Dinner had ended with a warm and cheerful atmosphere lingering in the grand dining hall. The Altavis family's long table, usually dignified and solemn with the weight of noble etiquette, now felt like a place of laughter, comfort, and delicious memories. Alvin felt his heart flutter with happiness; every dish he tasted had been unbelievably delicious. For the first time since he left the Elven Kingdom, he felt like he was home.
He rubbed his belly, content. I must learn to cook. I absolutely must. If I want to be the perfect wife for Kazien one day, I have to master the kitchen too…!
"Alvin, are you satisfied with the dishes?" Duke Elgard asked warmly, his thick beard trembling when he chuckled.
"I'm very satisfied, Father! I can't wait to learn how to cook too!" Alvin replied with enthusiasm sparkling in his amber-colored eyes.
"Hahaha! Good spirit! Keep fighting, Alvin! We will definitely support you!" the duke roared with laughter.
Alvin's cheeks flushed with pride as the whole family smiled at him.
"Wow! That smile is beautiful, Alvin. No wonder my cute little brother fell head over heels for you," Virena teased, leaning her cheek on her hand.
"He really likes my smile, Sis Virena. Hehehe." Alvin giggled shyly.
Their laughter filled the room, warm and bright. Alvin could feel it—since he arrived at the mansion, the Altavis family had been trying their best to make him feel at ease. They insisted he no longer speak formally; they didn't want a high elf guest living with stiff politeness. They wanted Alvin as family, not as a distant noble.
And Alvin… really liked that.
****
Sunlight streamed into the spacious bedroom, casting a gentle glow on two figures sleeping under thick blankets. Alvin slowly opened his sleepy eyes and immediately found Kazien sleeping beside him—peaceful, beautiful, and with messy hair that somehow made him even more handsome.
Mwah!
Alvin leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on Kazien's cheek.
Kazien stirred, eyelashes fluttering, then opened his eyes softly. "Good morning, Alvin…"
"Good morning, my dear. Sorry for waking you."
Kazien only smiled and reached forward, pinching Alvin's cheek affectionately. "It's fine."
Alvin puffed his cheeks playfully before hopping out of bed.
"I'm going to the kitchen to learn how to cook!"
Kazien sat up slightly, his hair a lovely disaster. "Good luck, Alvin! I'll be reading in the library. If you need me, ask the maids!"
Alvin nodded energetically and hurried out.
The kitchen buzzed with activity. Four maids were busy preparing breakfast when the door swung open and Alvin stepped in with sparkling eyes.
"Good morning, young master Alvin. Are you ready to start learning to cook with us?"
"Good morning! Please guide me!" Alvin chimed, bowing politely before rushing toward the nearest maid.
The maid laughed gently. "First, watch how I chop the vegetables."
Tak! Tak! Tak! Tak!
The sound of a sharp knife danced rhythmically on the wooden board.
Alvin watched with unblinking, intense focus—as if he were studying a legendary spell instead of onions.
Then it was his turn. Alvin carefully held the knife.
Alright, Alvin. You can do this. For Kazien. For your future as his ideal wife!
Slowly… very slowly… he began cutting.
Tak! Tak! Tak! Tak!
The maid beside him smiled patiently. "A little faster, young master."
Alvin nodded. "Y-Yes…"
Tak! Tak! Tak—
SCRATCH!
"Y-Young master! Your finger!" The maid panicked at the sight of the small cut.
"It's okay! I can heal it." Alvin calmly used healing magic. In a blink, his finger returned to normal.
The maid sighed in relief. "Please be careful."
"I'm sorry… Thank you for worrying about me."
He cleaned the board and tried again.
But as he continued, something odd happened—Alvin's hands became steadier, faster, smarter. His slices grew perfectly uniform, flawlessly neat.
This is strange… Ever since I formed a contract with Kazien, everything I observe becomes easier to do… Is this because of his ability? I should ask him later.
Soon, the maid blinked in disbelief. "Young master… you're improving at a terrifying speed!"
Alvin beamed. "Really?"
"Yes! Your vegetable cuts look better than mine!"
Alvin covered his flushed cheeks. "I-I'm happy…"
Alvin moved on to chopping meat—without a single mistake. The size of each piece? Perfectly identical.
"Now we boil and season!" the maid announced.
"Please guide me!"
Alvin watched her movements intensely—his gaze sharp, focused, and full of determination. He didn't blink as he studied her technique, the amount of spices she used, the timing, and even the angle of her wrist when she stirred.
"You may taste the broth," the maid offered.
Alvin took a sip.
Slurp!
His eyes widened. "It's… It's so delicious!"
"Hahaha! Now make your own!"
"Yes! I'll try my best!"
He poured water, added the ingredients at perfect timing, and reproduced the exact seasoning. The aroma that filled the kitchen was divine. All four maids turned their heads.
"Young master… this smells incredible!"
"Your cooking is amazing!"
"Thank you! I want to make Kazien happy with my cooking!"
"Awwww—young master Kazien is so lucky!"
Alvin's face turned red, but his heart fluttered with joy.
When the soup was ready, the maids tasted it.
Slurp!
Instant silence.
Then—
"Young master! This tastes better than ours!"
"Y-You're kidding…"
"We're not! It's delicious beyond belief!"
Their excitement filled Alvin with glowing pride. He carried the bowls with the maids' help and headed for the dining room.
After delivering the soup, Alvin hurried to the libraryto fetch Kazien.
Creak.
Kazien turned from his book with a surprised but gentle smile.
"My dear, everything is ready! Let's have breakfast," Alvin whispered proudly.
Kazien closed his book immediately. "Are you done? Let's go! I want to taste it quickly."
"You've worked hard, Alvin. I'm proud of you."
"I did it for your happiness. I hope you'll like my cooking."
The two walked hand-in-hand toward the dining room.
The whole family was already seated.
Virena raised an eyebrow. "As usual, you're late!"
"Sis Virena, why do you always tease me?" Kazien grumbled.
Because she enjoyed it—that much was obvious.
They all laughed.
Kazien pulled Alvin's chair and even served him breakfast first.
"My dear, you could have just sat down…"
"You worked hard. As your future husband, it's my duty to make you feel like a queen."
Virena gasped loudly. "Wow… my little brother is so affectionate!"
"Sis, are you praising me or teasing me again?!"
"Hahaha, I'm praising you!"
Duchess Larina clapped her hands. "Let's eat Alvin's soup before it gets cold!"
Slurp!
Everyone froze.
Alvin stiffened.
D-Did they hate it?! Did I mess up?!
Duke Elgard spoke first.
"Alvin… is this really your cooking?"
"Y-Yes, Father. The maids helped me, but I made the soup myself…"
"You did it! This is delicious!"
"Absolutely wonderful, Alvin," Duchess Larina added.
"What is this?! How can it taste this good?!" William exclaimed while Selena nodded vigorously.
Virena and Davin gave him thumbs up.
"Hahaha! My future wife is amazing!" Kazien declared proudly. "He cooked something this delicious on his first try!"
Kazien turned to him, eyes soft.
"In the future… I want to always eat your cooking."
Those words struck directly at Alvin's heart.
His vision blurred. Tears rolled down his cheeks.
"T-Thank you! I'm… I'm so happy… all my hard work wasn't in vain!"
Everyone laughed as Virena raised her spoon. "Let's enjoy the food!"
Alvin smiled brightly, his heart full to the brim.
This was just the beginning. The first step on his journey to becoming the perfect wife for Kazien.
And he was determined—fully, wholeheartedly—to continue this path.