Hate me, Miss Witch!

A family banquet, less extravagant than the feast at the Hall of Oaths, yet it radiated a certain warmth.

Steam bubbled vigorously from the copper pot as fresh ingredients tumbled in the boiling water.

The main dish was a spicy hot pot. However, with the White Tower Master and the Second Princess visiting, Shiayar ultimately felt it inappropriate to bring out the large crucible he used for alchemy.

The side dishes were a collection of foods unfamiliar to Isadella and Silvia, which Shiayar described as his hometown cuisine.

To Isadella and Silvia, this naturally meant they were specialty dishes from the snowy plains of The North.

Only Enola looked at Shiayar with suspicion.

"I'm also from Ceylon; why have I never seen these cooking methods before?"

"The Ingritt family, despite its decline, still holds some standing as local lords. Our household employs formally trained chefs, so a noble young lady like you, Ennie, would naturally be unaware of the local delicacies familiar to the common people of Ceylon," Shiayar said, placing a dish of braised pork on the table.

"This is all craftsmanship I learned from the old hunter who took me in."

The blonde girl skillfully picked up a piece of braised pork with her chopsticks. Only after hearing Shiayar's explanation did she tilt her head slightly and ask, "Then, were those best-selling novels you published through the Royal Book Society, and your business acumen in the Black Lily District, also taught by that senior snowy plains hunter?"

"Indeed," Shiayar nodded helplessly. "Unlike you, who are either noble heirs or born directly into the Royal Family—setting aside the pressures of your birth, at least you don't have to worry about food and clothing..."

"We children of poorer families have to learn to manage things early on."

"That snowy plains hunter raised and taught me for five years, so it's only natural that I picked up some business skills, some skill in writing, and also know a little about Beastmastery and cooking."

It was certainly more plausible than a certain Shinigami elementary school student who learned to pilot planes, steer ships, and drive cars after just a few months in Hawaii.

"Oh," Enola nodded, convinced, then lowered her head again to focus on the plate of braised pork.

After a moment, she said with a hint of regret, "It's a pity I didn't have the chance to learn from that senior snowy plains hunter when I was in Ceylon."

Enola spoke with heartfelt sincerity. Shiayar was a typical hands-off manager who often left the Empire Capital, leaving many shops in the Black Lily District under her care. The more involved she became, the more Enola appreciated the foresight in Shiayar's ideas.

As the one who had taken over managing these enterprises from Shiayar, she already felt she was treading on thin ice just to maintain the status quo.

So Enola truly regretted not having had more contact with that versatile old hunter. If she had learned even a fraction of his skills, she would be better able to assist Shiayar now.

At this, the explanation Shiayar had prepared caught in his throat.

This was the frightening aspect of someone who relied on intuition.

Sometimes, she could perceive Shiayar's vulnerabilities from cunning angles he himself could never have imagined—for instance, the few times she'd caught him red-handed in some deception.

But more often, Enola showed Shiayar her adorably naive side.

Even the most preposterous, unfounded claims Shiayar made offhandedly, Enola would believe without question... simply because he was the one who said them.

My nemesis, truly my nemesis.

After sighing internally, Shiayar brought the last dish to the table.

It was a serving of glutinous rice dumplings soaking in hot water, their exteriors white and glistening like jade.

"This is also a specialty from my hometown, but unlike the previous dishes, it's more of a festive specialty," Shiayar said softly.

Just then, the ancient and deep tolling of a bell echoed from a distant tall building.

It was the bell signaling that midnight had passed. After the evening's banquet and the subsequent flurry of activity in the Spirit Realm and the kitchen, it was now deep into the night.

"In my hometown, this dish is called Yuanxiao, or sometimes Tangyuan."

"Generally, it's a treat enjoyed only on the Lantern Festival—which happens to be today."

Shiayar sat down in an empty seat at the large table, with Enola to his left and Silvia to his right.

The Month of Sprouting is a term unique to the Western Continent, symbolizing the end of winter and the time when all things are reborn.

If translated to the calendar of Shiayar's hometown, it would correspond to the period from late January to late February.

And today was indeed the Lantern Festival.

"This treat also embodies people's hopes and wishes for the new year."

As he spoke, Shiayar extended his chopsticks and put a tangyuan into his mouth.

"May the new year bring happiness and reunion for the whole family."

...

"Happiness and reunion for the whole family, hmm?" Isadella also extended her chopsticks, picked up a tangyuan, and put it into her mouth.

Then, she savored the sweet black sesame filling as it slowly melted in her mouth.

A faint smile touched her usually expressionless, beautiful face.

As a Princess, Isadella had never used chopsticks, having been accustomed to knives and forks since childhood.

However, with the spiritual power of a Beastmaster approaching Legendary status, mastering such new skills was not difficult for her.

"It's truly a simple and modest wish."

"But it is indeed my most sincere wish at this moment."

At that moment, Isadella slightly lowered the flawless facade of an Imperial Princess.

"It's just that, in a world teeming with extraordinary powers—where the weak strive to become strong, the strong aspire to be stronger, and even Legendary figures constantly dream of ascending to godhood..."

"Peace is actually the most extravagant pursuit."

She didn't say more, but everyone present understood the truth in Isadella's words.

The Abyss, the evil cults, the Lost Kingdom Beast King... and those so-called deities hiding in the Astral Realm or lurking in the dimensional rifts...

The Western Continent has never been a land of peace. War never ceases, and every moment of peace is bought with countless lives.

Beside Isadella, Silvia also tasted a tangyuan that resembled white jade, a faint, silvery light rippling in her beautiful Cangyin eyes.

She didn't speak. Or, to be more precise, Shiayar was the only one who had ever heard Silvia's true voice.

A thick, ancient book materialized in Silvia's fair hands.

Faint golden letters began to slowly appear on the blank pages.

The Gray-Silver Witch leaned slightly, positioning the book so that only Shiayar could see the elegant script on its pages.

'I hope that next year, on the Lantern Festival—'

'we can eat tangyuan here together, with Brother Shiayar, as family.'

...

PS: Not posting a long chapter today, just being a two-update beast for once.