The Possession-Spoon Chef Feeds the Empire - Chapter 83

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 83
“You’re the one in danger. The Crown Prince…….”
“I want to keep you away from the Crown Prince too. If we leave together and he decides to visit the Peyton Territory, none of this will matter.”
Luciel spoke quietly.
“But…….”
“I’ll be fine. Thanks to you, I have people to help me…….”
She recalled the declarations made by Melina, Debron, and Cain.
Their promise to protect her, no matter what became of the world.
While it might not be enough to overturn this entire realm, it would be sufficient to endure for years.
“Besides, the Crown Prince won’t harm me easily. It seems he still hasn’t decided what he wants to do with me.”
She thought back to when she had sought out Serion.
He wanted to possess her.
He coveted her the way one might covet an object or a pet, and he wanted her whole and unblemished.
“But in your case, it’s certain.”
What had Serion said, speaking with the Duke from behind the wall?
That the true owner of the garden was not Bael, but Luciel.
“You have nothing he desires, and he only remembers that you stood in his way. He’ll try to kill you. Soon.”
Serion did not regard people outside the royal family as people.
He was young now, but given a little more time, he would be able to kill any human standing in his way with ease.
The interest he had shown in Bael when they first met likely amounted to nothing more than research into how to make his death entertaining.
“I’m staying here. There’s more I can learn on this side.”
“…….”
Faced with her unwavering answer, Bael could say nothing more.
‘I hate this.’
He had accepted every word she spoke. Which made this situation all the more unbearable.
He could not argue with her. He could find no excuse to refuse her plea for separation.
Clenching his fists until his knuckles turned white, biting his lip until it bled—these were the only responses his mind could conjure.
Tap.
“……?”
In that instant, Bael’s eyes widened.
The thin-coated Dark Chocolate shell shattered crisply the moment it entered his mouth.
Rich ganache flowed out, and with it came the bright, distinct note of orange zest.
Bael slowly worked his jaw, savoring the chocolate.
Cold, smooth, fragrant, rich, addictive.
And as always, an entirely new flavor.
“I told you, didn’t I? That I’d keep showing you new flavors. Think of this the same way.”
Luciel smiled softly as she spoke.
“The Northern Region has frequent changes in leadership among neighboring powers, and there are magical beasts no one’s catalogued yet. The Peyton Family’s retainers are skilled in schemes and stratagems—there’s plenty for you to learn. New flavors, in a manner of speaking.”
“…….”
“It’s an experience you need. To broaden your world.”
“…….”
“See much, learn much, accept much, endure much, absorb much. And then come back. I’ll be here waiting.”
Instead of answering, Bael continued to chew the chocolate.
A texture he could not help but savor.
Ingredients and proportions calculated precisely for his palate.
“……Even now, you’re thinking of my tastes.”
He murmured the words.
Even as the Crown Prince’s visit had posed the greatest danger, even as she had boldly sought him out and navigated a perilous negotiation, Luciel had been thinking of him—pondering how to persuade him gently.
Slowly, he nodded.
“……I’ll do as you say.”
The instinctive revulsion at being separated from her surged up, but he forced down the emotion.
He could not make things harder for Luciel.
Separation was agony, but being a burden was unbearable.
“Just for a while.”
At his words, Luciel smiled again, small and knowing.
“Yes. Just for a while.”
“If anything happens to you, I’m coming back.”
“All right.”
“If you’re hurt…….”
“I won’t be hurt. I have my own way of growing stronger.”
“Still…….”
As Bael reached for more words, he felt something warm against both his cheeks.
Luciel’s palms.
“……What are you doing?”
“Just—I’m so proud.”
She held his face firmly, examining it from every angle as she spoke.
As the space between them narrowed, Bael’s heart dropped with a heavy thud.
“You have good color, you’ve filled out, your eyes are—you look sad thinking about leaving, but they still shine. I’m proud that I had a part in that.”
……It’s the same thing she always says to Estel.
Bael bit his lip hard again, trying to suppress the heat rising to his ears.
“Just like this. Don’t let anything chip away at you. Come back whole.”
“……I promise.”
Luciel released his face with a satisfied expression, apparently unaware of his confusion.
Bael exhaled.
Once she had decided, there was no defying her.
He would go to the Northern Region.
So as not to be a burden to her.
So that the future held no moments where he could only stand and watch while she was in danger.
He had to grow.
As fast and as far as possible, surpassing everything before him.
“I’ll return.”
As he looked at Luciel gazing up at him, he made the vow again.
So that when he returned, he would never have to leave again.
* * *
The Mage Scholar Bakcliff—or rather, the Butler of Bellaon—sat in his study, lost in thought.
He was reviewing a long career.
Once, he had been called a rather brilliant Mage Scholar.
But the truth was he had never cared much for power or fame.
He had even declined the title of Archmage, bestowed only once in several generations, saying it did not suit him.
Instead, he had loved to teach.
Nothing brought him greater joy than watching the disciples he had raised enter the Magic Tower and conduct remarkable research.
‘How did I end up coming to this place?’
Ah, yes—it was because of him, the most capable student Bakcliff had ever taught.
He had thought his dream was being realized; in truth, it had been a nightmare.
Brilliantly talented and stubbornly rebellious.
After raising him with great effort, the boy had disappeared, leaving Bakcliff with a profound emptiness. Eventually, he’d abandoned his teaching post and become a hired hand in a noble household—all because of that boy, or rather, the boy’s successor.
For a long time, Bakcliff had abandoned the thought of teaching anyone.
Only very recently, when he witnessed Bael Bellaon’s talent firsthand, had that changed.
The boy was quite different from his predecessor.
Brilliant yet balanced in his thinking, far better manners, respect for Bakcliff.
A talented individual equipped with every advantage that chaotic boy had lacked.
As a member of a noble house’s Direct Line, he would not become a Mage Scholar, but his rapid learning and innate Magical Power were enough to stir the teacher in Bakcliff.
It was one reason he had recently bent his duties as Butler to aid the boy.
The other reason was the homemade beef-rib soup noodles Luciel had made him.
‘Perhaps it’s time to take on a student again…….’
Just as Bakcliff was pondering what to pass on to Bael, the door to his study opened.
Swoosh.
A small blonde head peeked through the gap.
“Grandfather, I came to ask you for a favor.”
“Oh, do come in.”
Bakcliff greeted her with a warm smile.
“I was actually waiting for you. I was just thinking—what is that?”
“A bribe, sir.”
Luciel hesitated at the threshold before placing a small plate on his desk.
“They’re called Yakgwa…….”
“Flower pastries from home!”
He sprang up and popped one into his mouth.
Happiness he had forgotten came flooding back.
What a precious girl.
“What’s the favor?”
He asked, his eyes sparkling.
“Grandfather, would you perhaps be willing to take on a disciple?”
“A disciple?”
Bakcliff lit up with interest.
Ah, she means Bael.
At last he could unfold that dream he had set aside.
“Of course! Naturally I would be delighted to…….”
“Really?”
Luciel broke into a broad smile.
“Then, starting today, I’m your disciple, aren’t I?”
Plop.
From the stunned Bakcliff’s mouth, a half-chewed piece of flower pastry fell.
“……You?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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