Chapter 373: New Menu

Words : 1135 Updated : Oct 9th, 2025

Chapter 373: New Menu It would’ve been an experience to miss as Luca, with the help of Elder Pao Xi, managed to collect a few key ingredients for what was shaping up to be the most ambitious meal he’d ever attempted. See, the cook had a bit of difficulty thinking about unique things to serve to this many people. While no one would probably complain about the food they had been eating for a while now, he still hoped to serve something a bit different to celebrate his mother’s return. He wanted something special. Something that spoke of how glad he was, since he still wasn’t good with his words and would always get shy when faced with his mother. Because, well, she was really pretty. So he had been stuck thinking about it for a while until he remembered what he saw in one of the books, and thought they could also try that here. An outdoor barbecue. It was just that, this time, he would have to ask for help from a lot of people. The first problem was what to cook? That’s when Elder Pao Xi came to the rescue. Luca knew they couldn’t do beef just yet since all they really had were milk cows, and while he could buy beef and pork from the trove, it might not be that economical for this many people. And so he consulted the elder, who instead of suggesting which fish to eat, carried over creatures he hadn’t seen in a very long time. Crustaceans. "!!!" And not just any crustaceans but massive, glistening creatures with those armored shells and clawed legs. Crabs, lobsters, and prawns, in versions that were far bigger than he was used to! "These have been increasing in number since no one noticed they existed," Elder Pao Xi explained with a knowing smile. "I think you could harvest a good batch for the gathering." Luca’s mouth fell open. "Wow! Elder Pao Xi, do we really have a lot of these?" "Yes, My Lord," the elder confirmed, half chuckling. "I actually noticed them because the waterbodies have been teeming with them lately. So if you’re able to do something with them, then all the better!" Well. There went the plan for just grilled fish! Now, the question was whether they would taste the same? Not that he would really know since he didn’t get to taste something so expensive, but he would always hear the school teachers talk about them. And so he was hoping for at least a satisfactory first attempt. However, Luca didn’t have a grill back then and had to improvise, but didn’t give up since he was just testing it out, so it wouldn’t hurt to use his own flames, right? But the plan didn’t push through because when he asked Butler Gary if there was a place to get something like a metal grating, a certain dwarf’s ears twitched. She’d heard it. She’d definitely heard it. See, Cece just saw and overheard some things she liked. One was seeing this wonderful boy, Luca, and then hearing the word "metal". And so when the Butler didn’t understand what kind of metal their Young Lord was looking for, the dwarf practically jumped into place, eager to contribute. "Ehem! Lord Luca, if you’re looking for something metal-related, how about showing it to me?" "Oh! Good afternoon, Auntie Cece," greeted the young lad, who was initially surprised at her sudden appearance. "I was hoping to find something like this," he then pointed towards the photo of the contraption used in the cookbook. "It’s called a grill, but I realized that I couldn’t really find something like it on the Star Mall." Now, there were so many things that caught the woman’s breath. First, she was called Auntie by the sweetest little lord she’d ever met. Second, the thing in the photo—oh, it gleamed, it shimmered, it was beautiful! And third...it was for cooking. Apparently, for making delectable, mouthwatering food just as shown in that little book. The dwarf blinked. And blinked some more before asking what Luca was planning on using these for, so she could decide what kind of metal to use. "For grilling, it’s basically a method of cooking, I think?" he said sheepishly, as he wasn’t exactly an actual cook. She was right! This was for food! Well, say no more! Cece’s hands twitched, her smithing instincts, and maybe her stomach, screamed to hurry! And so the woman who had since discovered the beauty of the mecha hangar rushed to find the most basic stainless steel for this. And while she couldn’t imitate the mechanism underneath just yet, Luca said he only really needed the grill, the support frames, and metal skewers if possible. It was a done deal. If all he needed were just those, then she was going to be able to deliver, but she was stunned because the heir leaned forward and said that he was hoping she could keep this a secret for now, as this was part of the surprise for the celebration. "You’re going this far for the celebration?!" exclaimed Cece, who had to cover her mouth after looking around. "It’s a special occasion, and for now, I’m just hoping to try it out. But if it succeeds, would it be possible to make a few of these? I was hoping to let everyone experience it!" The boy before her actually looked at her with those eyes and knew it would be impossible to say no. And really, why would she say no to something that sounded really amazing? So the woman practically went nuts as she used her metal affinity to create something instead of just looking for places to dig at. And it felt glorious. That feeling of understanding metal and bending it in ways that would make beautiful creations was something she never thought she’d experience again. But look at her now? Making something like this that would be used to make something even greater! Now, as the dwarf laughed like a maniac (thankfully, away from everyone), the little heir was trying to figure out how to clean a lobster. If the fish had to be cleaned, this one obviously needed more attention, lest the people of their house gnaw on whatever they’d end up seeing. And so Luca attempted to clean his first-ever lobster. One that Xavier honestly almost interrupted, but didn’t because it seemed like his little wife really wanted to keep this a secret. So the prince, who hid far enough in the shadows, returned to the creamery, for he knew it would be too difficult for him not to interfere when it really looked like the little chipmunk was wrestling with a knee-high monster. If only the prince knew they’d eat that. Oops.

Chapter 373: New Menu

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