I wonder how they'll react to the tokens I prepared. The original Athena has never cooked before and hasn't even entered the kitchen since childhood.
When dinner ti arrived, Athena excused herself from the dining hall, surprising her family as she headed toward the kitchen.
It was an unusual move for soone who had always been pampered and shielded from household tasks.
The kitchen is marvelous! I want to have one in my own ho soday...
Athena walked in with a serious look on her face, and the kitchen staff, who were busy getting ready, stopped working.
Is my presence so shocking?
She carried several containers filled with the dishes she had painstakingly prepared earlier, Pork Humba, Pork Siopao, and Pork Kaldereta.
Astrid, the head chef of the estate, blinked in astonishnt at the amount of food Athena presented. "Young Lady Athena, what are these foods for?"
For eating, obviously...
Athena gave a small, confident smile. "I made these earlier. Kindly check if there's any radiation in them before serving. I want them to taste my craftsmanship."
What's with your face? This is not a prank! I can cook!
Astrid hesitated for a mont but then gestured to her staff to carry out the tests. The kitchen was soon abuzz with murmurs of disbelief as the results ca in.
"Head Chef Astrid, the radiation levels are zero," one of the staff reported, looking up from the scanner.
Astrid's eyes widened as she turned to Athena. "Young lady, where on Asenus did you get these?"
"I told you earlier, I cooked them myself," Athena replied casually.
The revelation left Astrid stunned. "You... cooked? By yourself? But you've never had to..."
Athena shrugged lightly. "I learned when I was living on my own. Let's just say necessity is a great teacher. Please heat the food and serve it with bread."
Still in shock over the disclosure, Astrid nodded and hurried her staff to work.
Athena was aware that bread was the closest substitute for rice, which was not a staple in the intergalactic galaxy.
When the dishes were finally brought to the dining table, the aromatic scents filled the air, catching everyone's attention.
Surprise!
Duke Nathaniel's brow arched as the servers placed the platters before them.
"What's this?" the Duke asked, looking genuinely intrigued.
Duchess Jodie added, her tone tinged with concern, "Where did these co from? Are they safe?"
Grandma, don't worry, I haven't had the ti to concoct poisons yet. The food is relatively safe!
Astrid stepped forward and bowed slightly.
"Your Grace, these dishes were prepared by the young lady herself. We've tested them thoroughly, and the radiation content is 0%, a complete miracle."
The Duke and Duchess exchanged astonished glances.
"Is that true?" the Duchess asked, her voice filled with disbelief.
Astrid nodded firmly. "Yes, Your Grace. It's remarkable."
The Duke turned his gaze to Athena, there was a twinkle of pride in his eyes. "Athena, have you learned to cook outside? Were you not eating well?"
Athena chuckled softly, shaking her head.
"I've been eating just fine, Grandfather. I only wanted to try sothing new. I even joined a cooking variety show once, but my skills weren't great back then. I've improved since."
Let's pretend she did...
Her casual response elicited chuckles from around the table, though her family couldn't hide their surprise.
As the bread was passed around and her dishes were served, the first hesitant bites quickly turned into enthusiastic eating.
The flavors were rich and comforting, unlike anything they had tasted before.
"This is incredible," one of her uncles exclaid.
"Athena, you've truly outdone yourself," Duchess Jodie said with a warm smile.
Duke Nathaniel, ever the stoic patriarch, nodded in approval as he took another bite. "You've certainly surprised us tonight. Perhaps you should teach our chef a thing or two."
Athena laughed, her nervousness from earlier lting away. It felt good to contribute sothing to her family and to see their genuine appreciation.
For the first ti in this new life, she felt a sense of belonging, a connection not just to her heritage, but to the people who truly cared for her.
It feels overwhelming to have a family.
-
This...
When Athena returned to her bedroom, her breath caught at the sheer elegance of it.
The room was vast, adorned with soft pastel hues and intricate golden patterns carved into the walls.
A grand crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a warm, enchanting glow. The four-poster bed, draped in luxurious silk and velvet, seed fit for royalty.
What an expensive princess-thed room.
She ran her fingers across the plush bedding and admired the ornate furniture that filled the space, an intricately carved vanity, a towering wardrobe, and a cozy reading nook by the window that overlooked the estate's sprawling gardens.
"So this is how a princess lives," Athena murmured to herself, a bittersweet smile tugging at her lips. As an assassin in her past life, she had never known such comfort or opulence.
Her life had been one of constant vigilance, her "bedroom" often a dark, cramped space. Here, she finally felt a glimpse of what it ant to have a place to call ho.
Curious, she began to explore, opening drawers and examining the belongings of the original owner.
So rich!
The room was adorned with jewelry, exquisite dresses, and personal ntos, all of which bore witness to the lavish lifestyle that Athena's predecessor had enjoyed.
Her musings were interrupted by a soft knock on the door. She's very lucky to be born into this kind of family.
"Mother?" Athena called out instinctively.
The door opened to reveal Loveniel Arwen-Derin, the mistress of the second house. Her mother entered gracefully, her warm smile lighting up the room.
Will she notice the difference?
She wore an elegant yet simple gown that complented her regal bearing, but her eyes held a softness reserved only for her children.
Without hesitation, Loveniel approached Athena and enveloped her in a tender hug, sothing she hadn't been able to do earlier amidst the bustling family reunion.
"My dear daughter," Loveniel said, pulling back to look at Athena. "How have you been?"
She hadn't.
Athena returned the smile, a flicker of guilt in her heart for deceiving such a loving woman. "I am well, Mother. It's good to be ho."
Loveniel cupped her daughter's face, her fingers brushing lightly over Athena's cheek.
"It's been so long since you returned. You've grown so much. The childish features on your face are gone."
Athena couldn't help but smile at her mother's affectionate gaze. "I miss you too, Mother," she said softly.
Loveniel guided Athena to the edge of the bed, where they sat side by side.
Athena relaxed as her mother wrapped an arm around her, the closeness filling a void she hadn't realized existed.
It's great to have a mother.
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