The scent reached them before the sight did, drifting slowly from the hut and wrapping itself around the small clearing like an invisible thread pulling attention inward, rich and unfamiliar in a way that made it impossible to ignore. It wasn't just the fish this time, nor just the vegetables she had gathered earlier from the forest, but the way everything had been prepared together, combined with intention rather than desperation, creating something that felt less like survival and more like an actual meal. Even before she called them, the children had already begun to gather near the entrance, their noses twitching slightly as they tried to identify the new layers of smell that had never existed in their lives before.
Theo leaned slightly forward, peeking inside. "It smells different."
Leon nodded slowly. "Better."
Noella clasped her hands together. "Mother is cooking magic again."
From a short distance away, Kael lifted his head slightly, his instincts immediately reacting to the scent as he stepped closer, his brows knitting together in confusion rather than suspicion. "…that's still fish," he muttered, "but it doesn't smell like fish."
Riven, already standing near the hut, added calmly, "It has been altered."
Kael glanced at him. "You say that like it's a weapon."
"It is a method."
"It smells like a trap."
"It is food."
"…I don't trust it."
"You will eat it."
"…I know."
Before the discussion could stretch further, her voice came from inside.
"Come in."
There was no hesitation this time.
The children entered first, quickly but carefully, sitting where they usually did, though their attention was completely fixed on the food placed in front of them. Kael and Riven followed more slowly, both of them scanning the arrangement as if trying to understand how something so simple could look so… different.
The fish had been cooked in a way that changed its texture entirely, the flesh lightly browned and seasoned with crushed herbs she had gathered earlier, while the vegetables—some leafy greens, small root pieces, and sliced fruits—had been prepared into something that actually looked inviting rather than forced. It wasn't extravagant, but it was intentional.
Theo blinked. "…we can eat now?"
"Yes," she said.
Leon didn't wait. "I'm starting."
Noella smiled. "Me too."
The first bite—
Changed everything.
Theo froze.
Leon stopped mid-motion.
Noella's eyes widened.
Then—
"…Mother," Theo said slowly, "this is not the same fish."
"It is," she replied.
"…no, it's not."
"It is."
Leon nodded quickly. "But better."
Noella clapped softly. "So soft!"
Kael watched them carefully, still suspicious. "…you're exaggerating."
Theo shook his head. "We're not."
Leon added, "Try it."
Noella nodded. "Father Kael should try."
Kael narrowed his eyes. "…if I die, I'm blaming all of you."
Riven, already picking up his portion, said calmly, "You won't."
Kael took a bite.
Paused.
Then—
Silence.
A long one.
Theo leaned forward. "Well?"
Leon waited.
Noella whispered, "Did he die?"
Kael swallowed slowly.
"…this is wrong."
She glanced at him. "Why."
"It tastes good."
"…and?"
"That's the problem."
Riven, after tasting his portion, nodded slightly. "…the texture has improved significantly."
Kael turned to him. "Don't say it like that."
"It is accurate."
Kael looked back at his food. "…I've been eating this wrong my entire life."
"Yes," she said.
Silence.
Then—
"…I don't like that answer."
The children laughed.
Noella smiled brightly. "Mother knows everything."
Kael muttered, "…that's becoming a problem."
Riven added, "…it is an advantage."
Kael pointed at him. "You're enjoying this too much."
"I am acknowledging quality."
"You sound impressed again."
"I am."
Kael paused.
"…oh."
The meal continued, quieter this time, but filled with small reactions—Theo asking questions about the vegetables, Leon eating faster than usual, and Noella occasionally making soft, happy sounds every time she took another bite. The tension between Kael and Riven didn't disappear, but it shifted, becoming less confrontational and more… aware, as if both of them were starting to realize something they hadn't fully acknowledged before.
She sat slightly apart, eating less, watching more.
And Kael noticed.
"…you're not eating much," he said.
"I ate earlier."
"That's not enough."
"It is."
Riven added quietly, "…you should eat more."
She didn't respond.
Theo looked up. "Mother should eat."
Leon nodded. "Yes."
Noella smiled softly. "Mother needs strength."
She paused.
Then took another bite.
"…fine."
Kael leaned back slightly. "…they listen to you more than us."
Riven replied, "…she is more effective."
Kael sighed. "…again, not helpful."
When the meal was finished, the children leaned back slightly, full and relaxed in a way they hadn't been before, their movements slower, their expressions softer, as if something inside them had finally settled.
Theo stretched slightly. "I'm full."
Leon nodded. "Very."
Noella yawned softly. "Sleepy."
And that—
Was when she stood up.
Her gaze shifted.
From the children—
To the two men.
"Go."
Silence.
Kael blinked. "…go where."
"To your huts."
A pause.
"…now?"
"Yes."
Riven nodded immediately. "Understood."
Kael frowned. "Wait—"
"No," she said.
"That's not fair."
"It is necessary."
"We just ate."
"And now you leave."
Theo whispered, "He's getting chased out."
Leon nodded. "Again."
Noella giggled. "Father Kael is being punished."
Kael pointed at them. "…I am not being punished."
"You are being removed," Riven corrected calmly.
"That's worse."
She crossed her arms. "You stay too long."
Kael stared at her. "…we helped today."
"Yes."
"We built the bath."
"Yes."
"We brought materials."
"Yes."
"…we deserve to stay."
"No."
Silence.
Then—
Theo said softly, "Mother decided."
Leon nodded. "It's over."
Noella smiled sweetly. "Goodnight, Father Kael."
Kael froze.
"…you're all against me."
Riven stood up calmly. "We leave."
Kael didn't move.
"…you're just accepting this?"
"Yes."
"…why?"
"Because she is correct."
Kael stared at him.
Then at her.
Then sighed heavily.
"…this is unfair."
She didn't respond.
He stood up anyway.
"…fine."
Riven moved toward the exit first.
Kael followed slowly.
But before stepping out, he paused.
"…the food was good," he muttered.
Then left.
Riven followed with a quiet, "…thank you."
And just like that—
They were gone.
The hut grew quiet again.
The children settled.
And she—
Finally sat down.
Alone.
But not entirely.
Because just outside—
Two huts stood closer than before.
---
End of Chapter 18