I’m Stuck on a Remote Island With the Male Leads - Chapter 248

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Part 2
(Side Story)
Episode 6
I stared at him with a bewildered expression, then carefully took a step backward.
He immediately grabbed my ankle.
“Your old habit of running away alone persists, I see.”
“W-who said I ran away?”
“I awoke quite lonelily in that cave. My mouth was twisted—I suffered considerably.”
“…Are you really the Crown Prince?”
“Of course I am.”
“And I’m your ex-wife, correct?”
“That’s right.”
What was this? The Prince of Asdal before me carried an oddly familiar closeness that felt strangely discordant.
Perhaps it was because the Prince of Asdal from my memories—from my first encounter with him—didn’t present himself this way.
Still, the Prince of Asdal I knew was a foolish king who dressed as a wandering bard during the Fireworks Festival, so I couldn’t bring myself to dislike him.
I extended my hand to him and asked, “I’m about to have lunch. Would you like to join me?”
“…You’re eating here?”
The Prince of Asdal jumped to his feet with a startled expression.
I shrugged and moved past him, carefully selecting edible Mushrooms and gathering them into a Basket.
‘These are wood ear Mushrooms. And there are oyster Mushrooms too.’
I also gathered Bamboo shoots, wild greens, and edible grasses. These could be blanched in salted Water or tossed with sauce.
“Your Highness, would you gather some Coconuts for me?”
“…What? Coco, what?”
I sighed deeply.
Ugh.
I rose and made my way toward the Palm Trees.
Not far away, I spotted Coconut Trees, and Coconuts lay scattered across the Floor, rolling about.
“Pick them up and follow me.”
I selected the ripest Coconuts and dumped them into the Prince of Asdal’s arms.
The Prince of Asdal accepted them with a bewildered expression and hurried after me, clutching them.
I hadn’t wanted to show him the Camping Trailer, but….
Somehow, I felt the Prince of Asdal would be fine with it.
And perhaps because this wasn’t the world I lived in, my heart felt considerably lighter.
I immediately retrieved my key ring and opened the Camping Trailer.
“I thought this Forest was one where Magic was forbidden… But when did my lady learn to use Magic in the first place?”
“Since I arrived in this Forest?”
I gave the Prince of Asdal a vague answer to his question and stepped inside the Camping Trailer.
The Prince of Asdal hesitantly followed me inside, marveling at the interior.
“Huh.”
“Huh.”
The Prince of Asdal gazed in wonder at the interior of the camping trailer.
Everything here would vanish in 3-4 hours, transforming into keychain form before being reset.
So there was no risk of theft or loss.
When I was imprisoned, a Prison Guard had confiscated my keychain, but the next morning I discovered it had returned to my pocket—that’s how I learned about this system.
If I needed items for longer than 3-4 hours, I could simply set a timer.
‘It’s simple and convenient. Almost like a game.’
In any case, I retrieved a folding table and a two-burner stove from the trailer shelves.
Then I pulled out two Stainless Steel pots, a frying pan, a folding cutting board, a knife, pincers, a spatula, a ladle with strainer, and a sink basin, stacking them in front of the trailer.
Next, I removed a Water Purification filter, a water container, a Lighter and Lantern, aluminum foil and silicone gloves, and a dish towel, instructing the Prince of Asdal to carry them outside one by one.
‘Hmm. I wonder if Jenas and Anata will take an interest in this sight through the Eyes of Magical Beasts.’
If they did, wouldn’t I be able to meet Enoch Aster Klaus Langrid much sooner?
I removed all the sauce containers and laid them outside, then began setting up the equipment.
I could see the Prince of Asdal staring at me as if entranced, his gaze so intense it felt like it might pierce through.
His expression held a thousand questions, but he seemed to decide simply to observe me, saying nothing.
Good. That works.
“Today’s dishes are bamboo shoot stew and wood ear mushroom stir-fry!”
“…I haven’t the faintest notion what such dishes are.”
The Prince of Asdal clicked his tongue and stroked his chin, studying me carefully.
“Even if you were once a consort, you were still the Crown Prince’s wife. How can you possibly cook….”
“Will you help or not? No help means no Broth.”
Just then, a rumbling sound came from the Prince of Asdal’s stomach. He was clearly quite hungry.
His cheeks flushed crimson as he answered with embarrassment.
“…I shall assist.”
Oh. The mighty Prince of Asdal feeling bashful? I’ve never seen that expression before.
In any case, we began cooking.
I poured a tablespoon of oil into the pan, added the wood ear mushrooms, and turned up the burner’s heat.
“These need to be stir-fried to drive off the moisture until a fragrant, nutty aroma rises.”
The silence felt slightly awkward, so I continued cooking while offering explanation.
The Prince of Asdal boiled the bamboo shoots according to my instructions, and I then added them to the pan.
Next, I added a pinch of salt and soy sauce, a small handful of sugar, stir-fried until the surface glistened slightly, then poured in Coconut water and reduced the heat to low.
Now it just needed to simmer.
The aroma was already wonderful.
Gulp.
I heard the Prince of Asdal swallow hard. My own stomach was growling too.
Next time I’d like to make curry with bamboo shoots, but unfortunately the sauce containers held no curry powder.
‘I wonder if there’s a seasoning that could substitute for curry powder?’
I’d have to think about that later.
‘While the bamboo shoot stew simmers, I should make wood ear mushroom chips.’
Once again, I placed the frying pan over the burner, lightly coated it with oil, and heated it.
Once sufficient heat had built up, I added only the wood ear mushrooms, driving off their moisture to achieve a crispy, golden texture.
Then I tilted the pan to melt sugar on one side, crafting caramel, and lightly coated the Wood Ear Mushrooms with a few drops of soy sauce before extinguishing the flame.
The aroma was absolutely divine.
Would Magical Beasts be drawn to it?
Seized by belated concern, I surveyed my surroundings. Fortunately, no Magical Beasts had gathered.
‘Ah. Those creatures typically respond to the scent of human blood.’
During my time on the Remote Island, I’d prepared all manner of dishes in front of the Cabin, yet no Beasts ever came prowling.
‘If this were a true Jungle Forest and Wilderness, I couldn’t even imagine what might happen.’
Typically, leopards and jaguars react sensitively to the scent of Protein and oils.
Wild Boars, for instance, responded to the aroma of cooking plants, while primates usually gathered whenever sweet scents wafted through the air.
How do I know such things?
Didn’t I mention having survival experience in Remote Areas during my time as Lee Jin-ju?
If Margaret Rose Flone of this parallel world hasn’t experienced that yet, then in terms of information, I’m still the superior one!
In any case, after secretly catching my breath, I sprinkled pepper over the finished dish and began plating.
I’m no professional chef and can’t prepare elaborate dishes, but with seven years of self-catering experience as Lee Jin-ju, I’m hardly incompetent in the Kitchen.
Besides, I’d fasted for a day and a half—what did taste matter at this point?
Once I’d arranged all the dishes on the newly retrieved folding table, it looked quite appetizing. The rich, delicate aroma of Coconut and Mushrooms was absolutely intoxicating.
I was setting out the fork and spoon when I paused and glanced up at the Prince of Asdal.
He was staring at the arranged dishes with an intensity that could bore holes through them.
This was amusing—should I tease him a bit?
“Ah, well. I wonder if His Highness the Crown Prince would deign to eat such humble fare?”
As I spoke and reached to remove the spoon, the Prince of Asdal suddenly seized my wrist.
The Prince of Asdal, who always wore a smile even when being disagreeable, now regarded me with a distinctly cool expression.
“What nonsense. I even took on the role of Kitchen assistant just to taste this magnificent and extraordinary dish.”
After responding thus, he smiled faintly.
“Did that answer satisfy you?”
Ah. He’d seen through my jest. Truly, his perceptiveness is exceptional.
I applauded him and set the spoon back down.
“Please, do eat.”
The Prince of Asdal, taking the spoon from me, wore a satisfied expression as he brought a spoonful of the Coconut Bamboo Shoot Stew to his lips.
He paused, his eyes widening in surprise.
‘This flavor—?’
That was the expression on his face. It resembled something straight out of a cooking competition show.
I’d thought that if he reacted well, I might drag him along everywhere and make him do my bidding like a court lady, but such an exaggerated response was entirely unexpected—almost embarrassing, really.
I followed his lead and tasted the Stew myself. Then I understood why he’d reacted that way.
Wow. This is incredible. Absolutely outstanding.
It puts traditional ginseng chicken Stew to shame.
The Wood Ear Mushroom Chips were equally remarkable. The rich, earthy mushroom aroma combined with the caramelized sweetness, and the crispy Texture was absolutely exquisite.
I can confidently say that the harsh Jungle Forest environment made it taste even better, but regardless, it was undoubtedly an excellent meal.
The Prince of Asdal devoured the Stew and Wood Ear Mushroom Chips hurriedly. My own eating pace accelerated as well.
By the time the Bowls were completely emptied, we were both satisfied.
“Where do you hail from?”
“…Yes? I beg your pardon?”
I lifted my head abruptly, startled mid-bite of my meal.
What on earth had I just heard?

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————