Chapter 661: The Sacred Word: Dessert
Ah, but of course, it was because he didn’t know any better.
Had he known in advance what awaited those who finished their main dishes, then he wouldn’t have been stuck eating those noodles just to stretch out his meal.
Mmm! Those oh-so-glorious noodles!
But Shadow Uno couldn’t possibly have regrets. After imitating the great chipmunk’s method of soaking noodles and watching them unfurl into silky strands of goodness, he was rewarded with flavors so intense he almost remembered his entire childhood.
Their mouths burned, their tongues tingled, and yet every time they quenched it with cold drinks, gasping "AHHH!" in relief after chugging, they still dove right back in for another round. Addictive didn’t even begin to describe it.
To begin with, they had already been converted to the religion of rice. It wasn’t that the people of the Empire had no concept of rice, but what they knew was a sad, pebble-like version of it.
And then Butler Gary of House Kyros had changed their lives. He taught them to put juicy viands on top of steaming rice, letting it soak up every drop of savory goodness. Uno felt like he had discovered entire uncharted planes just from that simple revelation.
So imagine their awe when noodles proved to be just as heavenly after soaking in all that same richness.
Uncontrollable slurping echoed across the hall, a chorus of ravenous devotion. And while mouths were too busy chewing to form words, stomping feet pounded the floor, sending a steady rhythm of approval and glee.
At one point, the shy young Lord had to stand up and remind everyone not to overdo it—especially if they were eating from the spicy broth.
Then, to everyone’s shock, he calmly picked up a bowl.
"I’ll have mine as soup since I’m winding down," he explained, ladling broth into it.
Gasps rang out.
"Luca, is it really possible to consume it as a soup?" Duchess Amelia asked curiously, her eyes widening.
"Yes, Mom!" Luca nodded earnestly. "I read that it’s a good way to finish the main course! And I think with how rich this is, it’ll be great right before dessert!"
Dessert.
Princess Nina’s tiny body trembled at the sacred word. Her eyes locked onto Luca like twin beams of determination, practically burning through him as she tried to convey her boundless excitement for what came next.
Luca caught Princess Nina’s trembling excitement and couldn’t help but want to indulge the adorable child. Her little hands clutched at the tablecloth, her eyes shining like twin stars.
So he leaned forward and said gently, "Nina, would you like to hear about the dessert choices?"
Her ears practically twitched. Choices?! There were choices?!
Not only her, but it seemed as if the entire hall had suddenly become attuned to Luca’s voice. Imaginary ears popped up everywhere, stretching and enlarging just to catch each syllable. Chopsticks froze in midair, bowls were abandoned, and the sound of slurping died off in an instant.
Luca chuckled softly. He had only been speaking to the little princess, but now the entire gathering was staring at him with the anticipation of soldiers awaiting their commander’s orders.
"According to what I read," he explained, his cheeks pink with shyness, "dairy-based products are good for the stomach, especially after eating spicy hotpot. So, I thought of making a few things."
The crowd leaned forward as one.
He smiled at Nina. "There’s our usual ice cream, but this time, if anyone is interested, you can also try it as an ice cream sandwich."
"Ahh..." A low wave of wonder coursed through the diners, several gripping their tables.
"And," Luca continued, "I also have fresh fruits. If you’d like, you can dip them in chocolate."
Gasps broke out, wide eyes darting toward the fruit platters like treasure just revealed.
Then, as though only just remembering, Luca added innocently, "I tried a few new things as well. One is called condensed milk chocolate truffles. And the other is mango pudding."
"!!!"
Every announcement hit like a prophecy. Elders clutched the sides of their chairs, Ollie had to hold himself back from standing in shock, and even the Duke’s jaw dropped as if dessert itself had just rewritten the laws of the universe.
And finally, Luca looked at Nina again. "I wasn’t sure what you’d like most, Nina, but since I know you enjoy desserts, I thought I’d try making a few more things today. I’m not very confident though, since it was also my first time making them."
To Luca, it was a shy admission.
To everyone else, it was a divine proclamation.
Nina’s already blazing admiration for her brother chipmunk soared to new heights. When the desserts were finally served, she squealed so loudly upon tasting the truffles that half the table nearly fainted.
The child clasped the tiny ball of chocolate with reverent care. She bit into it and froze as the dessert softened instantly on her tongue. Sweetness bloomed, velvety and rich, so overwhelming that her little body shook. She was too stunned to accurately describe anything, only that it felt like happiness had wrapped her whole being.
Her delighted squeals echoed across the table, and everyone immediately gulped in unison.
Plates scraped, bowls clattered. The table was suddenly stripped clean of the last hotpot ingredients as diners rushed to finish in order to reach the sacred dessert stage.
When at last the Empress herself lifted a truffle delicately to her lips, all eyes followed. She bit, closed her eyes, and smiled, her hands pressing softly against her cheeks as she savored the simple, impossible joy.
The sight alone nearly brought the table to tears.
However, to Uno’s shock, it seemed that everyone would have their own allocation of something so good that even the usually composed members of the Imperial family were reacting like that.
The moment the plate was set in front of him, he stared down at it like it was salvation. Gratitude surged so strongly that he was fairly certain that if the Empire ever needed him to go undercover in the Federation, he would volunteer on the spot.
From discovering the forbidden truth known as ice cream—finally understanding why criminal organizations were rumored to risk everything just to obtain it—to learning that fruits could be transformed into an entirely new creation by dipping them into a bath of chocolate, the shadow wasn’t sure how he was supposed to recover from this tidal wave of goodness.
But his gratefulness and joy were suddenly slapped with dog food.
For right in front of his horrified eyes, he witnessed what could only be described as the greatest sacrifice in recorded current history. Kyle Nox, the Imperial Crown Prince’s adjutant, had just given away more than half of his truffle balls to that blonde who looked at him like he hung the moon.
Uno gripped his spoon. Who wouldn’t look at him like that after performing such a miracle of generosity?
Such sacrifice.
And such stomach?!
"???"
Because as Uno’s jaw dropped, the blonde devoured every last truffle with gusto. Not content with that, he turned to the jiggly mango pudding and demolished it as though it might sprout legs and run away if he didn’t gobble it up fast enough.
The poor shadow tried to savor his own serving slowly, delicately, carefully. But then his spoon froze.
Around him, people were already wiping their mouths with napkins.
Because they were finished.
Finished!
More than half the guests had swallowed the mango pudding in a single bite. Even Emperor Xavian wore a strangely peaceful expression, his dessert having vanished so quickly it might have been an illusion.
"!!!"
Uno’s soul trembled. How could these people live like this?