Na-Isekai Ako
Chapter 47: A Royal Introduction to Street Food

Chapter 47: A Royal Introduction to Street Food

Ruel continued, "And I’ve always wondered if there more of us." He tapped his fingers against the wooden table. "The way Arianne reacted when she saw me—like she’d just seen a ghost. That told me enough. And then she mentioned you."

Katherine studied Ruel carefully. His words carried an unsettling accuracy, but she wasn’t sure how much she wanted to reveal just yet. Instead, she leaned back in her chair, keeping her expression neutral.

"That’s an interesting observation," she said lightly.

Ruel chuckled, shaking his head. "Maybe. But I doubt it." He swirled the drink in his cup before taking another sip. "You know, I’ve met a few people like us—people who remember... our ’place’"

Katherine’s breath hitched, but she forced herself to remain composed. She had suspected as much, but hearing it confirmed sent a rush of emotions through her.

Laura, oblivious to the deeper tension in the conversation, leaned forward, intrigued. "Travelers?" she mused. "How fascinating! Were they scholars? Adventurers?"

Ruel let out a low chuckle, but there was no real amusement in it. "Some tried to be," he said. "Some blended in, lived quietly, never drawing attention. Others—" he paused, swirling the liquid in his cup, "—well, they didn’t all get a choice."

Katherine frowned. "What do you mean?"

He hesitated, then spoke carefully. "Some disappeared. Some were... taken. A few didn’t last long."

A chill crept up her spine. "Didn’t last?"

Ruel sighed, rubbing the rim of his cup with his thumb. "Some lost hope," he admitted. "They couldn’t handle being here and... well, they took matters into their own hands." His voice was quiet, but the weight behind it was heavy. "Others simply vanished without a trace. No one knows what happened to them."

Katherine’s grip tightened around the edge of the table. This world—it wasn’t just a setting in a novel. It was real, with real dangers, real losses. And if people like her had gone missing, then there was something more at play.

Ruel glanced at her, studying her reaction. "A few tried to make a life for themselves," he added, voice returning to a casual tone, but Katherine could tell it was deliberate. "Maybe like you."

She didn’t answer immediately. The weight of his words pressed against her, solidifying something she had suspected all along. She wasn’t the only one.

Her thoughts flickered to Marquis Jonathas. They had yet to meet, but his striking features mirrored hers—red hair, green eyes. Could he have answers?

Ruel’s fingers drummed lightly against the table. "It’s a strange thing, isn’t it?" he mused, watching her carefully. "Being here. Knowing things others don’t. Not knowing if you’ll ever go back."

Katherine forced herself to meet his gaze. "And you? What are you looking for?"

Ruel’s smirk returned, but it was softer now, almost knowing. "Let’s just say... I prefer not to be one of the ones who vanish."

***

Ruel leaned back in his chair, watching Katherine carefully. Then, with a small grin, he picked up his cup again. "Well, I won’t keep you ladies here till dark," he said, taking a slow sip. "Athens may be lively, but it’s not always the safest place after sunset."

Laura raised an eyebrow. "Oh? How gentlemanly of you."

Ruel chuckled. "I try." Then, turning to Katherine, he added, "If you ever want to continue this conversation, we can talk some other time—preferably somewhere quieter than a noisy pub."

He gestured loosely at the lively chatter around them. "I’m staying here for now, so if you have questions, just send your maid with a letter. I’ll make sure to reply."

Katherine smirked. "I hope next time magpa-meryenda ka. We need snacks too."

Ruel laughed. "Oh yeah, do they have Starbucks here?"

Katherine scoffed. "Sosyal, Starbucks!"

"Anytime, for you, milady. Though, I’d prefer McDonald’s—too bad fast food does not exist here."

Laura blinked, looking between the two of them. "What in the world are you two saying?"

Ruel smirked. "Trade secret, Your Highness."

Katherine chuckled, shaking her head. "Anyway, if I need to talk to you, I’ll send Arianne with a letter."

"Good. I’ll be here," Ruel said with a casual wave.

Katherine stood, giving him a small nod. "Alright, Ruel. Kita-kits."

He grinned. "Kita-kits, kabayan."

As Katherine, Laura, and Arianne stepped out into the cooling Athens air, Laura huffed. "I demand to know what you two were saying."

Katherine only smirked. "Maybe I’ll tell you sometime, Princess."

Laura crossed her arms. "Hmph. Now, I really feel left out."

Katherine laughed, the heaviness in her heart just a little lighter than before.

***

As Katherine stepped out of the pub, the cool evening air wrapped around her like a quiet whisper. The streets of Athens bustled with life—merchants closing up their stalls, customers haggling for last-minute deals, the scent of roasted meat and fresh bread still lingering in the air. But for all the energy of the city, her mind remained fixated on the conversation she had just had with Ruel.

And then, suddenly, amidst all these swirling thoughts, her priorities shifted entirely.

"We need to buy bananas."

Laura, who had been lost in her own thoughts, halted mid-step and turned to her, looking thoroughly unimpressed. "I’m sorry, what

Arianne, ever composed, merely nodded as if this was a completely reasonable request.

"Shall I find a stall, my lady?"

"Wait, wait—hold on." Laura raised a hand. "After all of that talk—mysteries, missing people, magic—the first thing on your mind is bananas?"

Katherine gave her an innocent smile. "Yes."

Laura looked to Arianne, as if seeking an ally. "Is she serious?"

Arianne, of course, was completely unbothered. "Lady Katherine does have particular cravings." She gave a smile and went on her way.

Laura groaned, rubbing her temples. "I have never met someone so peculiar in my entire life."

Katherine grinned, unbothered. "It’s for a good cause. I want to make saging con yelo."

Laura blinked. "Saging... what?"

"A dessert," Katherine explained, her mood lifting just thinking about it. "Bananas, ice, milk, and sugar. It’s refreshing and sweet."

Laura gave her a flat look. "And you are only now telling me you can make desserts?"

"I thought you weren’t interested in bananas," Katherine teased.

Laura huffed, tossing her golden hair over her shoulder. "That was before I knew they could be turned into something sweet." She paused, then sighed dramatically. "Fine. I’ll allow this detour—but only if I get to taste it."

Arianne soon returned, carrying a bundle of ripe bananas in her arms, "I was able to find these at a good price, my lady," she reported, handing them over.

Katherine inspected the fruit, noting its golden hue. It was slightly smaller than the bananas from her past life, but it would do just fine. She nodded in approval. "Perfect."

Laura eyed the bundle skeptically. "And this is really all you need for your mysterious ’saging con yelo’?"

"Along with ice, milk, and sugar," Katherine confirmed.

With their errand complete, they turned toward the academy, the city lights glowing softly in the evening air. The chatter of the marketplace faded into the background as they walked, but Katherine’s mind remained restless.

There were still too many questions swirling in her thoughts—about the North, about mana, about the strange connection she might share with others like her. But for now, at least, she could focus on something simple.

***

The academy residence kitchen was empty, which suited Katherine just fine. The space was quiet, save for the occasional crackling of embers in the large hearth, where a low fire still burned from earlier preparations. The faint scent of past meals lingered in the air—fresh bread, roasted meats, and simmering stews—but soon, a new aroma would join them.

She tied back her red hair and set the bananas on the counter. "Alright, let’s do this."

Laura leaned against the counter, watching curiously. "So how do we make it?"

Katherine peeled a banana and began slicing it into thin rounds. "First, we cut these up. Then, we need ice, milk, and sugar."

Arianne silently retrieved the requested ingredients, setting them beside her lady.

"I suppose I’ll help," Laura said, picking up a knife. She studied the banana before glancing at Katherine. "Wait. Do I slice this like—"

"Not like a steak, Laura."

"Hmph." Laura mimicked Katherine’s movements, carefully cutting the fruit. "Cooking is much easier when other people do it for me."

"You’re learning now," Katherine chuckled.

"You’re corrupting me," Laura shot back. "Next thing I know, you’ll have me scrubbing floors."

"Let’s not get ahead of ourselves," Katherine said, laughing.

Soon, they had bowls filled with crushed ice, banana slices, fresh milk, and a generous drizzle of sugar. The soft clinking of spoons against the ceramic bowls echoed in the kitchen as Katherine handed Laura a spoon.

"Moment of truth."

Laura scooped up a bite, letting the cold sweetness melt on her tongue. Her golden eyes widened as the flavors blended together—the smoothness of the milk, the gentle sweetness of the banana, the refreshing chill of the ice.

"This..." She swallowed. "This is delicious!"

Katherine smirked. "Told you."

Arianne, ever quiet, nodded in approval as she tasted hers. "It is refreshing, my lady."

Laura pointed her spoon at Katherine. "Katherine, from your previous conversation with that Ruel guy, you seem to be holding a lot of secrets from me."

Katherine blinked, her gaze falling on the princess, who was still pointing her spoon at her.

Laura smiled. "But no worries, I’ll wait until you can tell me the full story. I’ll be your friend and support you regardless. I have confidence in my ability to read people."

Laura huffed, but her delight was evident as she eagerly took another bite.

"I hope you don’t start charging me, Your Highness."

"Just pay me some sweets as tribute, that should suffice."

The simple moment of shared laughter and warm companionship eased the weight on Katherine’s chest. The lingering questions in her mind—about the North, about mana, about the strange connection she might have with others like her—would have to wait.

For now, the taste of home was enough.

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