Chapter 44 - Divine Power

Theodore was amazed by his master’s conscience, for asking for so much to be done.

He was also amazed by the staff working in the kitchen, who had made 90% of the dishes in the short time they had.

‘I think it’s fine to not let him know about the 10% not being done on time, right? Absolutely. I’ll just get yelled at for not doing my job right and not being thorough enough later, but I’d rather that than get in between them now. If I do that, it won’t end with just a scolding.’

It was a good decision. Theodore was feeling proud of himself without realizing that an attendant was looking at him and thinking he was pathetic. He parted from them quietly, walking away briskly and brightly.

“Well, well, how pitiful.”

“Excuse me…?”

“No, it’s not about you, it’s about someone else,” Venio said with a smirk as his courtier disappeared with excitement after observing them. As he thought of several ways to deal with Theodore, he said to Laila, who had been watching him for a while, “Do you have any favorite food?”

“…”

Laila opened her eyes wide. She bit her lip, then said after a moment, clasping her tiny hands involuntarily, “A-aslan fruit.”

It was a very poor answer. Besides, Aslan fruit was the fruit they ate on a date in the ‘Sky Cave’, and it was obvious she was eating it for the first time that day.

Venio looked on as Laila blushed slightly while talking about the common fruit.

“Aslan fruit. I See.”

He was silent for a moment, then smiled.

“It’s delicious when cooked too.”

It was fortunate for Theodore and the kitchen staff that the Aslan fruit dishes were within the 90% that they could prepare.

“Can you cook with fruits?”

‘How? What will it taste like? It was just so sweet and refreshing to eat the raw fruit.’

Laila’s eyes gleamed clearly. Venio blinked his eyes in surprise at the look of her rare anticipation. After a while, he responded with a laugh, “Of course. It is also used as an accompaniment in other dishes.”

At that moment, Aslan berries were chosen to be the main items for the late breakfast. Instead of Theodore, who disappeared while loafing on the job, a maid, who had been passing silently without Laila’s knowledge, headed to the kitchen.

* * *

“…”

As soon as they entered the dining room, Venio looked at Laila, who had gone rigid in astonishment, and laughed. “Point to the food you want. They will bring a portion to you.”

He carefully lowered Laila into her chair. Laila’s mouth hung open slightly, and at his words, her eyes grew wider.

“Venio. This is a little…”

“Is there any problem?”

“Well…”

Not knowing what to say first, Laila’s eyes flashed with confusion. “Too much.”

“Yes?”

“I don’t think I will be able to finish all of these.”

In fact, even a single plate was too much for Laila. Besides the portion sizes, it was hard for Laila to believe that everything on the table was for them to eat.

“Oh, that’s not a concern. Anything else, Laila?” Venio nodded calmly as he spoke. After looking at his reaction, she was a little more encouraged to speak up.

“And, everything looks so nice…”

“Oh, yes.”

“Uh, how do you eat this?”

The servants and maids, who were lined up by the dining room’s wall quietly, flinched as a group. Laila finally looked at them, who looked like dolls in a row, and spoke to Venio in a slightly perplexed tone, “And… that.”

“Yes, Laila?”

“So, if I point something out, they will bring it to me…?”

“Yes, that’s right. Someone from over there will help.”

Laila took in a sharp breath and looked stunned. Venio pretended to be calm, but he was actually having fun because he knew why Laila was surprised.

She probably found it strange to be waited on. She didn’t say it herself, but it was written all over her face.

As Venio gave her some time, Laila calmed down a little, then cleared her voice and said, “I think it will be fine. I can eat by myself.”

Perhaps Laila had no idea how disappointed those people were when they heard her words. The Grand Duke’s staff all grew uneasy and began to fidget.

They didn’t say anything, but everyone held their breaths without taking their eyes off Laila.