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Scene 7: A Worry from Instinct
The kitchen was packed with activity. Leading the charge were the three master chefs—Kalisa, Keela, and Mirelle—while their bright and energetic assistants included Yue, Seraphina, Noren, and surprisingly, Zhuan, who seemed to enjoy cooking far more than anyone had expected.
"Mr. Zhuan, you cook?" Yue asked as she helped prepare ingredients.
"Yes, just started practicing more seriously recently," he replied with a smile.
"He's learning to cook to impress a girl," Noren teased.
"M-Milady, please! Don't say that out loud. You'll make people misunderstand!" Zhuan flailed slightly in embarrassment.
"No misunderstanding at all," Seraphina chimed in. "It's the truth, after all."
"Lady Fina…" Zhuan muttered, clearly flustered despite being the eldest in the room.
Seraphina leaned toward Yue playfully. "Did you know? Zhuan's been learning recipes and even poetry… all for one of the two most beautiful women in town."
"Wow, really?" Yue's eyes widened.
"She's not a stranger either," Noren added. "Her sister-in-law is actually my sister-in-law too."
Mirelle smiled warmly. "The world's so small sometimes. But really, Mr. Zhuan—you're talented, handsome, and successful. What's not to like?"
Zhuan chuckled. "Those things don't matter to her. She's turned down plenty of suitors who offered wealth or prestige. But I'm trying to reach her with sincerity. She seems to appreciate a man who's simple but genuinely dedicated."
The girls all let out a collective "Woooow."
"She's lucky to have someone willing to give that much," Kalisa said, touched. "Tell you what—how about I teach you one or two secret Thunderwill family recipes?"
The collective "wow" grew louder, nearly turning into squeals. Zhuan even dropped to one knee dramatically.
"Your Majesty Kalisa, it would be the greatest of honors!"
Kalisa giggled.
"But girls, did you know? This is exactly the kind of moment when men tend to be their clumsiest. Even kings—like Alteon—weren't spared."
All eyes widened, especially Keela's.
"Father? Clumsy?"
Kalisa covered her mouth, grinning.
"Oh yes. So it all started when Alteon tried to—"
And just like that, the cooking circle dissolved into laughter and chatter as Kalisa recounted the tale of how the king once tried (and hilariously failed) to impress her.
Meanwhile, outside the kitchen, others had gathered in smaller groups. Akira, Draco, Elina, and Osiris were sitting and chatting.
"Draco, is something bothering you?" Elina asked.
"You've been so quiet."
"She's right," Osiris added. "You're unusually quiet today."
Akira looked over with concern as Draco met their eyes, then sighed softly.
"It's just… a feeling."
"Do you feel something bad?" Elina asked, clearly worried.
"You can tell us, you know."
Draco gave her a small smile.
"Like I said, it's just a gut feeling. I'm not as smart as you guys, but I can sense things. And something about Noren's entourage… doesn't sit right with me."
"Who exactly do you mean?" Akira asked directly.
Draco shook his head.
"I can't say. But out of that group… I only really trust Noren and Seraphina."
"You're wary of Felix, aren't you?" Osiris guessed.
"He does like to argue with people."
Draco pursed his lips, as if to say, "Maybe… but I'm not sure."
Akira spoke thoughtfully.
"Luvian said it himself—we can trust the leader, but that doesn't mean we can trust everyone around them. Especially in volatile political times like this. Every step we take has to be careful. They might be setting traps for their enemies… but if we blunder into them, we could end up as victims ourselves. And I really don't want to see anyone on our team get hurt again."
Elina sat up straight.
"Hmph. Then they'll have to get past this obsidian wall first."
"Even Zekhtau's prism photon laser got bounced off you," Osiris teased.
"That was thanks to Mirelle's magic and Akira's weird ideas," Elina replied with a grin.
"Why does everyone keep calling my ideas weird?" Akira scratched his head.
"Come on…"
The mood lightened. Everyone smiled—especially Draco, who seemed to relax as he watched Elina smile.
Even though a sliver of concern remained in his heart… who could say?
Sometimes, instinct may be sharper than intellect or calculation.
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Scene 8: Look Deeper into His Pain
While one group cooked in cheerful camaraderie and another whispered worries under the trees, a third group—more rowdy and boisterous—chattered like old drinking buddies. This lively bunch consisted of Grandpa Gryp, Luvian, and Felix.
"How have you been, sir?" Felix asked, raising his teacup.
"All well?"
"Much better since Keela came back with her friends," Grandpa Gryp replied, raising his own cup.
"Life feels colorful again."
"You sound like a lonely old man, Grandpa," Luvian teased as he lifted his cup in sync with the others.
The three sipped together like gentlemen of tradition.
"Well, age does that to you," Grandpa Gryp sighed.
"Old bones, fading memory, and yeah… a heart that gets lonely too."
"Old?" Felix laughed.
"You still look strong as ever! Even if the two of us ganged up on you, we wouldn't stand a chance."
"It's not the same anymore. Can't compare to my youth," Grandpa shook his head with a faint smile.
"You're comparing yourself to your prime though," Luvian pointed out.
"Back then, who would dare mess with one of the Six Primordial Elements?"
"Oh please, don't say that title out loud. Sounds so lame," Grandpa groaned.
"Makes me cringe every time. Let's talk about you two instead. That's far more refreshing than stories of an old man obsessed with runes."
"We're just keeping up, sir," Luvian said casually.
"Like Zhuan mentioned, it's been a bit hectic lately."
Grandpa Gryp exhaled softly.
"Sigh… Makes me think of Caeron. He was building something truly great. Shame he died so young. And Darrion too—he had Skyperion on the verge of a golden age. Real men of quality."
"Absolutely," Felix agreed, his tone somber.
"Those were truly the golden years. Everything just… worked."
"I get where you're coming from, Felix," Grandpa said.
"You liked the bold types. Brave, reckless—like Caeron and Darrion. But look at what became of them. They were assassinated before their time. What does that teach you?"
"To be constantly alert, sir," Felix answered confidently.
"Preemptive detection. Always suspect first."
"And you, Luvian?" Grandpa turned.
"What did it teach you?"
"I think it's important to look at the why, sir," Luvian replied.
"They were rising too fast. The old powers must've felt threatened, so they cut down the thorns in their path. And they succeeded. But when it came to Lady Noren, they let her be. That part, I still don't understand."
"You're not far off, Luvian," Grandpa nodded.
"As for you, Felix—you always react emotionally. You call Noren too soft, too young… But look back. What were you doing at her age?"
"At seventeen? I was training with dual spears like a madman," Felix said with pride.
Grandpa looked to Luvian for the same question.
"At seventeen, I was studying finance," Luvian answered.
"My goal was to earn enough money to treat my parents' illness."
Grandpa gently placed his cup down.
"Now think. If you had gone through what Noren did—losing both parents at age seven, then her only older brother at fourteen… left with a little sister to raise, and an entire family business to manage—what would you have done?"
"I wouldn't have been ready," Luvian admitted.
"I wasn't smart enough back then to negotiate with cutthroat merchants or handle the lives of hundreds of employees. Just losing three family members would've paralyzed me."
Felix looked down.
"I… never thought of it that way. If it were me, I probably would've been scammed out of everything. The staff would've revolted. Managing hundreds of lives at fourteen, while I was still just… playing with spears? I had no right to criticize Lady Noren."
"It's not that you can't speak up, Felix," Grandpa said with a soft smile.
"What you said was based on truth, and it came from a place of concern. You just deliver it… harshly."
"You're blunt as an axe," Luvian added.
"You never care who's listening when you speak. At the very least, she always hears us out—and she's done well, in her own way."
"Alright, alright. I get it. I'll be gentler toward Lady Noren from now on," Felix conceded.
Grandpa Gryp grinned and spoke louder.
"Good! That's more like it. Come on—let's drink. Tea for now, but tonight… something stronger."
"Of course, sir. Lady Noren said today is a day of rest," Felix smiled, for once relaxed.
"See that?" Luvian teased.
"One line about a break, and even you crack a smile. That's the power of our Lady."
"Yeah, yeah—your Lady's amazing," Felix smirked.
"Hopeless strategist, totally loyal to her."
"Still better than a muscle-brained bodyguard who growls at the very person he's supposed to protect," Luvian shot back.
"Alright, alright. Settle down, you two," Grandpa chuckled.
"Food's almost ready. Let's wait for the good news from dear Fina, shall we?"
The three of them shared a smile as a soft breeze drifted through Thunderwill's kitchen windows. The scent of food followed the wind, tickling noses and bellies alike—birds flocked toward the aroma, and even villagers passing by began to murmur that they were getting hungry.
And then… like the call of angels, the voices of the kitchen chorus rang out:
"Everyone—lunch is ready!!"
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