☉NARIEL
I had quickly shed the layers of fabric meant to ward off the cold, opting instead for some decent dress I found in a chamber of the manor—likely left there by Vaelin, as everything I needed was conveniently present.
No servants—Vaelin had mentioned. Thus, I set out to find something simple to prepare, something I might be capable of—something within my limited culinary skills.
The pantry brimmed with an array of provisions, tempting me to wish for the ability to wield magic and effortlessly conjure dinner. However, such sorcery belonged to Nyxie, not to me. The skill of cooking even. I despised it—hated cooking. I was going to ask Vaelin to use his magic but talked myself out of it. I would find another way, the mundane way. Having spent enough time with Neoma in the kitchen, I
