"Blegh..."

  Max stood next Alex, patting his back as he knelt by a bush.

  "You good?"

  "Define good," he sat on his heels to catch his breathe, feeling drained.

  ("I now truly understand the saying 'Ignorance is bliss'..... The truth is brutally bitter.")

  'That is the reality of the situation..... I don't think that I've ever hated anything more than the System at this point.'

  "Do you have some— Nevermind," he wiped his mouth with the cloak, feeling his legs tremble as he stood.

  "Do you now understand what you're dealing with?" Max asked, his face serious.

  "Uh-huh.... I understand..."

  "The first time I saw this, it remained me of the time I was a stray before your father adopted me."

  Alex stared at his downcast expression, clenched fists and distant look in his hazel eyes. Mind filled with many questions he always wanted to ask ever since Max began to talk— the questions he couldn't ask because of the absurdity, confusion and the Trial Quest.

  "Let's head back to the palace."

  Max nodded and unclenched his fists, walking a step behind him, his shoulders slightly stiff.

  The walk back to the palace was silent. The sound of the lively city muffled in the background as they were engrossed in their own thoughts.

  Cain felt Alex's concern and curiosity. Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain in his arm, as if an animal bit him, but when he glanced at his forearms, he found nothing— no bite marks or animal.

  Then an image flashed in his mind for a second, and he only caught a glimpse of a dog's unfocused gaze and the reflection of a boy on the ground in pain in its eyes.

  He furrowed his brows in thought, ('Could it be.... one of the boy's memory?')

  Alex, however, remained oblivious that Cain unintentionally peeked through his memories.

  Immediately they arrived within the inner walls of the kingdom, Alex's feet took him to the kitchen as if in instinct, leaving a dazed Max in the garden.

  Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

  The loud bang of a pot hitting the floor snapped him out of his thoughts, eyes drifting across the room, processing the situation— the pot on the ground, the ingredients on the counter, a large pot of water over the fire and the cooks and maids staring at him with confusion and fear.

  "Good afternoon, Your Majesty," they said in unison, bowing their heads low as some dropped the items they held.

  "Um.... Oh, so— I mean...." Alex awkwardly straightened his posture and gave a nodded, shifting to his Cain facade, "Afternoon."

  They tensed up immediately and the Head Cook lifted his head slightly, "M-may I ask why His Majesty is here t-today?"

  Alex froze for a moment, 'Why am I here? I really don't know either....'

  He clenched and unclenched his fists until his eyes landed on the sack of flour in the corner.

  "I would like to use the kitchen for moment. Alone please."

  "Of course, Your Majesty," instantly, they left the room, leaving Alex alone.

  ("It still fascinates me on how they are easily intimidated by polite words than force.")

  'Unpredictability, I guess.'

  ("Anyway, why did you ask them to leave?")

  "I need to calm my thoughts."

  Place the cloak by the door, he folded his sleeves and tied an apron around his waist and a piece of cloth on his head. Then he gathered utensils and some ingredients, placing them on the other side of the counter.

  Upon running into one of the rushing kitchen staff on his way inside the palace, Max made his way to the kitchen, then hesitating for a second before placing his next to Alex's and went to his side, tying an apron and washing his hands along with Alex.

  Silently, he pushed the vegetables to Max's side, holding the knife as he showed him how to cut them and handed it to him to continue once he understood.

  Cain watched the two boys work, Max handling the chopping and Alex with making the dough.

  He felt a strange sense of calm, feeling his fingers molding the dough.

  The initial sticky texture made a tingling sensation trail down his spine at first, then as it became less sticky, he felt.... peace? He wasn't sure, but he knew that he enjoyed the feeling despite trying to deny it to himself.

  Alex smiled unknowingly, his shoulders feeling less heavy as he rolled the soft mixture. The scent of dried wheat and herbs filled him with a warmth and gave him a sense of calm.

  Max earned a few cuts from the knife and he and Alex had tears streaming down their eyes from the onion and their faces covered in flour and batter from Alex's clumsy tosses and spins.

  By the time, he lit the furnace and Alex created the crust, tomato sauce and grated the cheese with a bronze rasps.

  Spreading the sauce on the flattened dough and added the cheese and vegetables on top and secured it on a large wooden shovel-like, putting in the furnace.

  They leaned against the counter, watching the once full pot of boiling water became half as the water bubbled.

  The familiar (unfamiliar to Cain) delicious scent of melted cheese and heated vegetables filled the room.

  "I wish it had those spices your father uses," Max stated, instinctively stiffing the air.

  "Yeah. It would've smelt like..... home," his eyes surveying the mess.

  "Let's clean up," Max got a broom and a bucket of water with a mopping cloth, "And yes, the both of us are cleaning."

  Alex noticed Max's knuckles whitening as he held the broom by the bristles, clearly avoiding holding the stick.

  He took the broom, "I'll sweep, you mop."

  Max relaxed and nodded, his grin returning. And the duo began cleaning the kitchen— washing the dishes, cleaning the surfaces, organizing the utensils, arranging the food and Alex added more wood to the fire while Max refilled the pot.

  By the time they were finished, the pastry was ready and Max excitedly cut the slices, feeling incredibly proud despite the uneven lines.

  With great difficulty, he took a slice and only ate a small bite. It tasted wonderful, considering the limited resources and time, but it became tasteless.

  Meanwhile, Max was devouring his slice. Happy to experience a taste of home, making Alex smile at the sight.

  ("Who taught you how to cook?")

  'My parents. But I learnt this from my dad.'

  ("He taught you well.")

  'Are you trying to comfort me, Your Majesty?'

  ("Don't be delusional, boy. I am only stating a fact...... Anyway, what is it?")

  'It's called pizza. But the version I was taught is far in the future.'

  ("Interesting.")

  'I find it ironic that I'm here, preparing food, after seeing.... that.'

  ("A solution will be found. After all, I am still the king of Austinia.")

  'You're right.'

  Feeling a bit of his appetite returning, he ate the slice.

  On the corridor, near the doorway of the kitchen, Eleanor stood quietly. Her gaze assessing and curious as she watched the domestic scene before her, then turned away and left to avoid being caught.... or disturbing the peaceful sight.

  [Holder Candidate Quest One: Change the plot

  ?Duration: 321 days

  ?Reward: 10,000 points

  ?Failure: Bad luck at love]