Volume 1. Chapter 38

The sun, bathing the forest in a golden-orange glow, was slowly descending toward the horizon. The long shadows of the trees stretched across the path, making it look like an ornate carpet. Ken walked alongside Lily, enjoying the warm evening air and the gentle sounds of nature.“I think we should stop for the night,” Lily said, glancing up at the sky. “It’s getting late, and traveling any farther wouldn’t be safe. We can camp here.”Ken nodded, looking around. The spot really did feel cozy. Tall trees formed a sort of natural canopy, and a small stream nearby murmured softly, adding to the peaceful atmosphere.“Perfect place,” he agreed. “Plus, my legs are thanking me already.”Lily smiled and nodded, setting her magic bag on the ground.“I’ll take care of dinner. Could you gather some firewood? We need to start a fire.”“Firewood? Easy!” Ken straightened up and dramatically waved his hand toward the forest like he was about to embark on a heroic quest. “Just you watch, in a minute this forest will offer me its finest branches in fear of my greatness!”Lily couldn’t help but laugh softly, covering her mouth.“Well then, Great Lumberjack, let’s hope the forest agrees with your determination,” she teased gently, her smile warm.Grinning, Ken headed toward the nearest trees, leaving Lily to set up camp.Meanwhile, Lily pulled out the supplies from her magic bag. Though it looked ordinary on the outside, it held everything they could possibly need - from a cooking pot and plates to neatly packed food. Finding a special flint stone in one of the pockets, she easily struck a spark and lit a small fire.Ken returned faster than expected, carrying an armful of firewood. He dropped it proudly next to Lily.“As promised, the forest surrendered without a fight,” he declared. “Guess I was impressed by my skills.”Lily gave him a small smile.“You were quick,” she praised.“Of course,” Ken winked. “It’s all about my natural talent.”She chuckled and began arranging the firewood. The fire soon burned steadily and brightly, casting a warm light over their small camp.As the fire crackled, Lily began preparing dinner. She skillfully sliced vegetables and dried meat, adding them to the pot along with spices. Ken sat beside her, watching her work with interest.“You’re really confident when you cook. Did your mom teach you?” he asked, tilting his head slightly.Lily paused for a moment, her cheeks flushing faintly. She nodded softly.“Yes,” she whispered. “My mom always said the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”She said it with such sweet embarrassment that Ken couldn’t help but smile.“Sounds like you had a great teacher,” he said warmly. “Your mom knew what she was talking about. The smell alone is driving me crazy.”Lily laughed, but kept her focus on cooking. Her movements were precise and confident, even though it was clear she was flustered. When the food was ready, she carefully portioned it onto plates and handed one to Ken.“Enjoy,” she said, avoiding his eyes.“Thank you,” Ken inhaled the aroma. “Heavenly! If you opened a tavern, the line would stretch to the next kingdom.”Lily blushed again, but a proud smile crept onto her face.“It’s just stew,” she replied modestly.“It’s a masterpiece,” Ken insisted. “Seriously, you’re a born chef.”After dinner, they sat by the fire, admiring the starry sky. The forest around them was quiet, with only the occasional sound of night birds.“That was amazing,” Ken said at last, looking at Lily. “Thanks for feeding me, protecting me, and putting up with my jokes.”“You’re not that unbearable,” Lily replied with a smile. “Sometimes, your jokes are even funny.”“Sometimes?” Ken pretended to be offended. “Oof, right in the heart!”Lily laughed, leaning back and gazing at the stars.“Thank you, Ken. For everything. Having you here makes this journey easier.”Ken smiled, but didn’t say anything. He just kept staring at the stars, feeling the warmth of the fire and her words sink in. In that moment, he realized how much being with Lily truly meant to him.