Chapter 138:  Ideal Type (2)

“A domestic woman, you say… Could you elaborate a little more?”

The reporters looked up at me with sparkling, curious eyes.

Their lively gazes reminded me of puppies venturing outside for the first time.

“Hmmm…”

Since they were close to Mansachs, I decided to put in a bit more effort.

And so, I continued, recalling my time as Chief Secretary…

“The savory scent of stew wafting from the kitchen when I come home from work.”

I pictured an ordinary home life I’d longed for in my worn-down days.

“After dinner, we’d give each other massages.”

A life far too good for someone like me.

An ideal life I’d only read about in books or heard from others.

“Wouldn’t a home like that be more than enough to call a happy family?”

“……”

At my awkward smile, the reporters busily scribbled in their notepads for a moment.

Then one of them asked, looking disappointed.

“You’re more… ordinary than expected. I thought someone of your status would have far greater expectations.”

“I wonder what kind of image you had of me.”

With my hands behind my back, I shook my head slowly and relaxedly.

“I actually find high-status people a bit overwhelming. Don’t you think the most ideal ‘family’ is one where both sides feel comfortable around each other?”

Living an ordinary life—

It’s harder than most people think.

Everyone I’d met so far was different. So how could anyone easily meet the standard of being “ordinary”?

Perhaps my wish was a very luxurious one.

A gift I wanted to give myself after living a busy and exhausting life.

“Either way, I’ll be the one earning the money, so it’s fine.”

Mansachs looked at me with proud eyes, utterly satisfied with my calm demeanor.

Like a fox lifting its chin proudly before a pack of puppies.

“As expected, you’re incredible.”

“Truly words fit for a successful young entrepreneur.”

Even though I still had a long way to go to achieve my goals.

The reporters nodded at one another enthusiastically.

“Thank you very much for the interview.”

“We hope you find that special someone soon, Representative.”

Maybe this was enough to satisfy them.

They busily scribbled away, writing down everything we had discussed so far.

But not everyone was pleased with the conversation.

The day after the article was published in the newspaper—

Some women who read the lines wore deeply serious expressions.

「――――――」

“A woman who can cook, huh…?”

Istina Cathedral.

In its most prestigious office, someone muttered while holding a copy of Gold Morning’s newspaper.

“And massages, really—men have such strange fantasies.”

Istina set the newspaper down with a thud.

As she did, her beautiful face appeared, dusted with flour on her soft cheeks.

“And how much money does he even have? I have way more than that.”

When no one else was around, her tone would grow noticeably lighter.

As the sunlight shone from behind her, her eyes gleamed—a deep blue like the depths of the sea.

“Well, I suppose this is kind of… cute.”

The Saint recalled the moment she had been held in his arms.

The strong muscles that wrapped around her—his biceps and thighs.

The masculine scent and his sweat.

“If it’s massages, I can do that plenty myself.”

She imagined herself running her hands over that body.

Unconsciously, her red lips curled into a sly smile.

At that moment, she looked less like a saint and more like a little devil just discovering her desires.

“No one suits the image of ‘comfort’ more than I do—”

Istina believed she was the most fitting person for that man’s ideal type.

With a relaxed expression, she turned her gaze to the kitchenette in the corner of the office.

“All that’s left now is cooking—”

There, a few royal guards lay collapsed, their faces hollowed and pale.

“Saint Istina… what exactly… did you make… urgh…”

“Is there someone you're planning to poison…?”

Next to them sat a freshly made plate of cookies.

But for something called dessert, they looked far too intimidating.

“Poison? What are you even saying about my special cookies?”

“If we’ve done something wrong, please just punish us properly instead…!!”

It looked like someone had clumped up seawater-soaked mud by force.

“No. Everyone—chew thoroughly and eat them.”

Even if she had already captured the faith of the entire North and was soon to become a bishop—

There still seemed to be one domain she had yet to conquer.

Even the soldiers who always ate the cathedral meals without complaint were groaning in agony now.

“…Still, maybe I really should learn how to cook?”

「――――――」

Meanwhile, near the cathedral stood a grand villa.

Etched proudly onto it was the golden lion insignia of the Yekaterina royal family.

A carriage came to a stop in front of it.

And the one who stepped down—

Was the rising star of the culinary world, currently busy with his new restaurant launch.

Harris Andalusia.

“When Helena calls for me, it’s always about something serious…”

Though he was the eldest son, he often found himself watching his strong-willed younger sister’s mood.

She was considered the next Grand Duke after all—sharp-minded and as calculating as their father.

“What could she possibly want from me all the way up in the North?”

Under any other circumstance, he would’ve refused Helena’s request.

However, she was currently financing his entire business operation.

There was no point in upsetting a patron like that. And so, the eldest son had come all the way to the North himself.

“Young Lord, we’ve been expecting you.”

The escort knight of the Western Grand Duke’s House, stationed in front of the villa, greeted him with formal courtesy.

The blond man responded with a serious expression.

“Helena said it was something urgent, so I came.”

“That’s right. It’s an extremely serious matter.”

Indeed, even the escort knight wore a solemn look—

As though a matter of national salvation was at hand.

“Lady Helena is currently facing a very serious problem.”

“A serious problem…? Don’t tell me—is my sister sick or something?”

Harris’s expression darkened instantly.

“I told her so many times to cut back on the sugar…!!”

He sighed deeply, recalling her usual eating habits.

Without delay, he hurried into the villa to see her.

“Helena…!!”

The villa was dark.

Despite it being broad daylight, most of the windows were covered with curtains.

Thanks to that, the atmosphere felt as if a giant shadowy scheme was brewing behind the scenes.

In a leather chair sat a woman with a wild mess of luxurious golden hair.

“Are you alright? Did you see a doctor?”

“…Harris.”

The leather chair slowly turned around.

And there, with pronounced dark circles under her eyes, was a strikingly beautiful blonde.

“Yes, maybe I really should see a doctor…”

“What kind of illness are we talking about here?”

Helena slowly raised her trembling hand.

In the shadows, her sky-blue eyes quivered precariously.

“……”

Under the oppressive air, Harris swallowed hard.

And then, the moment his sister opened her mouth—

His body froze white, like a candle.

“I think I’ve come down with an illness… where I can’t cook.”

As the shadows lifted, her full appearance was revealed.

Sprinkles of powdered sugar glistened faintly, having landed on her dramatic curves.

“…What?”

The eldest son stared blankly at his sister.

So this was why she had summoned him to the North…?

“You’re telling me this whole thing was because of cooking?”

All of this… for a cooking lesson.

“……”

Helena hung her head low.

She, who had endured the rigorous training of her father, the Western Grand Duke.

She, who had triumphed over every crisis with her own hands.

And yet, this one thing—cooking—she could not overcome through sheer will.

“Harris, just what kind of battle have you been fighting…? How can you possibly make a living off something like this?”

The lights came on.

And with them, the full chaos of Helena’s office was exposed, filled with strewn cooking utensils and equipment.

“…My god.”

Harris clicked his tongue at the sight of what looked like a war zone.

Then, looking at her with conflicted eyes, he said,

“Why not just call a catering service? Why are you trying to do it yourself?”

“There’s… a reason.”

Helena shook her head, unwilling to explain further.

Then, pointing her finger directly at her older brother, she pressed him.

“Either way, teach me how to cook.”

“…Sigh. Helena, you know I’m busy with the restaurant opening right now… Just ask the villa’s chef about this stuff.”

Dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, the eldest son let out a deep sigh as he bent his knees.

Then, he flicked a finger at a mixing bowl lying on the floor.

But his finger stopped dead in its tracks.

“Oppa, don’t you need money?”

Because this was the first time she had ever called him Oppa.

“…What?”

Harris looked up at his sister, stunned.

Then Helena stood from her seat and approached him with an icy expression.

“1 billion.”

A short, firm declaration.

She was making an offer to someone much older than herself.

“I’ll add it on top of your opening funds. So teach me.”

A serious proposal—befitting the next Grand Duke.

“I’m talking about popular home-style recipes from the northern Empire.”

“……”

Harris immediately sensed something unusual in her eyes.

The look in her eyes now…

It was exactly like the one he’d seen when she had first tried to learn how to cook as a child.

“You sure about this…? If you want to learn properly, there’s no end to cooking.”

“There’s nothing I can’t do. I’m just… learning a bit slowly this time.”

Harris had always admired the fierce drive in both his father and younger sister.

And so, eventually, a faint smile tugged at his lips as he stood up.

“Alright. Judging by the price tag, I can tell you’re serious.”

The eldest son took off his suit jacket and tossed it onto a chair.

Then, picking up the mixing bowl and ladle, he said:

“You’ve got three days. I’ll teach you everything you need to make a proper meal by then.”

Harris rolled his wrists, as if getting ready to exert some real effort for the first time in a while.

Then the two siblings began cleaning off the table together.

“But seriously—why are you suddenly trying to learn how to cook?”

At her brother’s question, Helena paused for a moment.

Then she looked out the window toward a distant hotel.

“No reason. Just figured I should learn while I’m supporting the food industry…”

With those convincing words, Helena lightly covered her lips with her fist.

Then, clearing her throat, she tied on an apron.

It was a rare sight for someone who was always dressed in formal suits.

「――――――」

Beyond the cathedral and villa lay an enormous field of rye.

If one followed the golden waves of grain, a grand, vintage mansion would appear.

Annex buildings were attached to the main residence.

Those buildings housed the Grand Duke’s kitchen, and the chimneys were always puffing smoke as meals were prepared.

But the current time was 2 p.m.

Certainly not time to be preparing food—yet.

For some reason, smoke had been wafting from the chimney since early in the day.

And on top of that…

Bang! Bang! Bang!

There were even sharp, chilling sounds of knife work.

“What on earth is going on…?”

Debier, the chief secretary, who patrolled the mansion around this time every day—

With his hands clasped behind his back, he headed toward the kitchen.

At this hour, the chefs should have all been in the break room.

Puzzled by the strange noises, he cracked the kitchen door slightly and quietly peeked inside.

And then—

“The Grand Duke’s daughter…?”

His eyes, sharpened by over thirty years of managing the estate and weathering every conceivable storm, flashed in shock.

Standing there was a woman who clearly didn’t belong in a kitchen.

“Hoo…”

Long, black hair flowed down her back.

Her figure, shaped by training and refined feminine grace, stood gracefully before the counter.

There was no doubt—it was Echina.

“What on earth is she trying to do…?”

Her hand rested on the longsword fastened at her waist.

Then, focusing her mind, she emitted a surge of highly refined mana.

――――――

In a single motion, Echina sliced through the vegetables on the cutting board.

With a luxury-grade longsword crafted by Schmidt.

“This is perfect.”

The Grand Duke’s daughter murmured to herself, pleased.

Then, with great care, she neatly arranged the sliced vegetables into a bowl.

“……”

She, who always wore a chilling expression whenever she held a sword—

Now looked completely different.

As she sliced the vegetables, Echina appeared more feminine than ever before.

Seeing such a smile on the Grand Duke’s daughter—one he had never witnessed in his entire life—left Debier blinking in disbelief.

He even pressed both hands over his eyelids, wondering if he’d imagined it.

But what followed only deepened the shock.

“What… did I just witness?”

Echina glanced around cautiously.

Confirming no one was around, she quietly picked up a pre-sliced piece of apple.

Then…

From between her red lips, she extended her smooth tongue—

And ever so timidly licked the cut surface of the apple.

“…!!”

Debier, who had spent a lifetime in service to the Grand Duke of the North and had seen countless bizarre incidents—

Snapped back into focus, as a top-tier secretary should.

And just as he peeked back into the kitchen again—

“Secretary Debier, is there something you need?”

He suddenly locked eyes with Echina, who was exiting the kitchen, having wrapped everything up.

“Oh—no, I just saw smoke rising from the chimney and came to take a quick look.”

“I was feeling a bit hungry, so I whipped up a quick bite. I’ll be off now.”

Echina walked out as if nothing had happened, carrying the lunchbox she had made.

Among the containers was one holding apple slices.