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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Lord Fourth
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“Done!”
Melina’s cheerful voice echoed from the kitchen, dispelling the lingering drowsiness in the air.
Elisha followed, carrying a plate, a savory, enticing aroma filling the living room, making his mouth water.
“Ta-da! What do you think? Looks delicious, right?”
Melina proudly presented her dish, winking playfully, her expression a mix of confidence and excitement.
“I put my heart and soul into this, so I hope it meets your expectations.”
Elisha’s demeanor was different, a calm, serene smile on her face as she placed her plate on the table. But her eyes held a mixture of nervousness and anticipation.
She seemed to prefer letting her actions speak for themselves.
The two dishes before him were a feast for the eyes.
He hadn’t expected such elaborate creations, as neither of them were known for their culinary skills in the original story.
He had imagined them struggling in the kitchen, perhaps creating something comical, so the unexpected quality of their dishes surprised him.
“This is a dish elves enjoy quite often!”
Melina pointed at her dish, her voice filled with energy. Her plate held a vibrant pasta dish.
A bright red tomato sauce generously coated the pasta, topped with finely chopped olives, fresh herbs and plump shrimps, a culinary masterpiece.
“It’s hard to find seafood in the forest, right? But it’s surprisingly easy to get here!”
“I picked out the freshest shrimps, especially for you.”
Her voice was filled with pride. According to the game’s lore, elves, who lived deep within the forests surrounding the World Tree, rarely had access to seafood.
Melina’s delight in having procured shrimps reflected her personality.
“I focused on every step of the cooking process, all for you.”
Melina didn’t hesitate to emphasize the effort she had put into the dish.
“Now, it’s my turn.”
Elisha spoke softly, presenting her dish. It was the epitome of elegance.
A thick-cut steak, cooked to a perfect medium-rare, was topped with a glistening butter sauce, its savory aroma tantalizing his taste buds.
A side of creamy mashed potatoes and perfectly seasoned asparagus completed the dish.
“Pasta is nice for a light meal, but a proper meal should be something like this.”
She spoke with a refined air, her demeanor as elegant as her dish, her pride expressed in a way that was different from Melina’s.
“You both made amazing dishes.”
He looked back and forth between the two plates, expressing his genuine admiration.
The unexpected quality of their creations and their enticing aromas made his mouth water.
“Try it!”
Melina urged him impatiently, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
“Alright, then I’ll try yours first.”
He picked up his fork and took a bite of Melina’s pasta.
The perfectly cooked pasta, the flavorful tomato sauce, and the plump shrimp combined in his mouth, and—it might sound like an exaggeration—his mind went blank.
“…Wow.”
The first bite was like a burst of warm sunlight in his mouth.
The fresh tomato sauce exploded with flavor, followed by the subtle aroma of herbs and the salty tang of olives. And finally, the plump, succulent shrimp, with its deep, oceanic flavor, left a lingering aftertaste.
“Delicious…”
He muttered, his words echoing in the quiet room.
Melina beamed, puffing out her chest proudly.
“See? Unlike someone who just talks big~”
She glanced at Elisha, her tone triumphant and slightly provocative.
“Tsk…”
Elisha wasn’t one to back down. She frowned slightly, her lips curling into a displeased expression, and then she clicked her tongue.
“How childish. Is that the best you can do, boasting like that?”
“Ha! I’ll take that as a loser’s excuse~”
Melina bristled at Elisha’s reaction but didn’t retreat. She smirked, as if enjoying the provocation, and tapped the table.
“Here, try mine!”
Elisha, maintaining her composure, presented her dish, her gaze intense, her desire for his praise evident.
“I’m sure you’ll like it.”
He looked at the steak on the table, the thick, perfectly cooked meat and the creamy mashed potatoes catching his eye.
He could feel Elisha’s expectant gaze as she watched him.
He picked up his fork and knife and cut a bite-sized piece of steak.
“…….”
As he put the meat in his mouth, an unexpected explosion of flavors overwhelmed his senses.
“Wow.”
The juicy steak melted in his mouth, its tender texture and deep flavor surprising him.
The savory, slightly salty butter sauce enhanced the rich flavor of the meat, while the creamy mashed potatoes and subtly sweet asparagus created a perfect balance.
He nodded slowly, savoring the taste.
“Delicious… Probably the best steak I’ve ever had.”
Elisha’s expression transformed at his quiet praise.
The anger and frustration she had been holding back vanished, replaced by a calm confidence.
“See? I’m in a league of my own.”
Elisha smirked, crossing her arms, her demeanor relaxed and confident, a hint of triumph in her tone.
Melina’s face flushed, unable to hide her frustration.
“Ugh, try it again!”
She quickly twirled some pasta onto her fork and held it out to him.
“Ah~”
She looked at him expectantly, her mouth forming a small ‘o.’
He hesitated, and Elisha, of course, seized the opportunity.
“Wait, what are you doing? Feeding him yourself?! That’s not fair!”
Elisha quickly picked up a piece of steak and tried to feed him.
“Wait…”
He tried to stop them, but their rivalry was escalating, neither willing to back down.
They both leaned closer, their faces inches from his, their eagerness a bit overwhelming.
“Try my dish!”
“No, mine!”
Their voices overlapped as they began to bicker.
He scratched his head, feeling awkward. They were acting like children, and the situation was incredibly embarrassing.
But the spectacle didn’t last long.
Clatter—
The sound of the front door opening startled him.
“Huh?”
He tensed, wondering who it could be. He wasn’t expecting any visitors, especially not someone who would just walk in without knocking.
“Oh…?”
He turned his head and his heart skipped a beat as he saw a blonde woman standing at the entrance.
Her shimmering hair and clear blue eyes caught his attention. But then, her eyes darkened, the light fading, replaced by a chilling aura that seemed to freeze the air around her.
“Master?”
Her voice was as cold as ice. Her bag slipped from her grasp and landed on the floor with a thud.
“Eilly…”
He called her name, bewildered, but then—
—Eilly stood there, silently taking in the scene, her gaze sweeping over the dishes on the table, then Melina and Elisha bickering in front of him. And then, her face became an impassive mask, devoid of any emotion.
“What… is going on here?”
Her voice was low and flat, her eyes cold and sharp as she looked at Melina and Elisha.
“Eilly?”
“Oh…”
The two women, previously consumed by their rivalry, froze, their expressions hardening, the atmosphere in the room turning icy.
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Hi Lord Fourth here!
I’m new to translating so if you find some mistakes or inconsistencies let me know about it on the dedicated channel on discord.
