Chapter 381: The Ploy

Words : 1377 Updated : Oct 11th, 2025

Chapter 381: The Ploy An addiction. That’s what it would look like to spectators because even Luca never thought of something being so popular. And the little cook was surprised because even the prince next to him could be found licking his lips ever so subtly as if looking for that lingering taste. Was it really that good? But maybe it was mainly because the prince who had always been iced since young barely found chances of experiencing internal heat. In fact, it was something that he’d only experienced with the presence of Luca’s energy and, well, his wife’s everything. His main source of warmth had just produced something so revolutionary that grown adults, nobles, and battle-hardened soldiers shuffled with trembling hands, waiting in line in front of the Duke and the Duchess, who now controlled the cheese and the chili flakes. Duke Leander looked a tad bit rattled because his precious son had handed him such an important job of shaking the bottle while Duchess Amelia was forcefully getting reacquainted with her people as she allotted the cheese for everyone. Maybe it was a coincidence, but Gisella thought that it was a sweet and strategic gesture, as this had the unintended effect of humanizing her intimidating presence. But look at this? Instead of shirking away, people lined up eagerly, and the Duchess, who was obviously in a good mood, didn’t look like she was about to stab anyone. Still, how can these people all be so shameless when even the heir was sharing with his friends?! But the cadets didn’t feel so bothered by that. In fact, they were just glad that Xavier cleaned extra lobsters so everyone could get a bit. However, Ollie figured he wouldn’t be able to sleep soundly unless he got to the bottom of his new problems. "Brother," he asked gravely, "how will we get more of these ’chili flakes’ in the future? Cheese, I can understand—Queen Lulu bless her udder—but the flakes?" Luca chuckled heartily. "It’s actually not that hard, brother. We can make more...once you’re fully rested." "!!!" "No, brother, I am rested!" Ollie said a little too quickly. "Fully rested! I’ve recovered so much!" "Is that so, brother? You want to make them now? But I thought you were waiting for dessert?" Luca asked as he genuinely thought about how his brother was once excited for dessert. Now that got the blonde to seal his mouth, so sealed it would only open once the fated dessert and the reason for his survival reached his hands. Meanwhile, Luca realized he should start distributing dessert because he’s been hearing and seeing people’s reactions to the spice. They loved it. Loved it too much that some people didn’t notice how much they’ve been affected. After all, it was their first time, and they likely didn’t know their own limits. If so, what better way to end the dining experience than unveiling a dessert perfect for the heat? Chocolate Ice Cream. Now, if heaven had a waiting room, it would’ve been full right then. When Luca initially approached Butler Gary for assistance, the gentleman was surprised to know that their Young Lord had another thing up his sleeve. Frankly, the day had already been so eventful that people didn’t even know what to discuss first! Surely, by virtue of its effects on the Empire’s history, Terrence and Lord Ollie’s advancements should be right up there with the fact that it was all because their Young Lord decided to share such good things with his people. Not to mention how they could now use state-of-the-art training facilities to survive better. And if some of them still managed to be stupid enough to get hurt even after all that concession, the heir was even gracious enough to share his life-saving pills. Then you’ve got the reunion of the main family, and it was like everything was coming together! But the people of this house seriously needed to be knocked on the head because their internal forum was filled with pictures of lobsters, chili flakes, and lunch boxes. Worse, there were people crying out about the accidental bending of the metal skewers because they had been so excited to eat. It was like a mass hysteria. And now their Young Lord wanted to give them something more, and the Butler honestly didn’t know how to face him properly, knowing full well what was going on behind the beaming faces of these people. Gluttons! Gluttons everywhere! Thankfully, these people were grateful overeaters, or he would’ve said something. But with their Young Lord being like this, he’d likely need a longer historical account to pass on to the next generation. But the Butler was not alone in thinking like that, as the Mylor couple felt they had observed enough of these people to make a decision. Honestly, it wouldn’t have been too difficult to divert all of this year’s allocations but the effect of doing that was not just a temporary thing, especially considering how large that transaction would be. It wasn’t even the fees for contract termination or how much they’d earn from this, but because this would effectively lump the two houses together once the documents were submitted. And if they were going to be under siege together, he wanted to be with people they could stand. Also, whether or not the transaction was going to be recurring, they would still be hit as their current customers would end up being driven away. Thankfully, they were still using last year’s backstocks and could complete the already signed contracts. But what of next year? And so the marquis decided to finally talk to them to figure this out. After all, his wife was already holding his hand, and his son would likely roll in tears if this deal didn’t push through. Sigh. Maybe he’ll just comfort his heart with food. But simultaneously, the marquis felt like he had been bamboozled like this. Because how exactly would they be expected to continue eating nutrient solutions after being so spoiled with food like this? So, in the end, wouldn’t he be forced to figure something out to get that complex up, or they would really experience the effects of scarcity? What a ploy. Seems like they were really children after his own heart. But the said children weren’t actually thinking like that, as their priorities were all over the place. And if the patriarch knew that they ate three times a day like this, then he might have panicked more. For why else would the son not want to go home? However, as he thought about the inevitable business matters they’d have to deal with, he was surprised to be handed a small lidded metal tub and a little spoon. Then he realized it wasn’t just him, as everyone had the same confused expression as they were being handed one. In fact, even the Duke and the Duchess hadn’t been exempted from the confusion, clearly unaware of this too. But how could they when the young ones kept mum about this? Thankfully, it didn’t take that long until everyone had one, apparently including the ones outside the space, as someone had been sent over to distribute the goods with the instruction to consume them as soon as possible. Finally, Luca stepped forward, voice still a bit unsteady but clear despite the pressure mounting around him. "Hello, everyone," he said, and the noise died instantly. "For our last item tonight, we’re serving a dessert called chocolate ice cream." "W-We can only make this in small batches for now," Luca admitted, fiddling nervously with the edge of his sleeve, "but once our cocoa trees grow, I really hope we can make more to share with everyone." "This batch is...It’s a small thank you. For being here, for celebrating with us, and for everything you’ve done to help build this place." "I hope you get to enjoy this one too." He offered a warm smile, then bowed deeply—graceful, heartfelt, and earnest. And just like that, the crowd fell in love with him all over again. Including one on the fence businessman who had been won over by sweets. Ah, the fall of their family might just be their stomachs.

Chapter 381: The Ploy

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