Melina's Visit (5)
“It’s done!”
Melina’s lively voice rang out from the kitchen, cutting through the languid air like a breath of fresh wind. Elisha followed quietly behind her, holding a plate. At the same moment, a savory yet alluring aroma filled the living room. The tantalizing scent tickling my nose brought an involuntary smile to my face.
“Ta-da! What do you think? Looks delicious, right?”
Melina proudly lifted her plate with both hands, winking slyly at me. Her expression brimmed with confidence and a touch of excitement.
“We put our hearts into it, so it won’t disappoint.”
Elisha carried a different air about her—calm and serene, with a quiet smile as she set her plate on the table. Yet her eyes held a subtle tension mingled with anticipation. It was her way of letting her efforts speak louder than words.
The two plates before me immediately captured my attention. Truth be told, neither character was known for cooking prowess in the game’s lore, so I hadn’t expected this level of perfection. I’d even imagined them fumbling in the kitchen, bickering or producing something comically disastrous. The sheer unexpectedness amplified my surprise.
“This is a dish elves secretly love to eat!”
Melina pointed to her creation with an open palm, her voice bubbling with energy as she explained. Her plate featured a vibrant pasta reminiscent of a Mediterranean summer. Bright red tomato sauce generously coated the noodles, mingled with finely chopped olives, fresh herbs, and plump shrimp, arranged like a masterpiece painting.
“Seafood’s hard to come by in the forest depths, you know? But here, it was surprisingly easy to find!”
“I picked the freshest shrimp especially.”
There was a note of pride in her tone. According to the game’s setting, elves living deep in the forest around the World Tree rarely had access to ocean fare. Melina’s delight at procuring shrimp perfectly reflected her personality.
“I poured my full focus into every moment of preparing it—all for you.”
Melina didn’t hesitate to tout the effort she’d invested.
“Now it’s my turn.”
Elisha spoke softly, presenting her plate. Her dish epitomized luxury. Thick-cut tenderloin steak, perfectly seared to medium-rare, glistened under a layer of butter sauce. The meat’s fragrant aroma wafted subtly, stirring my appetite. On the side, creamy mashed potatoes and salt-seasoned asparagus balanced the plate flawlessly.
“Pasta’s nice for a light bite, but a proper meal calls for something like this.”
Her tone emphasized her elegance more than the food itself. She took pride in her dish in a way distinct from Melina’s.
“You both made something incredible.”
I alternated glances between the plates, voicing my genuine admiration. The quality exceeded my expectations, and the scents alone made my mouth water.
“Hurry and try it!”
Melina urged me impatiently, her eyes sparkling with eagerness for my reaction above all else.
“Alright, let’s start with yours.”
I speared a forkful of Melina’s pasta first. The moment the well-cooked noodles, tomato sauce, and a large shrimp hit my tongue, my mind went blank—at least, that’s how it felt.
“...Whoa.”
The first bite was like warm sunlight flooding my mouth. The fresh tomato sauce exploded in flavor, followed by the salty olives and subtle herbs. Finally, the shrimp’s bouncy texture and deep oceanic essence lingered, leaving a gentle aftertaste.
“Delicious...”
My murmured words echoed in the air. Melina puffed out her chest triumphantly, beaming with pride.
“Right? It’s not like some big-talker who’s all mouth and no skill!”
She tilted her head smugly toward Elisha, her voice laced with provocation that was anything but subtle.
“Tch...”
Elisha, predictably, wouldn’t let that slide. Her brow furrowed slightly, lips twisting as she let out a sigh and clicked her tongue.
“How childish. Is bragging about yourself the best you can do?”
“Ha! I’ll take that as the loser’s excuse~?”
Melina bristled at Elisha’s retort but didn’t back down. If anything, she grinned like she was enjoying the spar, tapping the table.
“Now try mine!”
Elisha extended her dish, striving to remain composed. Her gaze burned with intensity—she craved my praise more than anyone.
“You’ll love it, for sure.”
I eyed her steak. The meticulously grilled slab and velvety mash drew me in. Out of the corner of my eye, I felt Melina watching with arms crossed, prodding me on.
With no choice, I cut a bite-sized piece with fork and knife.
“...”
The instant it touched my tongue, an unexpected wave of sensation erupted.
“Whoa.”
Juices burst forth, the tender texture and rich umami shocking me. The nutty, salty butter sauce amplified the meat’s natural savoriness, while the mash and subtly sweet asparagus created perfect harmony. I nodded slowly, savoring it.
“Delicious... Probably the best steak I’ve ever had.”
At my quiet verdict, Elisha’s expression shifted dramatically. The frustration from Melina’s taunts vanished, replaced by serene confidence.
“See? I told you I’m not inferior to Melina.”
She crossed her arms haughtily, lips curling in a smirk laced with mocking delight toward Melina.
Melina’s face flushed red, her frustration plain as day.
“Ugh, try it again!”
She hurriedly twirled more pasta on her fork and shoved it toward me.
“Ah~”
Melina made the sound exaggeratedly, staring expectantly. I froze, flustered, but Elisha wasn’t about to sit idle.
“Hold on—what do you think you’re doing? Feeding Arnold directly? That’s not fair!”
Elisha snatched a fork, sliced a piece of steak, and aimed it at my mouth.
“Wait...”
I tried to intervene, but their rivalry showed no signs of yielding. Both leaned in close, insisting on feeding me, their enthusiasm bordering on overkill.
“Eat my food!”
“No, mine!”
Their voices overlapped in a petty squabble. I scratched my head, mortified. They weren’t kids—this was embarrassingly childish.
But the spectacle didn’t last.
Clunk—
The front door suddenly swung open.
“Huh?”
I tensed at the unexpected intruder. No one should be visiting now, let alone entering without permission.
“Huh...?”
Turning, I spotted the blonde woman in the entryway—and my heart skipped a beat. Her cascading golden hair and sea-blue eyes caught the light. But those eyes soon clouded over. The clarity faded, replaced by a chilling aura that froze the air.
“Master?”
Her low murmur cut like ice. Her bag slipped from her hand, thudding dully on the floor.
“Eily...”
I stammered her name in bewilderment, but only for a moment. Eily stood frozen, scanning the scene. Her gaze swept over the dishes on the table, then flicked between the bickering Melina and Elisha before me.
Soon, her face settled into an emotionless chill.
“What... is going on here?”
Her voice was low and hollow. Her cold stare pierced Melina and Elisha like a winter gale.
“Eily?”
“Oh...”
The two women, moments ago ablaze with rivalry, went rigid. The atmosphere iced over in an instant, turning frigid.