Chapter 39: We all lose
Raven had always been a quick learner. Whether it was picking up a new skill or mastering it in record time, she had a natural edge...and cooking was no exception.
The moment she decided to step into the kitchen, she already had a plan.
The dinner would be simple. But the effort behind it? That would be priceless.
Propping her phone up, she played a cooking video, rolled up her sleeves, and tied on an apron. In a matter of seconds, she switched modes—from Ivy... to chef.
Her movements were swift and precise.
The knife glided effortlessly through vegetables, slicing them into neat, even pieces. She stirred the pan with confidence, adjusted the flame without hesitation, and plated the food with surprising finesse—like a professional.
Almost like a Michelin chef.
Outside, the staff watched in stunned silence.
"Madam is... kind of amazing," one of them whispered.
"Kind of?" another scoffed softly. "Look at that cutting—so smooth!"
"I want to learn from her," a maid added, eyes practically sparkling.
The same people who had been praying she wouldn’t burn the kitchen down... were now completely in awe.
Even Chef James stood there, stunned, watching her work. The way she handled the knife, the control in her movements—this wasn’t amateur cooking.
This was skill.
Time passed before anyone even realized it. And just like that, she was done.
Ivy stepped back, looking at the final result with a small, satisfied smile.
"Let’s see their reaction now..."
Her thoughts immediately went to Leo. She couldn’t wait to see his face when he saw what she had made—especially the little cartoon designs she had carefully recreated.
At first, she had thought it would take too much time. But once she got the hang of the trick from the video, it turned out to be surprisingly easy.
Should I take a picture? She picked up her phone, ready to click, when-
"Mom!"
Leo’s worried voice echoed from behind.
Ivy froze for a split second before slowly turning around. It was then she saw another person standing behind him.
Xander
And suddenly she announced.
"Come on, boys, the food is ready."
****
[Dinner Table]
"Woah... Mommy, did you make all of this?"
Leo’s eyes widened in pure awe, sparkling like little stars. His hands clasped together in excitement as he stared at the food laid out before him—each dish carefully prepared, some even decorated with tiny cartoon faces.
Ivy couldn’t help but smile. She reached out and ruffled his hair, making him giggle.
"Of course," she said lightly. "Consider it a reward for not letting that Nate guy bully you."
Leo beamed, his happiness practically overflowing as he climbed onto his chair, eyes glued to the food like it was the greatest treasure in the world.
Ivy watched him quietly. She didn’t let him know she had overheard his conversation with Butler Rupert.
She didn’t want him to feel guilty. Not when he had tried so hard not to ask for anything... just to avoid disappointing her.
A soft sigh escaped her.
Raven had never cared about things like this.
Human emotions had always been... inconvenient. A distraction. But the day reality hit her, everything had shattered.
The nightmares. The sleepless nights. The echoes of voices she couldn’t silence.
Even if the people she had killed weren’t saints... the blood on her hands was still real. And it never washed off.
But now... things were different. She wasn’t that person anymore.
Even if sleep still evaded her most nights... with Leo around, she found herself feeling safe enough to close her eyes. For a little while.
"Okay, now let’s dig in," Ivy announced, taking a seat beside Leo.
Leo didn’t waste a second. Already excited, he eagerly started eating, completely focused on the food in front of him.
However, there was one person sitting like a statue.
"What happened? Why aren’t you eating?" Ivy asked, raising a brow as she looked at Xander, who hadn’t touched his food at all.
Leo paused mid-bite and blinked at his father.
Even Butler Rupert, standing to the side, glanced at Xander in confusion.
He knew Xander wasn’t particularly picky about food. Still, out of courtesy alone, he expected him to at least try it.
"I don’t have cartoon-shaped vegetables on my plate."
"..."
Everyone standing there nearly fainted. But Xander? He looked completely serious. Almost... offended.
The corner of Ivy’s lips twitched as she leaned slightly closer, lowering her voice.
"What are you—four years old?" she whispered, staring at him in disbelief.
But Xander didn’t budge. His expression remained solemn to the point that even Ivy started to doubt what she was seeing.
"You cooked for the first time," he said calmly. "Shouldn’t you treat everyone equally?"
Leo slowly turned to look at his father. And the moment their eyes met, a sharp glint passed between them.
Leo’s grip on his fork tightened. He could clearly sense it.
This was a challenge.
His father... was competing with him.
For attention.
Butler Rupert, who had witnessed enough family drama for one lifetime, immediately stepped forward.
"I will get another plate for you, Master," he said quickly, trying to diffuse the situation. Because if this continued, it wouldn’t be dinner anymore. It would be war over cartoon vegetables. Before Butler Rupert could take a step—
"Wait."
Ivy raised her hand, stopping him.
Everyone froze, even Xander.
Slowly, Ivy stood up from her chair, her eyes narrowing slightly as she looked at the two males in front of her— one small.
One... unfortunately grown.
"Fine," she said.
"If someone wants special treatment so badly..." Her gaze landed directly on Xander. "...I’ll give it."
Leo gasped whereas Xander leaned back slightly, completely unfazed.
"I’ll be waiting," he said calmly.
...He’s serious, Ivy realized.
He’s actually serious.
Without another word, she turned and walked back toward the kitchen and right behind her, the tension exploded.
"Daddy!" Leo whispered angrily. "That’s my food!"
Xander glanced at him. "Sharing is a good habit." he said calmly.
"You’re not sharing—you’re stealing!"
"I’m teaching you equality."
"That’s not equality!"
Butler Rupert stepped back quietly.
I am not getting involved in this.
Meanwhile, the guards outside had already gathered like an audience.
"Round two has started," Percy whispered.
"Who do you think will win?" Benny asked.
"Tough call," Nico muttered. "Madam with a knife... or boss with confidence?"
"Teddy?" Percy turned.
Teddy sighed. "We all lose."
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