Beastworld, Here I Come!

As Ves slowly woke up in the evening, the soft light of the setting sun filtered through the cave entrance. She noticed the faint smell of cooking meat and realized that Luca must have been preparing dinner.

She shifted herself into a sitting position as Luca appeared with some roasted meat on a small leaf, offering her a warm, yet familiar dish—bland, grilled meat, the same as always.

Ves took the meat, but her mind wandered. As she stared at the meat, she suddenly remembered that Mathew had some spices in his hut other than ginger and garlic. Her stomach grumbled in anticipation for some tasty food.

She did not trust Mathew and would ask him for help. Pursing her lips, she turned to Luca, who had been watching her. Seeing that she had not taken a bite yet, he gently asked, "Is the food not to your liking?"

"Uh I was just wondering, do you have any of the herbs Mathew has in his... uh hut?"

Luca had a worried look on his and shook his head, "Why do you need them? Do you feel sick?" He reached out and touched her forehead to take in her temperature.

"No no, it's just that those herbs make food taste good. We used those in our cooking back in my world." Ves explained and after a pause, she continued, " Do you by chance know where we can get those herbs? Like are they sold somewhere? Or maybe grown?" She crossed her fingers hoping he would answer affirmatively.

Luca gave it some thought and stood up, "I will ask Mathew about this, wait for me."

Ves reached her hands out to grab his to stop him but before she could, Luca had already rushed out. He was in a hurry since he heard Ves's stomach growl and hoped he could get her some food of her liking.

Luca did not want his sweet and small female to suffer. He feared that with her compromising and caring personality, he would not be able to treat her like a queen and fulfill all her needs because she would not say them.

She shifted uneasily, trying to distract herself by looking around the cave, the glowing orb being the only source of light for her.

It wasn't long before Luca returned, his footsteps echoing through the entrance as he stepped inside, his hands held a small pouch which probably had the dried herbs she wanted.

Ves's heart skipped a beat, a mixture of gratitude and wariness tugging at her.

"Here," Luca said, his voice soft but satisfied. "Mathew said these should work. He was worried you were sick..." He stopped midway, not knowing how to continue.

Ves noticed his hesitation, "What's wrong? Did you not tell him I am okay?"

"I... I did but he was not relieved so he..." Luca looked towards the door and Mathew slowly entered. He knew he wasn't welcome but he also couldn't be at ease unless he confirmed Ves's well-being by himself.

"Ves," he said softly, "Can I check your temperature, just to be sure?"

Ves rolled her eyes silently but understood his concern. "I'm fine," she sighed, but glanced at Luca and knowing that he trusted Mathew, she gestured for him to proceed.

Mathew approached her and checked her temperature and pulse before affirming she was indeed okay.

"These herbs are only to make the food taste better. I have always eaten my food with these this way." She, herself, didn't know why she was reassuring Mathew of all people.

She then took the pouch from Luca and opened it. The aromas of basil, thyme, and something else—something slightly spicy—filled the air, making her stomach growl once again. She didn't realize how much she'd missed the familiar scent of well-seasoned food until it surrounded her now.

She tore the piece of the meat into three parts and sprinkled some of the herbs which she could identify and was positive they would make the roast taste better on the meat and held the leaf out for both, Luca and Mathew to grab one of the pieces, "Try it and tell me how it tastes."

Luca and Mathew exchanged a glance since they had never seen a female share food before. They were even more surprised that each piece was the same size. Both of them were reluctant to take any piece for fear that Ves would go hungry.

Upon hearing their refusal, Ves's spirit deflated a bit since she thought they were criticizing her taste.

Both their hearts ached upon seeing Ves a bit dispirited and reluctantly took a piece each, leaving the piece they felt was largest for her. She herself picked the last piece of roasted meat glistening with the herbs she sprinkled and some salt and took a bite.

The flavors exploded in her mouth—rich, savory, and warm. It was a small thing, but it made a huge difference to her. She hadn't realized how much she missed the simple pleasures of her previous world. For a moment, she closed her eyes, savoring the taste and hummed in delight.

After seeing her reaction, the two wished she could also have theirs since she liked it so much but they could only reluctantly take a bite after her constant urgings. Their eyes widened so much upon tasting the meat, Ves wondered if they'll just pop out.

"How is it?" She asked even though she already knew the answer.

Luca chewed thoughtfully, then grinned. "It's... amazing. I didn't think these herbs which taste bad would make the meat taste better than before."

Mathew, still in a daze and processing the delicious taste, nodded. "It's... different. Better." He cleared his throat, looking at Ves almost as though she were a magician. "You really ate like this every day in your world?"

Ves grinned, feeling a small sense of accomplishment. "Maybe we could even find other herbs or spices to experiment with."

"I'll look out for any new herbs when I go out next time. You should eat like this always." He looked determined, mostly because he had never seen Ves eat her food as happily as today.

Her expressions as she savored the meat stayed with him. He silently vowed to ensure she could always enjoy such moments.

Ves's heart warmed at his protectiveness. If she knew his train of thoughts then she would be over the moon for having someone care for her for the first time in her life, that too in this unknown, foreign world.

As she ate, Ves felt more at home and less like a stranger in this rather strange world. Even her wariness against Mathew diffused slightly.

As the faint aroma of herbs lingered in the air, Ves realized that perhaps this world might be something worth holding onto.