CH 17

They carried the vegetables to the kitchen. The head kitchen maid looked surprised. Similar to Rosalie, the head maid, she wore a black dress with a round white collar and apron.

“My goodness! Lord Clyde, Miss Ashley, and the magicians too. How can I help you?”

“I’m sorry, but please cook these vegetables for me. I’ll leave the menu up to you, but I want a hot dish with the strongest smell as much as possible.”

“I understand. Excuse me, but didn’t you just have lunch?― Was it perhaps not enough?” the head kitchen maid’s expression changed.

“No, that’s not it. We won’t be eating it.”

“For who? For a guest? Then, I’ll prepare a proper meal for you.”

Before Clyde could answer, Hank interjected, “It’s not for guests. It’s for a black animal.”

“Huh…?”

“Hank!” Jeanne smacked Hank on the head. At the same time, Clyde shoves Hank’s figure behind him and covers it up with a smile.

“I’m actually trying to learn some new magic. I need it.”

“―Oh, I see.”

“I’ll take care of it.” The head kitchen maid nodded. 

In a few hours, the food was ready. There was a rich pumpkin soup and salted boiled broccoli, boiled artichokes sautéed in olive oil, and hot pot made with cabbages, potatoes, onions, and celery.

‘It looks delicious.’

She hoped the smell would wake the black wolf up. They quickly placed the dishes in front of the sleeping black wolf’s nose. They prayed and waited, but there was no response.

“Let’s try this.” Hank said and pulled out an old fan from the toolbox at the end of the stable. He fanned the steam rising from the pot, leading towards its snout.

“Me too.” Jeanne held a small pot of pumpkin soup and held it under the black wolf’s nose.

Ashley, too, took a salted boiled broccoli on a fork and brought it under its nose, ‘Please. Please wake up.’

The two magicians and the lady were doing those actions with very serious expressions. It was a very strange sight.

“―It’s not working?” Hank muttered with a sigh, looking at the black wolf, who did not even twitch. Ashley and Jeanne’s shoulders dropped in disappointment. 

“I guess this isn’t going to work after all,” Hank said curtly.

Clyde silently picked up the plate of sauteed artichokes and forced the black wolf’s mouth open with his other hand and tossed everything in its mouth. He placed the plate on the floor and closed its mouth with both of its hands. The three were stunned.

“Yes, chew.” In a hushed voice, he forced the black wolf to chew, bringing the top and bottom of his mouth together.

‘Scary..!’ A shiver ran through Ashley’s body. As expected of the hero’s descendant, to do this type of thing to the noble black wolf, the close aide of the demon king.

“Master Clyde…I think that’s as good as it gets.” Jeanne was speechless while Hank nodded with a straight face.

At that moment, the black wolf’s ears moved.

“It moved!”

“Again! Its ears twitched!”

Jeanne and Hank exclaimed. Its ears still kept moving. It was a wonder why it’s nose didn’t move even though the smell was strong. However, it was still a big improvement after the bathing event.

‘I knew it. Mister Black Wolf likes vegetables.’ Ashley was jumping in joy.

“It’s just as Miss Ashley said!” Jeanne said.

“True. I have to admit, at first I thought it was just nonsense talk. Brushing it, bathing it. It’s amazing.” Hank smiled as he honestly said what he thought.

“Let’s keep it going! Come on, let’s have you smell  more!” Hank fanned even faster.

“Have some more food.” Jeanne scooped up the pumpkin soup in the pot with a wooden spoon and popped a mouthful into the Black Wolf’s mouth. The moment she did so, the black wolf’s throat rumbled.

“Huh…?”

Ashley was stunned, but the next moment she was filled with joy. Now sure enough, the black wolf swallowed the artichoke in his mouth along with the pumpkin soup. 

Jeanne exclaimed as she hurriedly gave another spoonful, “It ate it! The wolf ate the pumpkin soup!”

But the black wolf was no longer moving. The pumpkin soup poured out of his mouth.

“Please eat, Mister Black Wolf. It’s delicious.” Ashley pleaded desperately as she stroked its cheeks with her hand, but he didn’t respond. Saddened, her shoulders lowered.

It’s okay. It’s the first time the black wolf has eaten food in a long time. That’s enough.” Clyde smiled as he pats Ashley on the head. She was shocked, but unlike before, she’d be running away like a scared rabbit. This is progress.

“Ah I forgot, I should’ve told you in advance before approaching you. Sorry.” Clyde lowered his head apologetically, but he said in a pleasing tone.

‘…That’s fine. He just forgot. It happens to every human being.’

She desperately stayed where she was and took several deep breaths, trying to keep her fast beating heart in check. Then, Jeanne, who had placed the pot down, came in with a big bag.

“Miss Ashley, I actually baked some carrot cookies last night. I don’t know if they are to your liking, but please have them if you like.” Jeanne said, handing the bag with blush on her cheeks.

“Are you sure!?” Her voice rang. This is what it means to be an angel in hell. Jeanne had certainly told her the day before, but like a goddess, she immediately went and made it for her.

With a big smile, she opened the bag and found a bunch of slightly orange cookies in the shape of a rabbit’s head. 

“I made a little too much,” She smiled shyly, but she was rather happy.

Ashley bit into one immediately and a smiling Hank came, “Can I have one of those, too?“

“No.” It was Jeanne who answered with a straight face.

“Why not?”

“You absolutely can’t. I won’t give you a single piece!”

“…aren’t you being a little hard on me lately?”

“It’s just the way I am.!― Master Clyde, please join us.” Then, she turned to Clyde with a smile. 

Ashley choked on a piece of cookie and Jeanne hurriedly rubbed her back, “Are you okay?”

“…I’m fine.”

“Thank goodness. Ah, Master Clyde, please stay here.” Jeanne gave up the spot she was in. Ashley gasped and stood still as Clyde stood next to her. 

Clyde ate a cookie, “They’re quite good, Jeanne.”

“Thank you. I heard Miss Ashley liked them.”

“I see.” He nodded and looked at Ashley. Then he said, “I’m glad you’re happy.” he smiled.

‘…Huh? I don’t feel scared.’ She was surprised and pondered. Was it because of his gentle smile? Maybe she really is, little by little, getting used to him. Without realizing, she smiled.

Clyde looked at the happy smile of Ashley and smiled back.