Chapter 15

The next morning, Eloise’s eyes widened as she entered the dining room.

I placed the last dish on the table, feeling a bit smug and pleased with myself.

There was lamb stew with diced lamb, creamy lamb soup, grilled lamb chops, lamb steak with various vegetables, and potato salad…

The table was filled with a feast, almost too much to count.

After days of hardly having a proper meal, who would have thought we would have such a bountiful spread again so soon?

My sister-in-law’s jaw dropped.

“Did you make all this, sis?”

“No, Alec helped.”

“Brother? How?”

“Right? I thought he couldn’t even hold a knife properly.”

I started setting the table with plates and cutlery.

I was so surprised when I entered the kitchen this morning.

Like Santa Claus had come and gone, the lamb was neatly butchered and glistening, ready to be cooked.

I went upstairs to Alec’s room, amazed. Just as he came out of the bathroom in his robe, I approached him in astonishment.

“Did you really prepare the lamb, my dear?”

“…Yes, I did.”

“Wow.”

I was speechless, admiring his incredible skills.

I hadn’t expected much even though he said he’d prepare the lamb…

As I struggled to cook the lamb, he came over to help.

“No, Alec. Even if you prepared the lamb, how could you cook? Just go back to bed and get some more sleep. I can handle the cooking…”

“Shall I just grill it then?”

“…”

Honestly, I thought it would be a miracle if he didn’t ruin the meat.

But I couldn’t refuse his earnest desire to help.

“Alright then, follow my instructions, Alec.”

Despite never having cooked before, he perfectly assisted me.

Who would have thought I’d be cooking side by side with my Duke husband?

Finally, the family gathered around the table.

“Did everyone sleep well last night?”

I asked, trying to sound cheerful.

I was worried if anyone else had experienced anything unusual after the candles went out on their own last night.

Eloise gave a curt nod with her usual sullen expression, and my mother-in-law, as usual, picked up her utensils without much response.

“You’ve prepared quite a spread. Let’s see how it tastes.”

I smiled, satisfied.

Everyone seemed harmonious, as if nothing unusual had happened.

“It seems like there were no issues. Enjoy your meal.”

I eagerly took a spoonful of lamb stew.

Our first homemade meal.

I thought we wouldn’t be able to pull it off, but here we were with a feast.

I felt a tearful joy as I took a bite.

“…”

“It’s quite edible.”

“It reminds me of the chefs we had at the Duke’s residence. Can’t we bring them back?”

Eloise and my mother-in-law both gave their evaluations.

Tears of emotion welled up in my eyes.

It didn’t taste bad, but…

“I can’t tell if it’s good because I tasted so much while cooking…”

Cooking it ourselves was quite the experience.

But the lamb we hadn’t had in days was particularly satisfying to chew.

With a heart full of gratitude, I turned to Alec.

“What do you think? Is it good?”

He had just taken his first spoonful.

He put down his utensil and replied.

“Yes, it’s delicious.”

“Thank goodness…”

I felt relieved to see him finally eating a proper meal after only giving him bad bread before.

“It’s all thanks to you. For preparing the lamb and helping with the cooking, thank you so much.”

I gazed at him for a moment, and he met my eyes.

I was genuinely grateful.

Even if he didn’t love me, where else in the world would I find a Duke husband who would help cook?

He soon looked away and spoke nonchalantly.

“It was not a difficult task. You worked hard from early in the morning.”

“Oh, no, Alec. That’s-“

“Alec? What do you mean by that?”

My mother-in-law’s voice cut me off.

Alec looked at her curiously, while Eloise continued to devour the food, indifferent to the conversation.

My mother-in-law spoke coldly.

“You helped with the cooking? It’s commendable that you prepared the lamb, but I hope you don’t involve yourself in the kitchen again.”

“What?”

“Even if you lost your title to a tyrant, you are still a Duke. How can a Duke engage in cooking?”

“…”

“Let’s leave the cooking to Louise for now. We can’t keep eating such poor food, so we should look into hiring a proper chef.”

My mother-in-law, having said her piece, took another bite of the stew. She murmured softly as she savored the taste.

“It lacks the depth and richness of a true gourmet meal.”

“…”

Ah, yes…

My appetite was starting to wane.

Despite her criticism, my mother-in-law continued eating the food I had worked so hard to prepare.

I picked up my knife and spoke with a hint of resignation.

“Finding a chef might be challenging. Your taste is refined and sophisticated, so it won’t be easy to find someone that is skilled in this remote area.”

“…”

“It also pains me to serve you food that doesn’t meet your standards, Mother.”

So please, just eat it without complaining, lady.

I put on my best disappointed face.

My mother-in-law scoffed.

“Why wouldn’t we find a chef? I’ll make sure to rehire Albert, who used to work for our family.”

“…”

As if that will happen, Mother…

I just kept eating quietly.

I was exhausted from preparing this meal, and although I didn’t expect thanks or compliments, I hadn’t anticipated such disparaging remarks either.

‘Shouldn’t I be the one bringing up divorce?’

A surge of frustration welled up inside me.

I had been enduring this for Alec’s sake, but we didn’t love each other anyway.

We were just polite to each other out of obligation.

With my mother-in-law around, I couldn’t even expect that.

He would never defy his mother, being the dutiful son that he was.

Even now, when I was being berated, he remained silent as if his lips were sealed.

Anger bubbled up within me, and I gripped the knife tightly.

Alec cleared his throat and suddenly addressed his mother.

“Mother?”

“…?”

I looked at him in surprise, and so did my mother-in-law.

Only Eloise continued eating, indifferent to the conversation.

I picked up my fork, skeptically waiting to see what he would say.

He would probably just defend his mother.

He wiped his mouth with a napkin and spoke.

“I think it’s unfair to leave all the cooking to Louise.”

“…What?”

“Pfft!”

My mother-in-law’s eyes widened, and my sister-in-law nearly spat out her food.

“…?”

I slowly looked up at him, doubting what I had just heard.

My mother-in-law’s voice took on its characteristic sharpness.

“What do you mean it’s unfair? Ah, I see, you also think Louise’s cooking is unbearable. I agree, this situation is indeed unfair. Cooking should be done by experienced professionals like Albert.”

“I don’t think that’s what he’s saying, Mother.”

My sister-in-law, who had been eating silently until now, suddenly interjected. She looked at Alec with a frown.

“Brother, are you seriously saying it’s unfair to leave all the cooking to Louise?”

“Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying, Eloise.”

“What?”

“…?”

Both my mother-in-law and I were equally shocked.

Ignoring our reactions, he continued speaking.

“Didn’t she take care of our meals on her own since we left the inn? With me, Mother, and Eloise here, it’s unfair to leave all the cooking to her.”

“…”

My mother-in-law’s jaw dropped.

My mouth hung open too, but for very different reasons.

Eloise frowned and slammed her fork down on the table.

“Then who should do it? Me, who knows nothing about cooking? Or Mother, who has never had to lift a finger her entire life? We were nobles until just a few days ago!”

“…”

Uh, I was also a noble…

Alec turned to Eloise, staring at her with an emotionless gaze.

“There’s no need to worry about not knowing how to do anything. Everyone starts somewhere. Just because you’re Eloise or Mother doesn’t mean you can’t do it. Have confidence.”

“…”

Good luck.

His calm gaze seemed to convey that message.