Chapter 669

A Sweet Night for the Parents
"Dear, could you explain what exactly is going on?"

The moment my wife returned from the royal palace, she pressed me for answers.

"Even if you ask me what’s going on..."

Despite the ladylike smile on her face, the pressure she exuded was immense… No, no, I mustn’t waver.

"That child was merely supposed to be testing whether Idika could be used as food like Lars, so why are there so many new dishes already?"
"How did you—ah, Leon-sama, I see."

I thought it was impressive how quickly she found out, considering she had come straight to me upon returning home. But then I realized—of course, it must have been Leon-sama, who teleported straight to the palace right after the tasting session.

Honestly, that Sacred Beast not only drank up my prized stash of liquor but also indulged in multiple helpings of the new dishes and even took some as souvenirs.

Thanks to that, I had to request an additional delivery of Idika from the merchant caravan that Prince Kaldor had been using as his hiding place.

And now, the result of all that is an interrogation from my wife—utterly unfair!

"Yes, Leon-sama barged into our tea party and informed us of everything. Since I was hearing it for the first time, I had to immediately suspend the gathering and return."
"... You didn’t have to suspend it, did you?"
"Oh my, but you must be quite satisfied, having feasted on our dear daughter’s latest creations to your heart’s content?"

T-This is bad. If I anger my wife, we might end up in a cold war for some time.

"S-Sorry. But..."

It was all because I had to entertain Leon-sama with drinks to keep him from leaving, which meant I wasn’t able to keep track of Cristea’s actions in real-time… If she found that out, it would be even worse.

Even I was surprised that, somehow, multiple new dishes had been created without me noticing.

Perhaps it was simply because Cristea had a natural talent for cooking.

Not to mention, even Prince Kaldor, who was only supposed to be observing, ended up helping with the cooking.

… If Ann finds out about that, she might clutch her head and exclaim, "How terribly disrespectful…!"

I should keep that to myself.

"… At first, even I opposed Cristea cooking, thinking it was unladylike. But seeing how much she enjoyed it, how it brought her joy despite her circumstances that forced her to remain in our territory, and how she delighted in serving us her food… As her mother, all I could do was watch over her."
"Ann…"

I understand, I truly do.

She cooked because she wanted her beloved father to enjoy her dishes.

How many noble parents can say they get to eat their precious daughter’s homemade meals, especially when those meals are exquisite?

I must be the only one in all of the Doristan Kingdom!

That’s why, when people started calling her "The repulsive-food eating lady" for her choices, my blood boiled.

Sure, I was shocked when I first found out she had eaten Lars, a feed crop meant for livestock, but when I unknowingly ate a salted rice ball made from it and found it delicious, I decided that was all that mattered.

As a result, not only my household but also our vassals and common folk saw an improvement in their food situation.

Thinking back, Cristea’s actions may have seemed bizarre at first, but now, Lars is consumed throughout most territories in Doristan, especially among commoners.

In fact, the lands where wheat wouldn’t grow and where Lars had been the main crop now consider the Ellisfeed Ducal Household their savior. They express their gratitude every social season.

And now, Cristea is crossing national borders, improving the food situation all the way in Samonar.

She developed ways to make Idika edible, created new dishes to make it delicious, and even figured out how to mill it into flour and use it in various recipes… Wait.

Just in the past few days, hasn’t my daughter accomplished something absolutely incredible?!

"… D-Dear? Are you listening?"
"Hah?! Oh, ah, sorry. I was just overwhelmed by your love as a mother."
"… Goodness, you."

My wife, Ann, who had been looking at me exasperatedly, suddenly softened her expression, sat beside me, and leaned against my shoulder.

"… All of today’s new dishes have been set aside for you as well. And, of course, for me too."
"Oh my, haven’t you already eaten plenty? That’s unfair."

Ann pouted, looking at me with an expression that made her seem even more adorable than usual.

"… Hah, fine. I’ll share mine with you too."
"Oh no, that won’t do. All of Cristea’s dishes are simply too delicious. If I overeat, I’ll get fat."
"Hahaha, I think you’d still be charming even if you gained a little weight… No, sorry, that was a slip of the tongue."

That was careless of me. My wife is very particular about her appearance, and such remarks could lead to trouble. I need to be more careful.

"… Anyway, you should eat plenty of Cristea’s food tonight. Then, some exercise afterward should take care of everything."
"Oh my, are you suggesting I train with a sword like you and Norman?"

Indeed, Ann is skilled in magic, but she has little experience with swordsmanship or physical training.

On the other hand, having her drag me into dancing, which I am terrible at, would be a disaster.

"Hmm, let’s see… How about some chocolate for dessert? I set aside a little just for us."
"Oh my… Fufu. That sounds wonderful. Chocolate and a bit of liquor for tonight’s dessert, then?"

Ann’s cheeks flushed slightly as she responded to my “invitation”.

Overcome by her loveliness, I gently lifted her chin and brought my lips to hers.

Ah, today is a good day.

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