Knight—what does this word mean to Lia in this generation?
Perhaps in the bedtime stories she’d heard before, knights were always the ones standing at the very front lines, venturing deep into danger to defeat dragons and save princesses.
But in those stories, the one who ultimately married the princess was often someone else.
A tragedy where two people loved each other but could not be together—Lia neither liked nor could accept such an ending.
In Lia’s heart, a knight was synonymous with justice and courage, someone who would risk everything to save her in danger, who would offer care when she was sad, and who would trust her one hundred percent at all times.
Regardless of gender, regardless of motive, she thought, no matter which parallel world version of herself she was, as long as she met the knight in her heart, she would like that person without hesitation.
Right now, there was only one person who fit that image.
“Your Highness, are you listening to me?” Tina’s voice came through the Crystal Ball, chattering on for a long time without any response from this side.
“Hm? I’m listening.”
“That’s good. Today, I prepared a little surprise for you.”
“A surprise?” Lia was a bit taken aback. “I find it hard to believe—yesterday you were asking me to come to you, and today you’ve prepared a surprise for me?”
It was almost unbelievable, like a once-in-a-millennium blooming of a stubborn iron tree.
“Eh? Don’t say it so unromantically. I’ve been preparing it for a long time before sending it to you.”
“You’re making it sound so mysterious. What is it?” Lia was already hooked, like a fish on the line.
“It’s a secret for now. You’ll know when you get to the door~”
So, Lia, who had been sinking in the dull mood of parting with her brother, changed her mood and eagerly returned to the Great Sage’s Shop.
As soon as she stepped in, a neatly placed package was sitting right on the dining table, and the air seemed to be filled with a fragrant aroma.
Tyr, seeing the two return, asked with some curiosity, “What’s with this package? I don’t recall ordering anything recently.”
“Hm… this was sent by Tina,” Lia explained. “Let’s open it and see. I’m curious too.”
In fact, the answer was obvious. Even before opening the package, the smell of the food had already filled their noses, exciting their taste buds.
“Wow, is this food made by the Royal Chef? Tina personally packed this and sent it over?”
Phyllis spotted the deep brown Red Wine Braised Beef, Caramel Pudding, Puff Pastry Apple Roll, and some other exotic dishes she couldn’t name.
There were both main dishes and desserts—this meal was very well prepared.
“Eh eh eh? It’s not takeout! Although the ingredients are from the palace, I made all of this myself!” Tina’s proud expression on the other side of the Crystal Ball almost appeared right before their eyes.
“Really? Tina, you’re secretly a great chef?”
Phyllis knew how to flatter. She busily prepared the tableware while chatting.
“Of course, I studied cooking for a while before.”
Before crossing over, even though Tina was a hardcore homebody, she prided herself on her cooking skills—never ordering takeout, always cooking her own meals and taking care of three meals a day for the family. Through years of practice, she had become a young woman with the aura of a perfect homemaker.
She understood there was nothing better than coming home after a long day to a delicious meal lovingly prepared by a loved one. Lia felt the same way.
Of course, they were just friends for now, not lovers. Making this meal was simply Tina’s way to check whether her culinary skills had declined in this new world.
At least judging by the results so far, it looked quite good.
“Your Highness, aren’t you going to eat?” Phyllis was nearly drooling but didn’t dare start without the princess’s permission.
“Ah, oh, yes. Let’s eat.”
Lia snapped back from her daze.
Just moments ago, her thoughts had drifted into the clouds. She dreamed that someday, Tina would be wearing an apron, cooking all her meals at home, and then happily leaning over to say:
“Welcome home, darling. Do you want to eat first, take a bath first, or… have me first?”
At that moment, she felt as if she had glimpsed their future life—so harmonious, so blissful—that she didn’t want to wake from this beautiful dream and wished to stay immersed in it forever.
But.
It was just an illusion. In reality, she had feelings for Tina, but Tina might not return them.
Sigh, dreaming again—dreaming of having a virtuous wife who would love her wholeheartedly and follow her to the ends of the earth.
“Your Highness, why do you look more and more sad while eating?”
Phyllis watched as Lia’s expression fell from happiness to grievance, almost on the verge of tears, and she pondered the cause.
“Did I steal your food? I won’t eat then, it’s all yours!”
“No, it’s not that. It’s my own problem.”
Although Lia said everyone would eat together, in the end, she almost finished the whole meal herself.
There was no help for it—it was too delicious. Tears of sadness leaked from the corners of her mouth, but she turned her sorrow into appetite, letting it all out.
After dinner, back in the room.
Now only Tina and Lia remained on the two ends of the Crystal Ball.
Tina didn’t know what to say earlier. She had thought Lia didn’t like the food and would find it so bad she’d cry hiding her face.
But it seemed Lia ate happily and was already full.
“So, Your Highness, were you just thinking about something sad?” Tina asked curiously.
“Hmm… kind of.” Lia replied absentmindedly, then fell silent for a while before slowly speaking again. “I think Tina’s cooking is just as good as the Royal Chef’s, much more heartfelt than theirs.”
“Ehehe, such praise from Your Highness will make me proud.”
“Well, I guess that’s only for this one time? You won’t keep cooking regularly, right?”
Hearing this, Lia’s hopeful tone was obvious—even a block of wood could tell.
“That’s hard to say. If Your Highness wants, after you become king, I can be your personal Chef de Cuisine.”
“Really?” Lia’s eyes lit up again.
“Of course. Whatever Your Highness needs, I’ll do my best to fulfill it. Cooking a meal is a piece of cake.”
“But I…”
Lia had an indescribable feeling.
She wanted Tina to keep cooking for her, just for her alone.
Not only that, she wanted Tina to always ease the burdens of life for her, doing everything for her.
Such thoughts were selfish—like possessing the other person exclusively, leaving no space for them.
But just thinking about it made her feel very happy.
“But you?” Tina heard Lia trail off halfway.
“It’s nothing. Just let’s say this—if I become king, Tina has to cook for me for life.”
“For life, huh? Your Highness really is greedy.”
Tina smiled helplessly. “Since you’re such a glutton, I’ll obediently feed you well.”
***
After hearing this, Lia flopped onto the bed, completely enchanted, finally showing the expression of a lovestruck girl. “Tina, tonight’s bedtime story…”
“Mhm, tonight, let’s tell a story about a Chef de Cuisine and a Little Glutton Princess…”
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