...The Army...

After a long journey, Anastasia arrived at the training camp. Her face became full of joy the first moment she set a foot in that place.

- My lady, I think you must show a much more serious expression.

- Why? I'm very happy to be here.

- Look around you, the soldiers seem like walking dead. I think we must go back to where we came from.

- Never, I won't go anywhere until I do what I came for.

Lucia sighed:

- I don't know why, but I feel very worried. No matter how much my lady became stronger, I don't think you will be able to match this place.

- It's okay, I can bear anything.

The commander's assistant approached them:

- Hello...I suppose you are lady Anastasia.

- Yeah, that's me and this is Lucia, my servant.

- I'm Sergio, the commander's assistant.

- Nice to meet you, Sergio.

- Follow me, and I will show you around.

Sergio took them to make a tour around the place. The army camp was in the middle of a forest. There were so many tents, set around a big training ground where the soldiers had been training.

When Anastasia passed by, everyone kept looking at her. Her beauty caught their eyes.

- Who is the beautiful lady? Is she the commander's woman?

- No way, our commander doesn't care about women.

- She is wearing pants!

Sergio got closer to them:

- Listen to me, everyone. Starting today, lady Anastasia will join us.

The soldiers became shocked when they heard that:

- How can that be possible? She is a lady!

- Yeah, we can't allow her to join us...

Sergio ignored them and smiled at Anastasia and her servant.

- My lady, you will start your training tomorrow. If anyone bothers you, just tell me. I will make sure the commander deals with him.

At that moment, the soldiers stopped murmuring and went back to their training. No one will dare to disobey the commander.

- Speaking of the commander, where is he? I want to meet him.

- I'm sorry, he is busy. I will try to set an appointment for you to meet him.

- Alright...

- This way, my lady, let me show you your tent.

Sergio took them to a big tent.

- Is this my place?

- Yes...

- But, the other tents are smaller, why mine is this big?

- Well, Count Gilbert sent a lot of money along with a letter. He asked us to use the money for your comfort.

Anastasia sighed:

- I won't take this, give me a normal one. It will be enough for me and Lucia.

- But, my lady, if the Count knows...

- Don't worry, no one will tell him anything. I came here to be a normal soldier, I didn't even want to bring a servant with me. I only did it to make my father feel reassured.

- Then what should we do about the money?

- Spend it on the commoner soldiers. I'm sure that most of them are poor and lack a lot of things. I also brought with me a lot of supplies. You can use them all for the soldiers' food.

Sergio was quite surprised by Anastasia's sudden request, he thought that he will meet a spoiled young lady who will spend her father's money to provide luxurious items like the other nobles did.

- Alright, my lady, as you wish.

" This is strange! Why she refused that tent? All the nobles requested a bigger tent and better food because they are rich. Did she really come to train and not to show off? I must keep an eye on her. "

- What about this one?

- I will take it, thank you.

Anastasia put her things inside the tent and lay down for a bit.

- My lady, what do you want me to do for you? Should I prepare some food? You must be hungry.

- Lucia, As I said before, I didn't bring you here to serve me.

- Then why did you bring me with you?

- So Agatha won't hurt you.

- But I can't just lie down without doing anything.

- You can help in preparing food for everyone. I will be glad if you do so.

- Alright, I will do that. Rest for a bit until we serve the dinner.

Lucia left the tent and walked around looking for the place where they use to cook for the soldiers. Sergio noticed that she was searching for something.

- Can I help you?

- Where is the kitchen?

- That way!... You are going to cook something for the lady, right? I just want to tell you that the kitchen is a modest tent and we don't have that much of cooking tools. There is only a big pot where the food is cooked. That's all.

- And who is responsible for cooking?

- No one precisely. Every day we chose, randomly, someone from the soldiers to cook for the whole day.

- What if that soldier doesn't know how to cook?

- Soldiers eat everything that is served to them even if it is mixed with mud. They don't care as long as they filled their stomachs.

- Isn't this a bit harsh?

- Well, being in the army is not a joke. When we go to war, the conditions are much worse than this, so they must get used to it.

- Can I help in cooking for the soldiers?

- You? Weren't you going to cook for your master?

- No, she asked me to cook for everyone.

- Can I ask you a question?

- I think you wonder why is she doing all of this.

- Yes, kind of. She is not behaving like the other nobles.

- Because she came to train for real and to become stronger. Though my lady came from a rich family, she didn't live the happy life you are imagining. I hope your commander doesn't act harshly with her.

- I can't guarantee that. My commander is not a person who considers others, so she must be careful around him.

They finally arrive in the kitchen, it was worse than she thought.

"What a mess!"

- Today, is Johnathan's turn. Say hi to the lady, she will help you with cooking.

Lucia started cleaning the place right away.

- Johnathan, can you bring me some water?

- Why should I do that? Do it yourself.

Sergio wanted to scold Johnathan for his bad behavior, but before he could talk Lucia held the knife and glared at him like a murderer.

- I BECAME THE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS NASTY PLACE. SEEING ALL THESE DIRTY DISHES MADE MY BLOOD BOIL. SO, IF YOU DON'T WANT TO CLEAN THEM USING YOUR MOUTH, BRING ME WATER... IMMEDIATELY.

Jonathan ran, without saying another word, to bring some water. As for Sergio, he was amazed by Lucia's strong attitude...