The Million-Dollar Heart

Sasha was about to add more to the conversation when Vivienne's gaze landed on the cake in her hand.

She hadn't tried this flavor before, and though she was sure it wouldn't beat a slice of good old apple pie, being picky at a moment like this seemed downright immature. Sasha quickly hid it behind her back.

She'd already had her share, why was she still eyeing hers?

Seeing Arthur wouldn't be out of the kitchen anytime soon, Sasha shot Percival a look, silently assigning him a critical mission.

To keep watch.

As the two of them were enjoying their sneaky treat, Arthur emerged from the kitchen, a tray in hand, his voice booming excitedly from afar, "Honey, darling, breakfast is served! Today we've got beef stew with homemade biscuits..."

Sasha nearly choked.

Vivienne decisively swallowed her last bite.

Percival calmly stepped forward to greet Arthur, cleverly blocking his view.

"Who let you in?"

Arthur frowned, clearly displeased, "And keep it down. My daughter isn't married to you yet; don't get too cozy."

Arthur took a step towards Sasha and Vivienne's direction.

Percival tried to intervene again, but Sasha had already come forward, crumbs still lingering at the corner of her mouth.

Arthur noticed immediately and leaned in, curious, "Honey, what did you eat?"

Caught off guard, Sasha pursed her lips, trying to sound casual, "...I was just really hungry, had a biscuit."

Arthur was filled with guilt, blaming his slow pace for leaving his wife famished.

"Honey, breakfast is ready, let's go eat."

Then, the cake box Sasha had been hiding fell from behind the chair, rolling to Arthur's feet.

It wasn't

Sasha with a mix of hurt and

let me explain. You have to

the blame, "It's not the master's fault. I accidentally made too much and wanted the master to give it a taste." Arthur's

her. You, mind your own business. Come on, wife and daughter,

perhaps, the dishes you make aren't exactly to the master's and

stated, "They're not

you saying you're

not contradicting

let it slide. Not in front of his

have

aware of her husband's

Percival is my apprentice; if word gets out, people will say you're bullying the younger generation." Arthur patted Sasha's hand,

practice,

"You sure you want to

on, cut him off, "Enough talk, let's

first then," Percival said, clearly stating his intent, if I win, I expect you to

was thinking the same. If you lose, let's push the wedding to next year."

didn't want to wait

kitchen,

"What's the

glanced at Vivienne, who was confidently, and a smile across his face, "Since Vivienne loves pasta, let's make her

Arthur snorted.

learned this specific skill from the Dorian family, a

was sure of

the kitchen, leaving Sasha and Vivienne outside as

massaged her forehead, already anticipating

to her book, "Mom, instead of worrying here,

her a look, "No more bringing people

your husband who started it. Why shouldn't I defend

contestants presented their covered

mystery