“G-Gin…?! What are you doing here?!” surprised, Rin exclaimed as she confusingly stood in the middle of bizarre things for her.

“I could ask you the same thing…”

“Sir Gram, do you know this young lady here?”

"…"

Oh my word… What a scene I'm in! Here, in front of every person inside of the king’s room, standing a maiden with such epitomical beauty, at least in my eyes.

I seriously cannot think of any possibility or situation that can be the lead to Rin being pulled in this world. But in spite of everything, I felt so relieved for a split second. It has been nearly two weeks since I last saw my family and the only person accompanying my loneliness is the prince of this country that looks just like Nagi.

I was taken over of the difficult things that I did not realize that I am in the middle of a pause while I feel their gazes directing to my being.

“Y-Y-Yes, your highness! I certainly know the maiden that is present in this room. She is someone that is also a citizen of our fallen country.

Young Miss, if you please, I shall introduce you to the king.”

She fell to more confusion.

“Wait, what is happening here?! Actually, where am I? Gin is here, but what is up with his way of speaking? Is she directing his question to me? And… to be called as a young miss… uhh…

Ahhhh!!! What should I do?! I shouldn’t get flust-“

It is to be expected that she will be greatly confused. I pretended that I partly covered my right eye to indirectly get Rin’s attention and tell her by shifting the color of my eye.

Assuming that she got through the message, she nodded while subtly turning her gaze towards me.

“P-Please do…”

I straightened up my slightly distorted posture and stood still minding the presence of one that is in top of the hierarchy. As much as I hate that system, I have no choice but to act accordingly to the situation.

“Very well.

This young lady’s name is Raiha Azelt. As I have said earlier, she is also from my homeland, Orio. Frankly, she is my childhood friend but we were separated right at the start of the war.”

“Raiha Azelt… truly a beautiful name. For my son’s aide to have such a lovely friend, you truly are a commendable man, Sir Gram.”

“Ahaha… I shall take that as a compliment, Sir.

Miss Raiha, these two are a part of the royal family here in the country of Avarco. These highly regarded people are Nevan Cajima, the King; and Nero Cajima, the prince.”

“I-It is a pleasure to meet the king and the prince of this country."

"Why in the flying apples does this prince look like Nacchi?"

“Well then, I would not further this anymore. I know that our guest is tired from her journey. All of you shall be dismissed. Let her have her rest.”

“Yes, sir!”

“King, sir.”

“Yes, Sir Gram?”

“Please allow me to accompany her for the time being. And personally, I haven’t seen her for a long time, so I wish to talk with her alone.”

The king let out a chuckle just before replying.

“I allow it without question. You can have your time.”

“I can handle myself, Sir Gram. Please accompany your friend.”

“…

I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

I took off my red coat and placed it on her shoulders to fight off the unusual cold breeze.

“It seems that it’s not summer here. I definitely wouldn’t like it if you catch a cold.”

“T-Thank you…”

~ ~ ~

Silence. The sound of our footsteps was amplified by the echoes coming from the tall ceiling of the hallways as we walk side by side in silence.

I have confirmed that there is no one following or spying on us. With that, I initiated the conversation by apologizing.

“Sorry, Rin.”

“Huh? Why…?”

“I have no choice but to act by myself earlier without even consulting you and I said some confusing things that probably didn’t make sense to you.”

“No, it’s okay… It just can’t be helped.

…

Why do you look so sad, though?”

“I mean, I’ve been here for more than a week and I haven’t seen any family… It kind of made me lonely.”

Together with the fluttering sound of my coat that is worn by Rin, she placed her hand on her chin while looking down.

“That is very strange…”

“Rin…?”

“Just a few minutes ago, I just saw you from my room coming out of your house. I was reading manga just now and I got thirsty so I went down with the intention to get a drink in the fridge.

But as I literally got to our first floor, everything changed right after I blinked.”

I am once again absorbed by deep thinking. However, my thoughts were cut off when we reached the courtyard.

“Rin, let’s sit there first.”

We changed our direction to the right and as we walk down to the yard, we were greeted by the comforting warmth of the sun that is much better than the summer heat in the original world.

We sat on a stone bench and gazed upon the saturated cerulean sky.

“This place is beautiful…”

“I was also taken aback by this scene. It feels like I was on a movie… or it’s like an authentic anime background that I wish I could paint too.”

It was once again quiet but I can definitely feel the vibe of nature that is hardly felt in the urban concrete jungle. Never in my life have I ever carefully listened to the unusually soothing song of the birds.

However, I intentionally let out a loud sigh to get Rin’s attention.

“I guess I should start explaining.”

“I would of course listen. Keep the words to the minimum, though. My mind is kind of boggled right now, Gin.”

“Alright…

Then, my name is Gram Sancht and yours is Raiha Azelt. It’s our usernames in the game we frequently play, right?”

“Mhm.”

“Basically, this is an isekai or different world. This country’s name is Avarco and Orio ‘existed’ here.

Orio perished from a war eight months ago and hundreds only survived, including us. I currently work as an aide under the prince and what I am wearing right now is my uniform.”

“So that’s it…

Wait, you're saying that we're transported to another world?! What is this, some kind of light novel?!”

“Even though it still lacked context, that’s pretty much it.”

“Well, that prince really looked like Nagi. But are you sure he isn’t the real deal?”

“They just look alike.”

“I see…

By the way… what’s up with this red coat? I like it though.”

“Well, that’s because…”

Just looking at her makes me happy, relieved, sad, and lonely all at once. I once despaired of not ever coming back, but suddenly Rin appeared.

With those feelings kept in mind, I warmly embraced her as conveying my feelings and emotions that bothered me ever since I came here.

“That’s because I missed you.”

I do not know what face she is making, but what is certain is that I felt her arms wrapped throughout my back.

“…

It’s just like when you were inside the Void. It’s so unfair. Without us even knowing, you are here fighting off the loneliness by yourself. I don’t want that anymore… It is not your fault, but I at least want the events in our lives to connect—where we share the same pain.

I don’t want you suffering alone.”

I was so moved by her words that I lost the ability to move for a second. No one is at fault, indeed. It’s just that the timings are off. And whenever I am with her, I feel at ease and was not even bothered at all.

I wasn’t troubled. On the contrary, I feel so happy that she is always beside me.

“Maybe that’s the reason why you came here…” and I eased out my arms and released her.

…

“Gin, how was your life here?”

“My life…

I currently reside inside this castle as a knight so I have an occupation, specifically as the prince’s aide. That means that I am like his assistant, secretary and his personal guard.

The room I am in is just beside the bedroom of Nero, mainly to keep him under my eye.

But I am not used to this way of living. If I’m going to be honest, I would prefer my life in our original world, unbelievable as it may sound. That’s because I know barely anyone here. You know me, I usually don’t talk unnecessarily but not having friends here makes me as good as invisible.”

She’s neither speaking nor sad in any way. She’s just plainly staring at me while listening to me. I sort of felt awkward because of that situation, but I thought of an idea that she might like.

“Are you tired, Rin?”

“Not really. Why ask?”

“Let’s go shopping right now. Let’s pick proper clothes for you. But now that I say it, is this the first time we are going shopping for personal things?”

A chuckle and a smile suddenly molded in her face but she immediately hid it with her hand. She stood up and turned back facing me.

“You’re right…! Let’s go shopping then!”

“Yes, Young Miss.

…

Hey, I’ll probably just cross out the cover of us being ‘childhood friends’ for the prince.”

I stood up as Rin kept pulling the hem of my shirt.

“It’s your fault for telling that.”

“Yeah, I guess. I can't think of any excuse.

The usual outfit here is long-sleeved. Red or white? What do you think will suit you?”

“I think both. I will probably like the style of clothing here.”

“Shouldn’t have asked. Of course it will definitely suit you.”

~ ~ ~

This is also the first time that I’ll be taking a stroll in the shopping district outside of the castle, or let’s just say that this is one of the few times I go outside.

“Wahhh~ This looks so different from the environment we had…!”

“It’s much colorful and livelier here indeed. I feel bad for not going here earlier.”

There are places that one can describe it as “native,” and there are also those who look modern in a way that is not abusive and complements the environment of a monarch.

“Hey, Rin. There’s a boutique around the left.”

“Let’s have a look!”

She seems very excited. But I’m glad that she’s having fun, and it makes me feel that way too when I’m with her.

Truly, the fashion statement in this country is definitely unique but simple. The details of just one garment are very well detailed and flawless.

I wonder if the dressmaker here is an artisan. Everything is like a masterpiece.

“Gin~ I found one! Look!”

“Coming.”

She found a beige-ish white coat with a sleeve which its hem is wide. What made it stand out from the others is the balance of cloth wisely sewn in possibly the best areas it will look great. I am not a tailor or something but that’s the best way I can describe it.

I didn’t even notice that Rin disappeared somewhere while I was daydreaming. I was worried for a second, but I heard someone with a commending voice.

“Oh my…! Miss, that looks so good on you!” a lady praised Rin somewhere.

“D-Does it really…?”

“Here, why don’t you have a look on yourself on the mirror for you to see how pretty you are with that!”

It wasn’t that far from where I am but it was hard to see because of the clothes that are hanged everywhere even with my height. I quickly approached them because I heard Rin's voice.

Well, part of it is that I want to see her with that outfit on her.

It was just a glance, but I saw her. Unconsciously, I immediately hid between the arrays of clothes. I seriously think I saw the epitome of brilliance just now. I did show myself immediately afterwards, though.

“Do you want it? It really does look good on you.”

“Yes! I really do like this!”

Apples… she’s just so cute.

“My~ Miss, is he your lover?”

Rin flinched as she handed out the coat to the lady.

“W-Well… Ahaha… Y-Yes, he is.”

“Ohoho~ The power of youth! Such brilliance!”

“We’ll add that to our cart, Madame. We’ll go and take a look a bit more if we find something.”

“Take your time then.

Oh? Now that I have a look at you, are you the prince’s aide?”

“…”

How in the world did the lady know?!

Thank goodness we are the only ones inside the store.

“Ah, yes… I’m Gram Sancht, Prince Nero’s closest aide.

But Madame, can you please keep this is a secret that I went here? I’m currently on a break and I don’t want people looking at me a lot.”

“Sure, sure. I shall treat you just and only a customer today.”

“I sincerely appreciate it.”

“Wow, Gram. So you’re well known now?” she finally rode the wave.

“I didn’t even expect this, Raiha. I am surprised myself.”

“I’m amazed she already adapted to calling me that.”

▪ ▪ ▪

It has been a haul, but at least she had fun. However, it probably applies to me too since I felt like that was a first in a long time that I had a lot of fun.

The clock cycled fast, and it is now the next day. Once again, we are both walking the halls again to attend my duties to Nero’s room.

“Do I really need to personally introduce myself to the prince, Gin?”

“Nervous? Just think of him as Nagi.”

“It’s not that easy… It’s like he’s Nacchi but at the same time he’s not. Also, he’s prince so I can’t talk to him casually.”

“Well, he’s a friendly person. When it’s just the two of us, I don’t call him ‘Prince Nero.’ We talk just like normal people in that situation.

But since he now knew that I know you, he will probably insist the same thing.”

After a few minutes of walk, we arrived at his room and knocked.

“Prince Nero, this is Gram.”

I opened the door and took a glance only to see Nero in front of his bookshelf. It seems that he’s alone inside.

“Good morning, Gram. I was waiting for you two.”

“Sorry for not waking you up today, Nero. I’m with Miss Raiha today.”

“It’s nice to see you, Miss Raiha. But I guess it’s too late for a welcome.”

“It is an honor to meet you, Prince Nero.”

“Oh, no, no… You can just talk casually when no one is around.”

“See?”

“I think I get it now, Gin- I mean, Gram.”

*rumble*

It was definitely Nero's stomach.

“Geez, Nero… You haven’t even had breakfast… Just when did you wake up?”

“I’m embarrassed…”

Rin suddenly snapped her finger and placed her right closed fist on her left palm.

“Shall I try and make breakfast for you, Prince Nero?”

“Ohhh… I would love to eat right now.”

“Mind telling your preferences to suit your palate, Nero? Young Miss is a great cook.”

“Alright, I’ll join you in the store room to get ingredients. While we’re at it, I’ll lend you a dining room and a kitchen.”

“Then I hope to satisfy your tastes, ‘Nero.’”

“I’ll be in your hands, Miss Raiha.”

~ ~ ~

“Something with flour noodles, Nero? Do they even have them here?”

I did not expect this country to have knowledge in noodles and pasta here. Clearly, I am underestimating this world.

“I haven’t really requested it to the cooks. But I think I’m craving for it today.”

“Hmm…

I can think of some dishes. But the question is if there are any made noodles in here. We’ve been looking for some time now.”

“I think we can’t find any in this store room. Pasta should be fresh if it is to be served, especially this is the royal castle…

Raiha, have you found at least a bag of flour here?”

“I think I did. But I think I’ll need you to lend me a helping hand later.”

“Right. Raiha, you carry this and then I’ll get the flour.”

I gave her the bag of ingredients she picked and so, I went and find where the flour is stored. Should the pasta be fresh, it needs to be newly made. But since Rin has never made them from scratch, she asked me to help just now.

~ ~ ~

In the kitchen, while Gin is doing the flour.

“Miss Raiha, can I ask why Gram is the one kneading the dough? Moreover, why does he look so skilled at doing that?”

“I asked him earlier to do it since I still properly can’t make one. Actually, he’s kind of my teacher because he taught me how to polish my cooking and I improved through his education.”

“I never knew that he’s that skilled…”

“I started working in a restaurant in Orio when I was seventeen. But I started to think of culinary in a serious mind when I was fifteen. Thus, I made my own food for two years and it was definitely a rough training.”

“I see…

By the way, I have never asked your age, haven’t I?”

“I am eighteen and Miss Raiha here is sixteen. Was she the same age as you?

The seventeenth day of the eighth month was the date of your birth, right?”

“I don’t remember telling you that. You’re right though.”

“Gram, the water’s in a boil now.”

“Good timing, I just finished.

You now have the stage, Raiha.”

Nero and I ended up sitting and just watching Rin cook. But since Nero thought waiting is boring, he decided to chat.

“What’s Miss Raiha making?”

“By the looks of it… Napolitan.”

“Napolitan…?”

“It is a pasta dish with tomato sauce and variations of ingredients that makes it a great but a very simple dish.”

“That’s new to me. The most common pasta dish here is carbonara. But I wonder how tomatoes will taste with that combination.”

“I’m surprised that that type of spaghetti is not known here. But carbonara is great too.

I guess we’re both introducing new types of dishes in this country. We should’ve made the cook watch us make that.”

“It can’t be helped. But there are a lot of times to show them.”

“Food is served, your highness!”

It definitely is a Napolitan dish. It looked just like one, but this will definitely be a surprise to his palate.

“Just to make sure… Since you’re the prince of this country, I shall have Gram taste it first if there is you suspect any poison.”

“She said it herself. We need to assure your safety, Nero.”

“…

I guess that’s true.”

I had a lot of opportunities to taste her dishes, but this is probably the longest time ever since the last time. I took a bite, but I was so happy that my muscles on my face moved on its own and gave her a smile I usually don’t make.

Yeah… this is not any ordinary Napolitan…

“…

I missed this so much…”

“I’m very glad to see you smile again.”

“Did those two forgot that I’m still here?” thought Nero.

“That’s it. Prince Nero, be her guest.”

He took a great amount on his fork and immediately tasted it. He stayed silent for a bit of time but he eventually put his fork down to the plate.

“Forgive my selfishness but…

Miss Raiha, I wish to appoint you as my personal chef.”

“Huh? Prince Nero?”

“I was so taken aback by this dish that I temporarily lost my ability to speak. I have never tasted this kind of flavor in my life…”

“Well, that’s unexpected. I guess he considered this as a trial or assessment. Your thoughts, Miss Raiha?”

“…”

“Think… Do I accept, or do I decline? If I were to accept, I will have the occupation of being someone inside the castle. I know that Gin did not ever like the system of hierarchy but he’s putting up with it.

It’s true that I’m glad that they liked what I made, and it made Gin smile… Gin…

That’s it. I should not think of this for my sake, but for the sake of Gin and making others happy.”

“I will accept your offer, Prince Nero.”

“Really? I am sincerely grateful to you.”

“But I-“

“But there shall be conditions that I would like to propose, Nero.”

As Rin was about to say something, he was interrupted by Gin that is about to cite a brave proposition to the prince himself.

“Conditions, you say. Please let me hear it.”

“Alright. Now that Miss Raiha accepts to be your personal chef, that means that she has a very similar position to mine, since I am affiliated to you personally.

The conditions that I will state is as follows: Should she have a room, it should also be a neighboring room that is very near to you. And when it is the time of meal, The three of us shall be together in one table.”

“I would also like to add that as a cook, the times of the day that I might be working are early morning, noon, and night. That could mean that I have an over amount of free time. At those situations, I would like to help you two with your work.”

Nero felt his lack of authority, but his superiority was not in his pride.

“Woah… You two suddenly became very serious.”

“I’m not really that serious… It’s just that I…

Forget it.”

“Gin, I know that you’re just jealous, and I was about to tell my conditions too.”

“Well, if I put it altogether, it makes sense. Yes, I would agree to it, but why do you also want to help with my work?”

“…

That is because we, Gram and I, had a friend who had despaired to the meaning of hard work because he can’t find the true sense of it.

He was the same age as us, and he passionately works in what he liked. He gladly accepted favors and he sincerely works with it. But it didn’t go well for him. His hard work was not recognized and it made him fall to despair more and more. Because of that, he had a hard time trusting people in terms of his work. He and his work were always forgotten, he works for the people, but he did not gain an equal in exchange.

He’s also a human to work hard for his needs, not wants. But reality has not been that good to him. I do not know where he is now, but I truly wish that he can watch the people smile because of what we do. I am sure that he is alive and I know that he has not yet given up. We want his wishes to come true, and this is the least we can do for him.”

…

“Rin, who are you talking about?” I lowered my head and whispered to her.

“You know him well."

“…

The truth is, there was a knight that I also considered a friend. He taught me to not use my power in everything. I am a human, and my position as a prince is just a title. But what I learned from him is that if I consider my responsibilities and do my work at my best, I may see our people with smiles in their faces.

Gram didn’t become my aide because I said I want him to be. He was tested and became my friend. It’s the same with you, Miss Raiha. I considered this time as your assessment. You can just not tell us if there is poison or not, but you expressed your pure intentions.

I am so glad that I have friends like you.”

“We are very grateful to your words, Prince Nero.”

From his seat, Nero stretched his arms and stood up with a contented expression.

“It’s almost time for work. Gram, Raiha, would you mind lending me a hand?”

“That is the reason why I am your aide, right?”

“I will do my best to help you.”

Thus, the days of the two people who were from a different world lived a different life continued.