Chapter 84: A meal
"Seems like it’s some family matter."
Erica let out a faint breath at that and sat beside him on the desk.
"...’Family matter,’ huh," she murmured and a faint, bitter smile formed on her lips as she looked away for a moment.
"That’s one way to put it."
A quiet silence stretched between them.
Klein already know why Erica is pissed off at her family.
A Marquess’s blood ran through her veins, but only when it was convenient for them.
An illegitimate child.
Acknowledged when useful.
Discarded when not.
’It’s most likely because of me, my stunt yesterday must have reached her family’s ears.’
’And being my master... her family must have tried to contact her.’
With a soft sigh, he lifted his hand and casually wrapped it around her shoulder, pulling her just slightly closer.
"Master, let’s go grab something to eat."
Erica’s body stiffened just a fraction at the contact, clearly not expecting it.
Then her expression softened slightly and the sharp edges of her earlier frustration dulled.
Her gaze lingered on him for a second longer before she exhaled softly and leaned just a little into his side, not fully, but enough to show she didn’t mind the contact.
A soft sigh escaped her lips as she spoke "Let’s go to my room. I will prepare something for you."
"I promised you I will personally cook for you if you win the duel."
Erica slid off the desk first and turned slightly, expecting him to follow.
"Well?" she muttered, glancing back at him with a raised brow.
Klein let out a quiet breath before pushing himself off the desk, "I’m curious."
"About what?" she asked as they began walking toward the door.
He glanced at her and smiled faintly "...How good my Master actually is at cooking."
Erica scoffed lightly at that, and a chuckle escaped her lips "You’re about to find out."
---
The corridors of the Spirit Division were quieter at this hour, with only a few students passing by.
The moment they noticed Klein, their expressions shifted almost instantly.
"...Isn’t that him?"
"The one who defeated Shui Yinran..."
"Wasn’t he just a first year?"
A few of them hesitated before stepping forward with their phones already in hand.
Though they stopped short when their eyes landed on Erica walking beside him, and her presence alone was enough to keep them from approaching too boldly.
Erica glanced at the small commotion from the corner of her eye before letting out a faint breath.
"...You’re becoming quite popular," she muttered.
"Mostly it’s annoying."
That earned a quiet chuckle from her.
They continued walking, eventually leaving behind the busier parts of the building and moving toward a more secluded section reserved for faculty.
After a short while, Erica stopped in front of a door.
"Come in."
A spacious living area greeted him first, clean and well-organized, with a large window letting in soft natural light, a couch placed neatly to one side, and a low table in front of it, while further inside, a partially visible kitchen area connected seamlessly to the space.
Erica slipped off her outer coat as she stepped in, tossing it over the back of a chair before moving toward the kitchen area, tying her hair up into a loose ponytail.
"Make yourself at home," she said over her shoulder, already opening a cabinet and pulling out a few utensils.
Klein moved toward the couch, lowering himself onto it as his gaze followed her movements as she began to prepare.
She took out ingredients one by one from storage, placing them on the counter in an organized manner before washing her hands and beginning the process.
At that moment, he got a notification on his phone, and taking it, he saw it was from Cynthia.
[Cynthia: Are you coming back today, Kay?]
[Klein: Yep]
He sent it without a second thought and lowered the phone slightly, though his gaze stayed on the screen for just a moment longer before it dimmed again.
’I wonder if they saw the videos.’
He slipped the phone back into his pocket.
"...Girlfriend?" Erica’s voice came from the kitchen as she continued cutting.
"Yeah. One of them," he replied.
That made her stop.
The knife lowered slowly onto the board as she turned her head just enough to glance at him over her shoulder in confusion.
"...One of them?"
Looking at her, Klein let out a soft chuckle "I have two girlfriends, Master."
Erica let out a quiet scoff, shaking her head as she turned back to the counter.
The faint sizzling from the pan grew louder as she added more ingredients.
"Do they know?" she asked after a moment.
"They do."
Erica hummed softly at that, "Then I guess you’re not completely hopeless."
A while later, the soft sounds from the kitchen began to slow as the final touches came together.
She added a sprinkle of fresh herbs and a light drizzle of sauce before plating the dish with care.
The stir-fry looked appetizing with colorful vegetables and tender pieces of meat glistening under the soft kitchen light.
She carried the plate over to the low table in front of the couch, setting it down gently along with a bowl of steamed rice and a glass of water.
"Here," she said in a soft voice. "It’s nothing fancy, but it should taste good."
Klein moved from the couch to sit on the low table.
Erica sat down opposite him, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear as she looked up at him with quiet... anticipation.
He picked up the chopsticks, took a bite, and chewed slowly, savoring the flavors.
A warm smile spread across his face as he looked at her.
"It’s great. Thank you, Master."
Erica’s cheeks flushed slightly at the compliment, watching him as he continued eating with quiet satisfaction.
"I’m glad you like it," she replied with a small, pleased smile on her lips. "I don’t cook for others often, so... it means something that you enjoy it."
The two of them shared the meal in a comfortable silence.
Erica occasionally glanced at him, her expression softening as she saw the genuine enjoyment on his face while eating her food.
As he finished the last bite, Klein set the chopsticks down and looked at her with a warm smile.
"That was really good. You’re a great cook, Master."
Erica’s smile widened, a faint blush still lingering on her cheeks.
"I’m happy you think so."
---
After they finished eating, Erica stood up and began clearing the table, carrying the dishes to the kitchen sink.
The soft clink of plates and utensils filled the quiet space as she turned on the faucet, preparing to wash them.
Klein stood up as well and walked over to join her, picking up a plate to help.
Erica noticed immediately and shook her head "You don’t have to do that. You’re my guest. Leave it to me."
Klein didn’t stop. He took another plate and began rinsing it under the running water.
"I ate the food," he replied with a small smile. "The least I can do is help clean up."
Erica paused for a moment and eventually sighed softly as a faint smile tugged at her lips.
"...Fine. But don’t break anything."
"Yeah, yeah."
They stood side by side at the sink, the warm water running as they worked together.
Klein rinsed the plates while Erica washed them, creating a comfortable atmosphere in the kitchen.
Erica glanced at him, watching him help without complaint.
A small, fond smile tugged at her lips as she handed him another plate.
"You will make a good husband, Klein," she said in a teasing tone.
Klein took the plate, rinsing it under the water before setting it aside to dry.
He turned to her with a playful grin "Want to marry me, Master? I would also like to eat your handmade food daily."
Erica’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she flicked a bit of water at him from her fingers.
"Don’t push your luck, disciple," she replied, though the corners of her mouth were twitching with a smile.
"I’m your master, not your wife. And I’m not that easy to win over with a few compliments and help with the dishes."
Klein chuckled, drying his hands on a towel before leaning against the counter beside her.
"Seems like I need to work harder to get my Master as my wife. Out of 100, how many marks will you give me for me to be your husband?"
"Five."
Klein raised an eyebrow, "Only five? That’s harsh, Master. I thought I was doing better than that."
Erica crossed her arms, leaning against the counter as she looked at him with a playful glint in her eyes.
"You’re my disciple. That already puts you at a disadvantage. Plus, you’re reckless, you cause chaos wherever you go, and you have two girlfriends already. Five is generous."
Klein laughed softly, stepping a little closer "I’ll take the five for now. But I’m aiming for a hundred eventually."
Erica’s expression softened, and she shook her head with a quiet chuckle as she continued cleaning the dishes.
Looking at the smile on her face, his gaze grew tender ’She looks happy now.’
’...Plunus Maruqess family, huh.’
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