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

a mix

Vivienne a glare before soothing Arthur, "Hubby, let me explain. You have to

too much

and I'll cook it for her. You, mind

perhaps, the dishes you make aren't exactly to the

sincerely stated, "They're

you saying you're

just smiled, not contradicting

being provoked, Arthur couldn't let it slide. Not in front of his wife and

have

aware of her husband's culinary skills-or lack

were hers alone to give, "Let's not, dear. Percival is my apprentice; if word gets out, people will

thought, precisely because of all the practice, she couldn't bear to tell him the

eyebrow, "You sure you want to compete? Just think if you

spurred on, cut him off,

then," Percival said, clearly stating his intent, if I win, I expect you to agree to proceed with my wedding to

same. If you

didn't want to wait

the kitchen, Arthur and

"What's the

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

Arthur snorted.

specific skill from the

sure of

Sasha and Vivienne outside as the

massaged her forehead, already

calmly returned to her book, "Mom, instead of worrying here, we might as well think of how to console

a look, "No more

started it. Why shouldn't I defend Mr. Wolf? This is

an hour later, both contestants presented their covered bowls

was a mystery what lay