Chapter 89: Dark Cuisine and a Coachman’s Secret

Shortly after Chloe left for Jeannagos…

Broen held a fork in one hand and a knife in the other, staring down at the food before him as if it were a personal affront.

On the plate lay a lumpy, unidentifiable paste, resembling the nightmare of an abyss, seemingly emitting a deep purple steam.

It reminded him of his first love.

As a former elf prince, he should have had priority in choosing a mate. But because he was a dwarf, no girl was willing to take him.

The objects of their affection were Broen’s handsome older brothers—even the brain-damaged Broa had been secretly admired.

During his escape, Broen once found a female dwarf as ugly as himself and fell in love at first sight. She, however, sold him to a local lord for a few coins.

She had cooked him this kind of dark cuisine before, and Broen had wolfed it down with relish—until he passed out and woke up as the lord’s court dwarf.

Now, those elf girls, Broen’s brothers, and the female dwarf were all gone, leaving only Broen alone in the world.

“Munch munch.”

Beside him, Broa had already devoured an entire bowl of the dark matter, his face showing pure enjoyment.

“Delicious!”

But Broen still couldn’t bring himself to take a bite. He glanced ahead and saw the creator of this culinary nightmare seated across from him: the maid Miko.

“Thank you for the compliment. This is my first time cooking… I still have a lot to practice.”

Miko stared at Broa’s handsome face, her cheeks flushed red.

Perhaps his brother wasn’t as stupid as Broen thought.

“By the way, where is your beautiful housekeeper? Isn’t she usually the one preparing meals?”

Broen recalled the stunning woman with long, light purple hair—cold as a stone, who hadn’t exchanged a single word with them yet.

Well, never mind. If Broen were a woman, he wouldn’t want to talk to an ugly dwarf either.

“Lucia has been busy taking care of Lady Xina recently, so she asked me to entertain you…”

Miko lowered her head, her voice barely a whisper.

“Then I can eat such delicious food every day!”

Broa waved his hands and feet with joy.

Miko’s face grew even redder. She murmured, “Thank you…”

Broen broke out in a cold sweat. He braced himself and jumped down from the high table chair.

Broa quickly grabbed the hem of his clothes, looking reluctant, his mouth still full of food.

“Brother, where are you going? You haven’t finished yet.”

“I need some fresh air. You stay here with Miss Miko for a while. I’ll be right back.”

Kid, your big brother is creating an opportunity for you. Don’t waste it.

Broen put his brother and Miko, and that cursed dish, out of his mind.

He paced down the hallway, his exaggerated gait almost getting him arrested last time in Aredis.

Whatever. The castle was mostly empty anyway; he could walk however he wanted.

A sudden idea struck Broen. He lay flat on his back, the soft carpet silently bearing his weight—this helped stimulate his brain.

He stared at the stone ceiling, contemplating his next move.

Maids came and went, their long dresses hiding their legs, but from Broen’s low vantage point, everything underneath was visible. Because he was so short, none of them noticed him lying there.

This was certainly not Broen’s intention. Just as he tried to get up, a large foot suddenly stepped on him.

Pain shot through his entire body. Broen looked up along the long, slender leg and met a pair of crimson eyes staring down at him.

“My, my, isn’t this Lord Broen?”

Lucia’s face was full of smiles. She quickly stepped back, crossing her hands.

Broen had no doubt the woman had done it on purpose.

“First off, I’m not a skirt-chasing pervert.”

“I know. You don’t seem the type.”

Lucia dropped her smile, reached out, and picked Broen up like a doll.

“Thanks a lot,” Broen said irritably.

“It is my honor to serve Lord Cliff’s men.”

Broen ignored Lucia’s sarcasm and turned to leave. But suddenly, Lucia called out, “Wait, Lord Broen. Do you have a moment?”

“What if I say no?”

“Then you’ll have to eat Miko’s cooking for a few more days.”

Broen’s face turned pale. This woman had quickly found his weak spot.

“Spit it out. What do you want?”

“I’d like to ask you and your brother to move into the room next to Lady Xina. It would be even better if you could help take care of her. That way, I can make time to cook you delicious meals.”

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll do something to your lady?”

“No, you won’t. It’s not beneficial to you.”

“Ha, interesting.”

Broen really had no interest in Xina. If taking care of a sleeping beauty could ease his stomach, he’d gladly do it.

“Shall I take that as your agreement?”

“Yeah. What do I need to do?”

“Just feed Lady Xina during mealtime. Leave the rest to me.”

Broen frowned. “Such a simple task—why not ask a servant?”

“Hmm, I think you’re more suitable.”

Better to have an open enemy than a hidden one?

Broen silently admired Lucia’s audacity.

“I’ll go get Broa to pack up. By the way, where’s our room?”

“There’s an empty room near Lady Chloe’s quarters.”

Chloe? The name was unfamiliar to Broen. She seemed to be Cliff’s dream lover, since he talked about her every day.

“Alright. I’ll take a look first.”

“Thank you for your help.”

Lucia inclined her body slightly and left.

Broen immediately headed to Chloe’s room. He was very interested in anything that caught Cliff’s fancy.

Entering a girl’s room without permission was rude, but his curiosity won over etiquette.

As he pushed the door open, he saw a familiar figure sitting on a chair.

The coachman, dressed in glamorous women’s clothing, crossed his legs in an especially seductive manner.

Broen almost choked on his own spit.

The coachman stared at a painting on the wall as if no one else was there, even after Broen entered.

“Bro, what are you doing here?”

“Oh? It’s you. Sneaking into a girl’s room isn’t proper.”

The coachman glanced at Broen without a shred of shame.

“And you’re one to talk? You crossdresser.”

“You don’t understand. I’m pursuing beauty.”

The coachman stood up, looking entirely enraptured.

Now that’s a true pervert!

Broen’s face darkened, and he turned to leave.

He had to report this perverted coachman to Lucia.

But the coachman somehow appeared in front of him, raising a finger to his lipstick-covered lips.

“Don’t tell anyone, Prince Cameron.”

Broen’s heart trembled. He hadn’t heard that name in a long time. It was his former kingdom, destroyed with the Empire’s collapse.

But Cameron had been a lost nation for three hundred years, unrecorded in history. How did the coachman know about it?

Seeing Broen stunned, the coachman smiled contentedly, patted Broen on the head, and walked away.

After the coachman was far off, Broen crept back into Chloe’s room and looked at the painting the coachman had been staring at.

Broen had seen this painting before—at the home of the mayor of Linbo. But it seemed the mayor had given it to Chloe.

It depicted a silver dragon, its crimson eyes silently fixed on Broen, making his scalp crawl.

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