~Two Hours Later~

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Luxurius Dining Room

Reiki, Moranor, and Enora were sitting around the large table on the same side as he sat between the two elves. Moranor had a hint of tension on her expression as she watched Reiki place the vegetable stew in his bowl, he let out a chuckle and said. “What’s with the worry? I’ll eat it regardless of how it tastes.” Enora rolled her eyes at them as she reached for the wooden serving spoon from the bowl of cooked pasta shaped of a bow tie and placed a generous serving in her bowl.

Moranor faked a scoff and tried to hide her worry by acting confident, she said. “I’m just thinking I could've made it better by adding allspice to it. You should know these things.” Reiki nodded as he filled his bowl with vegetable soup to the brim as he reached out for the large bowl of rice and placed it on his plate, he said. “I do know that allspice is a berry.” Enora let out a stifled laugh as she placed a hand over her mouth as Moranor glared at her from the corner of her eye. Enora ignored the glare as she reached for the other vegetable soup and placed it on top of her plate of pasta.

Enora picked up her fork and tried to mix the pasta with the vegetable soup, she said. “How about you, Reiki? What did you make?” Reiki made a mountain of white rice on his plate as he glanced at Enora’s bowl and said. “I just made a simple minestrone dish. It goes well with pasta and rice.” Moranor placed some minestrone in her bowl as she also added some pasta in her bowl and mixed.

Reiki scooped a big mouthful of rice using the spoon, he continued. “I didn’t know what you and your mothers preferred, so I just went with both.” He ate the spoonful of rice followed by some of the vegetable soup. Enora tasted some as she was surprised by the flavor, she said. “You only used vegetables, right?” Reiki had a mouthful of rice while chewing as she gave her a nod. Moranor let out a scoff and said. “You saw us cook everything why are you asking something so obvious?” The corner of Enora’s lips curled into a cold smirk.

She said. “No, I watched Reiki cook. All I saw from you was cut vegetables, boil some stock, and add some spices.” Moranor was about to eat some of the minestrone when she placed the spoon back into her bowl as a faint blush appeared on her cheeks, she said. “I was still correct about the spice category!” Reiki watched the two of them argue as he had already eaten half of the mountain of rice on his plate, he swallowed and said. “You two get along so well.” Moranor and Enora simultaneously turned their heads at him and spoke at the same time, they said. “We. Do. Not.”

Reiki ate a spoonful of rice followed by the vegetable stew Melanor and Elora appeared near the door as they were enveloped by the scent of food. Reiki waved at them while holding the spoon with his hand while the two young elves were suddenly on their best behavior. Elora sat on the head of the table with Melanor on her right. Enora placed the spoon in her bowl and said. “Meetings finished early, mom?” Elora was about to say something when she was interrupted by Melanor who tapped on the table a couple of times using her index finger.

Melanor said. “If you meant threatening to cut down their budget if they kept on dragging the conversation any longer. Then yes, we finished early.” Elora turned her head to the side to stare at the wall to ignore the glare she was receiving from Melanor. Enora rummaged through her pocket and said, “I’ll call the help to bring another two sets of plates.” Elora gave her daughter a smile, she said. “Dear, make it three, Enrel is dropping by.” Enora took out a talisman from her pocket while Melanor let out a sigh as her gaze wandered onto the large bowls of, sauceless pasta, steaming white rice, vegetable stew, minestrone, and, a pitcher of water with some ice cubes.

She moved her gaze onto him who already finished the mountain of rice on his plate, Melanor said. “What kind of stew did you make?” Reiki gulped down a mouthful of food and said. “Minestrone, it goes well with pasta and rice.” The sound of knocking came from the door as he stood up, Reiki continued. “I’ll get it.” He stood up from his seat and made his way to the door. Melanor pointed at the large bowl of minestrone and said. “Honey, can you pass me the minestrone?”

Moranor was chewing as she slid the bowl across the table to pass it to her mother. Enora pocketed a faintly glowing talisman as she used the spoon to stir the pasta and minestrone in her bowl, she said. “What crazy idea did they come up with to make get their budget increased?” Reiki opened the door as a female elf wearing a simple long-sleeved tunic, brown pants, and leather shoes passed him three wooden bowls along, glasses, spoons, and some napkins. Melanor used the serving spoon in the minestrone as she used it to dig around the stew.

Melanor spoke in a whisper and said. “Onions, carrots, celery, potato, broccoli, lettuce, and bok choy.” Reiki made his way back to the table and placed the bowl in front of Melanor and Elora along with the spoon on their right. Moranor rolled her eyes at her mother and said. “Mom, you can always ask Reiki for the recipe.” Melanor moved her gaze onto her daughter, she said. “That doesn’t mean I can't do some research beforehand.” Reiki placed the last set on Melanor’s left as he made his way around the table and sat back down.

Elora picked up the serving spoon in the pasta as she added some to her bowl, she said. “One of them decided it would’ve been a good idea to make a more diluted anti-poison to make it more affordable for the scouts.” Enora had a mixture of peculiar and shock on her face, she said. “Which head of the family presented this idea?” Elora placed back the serving spoon in the bowl of dry pasta while Melanor finished adding rice to her bowl as she was about to reach for the serving spoon in the minestrone as Elora snatched it before she could.

Elora ignored the glare Melanor was giving her as she placed some minestrone on top of her pasta and said. “It’s the Heivaris family.” Melanor noticed her daughter was quietly eating her bowl of pasta and minestrone as her lips curled into a smirk, she said. “So, Reiki. What do you think of Mora’s cooking?” Enora’s face slightly soured as the bridge of her nose had a small wrinkle, she spoke with a hint of sarcasm and said. “Of course, leave it to the family who’s living in the center of the village and a house made out of pure stone to think of a solution.”

Moranor had a faint blush on her cheeks as she glared at her mother, she said. “Mom.” Reiki was already on his second serving of the vegetable stew Moranor made, he said. “It’s good.” Elora passed the serving spoon to Melanor as she placed some minestrone on top of her rice. Elora let out a slightly stressed sigh and said. “Maybe we should implement a new rule.” The smirk on Melanor’s lips grew even bigger, she said. “She made that especially for you, and you only called it good.”

Moranor lightly slammed her fist on the table as the blush on her cheeks became even more prominent, she said. “Mom!” Enora picked up her spoon that was placed on top of a napkin as she used it to mix the pasta and minestrone in her bowl, she said. “Only the top selling stores are allowed to present their ideas.” Elora scooped some minestrone and pasta using her spoon as her lips curled into a slightly cold smile, she said. “I like that idea.” Reiki thought. Sounds like a good way to start a riot. He glanced at Melanor who was smirking at her blushing daughter.

He continued his train of thought. Well, if they were humans it would be met with objection and ridicule. Elora moved her gaze onto him and said. “Reiki, what do you think about the new rule?” Enora had a hint of worry in her expression, she said. “Mom-.” Before she could get another word out she stopped when her mother gave her a side glance glare. Enora’s expression turned meek as she used her spoon to mix the food in her bowl. Melanor had a teasing smile on her lips and spoke in a whisper. “This is a perfect opportunity to fish for compliments.”

Reiki moved his gaze onto Enora’s mother and said. “I think it’s fine.” Elora kept a straight face, she said. “Can you give me an explanation?” Moranor shyly stole a glance at him as she looked up to her mother and spoke in a hushed tone, she said. “I don’t need compliments.” Reiki glanced at what’s left of the small mound of rice on his plate and said. “That rule would allow the top sellers to destroy the smaller ones.” He scooped the rest of the rice on his plate and added it onto his bowl of vegetable stew.

Enora stared at her mother who was staring at him as she couldn’t discern what Elora was thinking. Elora thought. I came up with the rule on a complete whim… Elora placed her spoon into her bowl and said. “How would you prevent it from happening then?” Melanor didn’t believe her daughter one bit, she said. “Your expressions during practice would say otherwise.” Reiki was about to eat a spoonful of vegetable stew with some rice, he stopped and said. “When making an idea they have to think about the practicality and cost, so the smaller shops can afford to make them.”

Enora had a pondering expression on her face as she was holding onto the spoon as it dripped some minestrone into her bowl. Enora thought. That… Sounds reasonable… Moranor glared at her mother as she repeatedly tapped on the dining table with the palm of her hand and said. “Can we please talk about something else?” Elora gave him a meaningful look, she said. “Are you interested in ruling over this village?” Enora and Moranor’s eyes widened in shock as they gave Elora a look of disbelief.

Moranor faked an awkward cough and said. “Your majesty-.” She noticed the glare Melanor was giving her and stopped mid-sentence. Enora’s expression had worried all over it as she gave her mother a look of concern, she said. “Mo-!” Elora gave her daughter a glare which made her stop as Melanor and her moved their gaze onto Reiki who finished the bowl of vegetable stew. Reiki had a casual expression on his face as he let out a small yawn and covered his mouth with his hand. The corner of Melanor’s lips curved into a slight smile, she thought. Not even phased… I’m beginning to wonder if he even has emotions.

Reiki pretended to think and said. “Not interested.” Elora raised a brow at him, she said. “If you rule over this village you’d have access to the vault and have authority beyond your imagination.” Enora was nervously stirring the food in her bowl using the spoon while Moranor was tapping on the table using her index finger. Reiki pointed at Elora and said. “First of all, do you even know how ridiculous you sound right now?” The four elves were caught off guard by what he said as Reiki continued. “You just asked a ten-year-old who hasn’t even graduated high school let alone has a college diploma.”

Reiki placed the spoon into his empty bowl as he picked up the serving spoon of rice and started adding some to his plate, he said. “First of all the other elves would only detest being ruled over by a human and besides.” He formed a small mountain of rice on his plate as he used the serving spoon that had some rice grains stuck to it to point at Enora and continued. “You already have someone who’d sit on the throne in the future.”

Enora was surprised by what he said as a faint blush appeared on her cheeks as she ate a spoonful of minestrone and pasta. Moranor glared at Enora from the corner of her eye as she spoke with a hint of blandness in her tone, she said. “So she gets to sit all day on a chair, big deal.” Melanor’s eyes narrowed as she gave him a piercing stare while Enora thought for a moment and said. “Would you care to tell me the reason why?” Reiki added some more vegetable stew into his bowl, he said. “No matter how immense and grandiose your cage is, it’ll feel tiny.”

Elora and Melanor’s expressions turned soft while both of their daughters looked completely clueless. Enora gently poked her mother’s forearm and said. “Mom, what did he mean by that?” Elora cleared her throat and deeply inhaled through her nose to keep her cool, she said. “Don’t worry about it, Nora.” Moranor gave her mother a meaningful look as Melanor avoided it by glancing around the room. Melanor said. “W-We’ll have this conversation when you’re older.” Moranor’s brows furrowed, she said. “Mom, I’m one hundred and seventy-two years old. I think I’m allowed to-.”

Melanor pointed at her and said. “I will ground you.” Moranor turned meek as she ate a spoonful of minestrone and some pasta. Enora had a hint of dissatisfaction on her expression, she said. “But I-.” Elora moved her gaze over to Reiki who downed half of his glass of water in one go. Elora said. “So you’re planning on never putting a step into the birdcage?” Reiki picked up a napkin to wipe his mouth clean as he placed his glass down, he said. “No, my job is to make the cage as luxurious and big as possible. If the bird in the cage wants to spread her wings, I’ll be there with her.”

Elora’s lips curled into a smile, she thought. Fine fine… I’ll stop with the petty tests… She said. “I wish someone could follow you by example.” She picked up the spoon in her bowl and ate a spoonful of minestrone and gave Melanor a side eye glare. Melanor slightly grits her teeth as she mixed the rice and minestrone in her bowl and said. “Maybe if someone didn’t give me more work, I’d have more time to put in the effort.” Elora wiped her lips using a napkin, she said. “Maybe if someone weren’t so busy with counting their money. I wouldn’t have to pull stunts like these to see her.”

Enora leaned toward Reiki as she spoke in a whisper and said. “Mora, do you have any idea what they’re talking about?” Moranor shook her head sideways as she scooped some minestrone using her spoon, she said. “I gave up trying to make sense of these… Arguments? Years ago.” Reiki already dug a deep trench into the mountain of rice on his plate, he thought. Such big hints, yet no idea…

Enrel appeared by the door with hints of bags under her eyes, she said. “I smell something good.” She made her way to the empty set beside Melanor and sat down as she quickly scooped some minestrone into her bowl. Elora saw the state of her friend as she stared at her with a hint of disbelief in her eyes and said. “Enrel, you need to sleep for a week or two.” Enrel tried a bit of minestrone as she nodded in approval, she said. “I’m fine, I just slept for a couple of hours.”

Melanor raised a brow at her and said. “When did you even sleep for those two hours?” Enrel submerged her spoon into her bowl as she thought for a moment, she said. “I think two or three days ago? I lost count.” She moved her gaze onto Enora and continued. “Oh, Nora. I saw the portrait of you.” Enora’s lips curled into a slightly smug smile while Melanor rolled her eyes as she ate a spoonful of minestrone along with some pasta. Enrel continued. “And I have to say, it’s basically a false impression once they meet you in person.” Enora froze in place as Moranor let out a mocking scoff.

Enora moved her eyes onto her mother as she gave Elora a questioning look. Elora was chewing as she swallowed and said. “I mean, she’s not wrong.” Her daughters' eyes had disbelief all over them while Melanor was having a conversation with Moranor using their eyes as she gave her daughter a meaningful look and glanced at Reiki. Enrel moved her gaze onto Reiki as she watched him finish off the rest of the rice on his plate, Enrel said. “Reiki, can you-.” Before she could for a sentence Melanor placed a hand over her mouth and said. “Pay no mind to the insomniac.”

She moved her gaze onto her daughter and gave Moranor an encouraging look. Moranor let out a soft sigh as the blush on her cheeks reach to her long pointy ears, she said. “R-Reiki, what do you think?” Reiki stared at the blushing elf as Moranor felt his stare on her as the blush slightly deepened, he said. “I think it’s delicious, thank you for cooking for me.” Enora let out an exaggerated sigh while Enrel tapped on Melanor’s arm that was still covering her mouth.

Melanor moved her hand away from her friend's mouth as she gave her a glare and said. “You’ve already spent more than your share of the funds.” Enrel scooped some minestrone using her spoon, she said. “I was going to ask him when he was going to leave.” Moranor and Enora froze in their seats while both their mothers gave Enrel dangerous glares. Enrel let out a fearless scoff and said. “Don’t act like all of this is my fault, he’ll have to go back home eventually.” Moranor and Enora stole glances at Reiki who was placing more placing the remainder of the rice in the large bowl on his plate.

He said. “About a couple of hours after this meal.” Reiki placed the serving spoon back into the empty large bowl as he poured himself some more vegetable stew that Moranor made. Enora’s eyes lit up as she leaned toward her mother and gestured for her to come closer. Elora leaned closer to her daughter as Enora whispered something into her long pointy ear. Reiki ate a few spoonfuls of rice followed by some vegetable stew, he thought. I already know what’s going to happen… Enora moved away from her mother as Elora stared at her and said. “Are you sure?”

Enora didn’t flinch as she stared at her mother. Elora gave her a nod, she said. “Fine then.” She rummaged through her pockets and took out a talisman as it was faintly enveloped in a thin layer of glowing mana. Moranor’s furrowed her brows as she gave her a confused look, Enora said. “I’ll tell you after lunch.” Melanor glanced at her friends' bowl and said. “Not going to add anything else?” Enrel shook her head sideways, she said. “I want a light meal and…” She glanced at the pasta and rice and continued. “Rice and pasta are too carb heavy.”

Elora let out a scoff as she spoke with a hint of sarcasm in her voice, she said. “At moments like these, I wonder which one of us is royalty.” Melanor scooped some minestrone and rice, she whispered. “You and me both.” Moranor and Enora were watching the three of them argue while Reiki emptied his glass of water. He said. “Lunch and a show.” Enora nodded as she picked up the serving spoon and added more minestrone to her bowl, she said. “With topics like that, it only makes it funnier.”

Enrel's lips curved into a slight smile, she said. “You two are just jealous of my slim and petite body.” Elora glared at Enrel while Melanor let out a mocking chuckle and said. “Is that what you say to convince yourself to make up for the lack of an hourglass figure?” Enrel’s pupils faintly glowed as she glared at Melanor and said. “Elf bitch! I will murder you in your sleep.” Reiki ate a spoonful of rice and thought. So that’s where Mora and Nora learned their colorful language.