HRNGDS 13

~Chapter 13~

However, there was something strange.

‘The system window isn’t showing up this time.’

Last time, the system window had shown Walton’s feelings, but this time it remained silent.

It wasn’t that she particularly wanted to see his feelings on the system window.

Just like when she saw Sana’s heart, seeing someone else’s thoughts made her uncomfortable.

‘They might want to keep their feelings secret from me.’

Even though the system window didn’t appear, Delfina could roughly guess what Walton’s feelings might be.

After all, the quest notification had appeared.

<Earn Walton’s Approval>

Walton, who tasted the omelette made solely for him, is deeply moved.

Walton reveals his loyalty towards you.

You have earned Walton’s approval with your outstanding ingenuity! Extra points are awarded for your creative approach in completing the quest.

Walton’s affection +70

The head chef of the Grand Duke’s household, Walton, becomes your loyal ally.

Walton has great trust in you. Your story begins to spread throughout the North.

“Did you hear? They say Lady Lycaeon’s omelette is really delicious. She made omelettes for the Grand Duke’s servants and knights.”

“Come on, do you really believe such rumors?”

“I heard that someone who gives you delicious food must be a good person…”

Tip: The more your story spreads, the greater your influence in the North grows.

Tip: To complete the <Save Aris> quest, you’ll need a special companion.

You have won over the skilled chef Walton. Your chances of succeeding in the <Save Aris> quest have increased.

Delfina’s eyes flickered as she read the quest notification window.

The way Walton’s feelings were expressed seemed exaggerated.

But right now, Walton’s face was completely expressionless.

‘What’s this about the North’s influence?’

Delfina couldn’t continue her thoughts.

At that moment, Walton spoke up.

“The omelette was delicious.”

He bowed deeply.

“I heard from the knights about the effort you put in on your way here. I also realized I had been biased.”

“……”

“Honestly, I thought you were just joking with me. It was a rude and foolish thought.”

The effect of the +70 affection was truly surprising!

Walton continued.

“The foundation of a chef’s skill is always thinking about the person eating. Lady Delfina, you’ve shown more dedication to the basic principles of a chef than anyone else.”

“……”

“I want to work with you, Lady Delfina, and create something that Aris can eat.”

Delfina focused her thoughts.

The quest wasn’t over yet.

‘I have to save the Grand Duchess.’

Delfina looked at Walton and spoke.

“Raise your head, Walton, head chef.”

“……”

“We need to start cooking right away.”

What should she do first?

Delfina pondered.

As she progressed with this quest, she had come to realize one important thing.

‘It’s important to know well about the person who’s eating the food.’

So, who exactly was Aris Rohaim?

“The Grand Duchess is from the East.”

“Yes, I’ve heard.”

“And this time… the people who passed away were knights who had been with her since the East.”

“……”

“If there hadn’t been a civil war in the North, they could have survived. It’s such a tragic thing. With the monsters invading, no manpower could be spared to suppress the civil war.”

“How awful.”

Walton’s face grew dark.

He murmured in a small voice.

“It’s shameful.”

An outstanding female knight from the East.

A woman who fell in love with the Grand Duke of the North and left the East to live in the North.

Aris had left her hometown long ago and hadn’t visited it in years.

Yet, she said she wasn’t lonely. Because there were knights who followed her when she left the East.

Her close friends and companions.

They were the ones who had died while fighting the monsters that attacked the North.

Delfina felt sympathy for her.

Now, she understood why Aris had stopped eating.

But the comrades who died protecting her wouldn’t want her to grieve like this.

‘It’s okay to be sad, but I’m sure they would want her to overcome it eventually.’

Just like her grandmother had done in her past life.

Her grandmother, who had raised her with little means, had worried about her until the very end.

“My child, my poor child…”

And just as her grandmother had feared, when she was left alone, there was no one to protect her.

A lump of emotion rose in Delfina’s throat, and she rubbed her eyes.

Then she asked Walton.

“Did you make Eastern dishes for the Grand Duchess?”

Walton nodded with a somber expression.

Since the Grand Duchess had stopped eating, Walton had prepared various Eastern dishes. But every time, the food was untouched.

“I made the dishes she enjoyed from the East, but she wouldn’t touch them.”

Walton sighed as he spoke.

He was more worried than upset.

The Grand Duchess had been a tremendous eater.

For someone like her to suddenly stop eating was a cause for concern.

“What kind of food does the Grand Duchess like?”

“She doesn’t enjoy sweets much. She prefers food with a balanced salty flavor.”

“And?”

“She usually prefers meat-based dishes. So, I’ve tried preparing different types of meat dishes…”

He seemed to have missed something.

‘This isn’t about taste.’

Walton was an excellent chef.

Having spent decades perfecting his craft, he was far superior to Delfina in terms of cooking skills.

The dishes Walton had prepared were top-tier, high-grade meals.

Delfina herself had experienced Walton’s cooking during her first meal at the Grand Duke’s castle and had enjoyed it immensely.

This morning, Delfina had noticed the uneaten food that had been served to the Grand Duchess.

<Walton’s Special Eastern Dish for the Grand Duchess>

A pork stew made from Bart meat, crafted by Walton, filled with his desire to heal the Grand Duchess.

Grade: B

A dish so delicious that just looking at it makes your mouth water.

<Walton’s Eastern Empire-Style Steak>

Walton’s spicy Eastern-style steak, prepared specially for the Grand Duchess.

Grade: C

An excellent dish crafted by Walton, tailored to the Grand Duchess’s preferences, with a special sauce created just for her.

Yes, that was the problem.

You only know how delicious it is once you eat it.

But the Grand Duchess had not eaten any of the food.

What should she do?

If someone refuses to eat even when the food is good…

Was there a way to get her to eat?

‘What would grandmother or my teacher have done?’

Delfina spent the whole day thinking and reflecting on how she could get the Grand Duchess to eat.

How could she get someone who didn’t want to eat because they had lost their appetite to taste the food?

When Delfina was lost in thought, she had a habit.

“Walton, may I help with chopping the vegetables too?”

“Chop vegetables?”

“Yes, it helps me clear my mind.”

A maid, who had been chopping vegetables in the kitchen, looked at Delfina in surprise.

“I’m good at chopping vegetables.”

Delfina said this and sat down beside the maid, starting to chop the vegetables. When organizing her thoughts, chopping ingredients was the best way.

‘Grandmother, what should I do?’

Her grandmother had always said to her:

“Cooking is about the heart, my child. The heart.”

“The heart?”

“Yes, it’s about thinking of the person eating it. Taste isn’t everything. What matters is how much sincerity is put into it.”

“……”

“When you were sick, you didn’t feel like eating, but you always ate my porridge. That’s what matters.”

The heart that thinks of others.

‘When my parents passed away, I too had stopped eating.’

The deep grief had made it impossible for her to eat anything.

Had it not been for the chef who taught her Eastern cooking, Delfina would not have been able to overcome that loss.

‘My teacher always came to see me. And he shared my sorrow.’

And his heart had ultimately saved Delfina. It hadn’t been something that happened in an instant.