Chapter 33: My Special Lunch Surprise

【Lilith PoV】

I was so excited to share my special lunch with everyone today.

I had spent the whole morning in the academy kitchen mixing my ingredients and testing my new recipe.

I was proud that I had made a big pot of stew all by myself.

I carried my basket carefully through the busy dining hall.

My heart pounded with excitement as I walked toward the table where Eksu, Elizabeth, and Siegfried were already seated.

“I made lunch for everyone!”

I said with a bright smile.

I held my basket high so everyone could see what I had prepared.

I felt so happy to show off my cooking skills, even though I was still learning.

I carefully pulled off the colorful cloth covering my basket.

Inside, the stew looked dark and thick, and it smelled a little funny like burnt herbs.

I wondered if I had added too many ingredients, but I was sure it would taste amazing.

“I made this recipe all by myself!”

I said again, almost whispering with excitement.

I felt a warm glow inside when I thought about all the time I had spent on my experiments.

I noticed Elizabeth reach for a bowl.

She looked very calm as she scooped some of the stew onto her plate.

I tried not to worry when I saw Siegfried frowning at the bowl.

“I don’t think I will eat this today,” Siegfried said in a firm voice.

His eyes were serious, and I could tell he was not comfortable with my food.

I felt a little hurt, but I tried to hide my disappointment with a smile.

I looked over at Eksu, who picked up his spoon and began to eat.

I watched him carefully.

He took a bite and his face stayed calm.

I thought it was very cute that he ate my stew without showing any signs of pain.

“Do you like it, Eksu?” I asked softly, my voice full of hope.

I really wanted him to enjoy my cooking even if it wasn’t perfect.

Eksu gave a small smile and nodded.

I felt my heart jump with joy at his simple gesture.

It made me feel that maybe, just maybe, my food was not a complete failure.

I noticed Elizabeth quietly chewing her food.

She didn’t seem bothered at all by the taste.

I knew she was used to dealing with dangerous things, and that made me feel a bit better.

Siegfried still sat quietly with his bowl untouched.

I felt sad that he refused to try my stew.

I wondered why he did not trust my cooking, even though I had worked so hard on it.

“I worked so hard on this recipe!” I said, trying to hide the tremble in my voice.

I really believed that everyone should give my food a chance.

I did not understand why Siegfried was so cautious.

I carefully looked at each of them.

Eksu kept eating and his face was calm and even a little happy.

Elizabeth continued eating with her cool, steady manner.

But Siegfried’s serious look made me feel a little confused.

I thought about all my experiments and how I often made things explode or turn out wrong.

I had not yet learned all the secrets of cooking, and sometimes my food was dangerous.

I did not understand what love was, but I knew I cared about making everyone happy.

“I hope you will like it next time,” I said with a hopeful tone, smiling at Eksu once more.

His gentle smile made my heart flutter in a way I could not explain.

I found it very cute that he trusted my cooking without fear.

Elizabeth looked at me with a hint of amusement.

She did not say much, but I knew she was thinking about the way I had tried so hard.

Her eyes were sharp, and I felt that she understood things better than I did.

Siegfried cleared his throat and gave a small shake of his head.

I could tell he still did not want to risk eating my food.

I felt a tiny pang of worry for him, even though I did not know what love truly meant.

I gathered the empty plates with a happy smile on my face.

I began to clean up the small mess I had made on the table.

I wanted everything to be perfect for my next experiment.

“I will cook again tomorrow!” I said excitedly, my voice rising with each word.

I did not understand why Siegfried would refuse to eat, but I believed that with practice, my cooking would get better.

I felt proud of my work, even if it was a little dangerous.

I looked over at Eksu one more time.

His steady expression and calm eyes made me feel warm inside.

I thought his ability to eat my food, no matter how poisonous it might be, was really cute and special.

I continued to pack away my basket.

I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness for the next time I would cook.

I wanted to make my food safe and tasty so that everyone would enjoy it.

I walked back to my own seat in the dining hall.

The room was filled with soft chatter and the clinking of utensils.

I sat down quietly, still smiling as I thought about the meal.

I did not know what love truly was, but I knew that simple acts like Eksu eating my food made me feel happy.

I felt that I had made a small connection with him, even if it was just through my cooking.

The meal was finally over.

Everyone finished their food in their own way.

I watched as Elizabeth and Siegfried left the table, and I continued cleaning up.

I left the dining hall with a light heart.

I was determined to learn from my mistakes in the kitchen.

I hoped that next time, everyone would taste my food and see the effort I put into it.

I walked down the quiet hallway with a smile.

The academy was a new beginning, and I felt that every small step was a chance to learn and grow.

I was innocent and eager, and I looked forward to another day of experiments, even if they sometimes ended with a little danger.

I knew that even if my cooking was not perfect, the little moments—like Eksu’s cute smile as he ate my food—made everything worthwhile.

I could not yet understand what love meant, but I understood that making someone happy was a wonderful feeling.

I reached my dorm room with excitement and hope.

Today’s meal was a lesson in many ways.

I promised myself that I would work harder on my experiments, so that one day, my food would be safe and delicious for everyone.

I closed the door to the dining hall behind me, feeling warm and content.

I knew that tomorrow was another day full of chances to learn, to try, and maybe even to share more of my special cooking with my new friends.