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.

wasn't

with a mix of hurt and

have to believe in yourself; your

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

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

remark stopped them in their tracks, "No offense, but perhaps, the dishes you make aren't exactly to the master's and Vivienne's taste." Arthur paused, turning with a cold expression, "What

stated, "They're

face darkened, "Are you

just smiled, not contradicting the

provoked, Arthur couldn't let it

let's have a

aware of her

is my apprentice; if word gets out, people

all the practice, she couldn't bear

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

off, "Enough talk, let's

if I win, I expect you to

thinking the same. If you lose,

to wait

the kitchen, Arthur and Percival

asked, "What's

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

Arthur snorted.

from the

sure of his

Sasha and Vivienne

forehead, already anticipating

worrying here, we

"No more bringing people home

"It was your husband who started it. Why shouldn't I

later, both contestants presented their covered bowls of

was a mystery what lay