CHAPTER 61: RELAXING AFTERNOON 2

(Orlax POV)

"Why are you doing all this yourself? I mean, you could leave it to the servants. You already have enough work as it is."

Riana rested her head on the kitchen table, watching me as I worked.

"I told you before, I’m used to making my own meals."

I was slicing the meat as I responded to her question.

"I know, but now that you’re the Emperor, wouldn’t it be better to spend your time doing something more useful?"

Riana lifted her head and leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes and inhaling the aroma of the food.

"Let me ask you something instead—why do you use a sword and want to grow stronger instead of letting someone else protect you?"

I answered with a question while placing the sliced meat into the pot.

"Hmm? I like using a sword. I like being strong rather than relying on someone else."

She tilted her head, thinking for a moment before replying.

"Then it’s the same for me. I love cooking. It’s one of the few things that makes me feel alive, and I prefer making my own food."

I checked the pots, closed the lids, and left everything to cook on low heat.

"Honestly, I don’t like my current situation. I mean, being the Emperor and carrying all this responsibility on my shoulders..."

I wiped my hands with a towel I had placed on the table, then looked at Riana.

"You don’t like being Emperor? From my point of view, you seem like someone who doesn’t want to give up the throne."

"Of course I don’t want to give it up, but not because I like it. It’s because it’s my responsibility."

Riana’s eyes widened at my answer, and she fell into thought for a while before speaking again.

"So, does that mean you don’t love me, but you stay with me because you see me as part of your responsibilities?"

A faint smile appeared on my lips when I heard her words and saw the concern in her eyes.

"If I didn’t love you, would I be sitting here now, talking to you honestly about my feelings?"

Riana’s eyes lit up, and a wide smile appeared on her face when she heard my answer.

"Alright, alright. Go and call everyone to the dining hall. Lunch is ready."

I stood from the table and waved at her to go gather the others.

"Yes, sir."

Riana left the kitchen to carry out her task, but I noticed that the Sword Spirit was still in the kitchen, watching me with a smile on her face.

"What? Why are you smiling like that?"

The small red-haired girl floated off the table and perched on my shoulder, still smiling.

[The Sword Spirit says she’s smiling because someone once told her she looked beautiful when she smiled.]

I pondered the message that appeared on the floating screen in front of me.

"Does that mean you were once human?"

The red-haired girl placed a hand on her chin and started thinking.

[The Sword Spirit says she doesn’t remember, but she’s sure she used to be human.]

"Hmm... That’s strange."

I used magic to levitate all the dishes I’d prepared and made my way to the dining hall.

For lunch, I had made herb-roasted chicken with a bit of rice as the main course.

On the side, I prepared seasoned fried meat slices with a special sauce I made myself.

There were also tortillas stuffed with corn, avocado, and fried potatoes.

The amount of food was enough to feed ten people, considering Riana’s massive appetite.

When I arrived at the dining hall, no one was there yet, so I arranged the dishes neatly on the table.

I sat at the head of the table and waited for everyone to arrive.

After a few minutes, several people entered the dining hall, chatting.

Riana sat to my left, while Alice and Elena—who seemed to have brought her—sat to my right.

Sera was in Alice’s lap, watching the food with sleepy eyes—she had just woken up.

"Alright, let’s begin."

As soon as I said that, Riana dove at the roasted chicken in the middle of the table, grabbed a large piece of meat, and started eating.

I quietly placed food onto my plate, afraid Riana would eat everything, and began tasting it slowly.

’Hmm, this is good.’

"Thas... sowo nummy!"

Riana mumbled with a full mouth, clearly praising the food.

"Riana, how many times do I have to tell you not to speak with your mouth full? Show some table manners."

Alice’s words went in one ear and out the other—Riana didn’t care in the slightest.

sigh "Typical of savages from the North."

Riana suddenly stopped chewing, swallowed her food, and glared at Alice who had just called her a savage.

"What? I think I didn’t hear that right—what did you just say?"

"I said it’s typical of savages like you."

A vein pulsed on Riana’s forehead as she stood up and pointed at Alice in anger.

"You! I challenge you to a duel!"

She yelled so loudly I had to cover my ears.

"See? You just proved my point. Savages like you solve everything with violence."

Alice showed no fear, crossing her arms and staring confidently at Riana.

"Alice Zephyrius, I swea—"

"Enough, both of you! What kind of disrespect is this in front of the Emperor?"

Everyone turned in surprise to the person no one expected to speak up.

’Hmm? Elena?’

"Hah? And who are you to butt in?"

Riana looked at Elena, annoyed and provoked by her interference.

"I’m the Emperor’s assistant. I stayed silent because he was, but now your rudeness has reached the point of bickering at the dining table. That’s a serious lack of respect."

Elena looked directly at Riana, her eyes firm and unwavering.

"You!"

Riana was speechless for a moment before a smile crept onto her lips.

"This is a family matter. You have no right to interfere."

I was shocked by Riana’s words, and I turned my gaze to Elena, who remained silent and lowered her head.

"Riana! That’s enough! You’ve gone too far!"

I spoke firmly as I looked at Riana, who wore a crooked smile while watching the silent Elena.

"Yeah, yeah."

She lazily dropped into her seat as if she hadn’t just caused a scene.

"Don’t pay attention to her, Elena."

Elena didn’t respond. She sat in silence, her head lowered.

"She’s right, Your Majesty. I had no right to involve myself in a family issue. Please forgive my mistake."

Elena quickly rose from her chair and left the room before I could say anything. I watched her back, alone and distant.

"You really are a savage, Riana."

Alice stood up too, carrying Sera, and left the dining hall as well.

"..."

Silence fell over the room. Only Riana and I remained.

"Think about what you said, Riana. I’ve completely lost my appetite because of you."

"What? How is that my fault? I didn’t say anything wrong."

I waved her off and left the dining hall, sighing at everything that had just happened.

’This is so annoying.’

I asked the palace staff where Elena was and eventually found her in my office, reviewing documents related to a task I had given her.

"Elena."

"Your Majesty. Welcome."

She greeted me calmly before refocusing on the papers in her hands.

I sat on the couch in the office, watching her read in silence for a while before I broke it.

"Don’t take Riana’s words to heart. She always speaks without thinking."

Elena stared at the documents a bit longer before setting them aside and turning to me.

"It wasn’t her fault, Your Majesty. Because of your kindness toward me, I forgot my place for a moment. I apologize for my mistake."

I watched her cold eyes for a while, feeling irritated by her tone.

"As I said, don’t pay attention to what she said. I’ll leave you to your work."

I left the office, leaving Elena behind, and went to my room to rest.

I lay on the bed, relaxing, and played with my phone for a while until the sun began to set.

At 8 PM, I left my room and went to prepare dinner.

After cooking for a full hour, I carried the dishes to the dining hall and waited for everyone to arrive.

Riana came in first, excited for the food. Then Alice entered, carrying Sera in her arms. They sat down.

But even after a long wait, Elena never showed up for dinner—even after we had all finished eating.