Short answer: he didn’t. Never did.
But the Duke, who was too focused on his family’s happiness, could only see smiles and was just too glad to see such a thing.
And currently, that was more than enough for him.
He hadn’t seen their faces in too long, and he wasn’t about to stop whatever was currently making them happy.
Also, in the Duke’s mind, it was great that his precious son didn’t seem to be destined to be thrown out to the mines anymore.
Truly, his boy had matured and wasn’t going around dominating everyone!
If he only knew.
For one ruler would definitely disagree.
Still, there was really no denying it. When it ca to food, there was no question of Luca’s dominance.
Even the Orcs in King Garick’s party couldn’t hide their excitent over every single thing served today.
As beings who lived for food, particularly at, they couldn’t have imagined finding superior food in the land of these midgets.
And it wasn’t just one item. Even the drinks they served were enough to blow everyone’s mind.
Heck, even blood tasted better?!
When they’d first heard the na of the dish, they hesitated.
After all, while their ancestors had once fought with their teeth, biting into enemies raw on the battlefield, those days were long gone.
These days, no one in their right mind would bite into flesh unless they were dead sure it wasn’t contaminated with dormant corruption.
However, that didn’t an they were kept away from blood.
That would be impossible, for blood was sothing even the young Orcs were familiar with. It was sothing that lingered and stuck around.
Usually necessary for rituals, for rites of passage, or just an unfortunate result of battling. It was one of those things where they might enjoy fighting, but blood wasn’t sothing they’d crave.
The thought alone had been unthinkable.
Until today.
That giant vat hadn’t even lasted long.
The mont one brave soul took a chance, the whole line fell apart, and everyone scrambled for a bowl.
Even now, the great Orc King still felt irritated that he hadn’t been the first to try it.
However, more than the flavor and satisfaction brought about by the food they served, what was impossible to ignore was the sheer amount of spiritual energy packed into every dish, which would have been enough to sustain a battle.
And this was just dinner.
King Garick kept eating quietly, his mind churning.
What was his daughter thinking when she asked to co here?
Was this a show of might?
A veiled threat to force his hand?
But then he heard it.
Luca Kyros stood up.
The boy’s shy yet calm voice carried easily across the room as he smiled faintly and said:
"Thank you. To all of you, for making this possible."
He bowed his head slightly.
"Thank you for your contributions and for the enthusiasm that made this project succeed. And today..."
Luca gestured gracefully toward the tables.
"...is the day to marvel at the fruits of all your hard work. The lettuce you’re enjoying tonight ca from our first-ever harvest. From today onward, our supply chain will be even stronger. And it’s all thanks to everyone’s dedication."
The smile he gave them after that sent the hall into an uproar.
The people of House Kyros—including Princess Kira and Ada—cheered so loudly it startled the Orc guests.
Their voices practically shook the rafters.
Harvest? Supply chain? King Garick thought blankly, staring down at his plate.
His expression must’ve slipped, because his daughter suddenly leaned closer and grinned at him.
"Father," she said sweetly. "Will you join us tomorrow morning?"
The King frowned.
"Why? What’s there?"
Kira only flashed him another grin, her eyes glinting.
"My reason, Father."
King Garick blinked at her.
She didn’t look listless.
She didn’t look defeated.
In fact, she looked very much alive and fired up.
And for the first ti in a long ti, he wasn’t sure how to respond to his not-so-little baby girl.
Now, he’d be lying if he said it kept him up—because the mont he got back to his room, King Garick actually passed out cold from what could only be described as a food coma.
Between that carrot cake and that warm pork blood stew that had vanished from his plate the second he looked at it, he wasn’t sure which one got him this sleepy.
But he probably should figure it out.
After all, he couldn’t risk being assassinated by food.
What an unforeseen weakness. He thought blearily as his head hit the pillow.
And then he was out.
anwhile, the mbers of DG were cramd together in their usual corner, deep in discussion about tomorrow’s show and tell.
By now, they were lucky to have the completed dos ready for the tour.
But Luca was still nervous.
Even now, he hadn’t found the chance to properly apologize to King Garick for how their match went.
Princess Kira, perched on one arm of the couch, just shook her head at him with an easy grin.
"There’s really no problem," she assured him. "Letting them stuff themselves earlier? That was more than enough. Tomorrow, we’ll just show him what we’ve been working on."
But Luca still worried.
"But...is that enough?" he asked quietly, glancing around.
The answer ca imdiately, loud and unanimous.
"Way more than enough!" everyone chorused, exasperated but smiling.
Kira laughed, tossing her hair back.
"And if it’s still not enough," she added cheekily, "then I’ll just ask for another duel."
Her eyes sparkled as she grinned at them all.
"Really... thank you. All of you. For all your help."
Ada straightened beside her, bowing slightly as she added,
"Yes. Thank you. We probably wouldn’t even get the chance to try our luck if not for all of you."
The room was quiet for just a second, filled with nothing but quiet smiles.
And then soone muttered, "Alright then...let’s make sure tomorrow blows his mind too."
anwhile, while the manor slumbered in contentnt and joy, one Orc stirred.
Using an artifact, he concealed himself in the shadows.
Grakkar almost hadn’t made it this far. But he knew he’d pay with his life if he didn’t get this done tonight.
He’d already missed too many chances—King Garick was rarely left alone on foreign soil.
Tsk. Why did he have to end up with this job of all things?
But with this...he could finally accomplish his mission. After all, the people of House Kyros seed a little too lax for a supposed powerhouse.
That much was obvious. He hadn’t felt bloodlust or extre surveillance anywhere since he arrived.
He’d already failed to do anything back in the capital. And he hadn’t even been allowed near that so-called Daycare.
So this was it. Now or never.
Grakkar’s eyes narrowed as he moved soundlessly through the halls, making his way toward the place they called a kitchen.
If there was sothing he could tamper with unnoticed, it would likely be anything from there.
After all, it seed like King Garick wasn’t even wary of the food served by these puny humans.
It would be so easy.
However, while the Orc in concealnt was right about the people of House Kyros appearing relaxed...
It wasn’t due to incompetence.
No.
It was because sothing far worse was already guarding their backs.
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