Chapter 28
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Chapter 28
Kaiden studied my expression, then broke off some branches and crafted something from them. A moment later, he presented me with a bag he'd woven together using twine and large leaves.
'My goodness, a leaf bag? How adorable.'
I accepted the eco-friendly bag with genuine delight, gazing up at Kaiden in wonder. It amazed me that those massive hands could fashion something so charming with such dexterity.
I studied the bag he'd made for a moment, then finally made my decision and spoke.
"Come with us."
Enoch disapproved, but Kaiden had proven invaluable to our group.
Kaiden excelled at practical survival skills, while Enoch was formidable in hunting and physical labor—our combination worked remarkably well.
We packed our belongings and set off on what sounded like an epic relocation journey, but as always, reality proved far less glamorous than the narrative suggested.
Rather than expending energy constructing a cabin, it made more sense to find a cave-like shelter near the river, similar to where we'd been staying.
Yet naturally, locating a suitable site proved far more difficult than anticipated.
I ventured inland, scanning the cliffs I'd noted days earlier. I didn't forget to search for cliffs that might harbor a bunker.
As we emerged from the cave where we'd been living and sunset approached, we discovered the massive river Kaiden had mentioned.
The gently flowing water seemed perfect for fish habitation. It would serve well for purification and drinking, and bathing too.
The riverbank was a flat gravel beach, and beyond it lay a slope that, when climbed, opened onto another flat, expansive area.
Surrounded by trees, it offered protection from animals while maintaining adequate distance from the river—ideal for evacuation if heavy rains caused flooding.
"I think building a branch cabin here would be ideal."
Since we didn't know when we'd leave this place, constructing a proper permanent cabin seemed impractical.
A temporary shelter made from thick branches appeared to be the most sensible option.
"But Margaret, how exactly do we build a branch cabin?"
At my suggestion to construct a branch cabin, Kaiden asked with a bewildered expression.
Enoch too seemed uncertain about cabin construction, his eyes seeking my guidance.
'Right, they wouldn't know this.'
I crouched down and sketched a cabin blueprint on the dirt ground with my finger.
"First, we'll need two short wooden poles and one long one. Sturdy, thick wood would be best."
At my explanation, both Enoch and Kaiden nodded attentively.
"We position the two short poles at the cabin entrance, leaning them together to form a triangle, then place the long pole across the top to serve as the roof frame. That completes the foundation work. This tripod becomes the cabin's support structure."
I drew the cabin carefully on the ground with my finger.
Enoch and Kaiden listened to my lecture with eyes wide open, like scholars burning with scholarly passion.
"Then we'll set up support beams like ribs along the sides of the long roof pole. After that, we layer smaller branches across the completed wooden frame and cover everything with fallen leaves—that completes the temporary cabin. Does that make sense?"
"Not difficult at all."
"Sounds simple!"
At my words, Enoch and Kaiden nodded in near-perfect unison. I smiled at them and added one more thing.
"We should build it slightly elevated from the ground. We need to watch out for ants and scorpions."
"Ah, then we can construct it like the temporary shelter we built on the Beach—with gravel as the base and a floor made from branches, moss, and fallen leaves."
At Enoch's words, I nodded vigorously.
"Exactly. That would work perfectly."
I set down the bag Kaiden had made on the ground and surveyed our surroundings.
"We'll need sharper tools to cut wood."
At that moment, Enoch muttered something about the difficulty. Hearing his words, I moved into action.
I could just make a weapon.
"What are you doing? Tell me. I'll do it for you, Margaret. Don't do something like this yourself."
Ignoring Kaiden's protests, I brought the rock down against another rock.
After repeating this several times, I picked out the thin, sharp fragments and handed them to Enoch.
"I can make a few more of these. If you sharpen them with stone, I think we could fashion an axe."
Both men stared at me with bewildered expressions. Kaiden rested his chin in his hand, his face grave, before asking me a question.
"Be honest with me now. You can tell the truth. You're not Margaret, are you? How does a noble young lady from the Duke's Family possibly know how to do this?"
Of course, I didn't answer him. Instead, I ventured into the brush to gather wood.
Enoch was honing the sharp stones I'd made by rubbing them against a rock.
Kaiden followed me, offering to help, and continued pelting me with questions as he collected branches.
"Does the Floné Duchy teach this kind of thing? Margaret, is there anything you don't know?"
Kaiden asked with genuine curiosity written across his face. They say mages are obsessed with inquiry, and watching Kaiden, I couldn't deny it.
"I want to take this back. It'll be useful when we set up pillars for the cabin. Help me out."
I spotted a long wooden beam that had snapped and asked Kaiden for assistance.
He laughed and gave me a playful nudge.
"Help? I'll handle it. Just step back for a moment."
With that, Kaiden hoisted the wooden beam onto his left shoulder and lifted it effortlessly. Do mages really possess this kind of strength?
With the three of us working, the task finished faster than expected.
Part of it was because we'd built a simple, modest cabin, but Enoch and Kaiden were both remarkably efficient workers.
By the time we finished the cabin, the sun had set, so we had no choice but to make do with acai palm for dinner before retreating inside.
We'd built it large enough to accommodate four adults, though it was still cramped—suitable only for sleeping.
I really ought to find that cabin from the novel. There's no shelter as spacious and comfortable as that one.
"It's better than I expected."
Kaiden said this as he lay down.
I was bothered by the prospect of sleeping alongside two men, but I didn't dwell on it long. My body was utterly exhausted. I simply lay down on the floor. Lying beside two large men felt awkward and uncomfortable.
'Maybe I'll build a separate cabin for myself to sleep in alone when I have the time.'
I was lost in such thoughts.
Kaiden rolled over and drew closer to me. Thinking something was wrong, I tried to turn my head, but suddenly he wrapped his arms around me from behind.
My back pressed against his chest. He slowly lowered his head, burying his face in my shoulder, and exhaled warm breath.
"What are you doing?"
I froze instantly. I felt the soft touch of his lips against my bare shoulder.
"It's cramped. Let's sleep like this."
"...Are you insane?"
Kaiden chuckled softly, his lips still buried in my shoulder. I felt the warmth of his breath and the faint sensation of his lips.
I furrowed my brow and reached out to push him away gently, but Enoch was faster. He kicked Kaiden's side and shoved him away.
Kaiden's face crumpled, and he glared at Enoch.
Of course, Enoch showed no hesitation whatsoever. He wedged himself between Kaiden and me and lay down. Kaiden sat up and protested, demanding to know what he was doing.
I quietly watched the two men's tiresome standoff before speaking.
"...Should I just sleep outside?"
At that, both Enoch and Kaiden sat up simultaneously.
"I'm sorry. I'll stay quiet."
"I won't do anything, so just stay here."
The first words came from Kaiden, and the second from Enoch.
Well, I could overlook Kaiden's behavior, but even Enoch was becoming increasingly childish.
I regarded both men with an unsettled expression, then settled into a corner and attempted to sleep.
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