The Red Witch - Chapter 16
Kiara’s cries went on for a long while after that. When the sobs eventually turned into soft, hiccuping gasps, Raelin gently asked:
“…So, you’ll have the extra egg, right?”
Finally, as the sobs subsided, Kiara mustered all her strength and wrapped her arms around Raelin’s shoulders, answering:
“Yes. And add some rye bread, too.”
“Oh my. It seems like, perhaps because of the eclipse… they’ve started making goat cheese. I hear it’s delicious when spread on rye bread.”
“Really? Goat cheese.”
For some reason, Kiara responded obediently to Raelin’s suggestion, something unusual for her. It felt like a long time had passed since she’d last had such a casual exchange. Raelin, in her usual dramatic fashion, mentioned that three whole days had already passed.
Hearing this, Kiara’s stomach rumbled with hunger.
In truth, Kiara hadn’t had much of an appetite lately. Having been confined in the tower, living in silence, her physical activity had been minimal compared to when she had lived hiding in the forest, away from people. Still, the three days she spent with Ael had been quite the workout, in its own way.
Raelin, always focused on feeding Kiara, would not let this opportunity slip by.
“With goat cheese… adding a bit of honey would make it even better. And some roasted walnuts on the side. Oh, and the servants have been coating aged cheese in ash and baking it — would you like to try that? It’s a special dish usually eaten during the eclipse, though it doesn’t look very appetizing at first.”
“I’ll eat whatever, anything you give me, Raelin.”
Kiara laughed out loud. At that moment, it felt like she could eat anything Raelin offered. Even the smoked pork, which she had once despised.
As though Raelin had sensed that Kiara would eat anything, she continued bringing food without stopping. By the time Kiara was finishing her third slice of rye bread with goat cheese, Raelin suddenly spoke.
“Oh! By the way, when I passed by the kitchen earlier, I saw something interesting… Should I sneak it over here for you?”
“Something interesting…?”
Raelin clapped her hands with unrestrained joy, delighted by Kiara’s curiosity. It was rare for Kiara to show any interest in food.
“Fig? I think they were called something like that.”
“Fig?”
Kiara swallowed the bite of rye bread she had been chewing, her mouth suddenly watering at the thought. Figs. She hadn’t had one since coming to Altnebra. The cold weather and heavy snow here made fruits almost a luxury, something rarely seen.
‘I used to eat them often…’
Kiara’s expression softened as she recalled the fig tree in her grandfather’s garden. He had always spoiled her, planting and caring for the tree just because she loved figs so much.
Noticing the longing in Kiara’s expression, Raelin tilted her head in curiosity.
“Have you had them before?”
“Ah… Yes, a long time ago. But where did you get them?”
Kiara stammered, trying to divert the question.
Once the eclipse ended, winter would quickly settle over Altnebra. The harsh mountains surrounding the country would close off roads, and traders would start cutting off their routes. Even the royal family had trouble getting anything other than essentials at this time.
‘We’re lucky the wedding was held before it got too late. Otherwise, getting food supplies for the banquet would have been a real challenge.’
Raelin had just mentioned that not long ago. And then, only the day before, the whole incident with Ael had happened. So how could figs suddenly appear?
For a moment, the image of the red dress flashed in Kiara’s mind, and her appetite suddenly vanished. She put the bread she had been eating back onto the plate and frowned. Raelin, noticing her change in demeanor, cautiously asked.
“Don’t you want to eat more…? Why aren’t you eating?”
“…I’ve had enough. I’ve eaten more than I usually do. It’s fine.”
“The amount you usually eat is already far too little! Well, I suppose if you tried to eat more, they would…”
Raelin grumbled, trailing off as she spoke.
Since Kiara had entered the castle, no one had openly criticized her. However, the way people looked at her was far from kind, and the reason was clear.
‘They say the witch of the northern castle is already draining the royal household’s meager funds.’
This was a rare whisper Kiara had overheard from workers cleaning the castle. Altnebra was an impoverished country. It was situated at the northern edge of the continent, surrounded by harsh mountains and cold, barren land. During winter, the roads were often cut off. The territory was vast, but half of it was forest and lakes, leaving little land for farming.
Amid all this, Kiara had come to symbolize an ill omen. When she was first locked in the castle, she had survived on dry bread and rainwater, only receiving food every couple of days from whoever would throw something her way. It was only after Raelin, the head maid, personally took charge of her care that Kiara was able to eat properly for the first time.
“…But you’re such a nice girl…”
Raelin murmured sadly.
Having been chased and hidden for so long, Kiara had become acutely sensitive to people’s moods. She ate only what she had to, kept the thick curtains drawn, and hid herself away in her room. Raelin, with her usual sympathetic expression, brightened and tried once more to comfort Kiara.
“There’s plenty of food in the kitchen, not just figs. Everyone’s eating their fill, so take this chance to enjoy it as much as you want.”
“…Really?”
“It’s a bit strange to say this, but… whether the wedding happens or not, the food will go to waste. We’re giving it away outside the castle, but it’s all too much for us to handle.”
The implication was clear—what was once intended for a grand celebration was no longer needed.
