Free Web NovelChapter 6: Chapter 6 Hope Returns Again
After I finally pulled myself together in the hallway, my system chimed with an incoming message. Before I could check it, the robot butler approached.
"Ms. Sterling, hello. There’s a recreational area in the basement with full facilities. If you ever feel bored, feel free to check it out. Here’s your access card."
The robot butler glided away without waiting for my response.
I’d love to explore that recreational area, but every time I pictured that massive beast in Chamber One, my enthusiasm died. That enormous body—could it really be satisfied with just five giant burgers?
——
"Alistair, you scared her off!"
Barrett from Chamber Four was practically snarling toward Chamber Five.
They’d finally gotten someone who could actually cook, and their streak of good fortune had ended before it truly began.
"Commander, with all due respect? Your beast form is genuinely terrifying."
That came from Dorian in Chamber Three. Young and unfiltered, the thought of returning to those awful nutrient drinks made his stomach churn. That omurice had been the most delicious thing he’d ever tasted, and he hadn’t even gotten a second helping.
His small leopard ears drooped pitifully. His eyes grew misty. He gazed at the remaining food on his plate and carefully tucked it away. There wouldn’t be any more.
She’d bolted so quickly earlier that she’d practically left a trail of dust.
Julian stared at the water without uttering a word. That hamburger had been absolutely divine. He couldn’t fathom how she’d created such a perfect combination—meat, vegetables, juice—everything harmonized flawlessly. He’d assumed she was a robot, but she was actually a female. His attention drifted to the small yellow duck floating in his pool.
His spirits plummeted further.
He also stashed away a hamburger.
The atmosphere in the wards became arctic. Alistair, weighed down by remorse, trudged to the mirror. Had he truly frightened her that severely?
He examined the food on his table and let out a deep sigh. He hadn’t realized his beast form was so horrifying. The blame rested entirely on him.
He whispered an apology and withdrew into himself.
Finnian from Chamber Six had already finished his meal. His spirit collapse level was minimal—so low that he’d actually petitioned the Valerion Empire for a medical team. He hadn’t experienced an outbreak in days. The robots documented his statistics and transmitted them, awaiting a response.
Just hours earlier, the system had assigned him a match. They hadn’t communicated yet—couldn’t receive messages from bondmates while confined—but even the simple notification had rekindled something within him.
He gazed at the bondmark on his wrist and smiled faintly.
Full belly, clear mind. A grain of rice clung to the corner of his mouth. His tongue darted out to capture it. Once he swallowed, an inexplicable wave of melancholy washed over him. He truly, desperately didn’t want to return to nutrient drinks.
Silas Pendragon from Chamber Seven felt relatively numb. His value was only sixty-three—not as catastrophic as the others—but he’d been imprisoned here the longest.
He’d glimpsed a spark of hope as well. The system had matched him with someone. Wasn’t that progress?
Nutrient drinks weren’t catastrophic. But they made him miserable.
For all of them, this transcended mere food. It represented proof that the Valerion Empire hadn’t completely abandoned them. If she departed—
They’d all shared the same dreadful thought. The connected wards fell into deathly silence.
Until cheerful footsteps resonated from the corridor.
Everyone perked up.
Especially Kaelen in Chamber One. He craned his neck forward, pressing as close to the door as possible. The reason he’d remained silent earlier was because he wondered—was his beast form frightening too?
He retreated a step. "Ding." The access control engaged.
The instant Julian spotted that I’d returned, he swam forward and pressed himself against the glass.
In that moment, I wasn’t just a cook. I represented hope.
Everyone’s heartbeat accelerated. Dorian’s room was number three—he could glimpse a little, but not much. When the hallway grew silent, he called out anxiously, "Why’s it so quiet out there?"
Julian grinned. "Patience, Your Highness."
A collective sigh of relief swept through the rooms. I hadn’t abandoned them.
——
Elara’s POV
I had no clue that my earlier sprint had triggered an entire existential crisis. I simply knew the dragon before me hadn’t gotten enough to eat.
I wheeled a cart loaded with five more giant burgers and stopped directly in front of Kaelen’s door.
When he saw all that food was intended for him, Kaelen appeared vaguely embarrassed. Was I attempting to fatten him up for slaughter? He remained motionless.
I prompted, "Eat. It’s all for you."
Outwardly, I maintained my composure. Internally, I was cursing violently.
This guy—does he want to starve before he dies?
Every time I remembered this creature before me was technically my husband, I wanted to vanish. With a beast form that... substantial, his human form probably looked like he bench-pressed trucks for entertainment. And that belly—when he transformed back, did it protrude like a beer barrel?
Kaelen had been observed by females before, but never like this. Was he frightening too?
Recalling how Alistair had sent me fleeing, he wisely stepped backward.
"Thanks. But I can’t actually consume this much."
He looked as if he wanted to explain something, gritting his teeth against what seemed like agony as he trembled slightly. A puff of white smoke filled the room. A moment later, a juvenile dragon stood before me.
Silence.
Complete silence.
I stood at the door without speaking. Kaelen’s confidence faltered. He’d transformed back. Was that still insufficient?
His expression seemed to say something like, "I tried. If she flees now, it’s not my fault."
"So," I pointed at the burgers, "you want these or not?"
Kaelen shook his black dragon head. His ears drooped. His eyes weren’t terrifying anymore—they actually appeared kind of... clear?
I pushed the cart away.
Internally, I was screaming. Oh my god. So my doomed husband can transform into Toothless?
That adorable little beast I’d only ever seen on posters had just been right in front of me.
Wow. How is this reality? I decided right then—I was preparing something extra special for my doomed husband at lunch.
I began violently crushing lemons, humming a little melody. System, you really matched me perfectly.
Because honestly? Who could resist a doomed husband who resembled Toothless? ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
Short lifespan aside, there was literally nothing wrong with him.
So at lunch, the other six received the same meal. Kaelen got an additional serving of jam cake and a glass of violently crushed lemonade.
Cooking was my specialty.
Back during the apocalypse, supplies were scarce and food was barely edible. If I didn’t possess skills, I suffered. Over time, I’d become an excellent cook.
Tomato and ground beef stew, sautéed mushrooms, steamed chicken with herbs, a bowl of creamy chicken and wild rice soup, a large serving of rice, and a fruit plate.
Perfect balance of meat and vegetables. I’d outdone myself.
After the robots distributed the meals, Julian paused. Something was amiss.
He called out, "Wait. Where are the desserts and juice?"
