Chapter 3: Chapter 2: Camp
I stretched my arms as I walk towards the dining hall. The servants are looking at me with question in their eyes as I pass through them. It's obvious that they are wondering how I changed overnight.
We are about to leave this Manor in the Capital and go back to Von Grettes' Duchy. It's also what I need in order to obtain something that I will definitely need.
I entered the dining hall and sat down three chairs away from my siblings, just like the usual. I didn't bother greeting my parents who seems flabbergasted by my unusual gestures.
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'She changed'
Everyone thought of except for the Duchess herself.
'This stupid girl agreed to annul her wedding! It's the easiest way to dispose of her but I guess I'll have to take a different measure.'
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"How do you feel Alice?"
Father suddenly asked that made me stop cutting the steak. He's definitely wary of my attitude.
"I'm good."
I responded without looking back at him. The crazy Duchess is frowning while clenching tightly in the silverware.
"Mother are you feeling okay?"
Aston worriedly asked as he saw their mother's hands. The crazy Duchess smiled and caressed Aston's hands.
"I'm good sweetheart."
She then gave me a piercing look which I obviously ignored.
"Crazy bitch" I mumbled to myself
After breakfast we started to move out as the servants informed us that our things are already in the carriage.
The only benefit of me being an outcast to this family is that I have my very own carriage. It's quite rustic looking and obviously worn out but interior is still luxurious and comfortable.
It'll take a day and a half to reach the Duchy so we stopped at the usual place to camp out when it the sky started to darken. I jumped out of my carriage and breathe in the fresh air of this open field. This place is where Alice Von Grettes got assassinated.
"Quite a place."
I whispered and looked at the servant next to me. She's the most trusted maid that Alice has. Casey has a ginger colored hair as well as her eyes. She's a foreigner who was sold as a slave in black market but Duke saved her and she eventually became a servant assigned to me.
"Casey, let's go and pick up some branches. I'm sure that you know what I mean."
"Yes my lady."
We treaded a separate ways with my family and entered the forest on the other side. She then started to rant while picking up some small branches.
"I really don't get Duke Paulo! Why's he good to everyone except to you my lady?!"
"That's why I'm only counting on you Casey. You're the only one I can rely on."
Her eyes twinkled as she heard those words. Our age is not that apart so we grew up together. This is one of the reason why Alice Von Grettes held on for long in this household.
Rustle'
I heard the sound of grass brushing against each other. I slowly walk towards it, making sure I make a silent walk and saw a pair of ears whose quite twitching as if observing the surrounding.
Using my hand, I quickly grabbed its ears and the poor animal started to squeal while my eyes twinkle in surprise and excitement. I can't believe I manage to capture this rare ingredient.
It's called Easter which is similar to a rabbit. The only difference in this one is that it excavates treasures and encases it in a special festive looking egg shell. As long as the treasure is not removed on the shell, it will keep on evolving until it becomes a special treasure.
Luckily for me, I encountered an Easter who seems to be guarding its eggs so it's like winning in a grand price. I grabbed the eggs using my other hand and hid it inside the small bag on my waist. That is when I suddenly noticed something…
"Hey Casey!" I called out and showed the still fighting Easter in my grasp.
She gasped with her widely opened eyes and hurriedly ran towards me to help me carry the animal. We then collected some dry leaves and branch before going back to the open area. Casey volunteered to butcher the Easter and I instructed her to also get some extra ingredients which she gladly accepted.
"I heard you managed to hunt an Easter, Sister."
Jacob the youngest sibling of Alice Von Grettes suddenly approached me. He's someone who ignores Alice, unlike the other siblings who ridicule and physically hurt Alice. He's someone who doesn't really discriminate and equally ignore his family.
"Yes you heard it right." I smiled confidently whilst to letting him know of my greatness.
"C-can I join you?" He asked hesitantly that made me smile a little.
He's someone who knows his actions and it's not like I hate him for being how the way he is. I tapped the body of the dead tree where I'm currently sitting right now signaling him to seat with me.
Casey arrived and was astonished as she saw my little brother with me. She didn't say anything and simply lay down the already cut and prepared meat like I told her.
While Casey massage and season the Easter meat, I arranged the branches and dried leaves and started to make a fire. It didn't take long in making fire so I left it after and picked up some rocks and started to surround the fire to make an imitation stove.
"Casey, use the skewers and stab the meat and vegetables like this."
I showed her the way of making Kebab and she nodded her head to say ' she understands'.
Jacob is quietly watching me as I started to cook the cream and mushroom soup that will be partnered with the Kebabs.
"Now I'm starting to wonder why everyone hates you." He muttered while I'm busy stirring the soup.
He is an intelligent kid and I'm pretty sure that he's aware of the petty reason of Von Grettes family.
"Who knows?" I nonchalantly answered although I already have the gist of the situation.
I shrugged to make it more natural and glanced at Casey who seems to agree with Jacob's statement. Once the soup bubbled up, I seasoned it with salt and pepper. We waited for quite some time before we started eating to our fill.
"Hmmm!"
Both Jacob and Casey look pleased after having a bite to the kebab. Easter meat is like an instant marinated meat that's why you only need to season it the way you like.
' It's like barbecue'
We ate to our fill but I can feel the gazes of my family who seems to mock me and also fantasize the taste of the meat.
"Hey Jacob? Why don't you give them some of this?"
"Are you sure sister? It's not like you're obliged."
"Young master Jacob is definitely right." Casey seconded with a nod.
I just nodded my head and Jacob started to go to Father who took two sticks for himself. He gave one each to our family and then said something which I didn't manage to hear. He then goes back here and sighed.
"I'm sorry sister. I feel ashamed for our family."
"It's okay. I'm used to it."
I gave him a reassuring smile and continued filling my belly. I somehow feel grateful to the author as he made this world full of tasty foods.
'I'll definitely hunt those things and eat to my fill!'
After eating, we decided to sleep. Of course I didn't let Jacob to sleep with me since they all have tent except for me so it's better for him to be there. I lay under the tree and closed my eyes.
Though I'm not used to sleeping in a grassy ground, I endured it and tried to sleep. Back in my past life, I used to sleep in a king sized bed with a very comfy cushion so it feels like another punishment from God.
'I have to persevere. It's not like I'm not planning to leave this Family.'
I closed my eyes tight and slept with nothing but a grassy bed and the cold breeze of air as my air conditioner.
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