Chapter 270: Drafted As The Head Chef

Just as Cassius was basking in the moment, his expression shifted, a look of shock crossing his face as he stared into the distance, his heart sinking with sudden dismay.

"Uh, oh." He muttered, his voice heavy as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Looks like Skadi’s not coming back as soon as I thought. It’s gonna take a bit longer than expected."

"What? What’s wrong, Cassius?" Aisha’s eyes widened, her voice erupting in a panicked shout as she stepped forward, her heart racing with worry. "Did she run into a horde of demon beasts or something?" She demanded, her hands gesturing wildly as she glared at him.

"I swear, that stupid mutt would do something like that! She’s got no sense of stealth, none! She’d happily waltz into a den of monsters if she thought there was food in there!" Her tail flicked nervously, her heart pounding as she imagined Skadi in danger.

Julie joined in, her voice sharp with concern as her hand gripped her sword hilt, her heart heavy with fear.

"Cassius, is she okay? Should we go after her right now?" She asked, her eyes darting to the horizon. "I’m ready to fight if she’s in trouble, but can she handle it on her own? Tell us what’s happening!"

Her stance tensed, her heart braced for action as she prepared to charge into the forest but to her surprise, Cassius simply waved them off, his voice casual as a wry smile spread across his face.

"Whoa, whoa, calm down, both of you. It’s not like that at all." He said, his tone light as he glanced at them. "There’s no demon beasts, or any danger. Skadi’s just...well, being Skadi right now."

His smile turned sheepish, his heart tickled by the absurdity as he pointed into the distance.

"On her way back, she spotted a pack of squirrels. And, you know, with those dog, like instincts of hers, she’s chasing them in circles right now...The squirrels are winning, by the way. They’re practically mocking her, and she still hasn’t caught a single one."

Aisha’s jaw dropped, her voice bursting with disbelief as she slapped her forehead, her heart exasperated.

"Are you kidding me? I was actually worried about that mutt, and she’s out there playing with squirrels?" She exclaimed, her tone sharp as she shook her head. "I’m such an idiot for even caring! Of course she’s doing something dumb like that! Chasing squirrels like a brainless puppy while we’re sitting here freaking out!"

Her tail flicked irritably, her heart torn between annoyance and relief.

Julie sheathed her sword, her voice soft as she let out a long sigh, her heart easing with relief.

"Well, that’s better than demon beasts chasing her." She said, her tone lighter as she rubbed her temple. "As long as she’s safe, I don’t mind. Chasing squirrels is classic Skadi. I should’ve known she’d get distracted by something shiny or scampering."

Her lips twitched into a faint smile, her heart warmed by the familiarity of Skadi’s antics.

Cassius chuckled, his voice warm as he nodded, his heart amused by their reactions. "Yeah, you two know her too well." He said, his tone playful as he glanced at the fire. "And since she’s gonna take a bit, I’ve got an idea. We’ve got time before she drags that hog back, so let’s make some side dishes to go with it."

"...Something special to make this meal a real feast."

His eyes glinted, his heart buzzing with excitement as he walked over to the fireplace, poking at the flames.

"Side dishes?" Aisha’s eyes lit up, her voice eager as she stepped closer, her heart stirring with anticipation. "You’re gonna cook more?" She asked, her tone bright as she recalled the lavish feast he’d made before.

"Oh, I can still taste that last meal you made, my mouth’s watering just thinking about it! What’re you gonna whip up this time? Something savory, right? You’ve gotta make something good to go with that hog!" Her tail swished, her heart drooling at the memory.

Julie chuckled, crossing her arms but smirking as she glanced at Aisha. "That’s putting it mildly. Cassius, you don’t even know the half of it."

Cassius raised an eyebrow, amused. "Oh? Do tell. What exactly happened?"

Aisha sighed dramatically, throwing her hands up. "Not only did me and the Captain love it, but the entire Holy Guard went nuts for your cooking. You remember that one feast you made, right?"

Cassius smirked. "The one where you guys devoured everything in under five minutes?"

"Yes! That one!" Aisha groaned, waving a hand as if reliving the chaos. "They loved it so much that they started demanding you be our official cook. I’m not joking. They came to me with an actual petition, signed and everything!"

Julie nodded seriously. "She’s not exaggerating. It turned into a full-blown uproar. We had soldiers banging on my office door yelling, ’Young Master Cassius for Holy Guard chef!"

"Wait, seriously?" Cassius snorted, covering his mouth to stop from laughing. "You’re telling me I almost got drafted into kitchen duty for the entire legion?"

"You almost did." Julie said with a small grin, shaking her head at the memory. "It was chaos. We had to calm everyone down before it turned into a riot."

"It was this close to being an official demand." Aisha added, holding her fingers a millimeter apart. "If we hadn’t stepped in, they would’ve marched on the command tent holding spoons and forks like pitchforks."

"Oh, gods, I’m flattered." Cassius laughed so hard he had to steady himself on a tree. "I didn’t know my cooking could cause an uprising. Should I start sending care packages to the legion to keep the peace?"

"You probably should." Julie said dryly, though her lips twitched into a smile. "We don’t want a second food revolt."

"Well then..." Cassius grinned, puffing out his chest with mock pride as he rubbed his chin. "Since my culinary skills apparently inspire revolutions, how about I treat you two to the same privilege? One savory dish and one sweet."

"...Aisha, you pick savory. Julie, you pick sweet. Anything goes—my storage ring’s basically a traveling kitchen, so don’t hold back. Name your favorite dish, and I’ll make it happen."

Aisha’s eyes widened, her voice bursting with excitement as she clapped her hands, her heart racing with anticipation.

"Really? Really, Cassius? You’re letting us choose?" She asked, her tone giddy as she paced in place, her tail swishing wildly. "Oh, this is big! I gotta think about this, something amazing, something perfect!"

"Aisha, come on, it’s not that serious." He said, his tone teasing as he waved a hand. "It’s just food. Pick something you love. It’s not like you’re choosing your last meal or anything."

But hearing this, Aisha spun to face him, her voice sharp with mock indignation as she pointed at him, her heart blazing with determination.

"Not that serious? Cassius, this is the opportunity of a lifetime!" She exclaimed, her tail flicking as she crossed her arms. "You don’t just get to pick a dish from the Cassius, who almost brought about a rebellion to the most loyal brigade in the entire continent and treat it like it’s nothing! I’m not wasting this chance!"

She paused, her eyes lighting up as a decision clicked, her voice bursting with excitement.

"Okay, I’ve got it! I want pasta, creamy white pasta, loaded with cheese. Like, so much cheese it’s practically drowning in it."

"...Can you do that? Please tell me you can do that!"

Cassius’s smile widened, his voice confident as he nodded, his heart warmed by her enthusiasm.

"Oh, I can do that, alright." He said, his tone brimming with assurance as he patted his storage ring. "I’ve got everything for a creamy cheese pasta, fancy stuff, too. Fresh cream, aged cheese, a touch of herbs to make it pop. You’re gonna love it." His eyes glinted, his heart buzzing as he pictured her reaction.

Aisha’s tail swished faster, her voice bubbling with glee as she bounced on her toes, her heart thrilled.

"Yes! Oh, I can’t wait! It’s gonna be so good!" She squealed, her excitement obvious as her tail practically danced behind her, its rapid movement almost comically cute. "You’re the best, Cassius! I’m already drooling just thinking about it!"