse, what if the potatoes were actually transformed humans?
Hansel gripped her spoon tightly, glaring suspiciously at the soup.
Watching her, he casually picked up his own spoon.
“Watch,” he said.
Hansel flinched and looked up.
He lifted his spoon and demonstrated.
“This is for eating,” he said.
He mimed scooping, bringing the spoon to his mouth, chewing, and swallowing, repeating the motion several times.
“Like this—you scoop it, chew it, swallow it, and put it in your stomach.”
“……”
Hansel wasn’t sure if she should take this as kindness or mockery. Was he testing her, despite promising to believe her claim about memory loss?
She had said she hadn’t lost common sense, so she needed to act appropriately. Hansel grumbled under her breath.
“I know that much.”
“Then eat.”
As if obeying a command, Hansel mechanically lifted her spoon and took a small sip of the soup.
“….!”
The taste was astonishing. The buttery aroma hit first, followed by the nutty richness of the potato and the savory depth of beef, all perfectly balanced. The soup was light, easy to swallow, and felt soothing on her stomach.
“What’s in this? It’s so good!”
“Potatoes.”
“Potatoes? This is made from potatoes?”
“Yes. They’re plants that grow in the ground. The ground is dirt—”
“I know! I know what a potato is!”
“Good, then.”
The rich flavor triggered a ferocious appetite, one she had momentarily forgotten in her shock. Hansel almost began wolfing down the soup but stopped herself just in time.
Hansel hesitated, stirring her soup with her spoon.
“So, um… did you add anything other than potatoes? Like beef, maybe… or, possibly… humans?”
“……”
