Chapter 105: Hoping to be Shaya’s family next year
The family dinner, while less extravagant than the banquet at the Palace of Oaths, exuded a certain warmth.
Steam rose from the bubbling copper pot as fresh ingredients tumbled about in the boiling water.
The main dish was hot pot with a spicy broth. However, due to the presence of the esteemed Master of the White Tower and the Second Princess, Shaya ultimately felt too embarrassed to bring out the large alchemical cauldron.
The side dishes were a collection of dishes that Isadorella and Sylvia had never encountered before. In Shaya’s words, they were his hometown cuisine.
According to Isadorella and Sylvia’s understanding, these were naturally specialty dishes from the Northern Territory’s snowfields.
Only Aerora looked at Shaya with suspicion.
“I’m also from Ceylon, so why have I never seen these cooking methods before?”
“Although the Ingrit family has fallen on hard times, they are still a regional lord. They always hired professional chefs. A noble lady like you, Little Ai, would naturally be unaware of the specialty delicacies of Ceylon’s commoners.”
Shaya placed a plate of braised pork belly on the table.
“These are skills I learned from the old hunter who raised me.”
The blonde maiden skillfully picked up a piece of braised pork belly with her chopsticks. Upon hearing Shaya’s answer, she tilted her head. “Then, the best-selling novels you published at the Royal Publishing House, and your business acumen in the Black Lily District, were also taught by that senior snowfield hunter?”
“That’s right.”
Shaya nodded helplessly. “Unlike you, who are either direct heirs of noble families or born into royalty, you don’t have to worry about basic necessities like food and clothing, let alone the pressure that comes from your background…”
“Children from poor families have to grow up early.”
“That snowfield hunter raised and taught me for five years, so it’s only natural that I know a bit about business, writing, and have a smattering of knowledge in beast taming and cooking.”
It’s more reliable than some elementary school detective who spent a few months in Hawaii and learned to fly planes, pilot boats, and drive cars.
“Oh.”
Aerora nodded in belief, lowering her head to finish the braised pork belly.
A moment later, she said with a hint of regret, “It’s a pity I didn’t have the chance to have that senior snowfield hunter teach me when I was in Ceylon.”
Aerora spoke these words sincerely. Shaya was the typical hands-off manager, and he often left the Imperial Capital. Aerora managed many shops in the Black Lily District, and the deeper she delved into it, the more she understood the foresight of Shaya’s ideas and concepts.
As the operator taking over the management of these industries from Shaya, even maintaining the status quo made her tread on thin ice.
Thus, Aerora genuinely regretted not interacting more with that multi-talented old hunter. If she could have learned even a little from him, she would be able to better assist Shaya now.
As a result, Shaya’s carefully prepared speech froze in his throat.
This was the terrifying aspect of intuitive players.
Sometimes, she could detect Shaya’s flaws from an obscure angle that Shaya couldn’t have conceived of, like catching him in a compromising situation several times.
But more often, Aerora displayed her adorably foolish side to Shaya.
Even when she spoke utter nonsense that couldn’t withstand scrutiny, Aerora would believe it wholeheartedly… simply because Shaya said it.
A nemesis, truly a nemesis.
With a sigh in his heart, Shaya brought the last dish to the table.
It was a batch of glutinous rice balls soaked in hot water, their surfaces pure white and glistening like white jade.
“This is also a specialty dish from my hometown, but unlike the previous ones, it’s a limited edition for festivals.”
Shaya said softly.
Just then, the ancient and resonant chime of a bell echoed from the distant tall buildings.
It was the bell signaling past midnight. After the commotion of the dinner and the subsequent hustle and bustle in the Spirit World and the kitchen, it was now late at night.
” this dish is called Yuanxiao, or Tangyuan, in my hometown.”
“Generally, it’s a snack only enjoyed during the Lantern Festival, which is today.”
Shaya took his seat at the empty spot at the large table, with Aerora to his left and Sylvia to his right.
The Month of Budding was a unique name used in the Western Continent, symbolizing the end of winter and the time when all things are reborn.
If converted to Shaya’s hometown terminology, it would be the period from late January to late February.
And today was the Lantern Festival.
“These snacks also carry people’s hopes and aspirations for the new year.”
As he spoke, Shaya picked up his chopsticks and put a Tangyuan into his mouth.
“Wishing for family happiness and reunion in the new year.”
…
“Family happiness and reunion?”
Isadorella also picked up her chopsticks and took a Tangyuan into her mouth.
Then, she felt the sweet black sesame filling gently spread within her mouth.
A faint smile appeared on her previously expressionless cute face.
She had never used chopsticks before. As a princess, Isadorella had always used a knife and fork since childhood.
However, with the mental power of a near-legendary Beast Tamer, mastering and understanding these new things was not difficult.
“It’s truly a simple and plain wish.”
“But indeed, it is also my most sincere desire at this moment.”
At this moment, Isadorella slightly let go of her flawless disguise as an Imperial Princess.
“But in this world where extraordinary power exists, where the weak want to become stronger, the strong want to become even stronger, and even legends are constantly striving for godhood.”
“Peace, in fact, is the most luxurious pursuit.”
She didn’t say much, but everyone understood the truth of what Isadorella meant.
The Abyss, the Cult, the lost Beast Kings… and those so-called gods who were either hidden in the Astral Realm or lurking in the dimensional rifts…
The Western Continent had never been a land of peace; war had never ceased. Every moment of peace was bought with countless lives.
Beside Isadorella, Sylvia also tasted a Tangyuan that resembled white jade, a faint ripple flowing in her azure silver beautiful eyes.
She did not speak. Or, to be precise, only Shaya had ever heard Sylvia’s true voice.
In Sylvia’s plain white hand, a thick ancient scroll appeared.
Light golden script slowly emerged on the blank book pages.
The Azure Silver Witch tilted her body slightly, allowing Shaya to see the delicate script on the pages.
“I hope that on the Lantern Festival next year—”
“I can eat Tangyuan here with Brother Shaya as family.”
…
PS: No large chapter today, will be a two-chapter beast.
