Chapter 725: Chapter 724-Cooking Is The Solution.



I held the hug for a while, savoring the warmth of Carmel in my embrace, a fleeting moment of peace amidst the chaos that always seemed to surround me. As I let go, I looked into her eyes.

"I still need to leave, Carmel," I said, my voice tinged with regret. "There are things I need to settle."

Her expression faltered for a moment, sadness flickering in her eyes, but she nodded,

understanding the responsibilities that pulled me away. Before she could speak, Tria, ever the watchful one, chimed in.

"Why don't you leave after lunch?" Tria suggested with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Plus, leaving without meeting the Emperor wouldn't be a good thing."

Her words were carefully chosen, polite, and seemingly innocent, but I could see the layers beneath. She wasn't just offering a courtesy; she wanted more time to observe, to figure out who I really was and what my intentions might be.

'She wants to watch me for as long as she can,' I thought, knowing that every move I made would be scrutinized.

"Right! Just have lunch with us, and after meeting the Emperor, you can leave!" Carmel added, her tone laced with excitement, oblivious to the undercurrents in the conversation.

I paused, making a show of considering the offer while both girls watched me with anticipation. Finally, I smiled and nodded.

"Sure, I can wait until then," I agreed, leaning back slightly before adding, "but I will be the one cooking."

Tria's eyes narrowed in confusion, clearly unaccustomed to the idea of a guest, especially one with my status, taking over the kitchen. Carmel, however, was practically glowing with excitement, her eyes sparkling as she clapped her hands together.

"Perfect!" she exclaimed, already imagining what was to come.

...

In one of the palace's outer gardens, a beautiful area filled with vibrant flowers and lush greenery, the cooking setup was quickly arranged. It was a beautiful space, more open and free than the rest of the palace, a place where Carmel could breathe easier. The maids and guards, each with an aura of power that spoke of more than just being servants, stood discreetly around, their eyes sharp and vigilant, watching over everything.

When they finally reached the dessert, both Carmel and Tria seemed almost hesitant as if they didn't want the meal to end. But as they tasted the Glacial Blossom Soufflé, their eyes closed in pure bliss, the cold, refreshing sweetness perfectly counterbalanced by the fiery heat of the Firethorn Syrup.

For a moment, there was silence in the garden, broken only by the sound of the wind rustling through the leaves. Then Carmel turned to me, her eyes shining with a lot of emotions and something else, something deeper.

"That was... incredible," she said softly, her voice filled with awe.

"Be my cook!"

Carmel shouted, having shared the experience with Carmelai too to which I gave my quick

reply.

"Nope."

My immediate reply burst her bubble as Carmel tried to nag at me.

Tria nodded, her expression thoughtful. "I have never tasted something as good as this before, just how did a high noble, like you learn to cook like this?."

Though her question looked simple, I could feel a certain rigidity to it

I smiled, inclining my head slightly. "Well let's just say I love to cook and at the same time see

the expression of the people that eat my cooking"

'After all the food you ate had something extra special in it, Miss Regressor'

I laughed internally, the only reason I went to such lengths, to get such ingredients and to do

such intense open cooking wasn't for just some feast, come you should know me better than

that.....