Chapter 657: The First Bite
Head Maid Gloria particularly wanted to bawl at the realization that they were being given a chance to form something unique for this household. But more importantly, their Young Lord really considered them as family.
Eyes shimmered. Chests swelled. Hearts clenched. It felt less like they were about to eat dinner and more like a treasure hunt.
Given all that in mind, how could they ignore the call to come up with new family traditions?!
Therefore, when Luca started explaining, the people around him looked like they were listening to prepare for an exam.
At first, the pots looked the same. Clear broths simmered quietly, steam rising in gentle waves. Everyone leaned in, murmuring that perhaps they had misheard Luca about the variety.
Then, with a calmness that belied the flutter of his ears, Luca lifted a small square block wrapped neatly in paper. "This is a spice block that was prepared earlier," he explained softly. He dropped it into the left pot.
As if by magic, the broth began to shift. The clear liquid darkened, spreading out like ink in water, until the entire pot glowed red-orange. A new aroma rolled across the room, warm and intoxicating, wrapping itself around every diner.
"Ahhh..." came the collective sigh as stomachs growled openly. A few even placed hands on their middles, horrified that such betrayal of dignity could be caused by scent alone.
Kyle even looked over to check on his little mop, only to learn that he had prepared for this very moment by exhaling instead of inhaling.
Because what if he cried again, like when he first smelled it earlier? Wouldn’t that be really embarrassing?!
Luca lifted a hand for attention. "Please remember a few things. The pots are very hot, so please don’t touch them. When you add ingredients, please be careful and do it slowly so the broth won’t splash and hurt anyone."
Heads bobbed quickly, as though he had issued Imperial orders.
"Also, the broths are like night and day. If you don’t like spicy food, you can choose the milder one." He gestured toward the shimmering pots that were divided in the middle. "And here are the tools you can use. This strainer, the ladle, the serving plates, and your utensils."
He demonstrated slowly, guiding their eyes as if performing a sacred rite. Then, for those unfamiliar with using chopsticks, he said that there were other utensils they could opt for. But who wanted to use something else?
They wanted to eat like their Young Lord, so they would use exactly what he was using, even if they would encounter difficult struggles!
Even Princess Nina had her little hands clasped over her chest, her round eyes following every move her big brother chipmunk made.
He was really the coolest and the most generous! Now he’s even teaching everyone how to eat in the best way possible!
Nina sighed as she watched Luca skillfully inform everyone about their condiment section, where he encouraged people to try a bit of everything in small portions so they would discover what they liked the best.
He even reassured everyone that each person may have different tastes and sometimes, different ingredients go best with various dipping sauces.
Emperor Xavian, who had been listening intently, couldn’t believe just how many things there were to know about eating.
While they’ve long been exposed to things people called delicacies, even those weren’t as creative as the ones before him.
More importantly, even the dipping sauces could be used to fight off corruption!
He was so impressed that if not for his stomach reacting like this, he would’ve wanted to ask more about the specifics of things. But he thought that if he did that now, he might not be able to leave this place.
So he thought he’d just ask about things later.
Then came the moment that held them all.
Luca reached for a thin slice of meat. With practiced ease that looked almost too graceful for a first attempt, he dipped it into the spicy broth. He swished it back and forth, imitating an image once seen in a past-life commercial. The meat curled and darkened, ready in seconds. With a flick of his wrist, Luca rolled it neatly in his chopsticks.
Next, he dipped it into a golden sauce that shimmered with sesame and minced garlic. The fragrance drew an audible gasp from the crowd.
And then, with cheeks burning red, Luca turned. He extended his chopsticks toward Xavier, silently offering the first bite.
Everyone froze.
The onlookers stiffened, their eyes wide with panic.
And in the minds of those who knew Xavier from childhood were the raging questions of: Would the Crown Prince refuse? Would he dismiss this as childish or inappropriate?
Instead, Xavier leaned forward. The man who was always so impossibly composed actually bowed his head toward Luca’s hand and ate the offered bite.
For a moment, silence.
Then Xavier’s eyes widened. Surprise lit his face, followed by a slow, satisfied smile. His tongue darted to lick his lip, and his voice dropped low with approval. "Delicious. Especially this dip, thank you, Luca."
But in the minds of others, chaos erupted.
Several people were scandalized in the best way possible. Ollie practically clung to Kyle, scratching at him like a desperate cat until the poor adjutant sighed and agreed to feed him the same way. Princess Kira was already ordering Ada to write down notes, declaring she too wanted to attempt such a powerful move.
Empress Gisella sucked in a sharp breath, her cheeks glowing with delight. Meanwhile, Emperor Xavian had to reach over to pat Duke Leander’s back as the poor man pouted so fiercely that his lengthening mouth could have been used to tie shoelaces.
Laughter broke out around the room as the Duke was teased mercilessly, especially since it was the Emperor himself doing the comforting.
And through it all, Princess Nina’s eyes sparkled brighter than ever. She was certain of it now. This was the best day ever!
And what was most shocking of all? They had not even started eating yet.