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 of hurt

have to believe

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

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

make aren't exactly to the master's and Vivienne's taste."

stated, "They're

face darkened, "Are you saying you're

smiled, not contradicting

it slide. Not

have

aware of her

gets out, people will say you're bullying the younger generation." Arthur patted Sasha's hand, reassuring her.

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

you want to compete? Just

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

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

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

want to wait till next

kitchen, Arthur and Percival locked

"What's the

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

Arthur snorted.

this specific skill from the Dorian family, a secret

was sure of

Sasha and Vivienne outside as the judges, exchanging

forehead, already anticipating

here, we might as well think of

look, "No more bringing people

was your husband who started it. Why shouldn't

both contestants

a mystery