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 on

looking at Sasha with a mix of hurt and

me explain. You have to believe in yourself; your cooking is truly

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

what my wife likes, and I'll cook it for her. You, mind your own business. Come on, wife and daughter, let's go

perhaps, the dishes you make aren't exactly to

stated, "They're

face darkened, "Are you

not contradicting the

couldn't let it slide. Not in front of his

have

interjected, aware of her husband's

is my apprentice; if word gets out, people

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

you want to

cut him off,

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

If you lose, let's push the wedding to next year." Vivienne:

didn't want to

of the kitchen,

asked, "What's the

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

Arthur snorted.

specific skill from the Dorian family, a

sure

leaving Sasha and Vivienne outside as the judges, exchanging worried

her forehead, already anticipating

worrying here, we might as well think of

a look, "No more bringing people home to

it. Why shouldn't I defend

hour later, both contestants presented their covered bowls

a mystery what lay