Though Henry and Ceache were the only cooks, the food was ready just in time when the ingredients reached the right level of cooking to be served. Ceache took care of peeling, cutting, and crushing the ingredients, while Henry, with his sleeves rolled up and an apron on, stewed all the vegetables.

The simplicity of the dish added a special value for Henry, as it evoked cherished memories of his childhood. He firmly believed that this stew would not only delight his palate but also bring some peace to his restless heart. Furthermore, the careful combination of ingredients ensured all the vitamins and essential nutrients, not only for the Fidonia servants and the salamander like Brínea but also for humans and drakontos like himself.

The imposing shiny aluminum pot posed quite a challenge for Henry. Though he was embarrassed to admit it, he had to turn to Eliza for the exact measurements to ensure the stew wouldn't turn out bland or, worse, disgusting. However, Eliza took charge of the situation, relegating Henry to a mere spectator role and leaving him with a bitter taste, as if he hadn't contributed at all. Though he was aware of his culinary limitations, at least when it came to preparing food for so many diners.

"I'm so pathetic," muttered Henry dejectedly, leaning his hands on the kitchen countertop.

Eliza tasted a bit of the stew in her small plate and declared, "It's very well seasoned, just needs a bit more rice," she said happily, placing the plate on the countertop to the right of the stove where the large pot sat.

"Thanks for helping me, though I feel bad for having you work when you haven't fully recovered yet," said Henry as he watched Eliza's yellowish hair.

"It's no trouble at all. There's no greater joy for a woman like me than cooking for her daughters and the person she loves," she responded with a wide grin.

Henry approached Eliza from behind when she was distracted and hugged her, saying, "How can you still love me after all I've done?" resting his chin on her head.

"How can you still love me after all the lies I've told you?" countered Eliza, grabbing Henry's large hands resting beneath her chest.

They stood in silence without saying anything for a couple of minutes. The sound of the boiling pot and the murmurs from the dining room were the only evidence that time had not stopped. Finally, a voice from behind surprised them.

"Am I interrupting something?" asked Beatriz as she entered.

Henry separated embarrassedly, as he always did when someone else saw him being affectionate. However, Eliza turned slowly, as if she didn't care if she was seen, and greeted, "Hello, Beatriz. Lunch is almost ready, could you help me with the plates?" she asked as she removed a red stone from under the large pot with tongs and then said, "I'll go get the cart and put away the red stone."

"Sure," replied Beatriz.

Eliza disappeared from the kitchen, after storing the stone in the floating cabinet, and entered the pantry, leaving Henry and Beatriz alone. The young woman, who until a few minutes ago was naked, now wore her maid dress as if nothing had happened. Henry couldn't help but think she was Elisheba, but he chose to act normally.

"Do you want me to help serve?"

"Don't worry, I can manage on my own. After all, your orders were only directed to those with yellow hair, mine is green," she responded as she approached the large cabinet.

The cabinet was in the opposite corner from the door that led to the pantry and was flanked by two windows. Beatriz opened the double doors of the transparent cabinet, grabbed several plates, formed a tall stack of more than ten, and carried them to the long countertop next to the cabinet. She carefully set them down and arranged them side by side.

"But if you want to help, you can wash the small plate used for tasting the food and, when you're putting it away in the cabinet, take out the spoons from the bottom drawer," explained Beatriz as she pointed out where the spoons were, as if he wasn't the owner of the mansion.

Henry, by her behavior, knew she was upset, but he feared asking, as he might break the little will he had gathered in the time he had spent alone with Ceache and Eliza. Besides, he was sure that anything she complained about, she would be right. However, he knew that, sooner or later, she would tell him if she was still the Beatriz he knew and not the great Fidonia mother. However, if he had to tell her something, he hoped it would be in the kitchen, as the smell of his favorite dish wafted through the air and acted as a shield for him and his mood.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Do you mean that plate?" he asked, pointing with his finger to the countertop next to the stove, challenging her, knowing it was the one she was referring to, besides having seen it while Eliza was using it.

However, Beatriz responded without turning around and with the wooden spoon ready to serve the food in the plate she held in her left hand, "Yes, that's the one."

Henry approached the countertop and took the small plate. He headed to the sink, located next to the pantry door for easy washing of fruits, vegetables, and meats. He placed the plate on the sink, shining like silver, and then grabbed a blue stone that was above his head, specifically in a floating cabinet where Eliza had left the tongs and the red stone, which she had previously cooled with the blue stone he had just taken.

The pantry door opened and the first thing that appeared was a three-tiered metal cart. Henry recognized it instantly, as whenever they gathered to eat, the food was transported by that cart. After all, there were many in the mansion, and it made sense to use something that facilitated the efficient transportation of food.

"Sorry for the delay, I couldn't find the jar with the grated cheese," Eliza said after entering with the large cart.

Those words, combined with the smell of stew in the kitchen, made his stomach growl, so Henry hurried to wash the plate. First, he brought the blue stone to the sink and applied a bit of magic, making the water start flowing. He rinsed it as quickly as he could, without using a sponge or any cleaning product, and dried it with a cloth he took from the cabinet above his head.

When Henry was about to put away the plate in the cabinet, Eliza approached him, leaving the cart in the center of the kitchen, and said, "Give it to me, I'll put it away. Since I have to take out the silverware from the drawer," she said, reaching out to take it from him.

"No need, I'll take care of everything from now on. I want you to go to the dining room and reassure our guests," replied Henry, taking the small plate away.

"But..."

"It's an order," he interrupted her before she could say anything else and added in a low voice so that only she could hear, "I have something to tell Beatriz."

Without arguments or anything to object, Eliza nodded her head and performed the bow she used to do when she heard his orders. Then, she began to walk towards the dining room, not without turning to see Henry's face and her daughter's back at the same time. With mixed feelings and much concern, Eliza left the kitchen.

Henry watched her leave and, wasting no more time, went to the cabinet to put away the small plate. He opened it and carefully placed it next to the tea and coffee cups, as he didn't know exactly where it should be stored. He regretted that, as he disliked not knowing aspects of his own house, but he was reassured when he opened the bottom drawer and found all the silverware neatly arranged.

"At least I won't have trouble putting them away when I clean up after eating," he muttered to himself and took the necessary spoons for all the diners. He counted them several times to avoid making mistakes and then approached Beatriz, asking her, "Where do I put the spoons?"

"Leave them on the cart," she replied as she finished serving the last plate.

Henry did as she said and left the spoons on the metal cart on the top tier. The steel spoons made quite a noise as they fell on the metal surface, and Henry regretted it, as he didn't think it would be so annoying. However, Beatriz seemed not to mind, as she had a bigger concern on her mind.

"What's going to happen in the future?" she finally asked.

Henry sighed in relief, as he now understood her discomfort and felt a little better, as he had the same concerns in mind. However, he hadn't found any answers, so he replied with what he truly believed.

"I don't know. But that doesn't matter as long as we can talk to each other like we did this morning," he replied as he approached Beatriz.

"I hope not to destroy another part of the mansion again," she commented with a laugh, still holding the plate of food.

Henry realized and snatched it from her hands, placing it in the long line on the countertop with the others. Then he approached to look inside the pot and said, "Wow, and I thought there would be leftovers with all the ingredients used," he brought his hand to his head in surprise.

"I feel sorry for poor Pando, she always likes seconds. Besides, I drained a lot of energy from her more than from everyone else," she said apologetically, remembering the events of the morning.

"I wouldn't mind making her another dish later, after lunch," said Henry to reassure Beatriz.

They remained silent for several seconds not knowing what to say, until finally, Beatriz spoke up:

"We have no time to lose! We need to load the plates onto the cart; they must be hungry."

Henry helped Beatriz load the plates onto the cart. When they finished, Beatriz hugged him from behind and said, "You're not alone, remember that. You don't have to face this whole situation alone; you have me, Eleuteria, Eliza, Ceache, and the others. I know how much you loved Rosa."

Henry took Beatriz's hands and replied, "I know, that's why I feel confident enough to stand up to that impostor."

"I don't think she's an impostor; I think she's just confused."

"We'll see about that."