Chapter 356 Lunch In Backyard
"This... is heavenly."
"Hmmm~. Just delicious..."
"The bread is so soft it feels like I'm eating clouds!"
"This rice is even more amazing~. Just look at this taste, these small chicken pieces go impeccably with the softness of rice... it's like food of gods!!"
"T-this! What is this thickness?! This white milk-like color! Wow~!"
"It's thicker than soup but thinner than the gravy of those high-class dishes from expensive restaurants.
I once had a chance to have a meal at that kind of restaurant because of my brother-in-law but that thing doesn't even come close to this!"
"Young master Axion~! I will serve you for the rest of my life~!"
"I heard rice is mostly eaten in the east but to think those people eat this amazing thing every day... damn~."
"You fool! How can you compare our lord's heavenly cooking with those lowly things?! It's not about the ingredients but the skills of the maker!"
"...looks like we have a very long way to go, fellow chefs."
"Indeed head chef! We all should learn from master Eon! If we beg on our knees, he will surely accept our unseasonable demands!
He's different from other nobles! Just like master and others of our house!"
"Indeed he is exceptional. Looks like he's blessed by multiple gods. The god of cooking, Pochimi being one of them."
"Practically, it's rare to be blessed with multiple gods. And if it is true then lord Axion's wonderful talent in those countless things can be justified.
But, well, whatever the reason, I feel blessed to have these things. It's just impeccable..."
The lunch was happening in the open backyard. It was best this way.
The only other option for us would have been the front hall but then it would be uncomfortable for many of the people who were mostly servants of the house.
So we prepared food in the kitchen and served it to everyone here in the open area of the backyard training ground.
Everyone was happy right now, and there was a warm smile on each and every one of their places.
They all loved the food and even though I used the biggest utensils with the most capacity... from how they were enjoying this, I doubted I will have to make everything a second time.
Not that I minded though. Cooking was fun and seeing all these smiles on their faces was even more fun~!
-Shhhhhhup.
"Huuu... Anna ordered us to come there as soon as possible."
Rein appeared from the shadows behind me as I watched everyone from under this single tree on the left side of the training ground.
She went to the other side at Alf's home to deliver the lunch I made and I believe they all would like it just like all these people who had delighted smiles on their faces.
"We must follow the order of her majesty. It would be catastrophic if she gets upset."
I replied with a smile on my face as I thought about Anna's happy expression while eating the special ice cream I sent for her.
It was only for her and Zoe too, a little secret between the four of us.
Hopefully, they like it and our punishments are halved.
"They all look happy..."
Her voice was filled with warmth and after how she helped me make all of those things, all these smiles and positive expressions were just as special for her as they were for me.
Maybe this was her first time making things for so many people but I already knew this feeling... it was amazing when you see the smiles on countless faces because of something you made.
"It's special, right?"
A special feeling only certain people with professions that are called insignificant could ever feel.
It was different from the joy any worrier, knight, mage, or any person with a combat-related profession felt after helping many people.
It was similar to the joy of a farmer, a normal chef, or any other creator who creates makes, grows, and prepares things for not themselves but others.
It was hard to explain but, it was definitely special.
"It is special..."
There was a pleasant smile on her face now, and she looked over everyone one last time.
She saw the smiles, the warm conversations happening between knights and mages, the competition happening between young Chery and his friends, the debate and worship of other chefs, maids, and butlers who actually helped us prepare all these, and lastly at the food that was being served by some other maids and butlers who didn't get the chance to help in the cooking process.
It was such a rare occasion because there were no ill words, negative reactions, or displeasure in any person present. And there were hundreds of people we were talking about.
The things they were eating were different from their usual lunch or food, but not that different from what we normally ate.
There was a red-colored, properly cooked soft rice cooked with different spices, sauces, and vegetables.
There were also small pieces of neatly chopped chicken, which was first properly fried to be crispy, were mixed in the rice.
Then there was a white stew, the thick but not too much kind of soup-like thing that tasted spicy, sour, and sweet at the same time.
And a crescent moon-shaped bread that was softer than normal but crispier at the same time.
Lastly, everyone can have the most famous and loved ice cream of their desired flavor but we hadn't told that to others.
Only those who helped in making it knows and even they are excited because I was the one who personally took the lead in making that ice cream.
They will have fun eating it and I know the young ones will be even happier with this.
Chry will be happy too.
He deserved praise to work this hard and already being strong enough to somewhat catch up to the knights of his age during normal practice.
He was growing well and he should be able to realize his skills and be strong enough to use his power in a few months.
He was using a rapier now so his sword mastery had at least reached the level of a beginner but it will take time for now.
His growth will be exponential and he might not be able to play with his friends like right now after his skill awakening but for now, it was good that he was happy.
"Should we eat?"
She asked with a calm expression but I could tell she just wanted to go there, fill up her plate, and taste the fruits of her labor.
She was cute and I know she had enjoyed my expressions, the new kind of expression she saw for the first time today, for the whole day.
But I also had fun finding my gifts this time.
It was genuinely a good time but now, we only had two gifts left.
Yes... two.
"What did dad say?"
As soon as I asked that, a helpless smile appeared on her pretty face and she just shook her head.
"He was embarrassed. Everyone was also laughing at him for hiding the gift in the kitchen.
It was uncertain but everyone did think the kitchen would be the most normal place if you start looking at every random place in the house.
Then they just comforted him and they said it's okay because you didn't open the box.
Master Zhen said the order was Alf, your dad, and lastly your mom, so we can just find Alf's gift, then open your dad's, and then find the one from your mom.
I shouldn't say this but... it was hilarious over there.
Your dad definitely looks cute when he's embarrassed and blushing... but you're cuter when blushing~~!"
She smiled radiantly after saying that and I sighed at her as well as my poor dear dad.
Well, his gift, something packed in a square black box, was hidden on the lower shelf where most of the rare spices used in the race were kept.
We don't usually use those spices and workers didn't have any use for those spices so they had no reason to see that place.
The hiding place was good but it was a pure dumb coincidence that we found it.
"Haaa... let's go eat and start with Alf's. I wanna see the clue that the genius mage of our house has prepared."
So... we only had two gifts to hunt, I mean to find.
There was a possibility of us having to remake a large portion of these things so we should eat a bit before that. We needed a bit of strength for the work ahead anyway.
"Young master~! It is the greatest honor of our lives to be able to eat with you like this~! We will forever cherish these memories!"
"Young master! Please, sit with us!"
"Hey move aside! Clear the path for young master and young lady Reinelle!"
"Ahem. Here you go, master Eon. Please have this plate."
"I will be the first one to serve master Axion! Yei~!"
"No! Hey chief chef! You weren't the only one that made everything! We also worked as much as you! We will also serve master Eon!"
"Oye you bunch. How can you steal their work like that? Everyone wants to help! You did your part so let them do their work!"
'It's peaceful...'
It was much better than the soul-chilling voices of the night in the great forest of Kamut. More radiant than the colorless dark forest. And more cheerful than our empty tower home.
'Thanks, grandma...'
Well, anyway...
"How's the lunch everyone~!"
I shouted and a cheerful atmosphere filled with overjoyed reactions filled the area. It would be even more fun over there but next time, we all should just prepare everything here so that all of us can celebrate the special occasion.
But that was something for the future me to think about. As for now... a lunch with my dear friend and great people who were an undeniable part of our family.