Meal Improvement
*Gulp, gulp, gulp.* "Phew—"
I drained the iced tea in one go, resting one hand on my hip.
Ah, my throat hurts. Giving lectures is exhausting.
It’s been a while since I scolded someone older than me. "In my day" this, "in my day" that—how antiquated! How proud can they be of their era?
"Jo, have you calmed down?"
Brother Noel approached, patting my head.
"You were so cool, Jo. Just like when Mother gets angry.”
Brother Gene chimed in.
"Really? Did I seem like her?"
"Did you imitate Madam?"
Nathan joined in.
"Yup! Ehehehe.”
"Not just Madam—she even reminded me of my own mother.”
Added Zack.
"Oh, and I tried mimicking Nancy earlier too. But if I really wanted to channel her, I’d need not just words but physical strength as well, wouldn’t I?"
Though honestly, I also incorporated experiences from my previous life.
"No, Jo. You don’t need to be like Nancy. Just stay as the adorable Joan you are.”
Brother Noel pleaded.
Sorry, Brother Noel. A girl who’s only "cute" is useless. I need to hone my mind, my words, and my strength.
I’ll learn from Nancy, Mother, and anyone else who can teach me. And Brother Noel, if you keep saying things like that, you’ll end up falling for a foolish woman. Don’t worry—I’ll weed them out.
"J-Joan... earlier, I’m sorry. The three of us talked it over, and we’ve decided to have Abe provide some cooking lessons.”
Father said as he, Gray, and Al approached.
"Eh? 'Some time'?"
I repeated his words back.
"Y-Yeah, some time."
"And when exactly is 'some time'? Such vague promises are meaningless. Can you clarify, Father?"
"Uh, well, we need to confirm with Abe first, so for now, it’s only tentative—"
"Father, are you truly intent on improving things? You’ve neglected this issue until now, and now it’s 'some time'? Do you trust subordinates who promise, 'I’ll get to it eventually'?"
"Uh, ah, no. You’re right. Sorry."
"An apology alone doesn’t solve anything."
"””......””"
The three adults fell silent.
"”””......"”””
Watching nearby, Brother Noel and the others instinctively vowed never to anger me.
"Alright then, I’ll personally go to the private troop dormitory to teach them how to cook!"
"No, absolutely not! I can’t let my precious Joan go to a dorm full of men!"
"It’s fine. Your 'precious' is just a father’s bias talking."
Who would lust after a five-year-old? The youngest soldier is eleven, so they’d only see me as a little sister at best.
*Sigh.* Nathan and Zack shook their heads as they exhaled.
"Regardless, I’ll handle it!"
"Uh, pardon me, Young lady, but... can you even cook?"
Al asked hesitantly, never having tasted my food.
"I can. Just a moment... Here, this is a pound cake I made."
I pulled a rum-grape pound cake from storage and handed it to Al.
My brothers, who had never seen it before, exclaimed:
"”Jo, what’s that?”"
Ah, I made it while they were away at the academy.
"Here, brothers, have some too."
I gave slices to Brother Noel, Brother Gene, and Nathan. Zack got a fruit pound cake instead of the rum-grape one, as it felt more appropriate.
Al cautiously took a bite.
"It’s delicious."
"See? I can cook."
"Y-Yes, but still..."
Al glanced toward Father.
"How about this: for the first session, I’ll bring Nancy along.”
I suggested.
"Eek!?"
Al flinched. What’s with that reaction?
As a former monster-slaying squad member, he should know Nancy, right?
"Well, if Nancy’s there, I suppose it’s fine.”
Father conceded.
"Nooo!! Lord Stanley, please! Have mercy—anything but that!"
"Al, sorry, but give it up."
Father said, apologizing for some reason.
Later, I found out from Gray that Nancy had been Al’s mentor. During his rookie days, her intense training left him traumatized, and he’s still terrified of her.
"Oh, I know! How about we all have a barbecue tonight?"
"”””A barbecue!?”””"
"Yes! Everyone gathers around a fire to grill and eat meat and vegetables. It’d be a great way to strengthen the bond among our family, servants, and the private troops."
"And why do we need to bond?"
Brother Gene asked.
"Because we’re all part of the Lampail family, aren’t we?"
"””””!!!!””””"
"Joan, what a wonderful child you are. Yes, you’re right—we’re all family. Alright, let’s have this barbecue you speak of.”
Father declared.
Barbecue preparations were set to begin at 18:00.
Time to get everything ready!
What do you think about this chapter?
