Luke’s plan was actually quite simple.
Luke had simply obtained permission for a kitchen that no one would use during the vacation.
In fact, aside from meat, he already had an abundance of ingredients in his storage space.
Although it was only a part, Arinseia’s farmland remained intact, so there was already enough grain like wheat or rice, and if he searched a little deeper, there were plenty of fruits and herbs that could be used as spices.
So, what Luke needed was just cooking utensils and a place.
Moreover, the kitchen had a lot of modern spices that were basically stocked for cooking practice.
And the permission was granted easily.
After all, nobody was using it, and thanks to his earlier admission to the ‘Bakery Department’ that had cooking practice rights for the festival, he had sufficient justification for renting the kitchen.
Eventually, Luke easily secured a place to fill the hungry children.
“Now, hurry up and get in and sit down.”
“U-Okay.”
“……I got it.”
“You’re going to make it yourself? I’m looking forward to it!”
Thus, Shirud, Helena, and Mary, who were somewhat caught off guard, sat down.
The three of them watched as Luke rummaged through the kitchen, each recalling feelings of embarrassment, familiarity, and expectation.
‘Hmm, the pots are here. The pans and bowls are here as well. Oh, in the drawer, there’s the maid outfit apron I used during the last festival.’
Luke said.
“Just wait a moment, I’ll have it ready soon.”
Luke skillfully took out the bowls and put on the apron.
Then, he tucked a hand under his hair at the back of the apron and pulled it back to tie it neatly at the back.
That appearance… how should one put it… it looked so accustomed and mature that it was hard to believe he was only ten years old.
Does he have a lot of cooking experience?
Seeing that, Helena asked.
“I know you have a talent for baking… but, can you cook too?”
“Of course, Helena. I often serve meals I’ve prepared to my family.”
Indeed, is cooking considered a basic quality for a lady?
However, still, there was some anxiety.
“But, just regular cooking won’t work. Since we have two elves here.”
“Don’t worry, my mother is an elf.”
“…Huh, is that so?”
I didn’t know at all.
Luke’s mom was an elf!
Then, Luke is indeed a mixed blood of elf and Hyun…?
While I was thinking such things, Luke answered.
“Isn’t it strange? You should have seen my parents before. On my birthday, I mean. Dayton and Yerna. Did you not see them?”
Upon hearing that, Helena went blank for a moment and then gasped.
“…Wait, so those people were your mom and dad?!”
“Yeah, don’t you remember?”
They weren’t just a housekeeper or a bodyguard?
My goodness, the fact that I missed the introduction just because I was a little late that day led to this misunderstanding.
Since from then on, Yerna and Dayton’s images remained in Helena’s head as the housekeeper and bodyguard.
And it was easy to misunderstand because, first of all, they didn’t resemble Luke at all, and in terms of race, they were a human and an elf, which differed from Luke.
Moreover, thinking about his human father, he looked far too young to be considered youthful!
In addition, since they weren’t in the same class originally, Helena, being a complete outsider regarding Luke’s family situation, absolutely couldn’t have connected the dots.
And above all, there was no noble aura emanating from those two that was felt from Luke.
Besides, since she hadn’t encountered them again after that, it was inevitable that Helena would misunderstand them as being someone who served Luke.
‘Wait, then is Luke not from as well-off a family as I thought?’
Come to think of it, the last time I visited his house, the shocking magical techniques that he said he enchanted were hidden, and perhaps that was why it felt like there were a lot of everyday items and furniture for a vacation home.
In addition, his parents’ looks and character level were not in line.
There were no expensive ceramics or art pieces displayed, and while Luke’s room was clean, there was nothing that was known to be a luxury item.
The only standout luxury item might be that teddy bear he received as a birthday gift ages ago.
Considering all that, I thought Luke’s background might be much lower than my first assumption, but Helena kept her mouth shut and didn’t let such disrespectful thoughts slip out in front of the person in question.
To Helena’s reaction, Luke simply nodded.
“I see, you remembered. I’ve served Yerna meals quite a few times already. She can’t cook well. So, I’m used to elf food.”
“I-I see….”
In that case, does that mean Luke’s cooking skills are not necessarily remarkable, but rather that it’s just basic training for a lady, thus he learned it out of necessity?
He really lived diligently in unseen places, Luke.
‘Really, Luke is good at everything and learns quickly. If it weren’t for his liking for girls, he would be perfect.’
If that were the case, I might not have had the chance to get close to Shirud.
‘Come to think of it, the world might be fair after all…’
——
“Then, just relax and chat while waiting. It’ll be done soon.”
As Luke began cooking like that, everyone looked at his back.
Just looking at his back made it seem like he was in a good mood.
The swaying tail, his tied-back hair gently swaying, his occasionally perked-up ears, and the sound of his humming made anyone think so.
However, as they observed that, Shirud felt a strange feeling.
It felt like he had seen it somewhere before?
Clearly, today was the first time he had seen Luke cook in person.
‘Where did I see it…’
That was the moment he was pondering.
“Oh, Mary. You’re also half-elf, isn’t it okay for you?”
“I’m fine. I like herbs.”
“That’s a relief. Then again, you always ate well no matter what.”
While he blankly watched that conversation, Shirud turned his head at someone who lightly tapped him.
“Shirud, I think your hair has gotten a bit longer. It’s covering your eyes.”
It was Helena’s observation.
Indeed, my hair has gotten longer.
Shirud tidied the bangs that were obscuring his view with his hand and said.
“Really? Well, it’s been a bit annoying lately. I should cut it.”
“Just as I thought? I know a hair salon you can go to…”
At that moment, Luke, who was mixing the batter in the bowl, interjected.
“Why would you want to cut your hair? You’re a mage, so it’s better to leave it as it is.”
“Is it bad to cut my hair? Why?”
“Wizard hair is also a very useful magical catalyst. Cutting it unnecessarily is not good. It’s a waste.”
“Is that so?”
Now that I think about it, Luke had been growing his hair out as well.
Even when he had cut it last time, he mentioned he would grow it back quickly.
Could that have had such a reason?
“Have you been cutting it all this time?”
“Y-Yeah, I have.”
“Don’t do that from now on. Boys find it harder to grow their hair longer than girls. Plus, boys don’t grow facial hair until they’re older, so they need to take extra care.”
Listening to Luke’s words, Shirud rebutted.
“But long hair is annoying. It’s bothersome to wash and takes too long to dry.”
However, Luke was adamant.
“Get used to it. Then later, it’ll all be useful.”
“Hmm….”
Seeing Shirud look displeased, Luke continued speaking.
“Okay, if you grow it out properly, I’ll give you a spellbook about how to use your hair as a catalyst.”
Shirud immediately replied to that proposal.
“Alright, I’ll grow it then.”
Shirud was also a mage who ultimately desired new magic.
The spellbook was non-negotiable.
“….”
Watching that from the side, Helena made a peculiar expression.
She had intended to use the introduction of a hair salon as an excuse to chat a bit, but got interrupted by Luke.
‘Shirud isn’t interested in me, right…?’
—-
As they continued their various small talks, dishes began to come out one by one.
“Alright, take one at a time.”
As Luke placed the dishes on the table, the children gasped in admiration.
“It looks so delicious! Did you really make this without using any meat?”
“This is almost at the level of our house chef…?”
“Is this really just made just now?”
The beautifully presented food and the delightful aroma made even the discerning taste buds of noble children see the dishes as truly delicious.
“Yeah, didn’t you see? So hurry and eat.”
“Y-Yeah….”
“I’ll eat well!”
With Luke smiling as he placed dish after dish on the table, the children each took a plate and brought their cutlery to the food.
And the taste of that food was so excellent that it would be hard to believe it was made in such a short time.
It could rival the best dishes they had eaten up until now.
“How is it? Does it suit your taste?”
In response to Luke’s question, the children answered.
“It’s so delicious!”
“Yeah, it’s tasty.”
“This is pretty good, right?”
Luke smiled with noticeable relief at their responses.
“Really? I’m glad it suits your taste. I made plenty, so eat a lot!”
“Okay!”
And then the children realized too late that they had underestimated the weight of those words.
Luke’s food was delicious.
However, there was just too much of it.
That was perhaps a given.
Luke had the ability to make large amounts of food taste great.
In the house where Luke possessed Pyris, meals were always prepared in large quantities.
However, Luke was also unable to reduce the portions.
He had a repulsion against the act of randomly modifying recipes after having a past experience of ruining the food.
Moreover, wasn’t Shirud saying he was ‘starved’?
He could never let a child go hungry.
“Don’t worry since there’s plenty of food.”
However, even as they emptied their plates, Luke’s food continued to come out without end, leading Shirud to ask.
“…Um, Luke. How long will the food keep coming out? I’m already full.”
But Luke’s reply to that shocking question was startling.
“Huh? There’s still plenty left. I’m preparing the main course and dessert as well.”
“…Wait, this isn’t the main course? And dessert too?”
Oh my goodness, that made it sound like the opponent he had just barely defeated was merely a simple reconnaissance unit.
“Luke! I’m full now! It’s fine!”
“Come on, Mary. Don’t be polite since it’s in front of the kids. This isn’t fattening food either.”
“It’s really not that…!”
At that moment, a notification sound rang from the oven.
-Ding-!
“Oh, it seems the cookies are done. Just wait for a moment!”
As they watched Luke rush to the oven, the children muttered with blank expressions.
“Luke feels like a grandmother we only see during holidays today.”
“Ah, that’s right.”
No wonder they felt a strange sense of déjà vu earlier!
It was just like that look they could see when visiting their maternal grandmother sometimes.
