While all this was happening, it seemed that Seok-chan's preparations were almost complete, as the food started to come out one by one. A small plate of soup, an amuse-bouche, was placed in front of me. The appearance of the soup didn't seem much different from the dishes served to Situation-je and Oscar, though of course, the portion was smaller. I was once again moved by the fact that the food I was eating was getting closer to a regular meal. Am I taking another step closer to being human today?
The taste was even more moving. Delighted by the savory flavor, I eagerly ate the soup, and before I knew it, the bowl was empty.
'What will the next dish be?'
With a pounding heart, I glanced at the kitchen, waiting. Suddenly, I felt a gaze and turned my head.
Situation-je and Oscar were looking at me with intense eyes. Strangely, they hadn't even touched their food. When my gaze briefly fell on the soup, they simultaneously pushed their plates forward.
"Here, Mable, eat this too."
Situation-je and Oscar's eyes met in the air, with me in the middle. The atmosphere was tense.
'Are they having a staring contest…?'
Though they didn't get along that well, they also weren't that bad, yet they suddenly started a battle of nerves. Situation-je glared at Oscar, and Oscar responded with a sharp look. *Crackle*. Caught in the middle of this unexpected confrontation, I was in a bind.
'Why, why are they so eager to feed me?'
Flustered, I pulled both plates toward me at the same time.
"I'll eat well!" (I'll eat well!)
'I don't know. Let's just eat.'
If both of them eat, the problem will be solved. As expected, as I alternated between the two bowls of soup, Situation-je and Oscar's expressions relaxed.
"Mable, is it delicious?"
Both men's gazes were fixed on me as I ate the soup. *Nod nod.* As I nodded, Situation-je and Oscar smiled broadly.
'No wonder they're father and son; their smiles are the same.'
Meanwhile, the next dish came out. It was a white fish grilled with butter, though I wasn't sure what kind of fish it was. This time, my portion was cut into small, easy-to-eat pieces. As I ate the fish, I subtly pushed the remaining soup away. I felt intense gazes from both in front and to the side.
As soon as I finished speaking, Situation-je and Oscar competitively pushed their plates in front of me.
Suddenly, there were three bowls of soup and three plates of fish in front of me. In contrast, Situation-je and Oscar's side was empty except for their water glasses.
I felt uncomfortable and was about to stop eating, but the moment I put a boiled potato in my mouth, that feeling disappeared.
The royal chef's cooking was so exquisite that it made me forget this absurd situation. As I ate enthusiastically, Situation-je, who had been watching me with his chin in his hand, suddenly opened his eyes wide as if he had realized something and quickly took a plate he hadn't touched.
Fortunately or unfortunately, it wasn't a give-and-take. Situation-je skillfully filleted the fish and placed it on my plate.
"My Mable, seeing you enjoy your meal is very moving for this father."
*Chomp chomp.* I didn't respond and just kept eating diligently.
'I need to ignore them and finish quickly.'
I don't care if those two, who are not even related, starve! Just as I finished my portion of the fish, a sorbet, a palate cleanser before the main course, was served. I put a small spoonful of the sorbet in my mouth.
It's refreshing and tangy. The sweetness made me feel good, and I couldn't help but wiggle my feet. As expected, this time too—
"Here, Mable, eat this too."
"There's more here. Eat a lot."
So, in front of me were three bowls of soup, three plates of fish, and three bowls of sorbet. It was a feast for one.
'Sigh. Let's see how far this goes.'
The servant who brought the main course looked startled at the table.
"The main course, steak."
Plates were placed in front of each of us. I used a spoon to scoop up the small, finely cut pieces of meat. As soon as I took a bite, my eyes widened.
Heavenly delicious! This isn't just meat; it's a work of art that surpasses cooking! Unable to contain my excitement, I took another bite.
So delicious, this world is truly unreasonable.
'They should have given me a stomach that can eat as much as I want!'
I was already full, which made me feel both sad and frustrated. I wanted to eat ten or twenty plates. Sensing my expression, Situation-je, who hadn't touched his food, asked me.
"Why, Mable. Is the food not to your liking?"
Feeling a gaze from afar, I turned my head to see the chef peeking out, looking anxious. As soon as our eyes met, he quickly disappeared.
"But why do you look so sad?"
"Too good… I want to eat more, but my stomach is too small." (Too good… I want to eat more, but my stomach is too small.)
Feeling upset, I couldn't help but look dejected. Seeing this, Oscar, who had been silently watching, also looked sad and pushed his plate toward me.
"Eat it all. Mable, eat it all!"
That's not what I meant, right? Looking at me in confusion, Situation-je added.
"Yes, eat as much as you want! Eat this too. Eat it all!"
"No, I won't." (No, I won't.)
I was already full and couldn't eat any more. How much could I eat, being so young? But for some reason, the excited Situation-je raised his hand and called a servant.
"Hey, bring the next course quickly!"
"Yes, yes! I understand!"
The kitchen became noisy again.
'I thought I'd see how far this would go, but they really went all the way.'
I couldn't just stand by and watch others suffer because of Situation-je's pressure. Putting down my spoon, I declared.
"From now on, I won't eat with Father and Oscar." (From now on, I won't eat with Father and Oscar.)
Oscar and Situation-je looked shocked in turn. Their pitiful expressions made my heart soften, but I steeled myself.
'Good, this is perfect. I'll use this opportunity to say some harsh words and make them lose interest in me.'
Thinking it would be a stepping stone to their downfall, I felt more determined. I made a nasty face and looked at Situation-je sideways.
"Your table manners are inappropriate."
Though harsh, it wasn't entirely wrong. Even without proper etiquette training, I knew it was inappropriate to give away your own food during a meal. Situation-je, with a pale face, said with trembling lips.
Oscar also bowed his head with a pained expression.
"I thought you would eat more if you had more… No, I won't make excuses. I'm sorry, Mable. I was wrong."
The atmosphere suddenly became heavy. Seeing the two men, who had been competing, now looking like guilty children, I felt like a terrible person. And they were both handsome to boot…
'Ugh. I can't get weak here.'
As if reading my thoughts, Oscar looked at me with a pitiful expression.
"Mable doesn't exist. Don't call me!" (Mable doesn't exist. Don't call me!)
Reasserting my resolve and shouting fiercely, I saw Situation-je glance at the kitchen and send some signal.
'What are they up to? Do they think I'll fall for it?'
I scoffed, thinking it was a cheap trick, but—
"Cheese cake and strawberry juice."
I fell for it… When I came to my senses, I was already holding a fork. I could feel Oscar and Situation-je looking at me as if I were adorable.
Since I was already seen as a joke, getting angry wouldn't help. I grumbled and ate the cheese cake. After all, dessert and main meals are different.
"If you want more, just say so."
"Mable, eat my cake too, no, I'll eat it…"
When I glared fiercely at Oscar, who was trying to push his plate toward me again, he quickly started eating his own portion. Finally, a peaceful meal time. I enjoyed the small cheese cake given to me, savoring it slowly.
"Father, I plan to visit the duke's residence in a couple of days."
"Alright. Be careful, Oscar."
The two, who couldn't be stopped, finally lost interest in me and started talking about other topics. Just as I finished the cake and drank all the juice, I suddenly felt a burning