Of course, you do. I smiled at Julius and headed to the kitchen. I had bought a lot of fresh fish. I wanted to make Kaichen’s favorite dish with fish. I didn’t worry about Julius. There wasn’t anything in the whole world he would not eat. The main character of Blue Dragon Heir, Julius, was perfect enough to say that the only weakness was the heroine he loved.

Thinking of Kaichen having to deal with Julius, I worked faster. When I finished cooking the dish and placed it on the table, it looked just perfect.

“Kaichen, is this what you have been eating every day?!” said Julius, stopping mid-way while sipping the tea. His eyes were wide open. “Countess Alshine, do you perhaps want to come cook at the palace?”

I smiled awkwardly and turned to kaichen. “I was able to buy some fresh Perca today. So, I made Perca steak.”

I urged him to try. Kaichen reluctantly took a bite. “Is it good?” I asked, “Do you like it?”

“It’s okay,” he said. Usually, he would have said it was delicious but because Julius was present, he replied dryly and averted his gaze.

I knew he liked it because he silently finished the fish in an instant. I put the second helping on his plate and he smiled. I felt glad to see someone enjoying my cooking. I always took care and effort to cook a dish perfectly.

“Can I have some more, Countess? Asked Julius.

I looked at his plate, which was already empty. “I am sorry…,” I said awkwardly, “I only have teacher’s share.” I refilled Kaichen’s place, this was the third time.

“But Kaichen is already on his third helping…”

“Teacher usually eats till the fifth helping.”

“Are you allowed to treat the Crown prince like this?” asked Julius, with mock seriousness. His attempt at seriousness was undermined by the speck of fish stuck near his lips.

I gave him one more steak. He is annoying but he is still the main character. I will have to leave a positive impression on him. In the end, Julius would become an emperor. I must tread carefully.

Eventually, both ate with relish and filled their stomachs. I was still not able to digest rich food properly, so I ate my porridge.

***

I sat on the sofa, peeling a green apple for dessert. I like the current atmosphere. It’s very peaceful and friendly, I thought.

“It seems like you two have managed to turn this cabin into a house,” said Julius, taking a bite out of the apple and sipping his tea.

“Are you crazy?” replied Kaichen. I pretended not to hear it and continued peeling the apple. I was reluctant to interrupt. I don’t want to be involved in a fight between them.

“I mean… it feels nice. Cooking, eating, reading….” Julius turned to Kaichen. ‘it definitely doesn’t sound like just a typical ‘teacher-student’ relationship. It feels a little different.”

Kaichen stared at his hand holding the apple, and then the book. He then turned to me. He did a double take as though he had realized his mistake. It was okay for us to take care of each other, but it had reached a point where it had become too comfortable. Kaichen frowned.

“She might be your student, but you shouldn’t treat her this way.”

I was taken aback. I was doing this because I wanted to be accepted as his disciple officially. For that, he would need to trust me to some extent. Besides, he had saved my life. I didn’t mind cooking, after all. I was happy to cook and see him comfortable. This was my plan to be a little bit more likable to Kaichen so I could be a proper disciple and learn more magic.

“That’s alright,” I said hurriedly, “I like cooking, so I don’t mind. Besides, I am thankful that teacher saved me from time magic. This is the least I can do.”

“Hmm.” Julius nodded.

However, Kaichen still seemed doubtful. He looked at the apple and looked uncomfortable.

Great! Now he will be more cautious of everything thinking I have permeated into his life a little too much. I sighed inwardly, cursed Julius in my mind, and continued peeling the apples.

*

Exchetra was sitting in her study and staring at the map of the empire. As she tapped on the edge of her armrest, Asta, her henchman appeared in front of her. “Your Highness.”

“Let him in,” she said, waving her hand.

When Exchetra beckoned, a man wearing a black robe entered the study from outside. “I present myself to the imperial empress,” he declared.

After the greeting, he sat on a chair across the table as though he was familiar with this interaction.

“The experiment was successful,” she said, “But your expression is solemn.”

The man took off his hood and bowed. Red eyes lashed beneath dark brown hair. He had dark circles under his eyes. “As you already know, there was a … disturbance.”

“Wasn’t it something that was already predicted?”

“It’s different this time. Countess Alshine was a very good medium.”

“Hmm.”

“She… disappeared from Acrab but she must have gone crazy. It is not easy to escape my poison.”

“What about the little boy who was experimented before the Countess?”

“What?”

“That little boy from Acrab. I believe he is still alive.”