The Ogre Strength Fairy and the Eldest 'Son'
Chapter 142 - Suddenly, I Want A Different Morning Training Schedule

Chapter 142: Chapter 142 - Suddenly, I Want A Different Morning Training Schedule

After the newly wedded couple returned to the Goltbred estate from the Opal Scale Guild, a certain parent stepped quickly to drag her wife away with insistent hands. Qatrand watched Yatrel guide the girl away with voiced concern about the letter Elua had left for them to handle... and whether her daughter caused any trouble by ’not eating breakfast’.

The brunette looked back with an amused but bitter grin as she waved her free fingers in farewell to her husband-wife. She had already been told that the Yecine heir had some duties they needed to attend to after walking her home.

The swordswoman stood alone in the entrance hall after they left. Qat didn’t really want to leave at all, but knew she would. The movement of some of the house servants caught her eye as they bustled through the corridor with table settings likely meant for their guest’s lunchtime.

Their coordination and quick steps spoke of years of practice. She found herself drawn to follow them, remembering how her cute wife would light up at the sight of a properly set table. She looked through the doorway to the dining hall as the set of servants spread the dining ware.

’It didn’t even need food placed on it yet for her to look at it fondly. I’ve always found that interesting.’

A set of memories surfaced that revolved around her wife’s further delighted expressions. They weren’t all about food, but they started to stall around the ones of her being fed at that seaside restaurant. The way those mint eyes sparkled with each offered bite, even in the mood she had been in.

’How her nose scrunches slightly and-’

Her long steps carried her toward the kitchen before she fully formed the thought. She had been here only once or twice in all the years she had been acquainted with Elua er Goltbred. The cook looked up from his work as she appeared in the doorway.

"Young master...? Is there something you need?"

His knife hand stilled over a pile of fresh vegetables as Qatrand straightened her shoulders. Her usual low voice spoke out the reason she had made this unplanned detour.

"I would like to learn to cook something. For Elua."

The man’s eyebrows rose, at first, but his weathered face quickly settled into a warm smile. He hadn’t always been interested in making food, himself. Love was a strong catalyst for change and for testing many things.

"Of course. Did you have something specific in mind?"

"Something... simple to start with. But also meaningful."

Her fingers traced the edge of her sleeve as she considered. The teenager felt unusually nervous making this request... and it didn’t help her when she realized that she hadn’t actually spoken to him very politely.

"She seems to favor dishes with stronger flavors lately. Could I learn something like that?"

The cook nodded approvingly. Picking a dish that you knew the girl you liked enjoyed was a safe tactic!

"Ah yes, the young miss has been requesting more spiced sauces with her meals since she returned. Though I notice she now also tends to leave the sauteed radish untouched when it’s served alongside a meal."

"Only the red ones. She quite enjoys the yellow variety, especially when they’re cut particularly thin."

Qat answered almost offhandedly as she was distracted by her own thoughts, paraphrasing a short complaint from over a month ago that her El had spoken to her. The cook’s eyes widened at this observation and his mouth hung open for a moment as he searched his memory.

"I... I hadn’t noticed that distinction. You must pay very close attention during your meals together."

He had looked at the remains of the plates but never could have guessed this! A faint heat crawled up the back of the Yecine’s neck as she realized the ’private’ detail she had just parroted. She maintained most of her composure as her pigeon-blue stare filled with more resolve.

"When would be best to begin? I have training and other duties I must consider, but..."

"I wake well before dawn. We could start very early in the mornings, before your other obligations."

With the words of his agreement, Qatrand briefly considered calling the idea off. Not because she didn’t still want to learn, or because she didn’t have the time... but because-

’If I start showing up early in the morning, El is going to notice very quickly. She’ll also be upset if I’m here but then have to leave without spending any time with her.’

The cook began pointing at some basic tools in his space, having called out their names as he spoke over her own worries.

"-rolling pin. Nothing too complex at first. Perhaps a spiced flatbread she’s grown so fond of? Baking is arguably more strict and less of an art... but far easier to tell when everything is going right."

The blonde nodded at him. Mentally, she adjusted her training schedule so that for the next while her breakfast would be with the Goltbreds. A servant passing by the kitchen doorway caught a rare sight - the stoic Yecine heir’s lips and eyes bent into a private smile even without their young miss being close by.

"Thank you. I look forward to learning."

The kitchen staffer blinked and shook his head. He wouldn’t claim to know what was in the minds of cultivators, but he was pretty sure whatever was going on wasn’t any of his business. As Qat turned to leave, the cook called after her with a rising tone.

"Young master? It’s good to see someone else taking note of her preferences. The young miss is fortunate to have such an attentive husband."

The words followed her down the hall. They warmed her heart even as they reminded her of the complexity of her position - the lie of her gender. As blonde hair was gradually replaced with black, the tall girl focused on the early time they’d agreed to meet. On sacrificing training her sword form... for training something else entirely.

Whether she worked hard to master either skill, she knew this one was purely for bringing joy to a particular set of mint eyes.