LCWD | Chapter 20

~Chapter 20~ 

“Oh my, you’re here early. We’re not quite ready yet…”

Emma said as she received dishes from the kitchen staff and spotted me entering the dining room.

“Should I go back upstairs then?”

“Wouldn’t that be a hassle? You’ll have to come back down again to eat anyway.”

“Then I’ll just wait here.”

“Alright. Everything should be ready in about ten minutes.”

Emma cheerfully began setting the table.

Although I had spoken with Apollyon before, this would be the first time we were sitting together face-to-face in a bright, open space.

And since I was hoping to clear up some misunderstandings with him, I couldn’t help but feel a little tense.

“Where’s Apollyon?”

“I’ve sent word. He should be here soon. You must be tired—please, have a seat.”

At Emma’s signal, a maid came over and pulled out a chair for me.

I sat down and sniffed the air. The smell of delicious oil filled the dining room.

Just as the table was fully set, Apollyon walked in, perfectly on time.

“Apollyon.”

He stopped in his tracks the moment he saw me.

Then, as if trying to escape, he began backing out of the room—only to be caught by Wilson, who was standing behind him.

“Your Grace, food tastes best while it’s warm. You must be hungry. Please, have a seat.”

“I’m not that hungry right now.”

“But didn’t you just say on the way from the training yard that you were starving?”

“…”

“I must be hearing things now. This old man is truly starting to fade. Maybe it’s time for me to retire—”

“…It looks delicious.”

Apollyon walked over and sat down. His hair was still wet—he must’ve come straight from the bath.

Wilson’s skill in handling him was top-notch. This wasn’t something you could achieve in a day or two.

Honestly, he could probably be a star in a pet behavior show at this rate.

I glanced at Wilson. When our eyes met, he gave me a warm, grandfatherly smile.

If there were ever a live-action Pinocchio film, Wilson would be perfect as Geppetto.

While I was thinking silly things like that, the maids were busy bringing out the food.

Only Apollyon, sitting across from me, seemed nervous as he stared down at his plate.

Emma removed the food covers, revealing roasted beef topped with garlic—it looked mouthwatering.

The salad had a deep raspberry dressing, and the soup with tiny seashells smelled amazing. Soon, the chef brought out a plate of grilled oysters.

“Wow, this looks amazing.”

“Do you like oysters?”

“Of course.”

The chef proudly placed the plate down. Fresh herbs were sprinkled over the grilled oysters.

With dramatic flair, he drizzled olive oil, salt, and pepper on top—his movements more like a performance artist than a chef.

His cooking was great, but his aim not so much—seasoning spilled onto the floor. The maids nearby visibly tensed up.

I wanted to eat quietly, but the chef looked so proud I didn’t have the heart to stop him.

I looked at Emma and Wilson. Judging by their faces, this kind of thing happened often.

I glanced at Apollyon, silently asking him to intervene. But he was totally mesmerized by the chef’s performance.

…No wonder no one stopped him. If the head of the household was so spaced out, who would dare interrupt?

If Chef enjoyed performing so much, maybe he should change careers. With experience from the Teabridte family, he’d get a new job easily.

Oh, wait—maybe that wouldn’t count if he switched professions…

When the chef finished with a flourish of lemon juice, I politely clapped. He beamed with pride.

Nothing had splashed on Apollyon or me, but the maids’ aprons were covered in oil and lemon juice.

That stuff doesn’t wash out easily.

As I took a spoonful of the soup, I made a mental note to suggest a new job for the chef soon.

“Mmm!”

I widened my eyes in surprise. It was delicious—no wonder they kept him around.

I took pleasure in the perfectly warmed soup and bit down on the small chunks inside. They weren’t seashells, but finely chopped oysters.

“Does the food suit your taste?”

“Yes, it’s very good.”

“I’m glad the eating style of House Teabridte suits you.”

It was the first proper meal I’d had since arriving at the estate.

Yesterday was chaotic because of the wedding, and today I’d overslept and had nothing but a croissant.

I moved a piece of grilled oyster to my plate and tilted my head.

“That’s strange.”

“What is?”

Wilson asked politely.

“Oysters are usually a winter food. Isn’t it odd to eat such fresh oysters in the middle of summer?”

Instead of Wilson, Emma answered with a proud smile.

“Our staff worked very hard to bring them to you. We used freezing magic to transport oysters from the northern continent.”

“Freezing magic? You used such a rare spell just to deliver oysters?”

Magic users were rare, and hiring one was expensive. It must’ve cost a fortune to preserve the oysters during their journey.

“Yes! And we were so eager to serve you both that we even used teleportation magic.”

Emma puffed out her chest and laughed heartily.

Oysters had always been considered a luxury food. I guess Apollyon must really like them.

“Apollyon, do you love oysters?”

“…Not particularly.”

“Huh? Didn’t you say you wanted them? Who else here would they be for?”

Emma’s laughter faded, and silence fell over the room.

Apollyon looked straight at her and said,

“…I never said that.”

He definitely didn’t seem interested in oysters. He was quietly layering salad on his beef like he was making a wrap or something.

“Emma?”

She didn’t respond. Instead, she glanced nervously at Wilson.

With a subtle signal from Wilson, the maids quickly exited the room.

As I slowly chewed the delicious oyster, I thought,

Why not just say you wanted to treat us to something nice? Why look so nervous? Now it seems suspicious…

“Is there a special reason we’re being served oysters?”

Emma stiffened.

Honestly, it felt like the freezing magic had been used on her instead.

I turned to Wilson, since Emma was now frozen like ice.

He maintained his usual calm smile and adjusted his glasses.

“Oysters are a restorative food. Since it’s summer, we figured Your Graces might be feeling drained, so we prepared this for your energy.”

“In the middle of summer?”

With magic and all? Surely there were plenty of other healthy foods available.

They could’ve just served beef—it’s a perfectly good stamina food, no matter the season.

I glanced at everything on the table.

Oysters. Beef. Garlic. Salad. Raspberry dressing… Raspberry? Isn’t that similar to bokbunja (black raspberry wine)?

I narrowed my eyes and looked at Emma and Wilson.

Their faces twitched ever so slightly. I caught it.

“These are… all foods that boost stamina, right?”

At the word “stamina,” Apollyon dropped his fork.

It clattered loudly on the floor.

“Wilson. Emma…”

Apollyon stared at them with betrayal in his eyes.

Emma scratched her cheek awkwardly, while Wilson maintained his professional smile. That must’ve been a habit by now.

I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

If we were a normal couple, we might’ve been a little embarrassed but secretly happy.

Stamina foods for a newlywed couple? It’s like charging a phone before it dies.

But for us right now… this kind of meal was completely useless.

What’s the point of energy food if we have no plans to use that energy?!

I suddenly felt the urge to slam my fist on the table out of frustration.

But that would probably scare Apollyon even more, and our relationship would only worsen…

So instead, I calmly dismissed Emma and Wilson from the room.

After Emma quietly placed a new fork in front of Apollyon and left, it was just the two of us left in the dining room.

I started munching on my salad like a cow chewing grass.

Apollyon, on the other hand, didn’t even touch his food anymore.

I sighed silently and drank a full glass of water. Only after emptying the cup did I realize—

Even the water… tastes like wild herbs?!

I clenched my fist, trembling at the servants’ overly detailed plan.

I had hoped to ease the awkwardness between us tonight.

It’s ruined…

It was a complete disaster.

I looked out the window at the setting sun. Despite the late hour, the sky was still light—it was summer, after all.

Today’s sunset was especially red. It suited the mood—like the world was about to end.

I wish this world would just end already…

With that grim thought, I shoved a piece of meat into my mouth.