Why are all these here? I mean... aren't these from...?
"Do you want them?" Kai questioned me again when I didn't utter another single word again and had remained staring at the contents of the table in front of us.
I'm so surprised that I don't even know where to start...
Wait, no. Let's confirm it first before anything else! I might only be hallucinating!
I looked up and met the eyes of a middle-aged man who was supervising the stall.
"Excuse me... These--" and pointed at the fries-- "what are these called? These are fries, right?"
The man's face brightened as a huge smile painted his lips, "You are correct, young miss! This is our kingdom's current hit! Fries, potato chips, and popcorn! We also have caramel apples and banana-cues!"
He then started pointing to the other stall which was connected to their own. I didn't notice that at all... The other table was filled with trays of sliced apples, coated with melted sugar, and another tray for the so-called banana-cues. That table was also packed with people buying them crazily.
I have no idea what those are but they looked absolutely mouthwatering.. Anyway, that's not what I wanted to know, I'm more interested in these things in front of me.
The merchant just confirmed my suspicions... So these really are fries and so forth!
I knew it! I wasn't assuming things! From where did these come from though? And who is possibly behind these? Who brought the idea here? These are not from this world, these are from back where I came from!
Just what is the meaning of this? Is there someone out there who got transmigrated here as well?! Like me?!
I was suddenly bombarded with a strong rush of emotions. I wasn't even sure if I was happy or what...
"These fries and chips are made from potatoes while the popcorn is from corn. The popcorn is one of our best-sellers and they come in three different flavors; Caramel, Salted, and Plain. Ladies mostly like the caramel flavor more..." the merchant continued explaining, turning on his business-mode switch.
I wasn't listening at all, I was just in my little confused world. My brain just short-circuited and had been caught in a whirlwind of questions.
"Nadia?" Kai nudged me to get my attention. I gasped softly and blinked, clearing my mind.
His thick brows were furrowed as he looked at me with worry.
I clasped my fists and exclaimed.
"Let's try them! Give us eight of all what you have, kind sir!"
"Marvelous!" The merchant remarked, seemingly delighted from how extravagant I was being. I don't care how much it would cost me, I'm only too eager to eat them again for the first time in three years...
"Milady?" Erin reacted as she gazed at me in surprise.
"These don't look appetizing to me though?" Amy mumbled as she narrowed her eyes on the table.
Lily elbowed her just as immediately, "Hush! Milady is treating us, shut your mouth."
I grabbed my purse and gave them one gold coin.
"Here's the money, please keep the change..."
The merchant was slightly taken aback upon receiving the gold coin. He even peered at me for a quick second-- "Thank you for your patronage! Young miss won't regret it!"
Of course! Because I have eaten all of these back then and they are the best! Ahh... the memories...
One of his assistants packed the things neatly in eight separate paper bags and then gave them to us afterward.
My companions' faces were a mixture of uncertainty and curiosity. Though a little skeptical, they are still thankful anyway.
With sparkling eyes, I gazed at them in anticipation.
"Go on..." I coaxed them.
Without missing a single bit, all of them reached out and started eating whatever fancied them first. My maids chose the popcorn first, maybe because it looked pretty to them.
As they put it inside their mouth, I eagerly watched all of their reactions in bated breath. Their once uncertain eyes suddenly lit up as they chewed and the five of them looked at me in shock.
"Ohh..." Erin was smitten.
"...???!" Freesia was having culture-shocks.
"Oh wooow!" Lily looked like she had experienced enlightenment.
"This is popcorn? This tastes amazing..." Amy sounded like she's about to cry.
"It's sweet!" and Mari was gushing like a teenager.
"....???....??" Those question marks are from Kai, probably having culture-shocks too.
Lost's face softened, appearing like a puppy all of a sudden.
Heh. They liked the caramel-flavored popcorn. I knew they would! Fufufufufu~
"Try the others!" I pointed out, feeling excited for them.
They didn't waste any more time and did what I said.
"These are potatoes? I can't believe it could be eaten like this???" Mari voiced out her amazement.
"This is... nice? I kind of like it..." Kai mumbled.
"This is a potato chip, right? It's so crispy??? What??" Erin looked really confused for some reason. Can't blame her, potatoes are only used for bread here and are sometimes turned into soups.
"How...?" Freesia grumbled.
"They looked so ordinary that you won't believe they are these tasty..." Amy remarked.
Lily blinked, "I suddenly feel happy for some reason..."
Well, these things are called comfort food so maybe that's why she felt like that. I was grinning from ear to ear, acting so smug as if I came up with the idea.
I tasted them for myself too and I was right. The familiar taste from these foods burst in my tongue and I was suddenly awash with nostalgia. I remembered eating these on my trip home, during break time, or having nothing to do.
My suspicions grew two-fold. It wouldn't make sense if they're to appear here out of the blue so there might be someone like me out there right now who brought these here.
'Another person got pulled inside the novel world too?'
I was amassed with curiosity, too absorbed in my thoughts.
'If there really is another one like me... then...'
I painted a mask and smiled at the merchant.
"Excuse me... Can I ask what kingdom did you come from?"
"This..." the middle-aged man glanced at his companion for a moment before responding-- "We are from a small kingdom under the Empire's rule, Wisteria."
Wisteria... I remember reading that on the map...
My smile didn't fade, "We have never seen anything like this before and my curiosity was piqued. Who came up with this idea? This person must be a genius!"
Sometimes, I also find it freaky how easy I lie through my teeth.
"I have no idea who came up with the idea but this business is from the Castello family, young miss," the merchant answered.
Castello family... Someone from them should have been transmigrated here too. Looks like I have another one to look up information for. If my notion is correct, then I must see them immediately...
With an added goal in mind, I beamed at the kind merchant.
"Thank you and I hope your business further prospers..."