CHAPTER 99: CHAPTER 98: NOODLES

Kael woke up slowly, blinking away the last traces of sleep. The early morning light seeped in through the window, faint and cold, painting the wooden beams of the ceiling in soft amber. He rolled over, stretched once, then sat up with a low groan.

He stood up and walked barefoot across the wooden floor. The chill made him shiver slightly. Quietly, he opened the door and stepped into the downstairs .

The stairs creaked under his feet as he descended. The shop below was still closed, and the building was quiet. Seris, it seemed, was still asleep.

His stomach growled.

Kael scratched the back of his head. "Ah, I’m hungry,"

He walked toward the back of the building, pushing open the door that led to the kitchen.

The kitchen was a large room, with thick stone walls and a high-beamed ceiling. He had it built with practicality in mind—three or four people could work here comfortably . The clay stove sat against the far wall, large and curved, shaped exactly how he’d instructed the dwarves to build it. Simple, solid, and efficient.

Kael gathered some dry wood from the stack in the corner, opened the stove’s mouth, and placed the logs inside. He struck a match—a small, familiar crackle and flame bloomed in his hand. He carefully lit the wood. The fire caught quickly, and soon the orange glow filled the kitchen with gentle warmth.

Then he placed a pan on the stove and poured in some water from a jug. As the water began to heat up, he walked over to the shelf where some of the food supplies were stored. Carefully, he picked out a few vegetables—an onion, a couple of carrots, and a small green pepper. He washed them in a basin and began to slice them with practiced ease.

He paused, wiped his hands on a cloth, and stepped into the shop through the side door.

At one of the lower shelves, he crouched and picked up a package of noodles. The original wrapping had once carried colorful printing and branding—things common on Earth, but strange and suspicious in this world.

Kael had carefully removed all labels long ago. Now, the noodles were sealed only in plain white wrapping, simple enough to pass unnoticed.

He grabbed four packets.

Back in the kitchen, the water had started to bubble. He unwrapped the noodles, dropped them in, and stirred gently. As they cooked, he watched the steam rise, the smell slowly filling the air.

After a few minutes, they were done. He poured the water out into a clay drain bucket, then set the noodles aside.

He wiped the pan, poured in a bit of oil, and let it heat. The scent of burning wood mixed with the rising aroma of sizzling oil. He tossed in the chopped onions, letting them brown slightly. Then he added the vegetables and stirred them around, their colors brightening in the heat.

He cracked an egg and let it cook in the middle of the pan. Once it firmed up, he broke the yolk and stirred it into the mix. The smell was already mouthwatering.

Finally, he added the boiled noodles back into the pan, tossing everything together. The spices from the seasoning packets blended with the fresh vegetables and egg. The noodles turned golden and glossy.

He turned off the flame, leaned back slightly, and inhaled.

The smell was amazing.

Behind him, soft footsteps creaked on the wooden floor.

Kael turned. Seris stood at the kitchen entrance, still in her nightclothes, rubbing sleep from her eyes, she looked both tired and curious.

"What are you doing here so early?" she asked with a yawn.

Kael smiled. "Making breakfast. Come on, wash your face. We’ll eat together."

Seris blinked at the smell in the air. "Wait... are those the noodles you talked about? The ones that cook in two minutes?"

He chuckled. "Yeah. Well, they say two minutes. But to make them right, you need five to ten."

She gave a soft hum and nodded, stepping aside to wash her face with water from the pitcher near the kitchen table. The water was cold, and she shivered slightly but seemed more awake afterward.

Kael brought the pan to the table, serving two portions onto clay plates. The table itself was plain but sturdy, set near a small window where the morning light now spilled in gently.

He handed her a spoon. "Here. Tell me what you think. This might be the first time you’ve ever had this in your life."

Seris took a bite, carefully at first. Then she chewed, paused, and her eyes widened a little.

"Mmm... it’s strange. But... it’s good. Really good. The texture is different. Soft but a little chewy. And the flavor... it’s strong but not overwhelming. I like the egg with it."

Kael smirked. "Told you. Instant noodles— It is simple. But when you don’t have much... it becomes comfort."

Seris looked at him between bites. "So... this is common food where you’re from?"

Kael nodded. "Yeah. Cheap, easy, fast. Everyone eats them. College students practically live off these things."

She tilted her head. "College?"

He hesitated, then smiled. "A kind of school. For older kids. I’ll explain it someday."

Seris looked at him, but said nothing.

They ate in silence for a while.

When they finished, Kael stood and gathered the plates.

"I’ll wash," he said.

"I’ll help."

Together, they rinsed the dishes in cool water, then wiped them dry. The kitchen returned to quiet once more.

Kael stepped into the shop and opened the front door, letting in the full morning light. The street outside was still mostly empty, save for a few merchants dragging carts through the road.

They check the display, lighting a few lamps to make the place feel warmer. Kael adjusted a few products on the counter, placing a couple of items just-so for maximum visibility.

Seris wiped down the wooden counter with a damp cloth. "Feels like it’s going to be a busy day."

Kael nodded. "Ya, I think this too."

She smiled. "Hmm.... Maybe we should sell foods too."

He laughed. "You are right, it will be very beneficial."