Chapter 655: Permission and Pride
Ollie could tell something was different.
Sure, they had always cooked and eaten what, in his not-so-humble opinion, were the greatest meals in the universe. But today felt different.
Today, it was as if his good brother was glowing with a nervousness Ollie had never seen in him before—well, at least not when it came to food.
When Ollie asked what was wrong, Luca had only muttered that it was because he was serving a meal to everyone who mattered to him. Then, with a shy flush, he admitted there was also the matter of serving food to those he hoped to know better, with the quiet wish that everyone at the table would find harmony together.
"!!!"
The blonde nearly wept.
His good brother, the little chipmunk who once lived on resilience and frugality, was now a man thinking of family, friends, and future bonds. Without even an onion in sight, Ollie’s eyes were already stinging.
How fast that child had grown!
As the marginally taller brother, how could he not be proud?!
And look at the proof!
Apparently, they were now mature enough that Luca thought it would be a good time for all of them to try something different. A cooking and eating style they hadn’t really experienced before.
It was apparently so elaborate that the first question was not about the food, but about whether Auntie Cece could even make the pots.
"Brother, is it necessary to have such custom pots?" Ollie asked, his brows furrowed as he watched Luca carefully blending their famed dried chilis.
"Well, I haven’t tested it out for myself," Luca admitted, his cheeks pink, "but according to what I read, it’s necessary so that we can have the proper experience. Also... because I think it’s safer. Nina and everyone else can just pick what they prefer and eat what they can handle."
Ollie froze. Then his vision blurred.
Such thoughtfulness! Such foresight! Who else could be so considerate? His good brother wasn’t just cooking—he was bestowing blessings upon them.
And in Ollie’s teary eyes, Luca shone. A golden figure in the kitchen, sleeves rolled, hands working with reverence. Truly, he looked less like a young cadet preparing dinner and more like a holy being descending to grace them with food.
"Brother..." Ollie’s voice cracked as if he were giving away his own son in marriage. "Is this really alright? All we have to do is cut or shred everything?"
"Yes, brother!" Luca beamed, his earnestness so bright it could blind. "Hopefully, it’ll all come together later!"
Hopefully.
Because this was his first time, too.
But he had seen it often—on ads everywhere during snowy holidays, where families huddled together with steaming bowls. Where laughter and warmth filled homes as people cooked and ate from the same pot.
Luca had always wanted to try that.
And really, wasn’t this the perfect chance? Everyone was finally here. They could experience it together.
Besides, the book that had specifics of it promised something: this kind of cooking would let everyone have their own unique experience while still eating as one.
His heart thumped with excitement. More than anything, he just wanted everyone to discover a taste they could truly like.
But one little princess didn’t even need to reach the eating part before she found something she could like.
When the nervous members of the Imperial Family—including the Marshal, Shadow Uno, Butler Henry, and even two bewildered pets—stepped out of four doors standing neatly in the middle of blank plots of land, their hearts nearly leapt from relief.
It worked.
The doors actually worked!
They were just starting to take in the sight when—pop!
Luca and Xavier suddenly appeared out of nowhere, as if reality itself decided to shrug.
So much for instincts. When even the most seasoned combatants couldn’t predict their arrival?! Then again, it wasn’t really their fault, as it was a perk Luca and Xavier enjoyed inside the dungeon.
But to a certain little girl who had been fiercely protecting the most important secret of her most important chipmunk, their arrival was pure catastrophe.
"!!!"
Princess Nina froze, her tiny body stiffening. Then, scandalized and mortified, she launched herself forward with all the power her little legs could muster.
In one dramatic jump and swoop, she practically slammed herself against Luca’s face, stretching her arms wide as though her small frame could shield him from every gaze.
"Nothing to see here!" she cried, voice trembling as she quivered like a puppy in the snow.
Her little body shook from the effort; her cheeks puffed, and her tiny brows furrowed in fierce determination. It was the kind of desperate pose that would’ve been adorable if it weren’t so heartbreaking—like a kitten trying to cover an elephant.
But why was she doing that?
Because apparently, the little girl, who became busy right after hearing about the invite, didn’t get to listen to the entire story before they got there. And with the way her parents referred to Luca as the chipmunk, she thought they would be meeting in disguise.
Covert! Not like that, where everyone would learn of his identity! So when she saw them, the little girl panicked.
Luca blinked, similarly startled, before quickly bringing a hand up to pat her back. "Nina, it’s okay already," he said softly, trying to soothe her.
She trembled harder.
"It’s alright. Really," Luca continued, his voice gentle. "You did amazing. Thank you for keeping your promise and protecting our secrets until we were ready to reveal them."
Her tiny lips wobbled. Her eyes shimmered dangerously, as if tears were just one blink away from spilling.
Luca panicked. His heart thumped, and he scrambled for something—anything—that could stop his new little sister from crying in front of everyone.
"A-as a reward," he stammered quickly, finally remembering something important, "because you’ve definitely proven yourself and worked so hard for everyone... if you’re interested, and your parents agree, you could maybe get your own cabin too."
"?!"
The tears froze in her eyes, shimmering like crystal drops in suspended animation.
Nina’s breath hitched, her face now lowered and buried against Luca’s neck after they successfully detached her once her stint as an octopus ended. Slowly, she peeked up, red-eyed but shining with wonder.
"...Really?"
Luca nodded earnestly. "Really. Provided your parents agree."
In truth, Luca had already asked for permission before they returned to the Imperial Palace, but Xavier told him to phrase it like that so Nina would learn the importance of seeking approval first.
After all, she was still a minor, and it was only right for a guardian to be involved.
Luca had been impressed by that reasoning. He had grown up guessing and second-guessing, and since no one really looked after him, he never had a proper guardian to ask.
Now, apparently, here was a chance to show Nina that asking permission actually made things easier, because it gave adults time to prepare safeguards.
Kyle, on the other hand, nearly choked himself into a grave when he overheard their conversation.
How could their Captain talk about "permission" with such a straight face? Was this not the same person who piloted mechas without clearance when they were younger? Who hacked battle-ready ships to fly to other planets under the excuse of "training"? Permission? What was that?
Still, he wisely kept his mouth shut and just gave thanks to every ancestor for somehow surviving those earlier escapades.
For now, they only needed to survive the night, enjoy the dinner, and calm the little princess who looked like she might faint from pride.
Nina, with cheeks flushed and posture regal, accepted the reward gallantly.
Then, after hearing about needing her parents’ approval, she practically prostrated herself to beg them. But after remembering she was a princess, the same girl then rose with her back straight, chin high, with the next words rolling off her tongue with the certainty of a ruler.
Nina straightened her back, eyes gleaming with pride as she declared, "Your Majesties, I believe it is only respectful to accept heartfelt gifts. At the same time, in my opinion, I have already earned sufficient qualifications for something so important."
The room held its breath.
Silence.
No one dared say a word.
Nina blinked, coughed delicately into her little hand, and pressed on. "Ahem. And of course... it would also serve as proper repayment for the transgression of leaving me behind. For the emotional and psychological damage caused by your very late return. And," her cheeks puffed as she crossed her arms with surprising authority, "for the breach of contract."
Her voice softened, but it carried the weight of a dagger. "Because instead of looking... You certainly did more than look."
Choked gasps could be heard.
And then, with a shy shuffle of her feet, Nina added, "W-worse... I even managed to accidentally glimpse a photo that was taken earlier."
"..."
"..."
Everyone was stunned into silence.
But the little princess, seeing them gawking, adjusted her stance as if shyly and added, "It would benefit everyone, too. That way, our entire family would be here. And if anyone misses me, I would be able to respond very quickly."
She then turned to her brother chipmunk, eyes wide and pure, silently begging for confirmation. You would miss me, right?
And Luca, flustered but earnest, nodded firmly. "Definitely. It would help when we wish to see you."
The adults couldn’t help it. They burst into laughter at her logic.
But Nina was not quite finished. In a small voice, she whispered, "Oh, but even if I could forgive and slightly forget, I was also hoping to ask for a photo too. Because what if others want to see me in a photo? Wouldn’t it be terrible if there wasn’t one?"
Her gaze slid toward her handsome big brother.
Xavier, helpless under her round expectant eyes, could only sigh and nod. "We can take one later."
They would. Though some might argue the timing was deliberate—after all, a rounder and far better-satiated Princess Nina was undeniably the cutest sight of all.