Raised in Dungeon

"You're annoying."

"I did it because I couldn't stand your attitude."

"You have to finish your food anyway!"

While combing her hair, Margareth recalled Allen yelling at her. Not that she had never been yelled at. Her mother often did that to her, but her mother's yelling was always related to her existence, her birth, and her value as one of the princes.

"I've never seen anyone yell at me with those eyes," she muttered. Having experienced all sorts of hateful things directed at her, she knew that Allen was yelling at her without a hint of hatred in his eyes. Even though he was yelling, even though he was upset, even though he was angry, but his eyes showed kindness and concern.

"Finish your food!" Allen said before.

What Allen did made Margareth somehow feel calmer now, making her want to quickly taste the soup that he would make later.

After brushing her hair and wearing new clothes, she went straight to the Pavilion in Boldenvill's garden. She waited there for Allen while looking at the flowers.

After a long wait, Margareth could finally see Allen starting to walk towards her.

"I am glad you really came; I had time to go to your room first just to make sure," Allen said.

"Well, I just want to prove you are wrong," Margareth replied.

"So, where's the food?"

"Here," Allen indicated the bowl he was holding.

"This is the food? I thought it was a wooden ball that you picked up on the trashcan."

"This is a special bowl made by my master. You have to open the lid first to see the food inside."

"I see... Peasants can think like this too; I really hate smart peasants.

Where are the plates and spoons?"

"? You can eat directly from the bowl."

"Are you kidding me? You're asking me to eat the food on the wood base?"

"Is that really a problem? Don't worry; the wood has been polished, so it's clean."

"Haaah..." Letting out a long sigh, Margareth immediately picked up the bowl. "I can't believe I'm actually going to eat this."

But what she couldn't believe even more was herself agreeing to come to the pavilion, and herself waiting for Allen to come with the soup.

"Don't look at me while eating; I hate it," Margareth said to Allen, who was sitting in front of her, looking at her with a curious face.

"O-okay," Allen turned his body slightly, looking the other way, but every once in a while, he would steal a glance at Margareth.

Margareth started to open the bowl, and the fragrance went straight to her nose, making her still-hungry stomach rumble.

"I really hate this."

She then ate the soup.

One spoon, two spoons, three spoons—she continued to eat the soup slowly. Her face, however, looked ordinary. Still, like a princess trying to eat gracefully, which worried Allen a little. "Doesn't she like it?" "Did I make the wrong choice by bringing her a different soup from earlier?" Many questions popped up in his head as Margareth did not show any expression on her face.

But the truth was, for Margareth.

With every spoonful she tasted, she could feel the soup's warmth, which seemed to have a transformative effect on her. She could imagine that Allen had poured his heart and soul into creating this dish, and the person who made it must have wanted nothing more than for her to savor every bite. The main reason was not because Allen felt sorry for her or cared that much about her; rather, it was born out of annoyance that Margareth hadn't finished the soup earlier.

After she was done eating all the soup.

She took out her handkerchief and wiped her mouth.

Allen uneasily waited for Margareth's impression of the food. He was worried that she really didn't like it.

"Allen..." Margareth spoke softly, and that softness seemed to be followed by painful words.

"Y-yes?!" replied Allen.

Margareth then smiled at him. Her smile, however, was not the usual sly smile that she usually showed. It was really just the sweet smile of a girl who felt happiness from the bottom of her heart.

"Let's talk; there are many things I want to talk about myself," Margareth said.

Allen then replied, "Yes, let's talk."

…

__Allen, the soup you gave me is really a terrible soup. I felt calm, not wanting to think about my hatred for a while.

As the warmth of that soup entered my body, I felt like something on my body was dancing around the campfire, so cozy and warm.

No wonder the soldiers acted like that toward you; no wonder the people are on your side. You are indeed a person who deserves it__

During that moment, Allen and Margareth engaged in a deep conversation. Allen excitedly shared his positive experiences during his time in Barkaley, painting a vivid picture of the wonderful moments he had encountered. On the other hand, Margareth expressed her immense animosity towards everyone, conveying her intense hatred. As they conversed, unbeknownst to them, the sun quietly descended beyond the horizon. In this dimming light, fireflies fluttered around them while a gentle glow emanated from the moon above, casting an enchanting atmosphere over their exchange.

"It's strange, I don't know why I could talk this long with you about so many things. I feel so comfortable when I am with you," Margareth said.

"That's probably not because of me. It must be because you've eaten. A hungry body makes you go crazy."

"Oh my, you really can't help yourself. Earlier you said it was just stress; now you're calling me crazy."

"I don't need to restrain myself anymore now, because the only person in front of me is Margareth, right? We've become friends."

"Friends? Fufu… yeah, that's right, I've probably always... Ever since I was a little girl, I've probably yearned for something like this. Someone who would talk to me as who I am."

Margareth reached for Allen's hand, touched it gently, and said, "I don't hate it."

Margareth then sank into her thoughts, 'Then if, for example... for example, the old me also talked to mom properly like this, what would it be like now?'

Margareth looked at Allen in front of her, who still seemed to be enjoying telling another story about the tavern. However, his face did not show much expression; Margareth knew that he was having fun.

'If it's with Allen, the future will be so much fun...' Margareth thought.

Realizing that she had just thought of something embarrassing, her face immediately blushed. 'What do I think? He is four years younger than me! And also a peasant! No way I could feel…'

"What's wrong?" Allen asked because Margareth still touched his hand like she wanted to say something serious.

Margareth gulped, trying to increase her courage. And then she called, "Hey Allen."

"Yes?"

"What if... from now on, you and I..."

Suddenly...

"Aa!" Allen stood up.

"What's wrong?" asked Margareth.

"It's getting late; Rachel asked me to look after Felicia!"

"Felicia?"

While cleaning up the bowl on the table, Allen left immediately.

"In that case, I'll see you again. I'm glad you want to befriend me; we can talk another time!"

"Allen wait-" But Allen was already gone, leaving her alone in the pavilion.

"Yes, I can tell you another time," Margareth muttered.

"Felicia... The Maiden of Eden Garden. I forgot that she was still asleep. Perhaps I'll visit her this night."

Since it was getting late, she went straight to her room and changed her clothes again for dinner.

Apparently, Allen was only responsible for lunch, while Rachel and the other maids would make the evening meal as an exercise for Rachel to remember all the recipes Allen had.

"This soup is so different from the one Allen made," she thought.

After finishing the meal, Margareth immediately prepared again to visit Felicia in her room.

"Bertoph doesn't need to come; you can rest right away," Margareth said.

"Okay, then I'll go to bed. You can use the vibrating amnis to call me."

Margareth really just didn't want Bertoph to interfere with her time with Allen. She wanted to see Allen soon and wanted to talk some more.

'This time, will he tell me more about the outbreak? I wonder how he handled it,' Margareth thought with a smile, excitedly walking towards Felicia's room.

However, as soon as she arrived...

She accidentally heard Allen's voice.

"I'm sorry."

At that moment, Margareth immediately erased her presence and walked slowly, peeking out of the door that was not closed tightly.

Margareth saw Allen looking at the sleeping Felicia while resting his elbows on the mattress in a prayer-like position.

What surprised Margareth was Allen's eyes, which had tears in them that never stopped.

Then Allen's gaze, as he looked at Felicia, was a gaze she had never seen.

Margareth left there, and went straight into her room.

"I see… Looks like their relationship is not just a lady-knight relationship," Margareth muttered while hugging her legs on the bed.