The group acknowledged and did not say a word.
Even Olivier, who wanted to protest, also chose not to question Leon's decision. They all knew that the best thing to do was to support his decision and protect Eli.
Knock knock!
Eli's gentle smile made the group awaken from their gloom. "Come come, dinner's prepared.. I'm sure you are all exhausted and hungry!"
Seeing her smiling face, the group couldn't help but to helplessly set aside the pressing matter and join dinner.
Walking towards the kitchen, they were welcomed by an appetizing aroma of a home cooked dinner.
On the long table, were attractive dishes made of meat and vegetables. There's even a big bowl of vegetable salad for Baobao, light and nutritious food for Randel, and a variety of Elven Dish for Azayn!
All thanks to the book of knowledge, Eli was able to search for the best menu for the bunch.
"You can wash your hands in that corner, then come and sit. Let us enjoy the meal." Eli smiled brightly and welcomed everyone.
Teased by the flavorful smell and the colorful feast in front of them, everyone prepared for the meal and sat excitedly.
As soon as they sat, they were curious as to why Baobao didn't start to eat, but rather solemnly clasped his furry paws together and bowed. Wisey also did the same with his cinnamon colored wings.
They looked at Eli with a look of inquiry and she awkwardly said, "It's our tradition to say grace before meal, I hope you don't mind??"
"Sure.." Leon was the first one to respond. He eagerly clasped his hands in and looked towards Eli saying he was ready.
The rest also meekly followed.
Smiling, Eli lead the group in saying grace:
"Dear Father, Oh Our Great Creator,
Thank you for the food we are about to eat and savor.
Bless these meal we are about to eat,
May it replenish the energy we need to stand on our feet.
Amen!"
"Amen!" The rest said in chorus.
"Let's dig in!" Baobao said in excitement as he cheerfully ate a fresh carrot in his bowl. "Yum!"
Everyone helped themselves and started to taste the food prepared on the table. "Delicious!" They exclaimed in amazement. "Lady, you are good in cooking, you could even be compared with Mr. Ragu!" Olivier the foodie excitedly replied.
"Oh, no.. I am embarrassed. I don't think I have the qualifications to compare my cooking with him!!" Eli shyly replied.
In truth she had only learned to properly cook when she arrived in Prasinos. The need for her to prepare delicious and nutritious food for her pregnant body and Little Han in the future, pushed her to keep trying and improve her cooking. She was glad that her cooking was well received.
"She had always been good at cooking! I could never forget the elven snacks she served me when I first visited her." Azayn bragged as she delightfully enjoyed the elven meal prepared for her.
"Indeed, the food was really delicious, but Lady what is this?" Olivier pointed towards the three bowls at the center.
"This is called flavored fried chicken. For tonight, I prepared three flavors, the reddish one is buffalo, it is spicy and tangy. This second one is a combination of sweet honey and aromatic garlic. The third one is salted egg flavored, it is salty and flavorful, with a bit of spiciness at the end…" Eli introduced the dish to the group.
"Come and try it, tell me which flavor you like the most!" She then encouraged everyone to try the dish.
Leon was the first one who tried the dish, he took a piece for each flavor. He had been eyeing this dish from the start as he could smell the mouthwatering aroma of a fried chicken. He loved meat the most! But he was too embarrassed to ask what dish it was, for it was clearly not just a normal fried chicken.
Fortunately the foodie Olivier asked for his sake!
Taking the buffalo one, his eyes widened in amazement as he took a bite. The chicken coated with buffalo sauce looked shiny and liquidy but the crispiness of the fried chicken was still there! As he bite the meat, its juice burst into his palate marrying the buffalo sauce in perfect balance!
He took another bite and another bite, until all that was left was a set of clean chicken bones. The sauce from holding the chicken, colored his fingers orange, but he thought that it was a waste so he licked them all clean.
Everyone was wide eyed at the Prince's action. It was the Prince! The Empire's Prince! He was taught manners at a young age but now…
"What? The dish is good! Or you want me to finish it all before you could taste even a bit?" Leon said nonchalantly as he felt the shock from the rest. He took the honey garlic flavored chicken and proceeded to eat it.
Unlike the spiciness of the buffalo chicken this one's charm lies with the aroma and flavor. It is sweet yet it wouldn't leave your mouth tired from the taste. The aromatic flavor of garlic balances it all.
After finishing the second one, he proceeded to the last flavored chicken, the salted egg flavored chicken. Leon didn't know what salted egg flavor pertains to. 'Isn't it just an egg with salt?' He wondered.
Unlike the first two, the chicken's coating was somewhat powdery. It was a bit messy to eat at first but when Leon took a bite, his eyes shined in amazement. What is this flavor? It was salty yet buttery. A bit grainy yet the texture complemented well to the crispiness of the fried chicken?! "
"What sorcery is this?!" The Prince blurted out in amazement. His crystal blue eyes twinkled like stars as he chowed down the salted egg fried chicken. "Delicious!"
"I'm glad you like it!" Eli was in a happy mood as the Prince and the rest liked the dish she prepared.
She wanted to introduce a dish from her previous world . She was actually nervous that they wouldn't even try it because fried chicken was a finger food. In this world, where table manners were deemed important, it was hard to serve dishes such as this.
Seeing the Prince monopolize the chicken, Olivier and the rest also tried to get a piece of the chicken. "Woah! Lady! It's very delicious!" Everyone exclaimed. Of course, except for our fluffy Baobao as he was a herbivore.
"B-but Lady, I feel like something was missing.." Olivier the foodie was first to notice something.
"I know right! Something is missing!" Eli got excited that someone had noticed.
"Yes, I think this dish must be paired with something.. But I don't know what it is.." Olivier tried to think for the missing partner of the dish.
"Indeed! However, I am not sure if that thing could be even found in Seirende… I looked around Silvertown but I didn't find a single grain…" Eli said with a disheartened expression.
"What would that thing be?" Leon was also curious. If it was something Eli liked, he would find it.
"That thing is called rice!" Eli said in excitement.
--
The meal ended warmly and peacefully. Everyone enjoyed the food and each other's company. While they were eating together, the fact that they faced a perilous situation earlier was forgotten.
While the group lounged in the living room to have their after dinner tea, Leon asked Eli to have a conversation privately. Since the group already knew of Leon's matter, they gave the two some space to talk about their matters.
They decided to talk outside the cottage, in Eli's little garden. Afraid that Eli would catch some cold, Leon asked Baobao for a warm shawl and covered Eli's shoulders.
After letting Eli sit on a log chair, the two stayed still under the moonlight. Fireflies flew around shining in green light while the moon showered its light on the dew's formed by the moist in the night, silver dewdrops glistened everywhere.
"Lad- Eli.. First I have to apologize.." Leon said in a nervous manner.
Eli didn't say anything but looked at Leon with a questioning look in her face.
"You see, I have already said that I would make it up to you and Little Han… But due to what happened today, I need to immediately go back to the capital and deal with these matters.." Leon said with regret and sadness in his voice.
"I'm sorry that I will not be around again as you go through the rest of your pregnancy…" Leon looked towards Eli, he could clearly see Eli's thoughtful expression.
"Why are you sorry? Aren't you doing this because it is your duty? Besides, ultimately it is for me and Little Han's sake, so why are you sorry?" Eli replied with her dark eyes reflecting the glow of the moonlight as she looked up to Leon.
She didn't mention it in her words but her eyes were telling him, 'Don't be sad, we'll be alright!'
"But, I don't even know when I could come back.. I am not even sure if I'll be with you when you give birth to our Little Han.." Leon said with a broken heart.
"It's ok, didn't you say that you wanted to be part of the family? I and Little Han will be waiting for you to come back. So do your best!" Eli said with a smile.
Then she looked towards her house and said, "I am no longer alone, I have people to rely on. Unlike before, I learned how to smile, laugh, make friends, and ask for help. I'm sure we'll be fine... Ahwp!" Her words were interrupted by a sudden movement in her stomach.
"Eli! W-what's the matter?!" Leon asked in panic, hearing Eli suddenly yelp.
Eli said with a light chuckle, "No it's nothing, Little Han suddenly moved, I am still in the process of getting used to it… Do you wanna check?" Eli beckoned Leon to touch her baby bump.
"C-can I?" Leon said somewhat excitedly.
"Sure!" Eli said with delight.
Leon knelt in front of Eli, not knowing what to do next. Eli chuckled and gently pulled his hands and placed it around her baby bump.
"Can you feel it??" She asked excitedly.
As soon as Leon's hand touched Eli's baby bump, he felt delicate movement beneath his palms, the little one seemed to be greeting him warmly.
He was overwhelmed with happiness that his heart almost burst in two, tears threatened to fall in his crystal blue eyes.
Trying hard not to sob, Leon greeted the little one with a quavering voice,
"Hello my little one..."
