Chapter 90: A Shared Afternoon Tea and a Deeper Question

After retrieving the small jar of magic stone powder, Lamia’s expression while eating the pie finally shifted.

Lamia, perhaps worried that Wade wouldn’t have enough, had baked an exceptionally large apple pie this time. It was perfectly sufficient for two people to share—at least, for ordinary people, this portion was just right.

With the magic stone powder, Lamia could clearly discern the apple pie’s flavor. Her eating speed noticeably increased, and her eyes crinkled with bliss.

She was no longer solely eating for replenishment, but truly savoring the sweetness it offered, which allowed her to temporarily cast aside her complex thoughts.

Wade watched her cheeks slightly puff out, much like a small animal delighting in a sweet treat, as she chewed the apple pie she had made herself. His lips curved upward involuntarily.

He cut some more from his portion and pushed it towards her, while he himself slowed down, relishing this rare afternoon tea, a moment solely for the two of them.

After they finished the enormous apple pie, much time had imperceptibly slipped by.

Wade was somewhat surprised. Spending so long by Lamia’s side, he had actually lost all sense of time.

They hadn’t returned around afternoon; they had merely eaten some apple pie, yet they had… eaten for two hours? A full two hours! What sane person eats that slowly?

Moreover, they had only eaten, without any other superfluous interaction, barely even conversing. They simply sat there, enjoying the apple pie.

While he admitted Lamia’s pie was large, still… two hours?

What had he been doing during those two hours?

Eating, and… watching Lamia?

Looking at the empty plate in front of him, Wade finally realized that he had been watching Lamia the entire time, without even paying much attention to how many slices he’d consumed.

He had merely been eating the dessert in his mouth while observing Lamia eat beside him—sometimes chewing diligently with her mouth closed, sometimes looking up at him, sometimes picking up the plate and stuffing a large mouthful.

And himself? Pushing it to her, offering it to her, feeding it to her, and… the pastry crumbs at the corner of her lips?

Their actions had been so natural just now, without a trace of embarrassment. He had been so attentive to Lamia, and Lamia had indeed been somewhat looked after by Wade.

The two of them simply sat there, eating a giant apple pie, but Lamia felt that this was their afternoon tea time together. Moreover, it was her first time enjoying such a leisurely two-hour afternoon tea with Wade.

Wade’s feelings about this, however, were rather complex.

She had eaten the entire apple pie, while he himself hadn’t eaten much at all.

Wade genuinely wondered if that Great Succubus had tampered with the magic stone powder. How else could he have been so engrossed in eating an apple pie?

The kitchen window was painted in the warm orange hues of the setting sun, and the sweet aroma in the air gradually faded as the sun descended.

Lamia leaned back contentedly in her chair, licking the lingering sweetness from her lips. Wade, meanwhile, called for the servants to clear the table and dishes.

Some people simply lived so lavishly; with just a single call, someone would help them clear away the eaten dishes.

“Next time you want to eat something, you can tell me.”

“Are you going shopping?”

Lamia patted her stomach, her face still warm with the satisfaction of a good meal.

“Not just shopping. It’s not like I can’t cook anything at all. Main courses, desserts—I’m quite skilled in those.”

As he had mentioned before, Wade wasn’t someone who particularly loved to eat, so his research into food was somewhat extensive.

He had been like this since childhood: he would always strive to get what he wanted. For instance, exotic delicacies—he found them delicious but couldn’t afford them, so he had to research cooking methods himself, using the simplest ingredients to create the most exquisite flavors.

Even after growing up, he remained the same. If there was something he liked to eat but didn’t have enough money to buy, he would make it himself and even invite Wade’s grandfather, the old Pope, to share it.

Although his talent for cooking couldn’t compare to genuises or someone like Lamia, who learned instantly, he could certainly whip up a few home-style dishes without a problem.

It was a pity that later, due to being too busy with work, day and night, his meals became simple, easy-to-eat ordinary dishes. He had no time to savor precious ingredients, naturally wouldn’t bother his household staff to prepare them, and certainly had no time himself to research such things.

It had been years since he had truly touched pots and pans.

“You can cook?”

“Of course—” Wade paused here. “—It’s just that I haven’t reached your level yet. To be honest… your cooking…”

Even the Demon Lord himself would have to offer sincere praise in this regard, because it was the truth. The things Lamia made were indeed delicious, and their appearance was exquisite and perfect.

If she were to encounter any food critics, they would probably tell Lamia directly—that she was a born culinary master.

However, Wade knew that Lamia was not only a genius in this aspect but likely in others as well.

Because Lamia was constantly fulfilling others’ wishes, if her own abilities weren’t strong enough, how could she fulfill them properly?

“Of course, I can do anything! I learn things very quickly, including those needles and threads you used last time—give me a couple of days to study them systematically, and I’ll figure it out.”

Hearing Wade’s words, Lamia was very proud. The actions of her hands, full of confidence, transformed from patting her stomach to confidently thumping her chest.

Watching Lamia’s joyful expression, Wade also smiled.

But beneath that smile, Wade suddenly realized—making these things was indeed impressive, and her learning ability was incredibly strong. But—

“—Is this what *you* want to do?”

He looked at Lamia’s confident expression and unconsciously uttered the question.

“What?”

Lamia looked at him, stunned for a moment.

“I mean, is this what *you* want to do? No matter what it is, I mean anything, anything you do—is it all what *you* want to do, or are you doing it for someone else?”

Was this his own moment of profound clarity?

Just now, he had been happy because Lamia had made a perfect apple pie, and he had eaten with great satisfaction. Now, he was turning around to ask her if she did it willingly?

‘Well—well, sorry… My selfish desires had utterly exploded just now; I really wanted to eat “desserts made by my wife”…’

“Just like you made me apple pie just now… Ha ha… How did you feel when you were making it? If you found it troublesome, if you didn’t like it, next time I can keep you from going to such trouble—”

“How could that be? Weren’t you also very happy eating it? If what I make can make you happy, that’s enough. Why would I be unwilling?”

Lamia’s answer was simple, so simple that Wade felt it was an instinctive response from Lamia, without even normal thought.

His fingers, hidden beneath the table, rubbed together anxiously. Then he let out a sigh.

‘It’s not necessarily for me…’

He himself couldn’t help but feel a bit strained after saying that, even though he had been enjoying it so much just moments ago.

‘I like this, Wade.’

But Lamia’s answer immediately smoothed out Wade’s furrowed brows.

“Like…?”

“Yes, like. Just like when you asked me if that cup of coffee was good. I enjoy the sensation of drinking coffee, I love the taste of apple pie, and I also love making these things for you.”

Lamia smiled cheerfully, reaching out and precisely covering Wade’s fidgeting fingers.

Wade couldn’t tell if her gesture was intentional or merely an instinctive action.

“This is ‘like,’ isn’t it? So, I like making things to eat. Isn’t that something to be happy about? What’s troublesome about it?”

“Haha…”

Wade let out an awkward laugh. He hadn’t expected that, after all his intricate thoughts, he was the one who ended up being comforted.

He turned his palm over, grasping Lamia’s outstretched hand, whose hand always maintained a pleasant, cool temperature.

“As long as you like it.”

“Yes, as long as I like it.”

‘Even better if you can understand the word “like.”‘

‘You must understand, right?’

“Mm.”

Lamia smiled and nodded, as if responding to Wade’s unspoken thoughts.