The kitchen was massive, looking more like a sterile laboratory than a place where meals were made. Automatic steaming units, vacuum-sealed prep stations, and sleek nutrient-dispensing machines lined the walls.
Behind a polished steel counter stood an older beta beastman wearing a chef’s coat, reviewing automated meal schedules on a digital tablet. Hearing footfalls, he spun around abruptly, his brow furrowing as his sharp gaze landed on the frail human girl in simple clothes.
"Who are you?" he demanded, stepping forward with an authoritative frown.
Blair blinked, startled by his sharp tone. "Who are you?"
The two of them stood staring at each other in tense silence across the gleaming steel prep table. The older man’s eyes narrowed, clearly suspecting her of being an intruder who had somehow snuck past the estate’s high-tech perimeter security, if that was even possible.
Before he could reach for the security call button under the counter, Blair smoothed down and spoke up in a soft, steady voice.
"I’m Blair," she said politely. "Blair Deruno."
The man’s hand froze an inch above the counter. His eyes widened in shock as he processed the last name.
"M-Mrs. Deruno?" He hastily pulled back his hand and bowed deeply, caught entirely off guard. "Forgive me, ma’am! I am Henderson, the estate’s head chef. I... I did not expect to find you in the kitchen. Is there something wrong with your room? Dinner isn’t scheduled for delivery until seven."
"Nothing is wrong, Chef Henderson," Blair said softly, giving him a small, reassuring smile as she stepped further into the room. "I just wanted to ask about the masters’ dietary preferences."
Henderson blinked, unaccustomed to anyone standing in his kitchen to discuss food. "Their preferences, ma’am? The automated dietary system handles all their nutrient ratios according to their high-tier beast genetics—"
"I know," Blair gently interrupted, opening her notebook and clicking her pen. "But nutrient packs don’t taste like home. Can you tell me what they actually like? Or what triggers their discomfort?"
Henderson paused, staring at the fragile human girl holding a cheap notepad. Her clear, earnest gaze softened his strict demeanor. He let out a low sigh and leaned against the counter.
"Master Lukas has the most severe reaction, ma’am," Henderson admitted in a quiet voice. "His fox ears are hyper-sensitive. Strong artificial seasonings, loud sizzles, or sharp acid smells trigger intense neural spikes. He barely touches his automated trays."
Blair quickly wrote that down: Lukas — No sharp acids, zero heavy artificial spices, soft textures, mild and soothing. He is very sensitive.
"And Master Philippe?" she asked.
"Master Philippe’s panther side suffers from deep physical exhaustion due to his legs," Henderson said, shaking his head. "His body rejects cold food entirely. If his meat isn’t prepped with warming root herbs, his circulation drops, but he refuses to ask for special care."
Philippe — Deep-warming broths, tender braised meats, high iron, served piping hot. She paused for a second and added, High ego and defensive, probably due to his condition.
"What about Master Sebastian?"
"Master Sebastian..." Henderson sighed softly. "He eats whatever is placed in front of him without a word. But he prefers light, clean grain dishes and fresh teas. He puts up a perfect front, but he often skips meals entirely when his corporate schedule runs late."
Sebastian — Quiet, comforting evening teas, light grains, non-intrusive meals. Chooses work over food sometimes.
Blair closed her notebook with a soft snap, feeling a subtle flicker of warmth in her chest.
Ding.
[Target Profiles Registered.]
[System Mission: Prepare a Non-Intrusive Evening Meal for Your Husbands.]
[Reward: +2 Days Lifespan & Symptom Relief Boost.]
"Chef Henderson," Blair said, tying a clean apron around her slender waist and rolling up her sleeves. "May I use the stove?"
Henderson looked at her thin arms, hesitating for a second, before stepping aside with a respectful nod. "The kitchen is yours, Mrs. Deruno."
He had no idea what she was planning, but he thought it best to comply, or she might start throwing a tantrum the way that other woman did during her temporary stay. The worst that could happen was that she messed up the kitchen, and he would end up cleaning. It was a small price to pay.
Henderson stood back, mentally preparing himself to clean up splattered oil and burned saucepans once she inevitably gave up.
Instead, Blair moved through the kitchen with a calm, deliberate rhythm that took him completely by surprise.
She didn’t slam pots or bark orders. First, she set up a silent induction cooker to eliminate any loud clatter or sharp sizzles for Lukas’s sake. She pulled fresh, mild root vegetables, light organic grains, and high-iron tender cuts of meat from the cooler.
Her thin, pale hands moved with surprising swiftness—peeling, slicing, and simmering.
For Philippe, she prepped a rich, deeply simmered beef broth infused with gentle warming herbs, keeping it bubbling at a precise, piping-hot temperature to boost his circulation.
For Lukas, she created a soft, velvety wild mushroom and rice porridge. She avoided every sharp acid and heavy spice, keeping the aroma mild, clean, and completely non-intrusive to his hyper-sensitive senses.
And for Sebastian, she brewed a fragrant lavender-infused herbal tea and prepared light, steamed grain cakes that could sit comfortably at room temperature without losing flavor, perfect for a man who often returned late from the boardroom.
The kitchen, usually smelling of harsh synthetic nutrient packs, slowly filled with the warm, rich scent of authentic home cooking.
Henderson stared at her in utter disbelief. There was no mess. No wasted ingredients. Just a quiet human girl working with absolute devotion.
"Mrs. Deruno..." Henderson murmured, his tone shifting from cautious politeness to genuine awe. "This is... incredible."
Blair offered him a small, tired smile as she carefully set the prepared meals onto three covered silver trays. Hopefully, her husbands would think the same way.
Ding.
[Mission Complete: Non-Intrusive Evening Meal Prepared.]
[Reward Issued: +2 Days Added to Life Expectancy.]
[Symptom Relief: Mild Energy Boost Engaged.]
[Current Life Remaining: 39 Days]
A soothing warmth surged through her limbs, taking away the dull ache in her back and making her breath feel noticeably lighter. This was evidence of more days added. She felt healthier with more days added to her lifespan.
She looked at the three covered trays, wiped her hands on her apron, and turned to Henderson.
"Chef Henderson, could you show me where their private suites are? I’ll deliver them myself."