CHAPTER 67
A foggy voice echoed within Farah's mind, muddled and distant. Her thoughts were cloudy, barely able to form properly. All she could think about was the tragedy of Al Rayan and everything that had happened to her.
Ah, a pig. Guess he is my new master. How I beg the ancestors to kill me.
Farah muttered the words silently within her own mind. Her head lifted slightly as she looked toward the Pig King, Cai Yok Tan.
The expression on his face made her stomach turn. His eyes wandered over her with a creepy, perverted, sick, and twisted expression, as though he had already claimed her in his mind.
It doesn't matter. Let him have his way with me. I heard he kills them after using them. He's worse than what my own son did to me and that bitch witch of his.
Her thoughts became cloudy again. Farah's eyes slowly lost their focus as the weight of her despair settled over her.
She had already begun preparing herself to accept her fate, believing that she would soon become nothing more than a sex slave to the Pig King, sold to the highest bidder in the auction hall.
Then a voice suddenly thundered through the hall.
"400 million gold!!!"
Farah's head snapped upward.
The sudden bid broke through the fog in her mind. Her tired eyes searched through the crowd before finally finding the person who had made the offer.
And sure enough, she recognized him at first glance.
"Dan...te...?"
Her voice barely escaped her lips.
For a moment, Farah simply stared at him, as though her eyes were refusing to believe what they were seeing.
Hold on, Your Grace. I'll get you out!
A telepathic message entered Farah's mind.
Her eyes widened.
It was Dante.
"No way..." she muttered under her breath, her voice trembling slightly. "Why is Dante in Tianyu? By right, he should be on the Ruthwilfer Trial for the inheritance of the Patriarch's chair."
She continued staring toward his booth, confusion mixing with disbelief. Of all the people who could have appeared before her at this moment, Dante was the last person she expected.
Before she could gather her thoughts, another voice rang across the auction hall.
"600 million!"
"601 million!"
"700 million!"
"701 million!"
The bids continued rising without hesitation.
Farah watched as the numbers climbed higher and higher. Her fate was becoming a battle between two men, and the realization made her chest tighten.
Cai Yok Tan's face twisted with irritation.
"You asshole! You dare bet against me?!!"
The Pig King turned toward Dante, his enormous body shifting aggressively in his seat. The bidding was becoming increasingly intense, and the entire hall had begun watching the confrontation between them.
"Don't tell me you have that kind of taste in women...?" Cai Yok Tan mocked, a sneer spreading across his face.
Dante remained calm.
He leaned back slightly in his seat, his eyes fixed on the Pig King. There was no fear in his expression. If anything, the corner of his mouth slowly curled upward.
"Since you're going full out, then I'M GOING FULL OUT!"
Dante slammed his hand against the table.
"I BID MY CASINO AS COLLATERAL, OINK!"
The entire hall erupted.
People gasped and shouted as heads turned toward Cai Yok Tan. Even some of the wealthy bidders who had been casually watching the auction suddenly leaned forward in disbelief.
The atmosphere had transformed from an ordinary auction into a battlefield.
Dante narrowed his eyes, already thinking about what else he could put on the line.
"Going once!"
The host raised the hammer high above his head.
"The Pig King is putting his casino house on the line? What a battle!"
"Fuck, the rich have it easy!"
Several individuals whispered among themselves, their faces filled with jealousy and disbelief. They could hardly believe that someone could casually place an entire casino house as collateral simply to win a single auction.
Cai Yok Tan leaned back with a smug grin.
"Guess you're all lost, boy. OINK! OINK! OINK! OINK!"
His laughter echoed through the hall.
But Dante merely smirked.
His hand slipped into his spatial ring.
He calmly reached inside and pulled something out.
"Then I put my Blood Diamond as collateral on the line, Fatty!"
The moment Dante revealed it, the entire atmosphere changed.
The Blood Diamond rested in his hand, shining under the lights of the auction hall.
It was the same Blood Diamond Dante had once purchased for nothing more than a single copper coin because everyone had mistaken it for a worthless, moldy rock.
Yet now, its value had become so astronomical that selling the entire Tianyu Dynasty might not have been enough to match its worth.
Cai Yok Tan's eyes widened.
"You! YOU!!!!!"
His face twisted with disbelief and rage.
The host's eyes widened as well, but she quickly regained his composure and raised the hammer.
"SOLD! Congratulations to bidder number 30 on a successful bid!"
The hammer slammed down.
Bang!
Farah remained frozen inside the cage.
For several seconds, she did not move.
Then her shoulders began trembling.
She had been prepared to surrender herself to the Pig King.
She had already accepted that no one would save her.
Yet somehow, Dante had appeared.
"DAMMIT!!! YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS, LAD!"
Cai Yok Tan rose from his seat in fury. His face had turned red with rage as he pointed toward Dante before suddenly turning toward the booth where Ryu Shion Meilin remained beneath the cloak.
"AND YOU TOO, OLD BAG OF A BITCH!"
His voice echoed throughout the hall.
The Pig King stormed away, enraged and humiliated, his heavy footsteps shaking the floor as the auction event finally came to an end.
Dante turned toward the cage.
Farah's eyes looked empty, almost lifeless.
But deep within them, there was a tiny spark.
A faint glimmer of hope.
She had been saved.
Not by a stranger.
Not by some wealthy bidder looking to claim her.
But by Dante.
The alternative had been being forced to sleep with a monster like Cai Yok Tan, and the thought alone made her body shudder.
Dante quietly made his way toward the registration counter for the purchased equipment and placed the Blood Diamond on the counter.
The mathematician behind the desk immediately began calculating the final amount, moving his abacus beads rapidly between his fingers.
"The total will be 900 million gold, thanks to Cai Yok Tan," the mathematician explained. "But as promised, regarding what happened earlier, we will return thirty percent of the gold coins to you."
His fingers stopped.
He performed the calculation one final time.
"The total you must pay is 630 million gold."
"Fair enough. Here you go."
Dante opened his spatial portal.
A massive amount of gold coins poured out, filling the space behind the counter as the workers stared in amazement.
The mathematician carefully counted the payment and eventually nodded.
Dante held out his hand.
"Can I have my diamond back? Thank you very much."
The worker returned the Blood Diamond after Dante had fully paid for everything he had bid on that day.
Dante slipped it back into his possession before turning away.
He and Kaen were then led toward the back of the auction house.
There, behind the main hall, stood the cage containing Farah.
She remained silent.
Her head was lowered, and her long hair partially covered her face.
The slave master approached the cage and unlocked it.
The metal door creaked open.
Farah slowly looked up.
The slave master reached for the ink used to place the slavery mark, preparing to brand her just as Kaen had been branded.
The ink touched Farah's shoulder.
She flinched immediately.
The sting caused her body to tense, but she did not resist.
"Congratulations. Enjoy this one, pal."
Later, back at the restaurant, Dante prepared a tray of food for Farah.
He placed the tray in front of her.
Warm rice and chicken filled the room with a comforting aroma.
Farah stared at the food.
Her hand slowly moved forward.
Her fingers were only inches away from touching the bowl when a fragment of memory suddenly returned.
Her eyes widened.
Her breathing stopped for a moment.
She recoiled instinctively, pulling her hand back as though the food itself had become dangerous.
Dante noticed immediately.
He did not question her.
Instead, he quietly picked up the spoon.
He scooped a small portion of warm rice with chicken and brought it toward her.
Farah hesitated.
Dante moved slowly, making sure not to frighten her.
"Take your time, Your Majesty," Dante said softly.
Farah's eyes trembled.
She stared at him for several seconds before finally opening her mouth.
Dante gently fed her.
Kaen watched from nearby.
It was the first time she had ever heard her master speak in such a soft tone.
Dante continued feeding Farah carefully, giving her enough time to swallow before offering another spoonful.
He noticed every small movement she made, every hesitation and every flicker of fear that crossed her face.
Eventually, Dante turned toward Kaen.
"Kaen, could you leave us so we can talk in private?" he asked.
Kaen nodded.
Without saying another word, she quietly left the room and closed the door behind her.
Dante returned his attention to Farah.
He continued feeding her for a moment, his movements patient and careful.
Then his expression softened.
"What happened?" Dante asked quietly. "This is not the Farah I knew four years ago."
His voice remained gentle.
There was concern in his eyes as he reached out and carefully caressed her, making sure she was all right.
"Forget it. We can talk about this tomorrow. Get some sleep."
Dante carefully tucked Farah into bed before stepping away. He glanced back at her for a moment, making sure she was comfortable before quietly closing the door, leaving it slightly ajar so he could check on her in case something happened during the night.
Four years ago...
When Dante was thirteen, the year was coming to an end, and the Kingdom of Valekoris was celebrating with great joy.
"Huh... Still can't believe that in this world, there is something like Christmas from my past life."
Dante muttered to himself as he walked through the streets, looking around at the cheerful civilians. People were handing out turkeys, fruitcakes, and presents to one another, while children ran through the streets laughing and playing in the snow.
The festive atmosphere was everywhere.
Dante, however, simply stared at it all with a mildly unimpressed expression.
"Ugh, spare me the jolliness of this..."
After spending a long time walking around town, Dante eventually returned to the Ruthwilfer residence.
As he entered the main hall, he immediately noticed a gathering of royalty.
Will, Evan, and Avabel Ruthwilfer were present, along with Evan's son, Taka Ruthwilfer. They were chatting with a royal guest from another kingdom.
"And then my son Kalel whipped out his sword and slayed those ogre bastards," the man said proudly.
He wore elegant Arabian royal clothing, with expensive fabrics and ornaments that made it obvious he was a king.
However, while the man continued talking about his son's accomplishments, Evan couldn't help but glance toward the king's wife standing beside him.
His eyes lingered a little too long.
"Admiring the view, Evan?"
Avabel suddenly tugged on his shoulder, pulling him back to reality.
"N... no! I have a wife," Evan stuttered, immediately looking away.
"Sure you do," Avabel teased.
She then noticed Dante standing at the entrance.
Dante had no intention of getting involved with them. He was already turning around, preparing to leave them to their business.
Avabel, however, suddenly thought of something.
A mischievous smile appeared on her face.
"Boy, come here. Let us introduce you as well, since you're a Ruthwilfer."
Dante stopped.
He slowly turned his head toward her.
"Not interested, Gorilla Bitch."
"Pfft!"
Evan nearly burst out laughing.
Avabel immediately shot him a murderous glare.
"I mean... how dare you call your aunt a Gorilla Bitch!" Evan said, suddenly trying to sound serious. "Where are your manners?"
Dante stared at him without the slightest change in expression.
"Did I stutter, you purple haired baboon?"
"Pfft!"
This time, Avabel almost burst out laughing.
She quickly covered her mouth, trying to hold it back.
Karma had somehow struck both of them at the same time.
Evan and Avabel looked at each other for a moment, both realizing they had somehow ended up on the receiving end of Dante's insults.
"Dante, I'm ordering you to come here, son."
Dante paused.
His expression immediately changed.
For the first time, Will Ruthwilfer had called him "son."
Dante slowly turned around.
His eyes narrowed, and a cold, deathly glare settled upon his face.
"I am no son to you, Patriarch."
Dante slammed the door to the hallway behind him.
The sound echoed throughout the hall.
Silence followed.
The royal guests exchanged awkward glances.
The Arabian king slowly turned toward Will.
"So perhaps I may ask... is that the wedlock son of yours, Will?"
Will turned back toward the king.
"Yes. How do you know?"
"My wife was eager to meet this Dante Ruthwilfer of yours. She was very excited when she learned about this sweet candy known as chocolate."
The Queen of Al Rayan stepped forward.
She carried herself with an elegant confidence, her royal attire moving gracefully with every step.
"Yes, I'm very fascinated by this chocolate he produced and sold throughout the northern regions during our travels," she said.
Her curiosity was genuine.
"Perhaps another time, when his mood has cooled down. Let's have dinner. I will personally talk to Dante myself," Will said.
The Arabian king agreed, apparently deciding that changing the subject would be better for the moment.
As they made their way toward the dining hall, the king leaned closer to Will and quietly asked a question.
"Why does your son hate you? I know he is a wedlock child, but still... isn't he your firstborn?"
Will sighed.
"True. The truth is, I was a young and foolish man. I took the throne at a young age and did immature things back then. I slept with a woman and... killed her when I found out she was pregnant with my child."
The king's expression became uncomfortable.
"Okay... understandable, except for the killing. But why bring him here if you knew this woman had no desire to come to you? Well, child support, at least?"
"Again, I was young and foolish. And yes, I assumed that. But if word got out, the Ruthwilfer name would be smeared."
"I see..." the king replied.
The two continued walking until they reached the dining hall.
The table had already been prepared.
Everyone took their seats and waited for dinner to be served.
A few minutes passed.
Then a few more.
Nearly seven minutes had gone by.
The king looked around the table.
"Ummm... Will?"
Will glanced toward the empty serving area.
"I will go check myself."
Diana Ruthwilfer immediately rose from her seat.
"I'll come too."
The two made their way toward the kitchen.
The moment they entered, Will's expression hardened.
"What is going on?!"
The servants immediately turned toward him.
"Forgive us, Patriarch. But today's inventory... take a look."
Will and Diana walked over to the storage area.
They checked the supplies.
Then both of them froze.
"Empty? Why is it empty?!"
"The cargo was supposed to arrive this evening, but due to the snow, it got delayed at the last minute."
"Fuck! What do we have right now?"
The servant nervously looked at the remaining ingredients.
"These."
The servant began laying everything out on the counter.
Two whole chickens, still uncut.
Onions.
Enough rice to feed ten people.
Seasonings.
Cloves of garlic.
Basil leaves.
Turmeric powder.
"That's all that's left," the servant explained.
"We tried to come up with a dish that could be made with these remaining ingredients, but we couldn't come up with anything."
Will stared at the ingredients.
"Hmmm... What to do?"
He rubbed his chin, trying to think of an alternative.
Diana suddenly stepped forward.
"I have an idea, Nephew."
Will turned toward her.
"Yes, Aunt Diana? Do you have anything that can save us from this havoc and humiliation?"
"Give me a minute. I'll be back."
Before Will could ask another question, Diana stormed out of the dining hall.
The king and Farah remained confused as they watched her leave.
Back in the kitchen, Will simply stared after her.
"What is she planning?"
Diana rushed outside toward the white bricked shed.
She opened the door.
Inside, Dante was busy with his forging practice.
The sound of metal striking metal echoed through the shed.
"Hmm? Lady Diana? What are you doing here at this time?"
Dante lowered his weapon and looked toward her.
"We... I mean, I need your help."
Dante narrowed his eyes.
"...Don't lie."
Diana sighed.
"Fine. We need your help. Something happened, and the only person who has been making miracles over the past few years, from a child into a teenager, can do it."
Dante rolled his eyes.
He clearly did not like being dragged into whatever disaster was happening inside the palace.
Still, after a moment, he lowered his weapon.
"I'm doing this only for you, not for him."
A few minutes later...
Diana walked back into the dining hall with Dante beside her.
The king and Farah were still confused as to why she had brought Dante into the kitchen.
Even Avabel, Evan, and Taka were stunned.
The servants and chefs were equally surprised.
Even Will Ruthwilfer stared at Dante in confusion.
"Why did you bring him?" Will asked.
"Because I believe his weird inventions and weird cooking skills can change something."
Diana gestured toward the ingredients.
"Dante, look at the ingredients. Tell me anything you can come up with."
Dante walked toward the table.
He looked over everything carefully.
His eyes moved from the rice to the chickens, then toward the onions, garlic, basil, turmeric, and seasonings.
"Huh. These ingredients can make something from the recipe books you all have."
The chef immediately stepped forward in panic.
"It's not enough! We're feeding royalty from outside the north! The NORTH!"
Dante immediately raised both hands toward his ears.
"Okay, I get it, damn. You don't need to spray your panic all over my face."
He reached toward the rice and picked up the container.
Dante poured the rice into a metal bowl and handed it to the servant.
"Go wash it and rinse it three times."
The servant stared at him.
"Umm... Usually, we just add water and let it cook."
Dante gave him an unimpressed look.
"And that is one reason why I don't eat from this kitchen and make something to eat by myself."
He pointed toward the washing area.
"Just fucking do what I told you to do and bring it back."
The servant quickly nodded and hurried away with the rice.
Diana looked at Dante curiously.
"Dante, what are you going to cook?"
Dante calmly looked over the ingredients again.
"Biriyani."
"Ehh?"
The entire kitchen fell silent.
Everyone stared at Dante.
The word he had casually spoken was completely foreign to them.
A dish they had never heard of.
A name that meant absolutely nothing to anyone in the kitchen.
Dante, meanwhile, simply stood there as though he had just announced the most ordinary dish in the world.
Dante, meanwhile, simply stood there as though he had just announced the most ordinary dish in the world.
"First, we need to prepare the chicken."
Dante picked up one of the whole chickens and placed it on the cutting board.
The chef watched him closely.
"What are you doing?"
"Making dinner."
"I know that, but what kind of dish is this?"
"Biriyani."
"You already said that!"
"Then why did you ask?"
The chef's face twitched.
Dante ignored him and began preparing the chicken. He cut it into manageable pieces, separating the larger portions so that the meat could cook evenly. He then placed the chicken into a large metal bowl.
"Onions."
A servant immediately handed them over.
"Garlic."
Another servant quickly passed him the cloves.
"Turmeric."
Dante sprinkled a small amount over the chicken before adding the garlic and seasonings. He mixed everything together with his hands, making sure the spices coated every piece of meat.
The servants watched with increasing curiosity.
Dante then looked toward the washed rice.
"Bring it here."
The servant hurried over and handed him the bowl.
Dante examined the grains between his fingers.
"Good. Now we cook the rice separately first."
The chef blinked.
"Separately?"
"Yes."
"But if we're making a rice dish, shouldn't we simply put everything together?"
Dante slowly turned his head.
"Do you want to cook it or do you want to keep asking questions?"
The chef immediately shut his mouth.
Dante placed a large cooking pot over the fire.
He poured water inside and added the rice.
"Don't let it become completely soft," Dante instructed. "We only want it partially cooked. The rice will finish cooking later."
The servants nodded and carefully followed his instructions.
Dante then moved toward another large pan.
He added oil and began heating it.
Once the oil became hot, he dropped in the sliced onions.
The onions immediately began sizzling.
The sound filled the kitchen.
Dante stirred them slowly, watching their colour change as they softened.
"Keep stirring. Don't burn them."
One of the servants took over while Dante moved back toward the chicken.
He checked the seasoning and added a little more turmeric.
Then he paused.
His expression changed slightly.
"Actually..."
Dante looked toward the kitchen entrance.
"Wait here."
Diana raised an eyebrow.
"Where are you going?"
"My shed."
"Your shed?"
"I forgot something."
Before anyone could question him further, Dante walked out of the kitchen.
He crossed the courtyard and returned to the white bricked shed.
Instead of entering immediately, he walked around to the small garden he had cultivated beside it.
The garden was filled with plants that were unfamiliar to most people in Vakekoris.
Dante crouched down and began picking several spices and herbs he had grown himself.
He gathered what he needed before standing back up.
"These should do."
Dante returned to the kitchen carrying a small collection of dried spices and freshly harvested herbs.
The servants stared.
"What are those?" Diana asked.
"Spices."
"I can see that. What are they for?"
Dante placed them on the counter.
"The king and queen are from Al Rayan."
Diana nodded.
"So?"
"So they're used to the flavours from their homeland."
Dante began crushing some of the spices between his fingers.
"If I make this entirely according to the northern taste, they'll probably enjoy it, but it'll still feel unfamiliar."
He added another spice into the mixture.
Diana's expression softened slightly.
Dante continued preparing the spices.
"They're guests. If I can give them something that reminds their tongues of home while introducing them to something new, they'll be more comfortable with it."
Diana stared at him for a moment.
Despite everything between Dante and the Ruthwilfer family, there was something strangely considerate about the way he approached the meal.
Dante placed the spices into the cooking mixture.
The aroma immediately began spreading throughout the kitchen.
The servants stopped what they were doing.
One of them took a slow breath.
"What... is that smell?"
Dante smirked.
"Now you're starting to understand."
He returned to the chicken.
The marinated pieces were placed into the large cooking pot, followed by the softened onions, garlic, and the additional spices.
Dante stirred everything together.
The chicken began cooking in the thick, fragrant mixture.
The aroma grew stronger with every passing minute.
Even the chef, who had been skeptical from the beginning, slowly leaned closer.
"I've never smelled anything like this."
"That's because you've never eaten biriyani."
Dante then checked the rice.
He lifted a small amount with a spoon and pressed one grain between his fingers.
"Almost."
He waited a little longer before turning the heat down.
"Take it out."
The servants quickly followed his instruction.
The partially cooked rice was drained and set aside.
Dante then checked the chicken.
The meat was beginning to absorb the spices, while the sauce had thickened around it.
"Good."
He carefully spread a layer of rice over the chicken.
Then another layer of the spiced chicken mixture.
Then more rice.
The kitchen became completely silent as everyone watched.
Dante repeated the process until the ingredients were layered inside the pot.
"What are you doing now?" the chef asked.
"Letting them finish together."
Dante placed the lid over the pot.
"Low heat."
The servant adjusted the fire.
"And now?"
"Now we wait."
The chef stared at the covered pot.
"That's it?"
Dante turned toward him.
"For this part, yes."
The chef looked disappointed.
Dante simply folded his arms.
"Good food takes time."
The aroma continued spreading through the kitchen.
It escaped through the doorway and slowly drifted toward the dining hall.
The Arabian king suddenly lifted his head.
He looked toward the kitchen.
"Do you smell that?"
Farah also noticed the unfamiliar fragrance.
She glanced toward the kitchen with curiosity.
Avabel sniffed the air.
"What is that?"
Evan leaned back slightly.
"It smells... surprisingly good."
Taka looked toward the kitchen.
"Is that what Dante is making?"
Will remained silent.
He simply stared toward the doorway.
Meanwhile, inside the kitchen, Dante continued waiting beside the pot.
After several more minutes, he finally reached for the lid.
He slowly lifted it.
A cloud of fragrant steam rose into the air.
The smell immediately filled the kitchen.
The servants stared at the finished dish.
Golden rice rested above the tender pieces of chicken, with the spices and herbs giving the entire meal a rich aroma.
Dante picked up a spoon and gently mixed the layers together, making sure the chicken and rice were evenly distributed.
"Done."
Diana stepped closer.
"That's biriyani?"
Dante nodded.
"Chicken biriyani."
The chef stared at the dish.
"I... honestly don't know what to say."
Dante picked up the serving utensils.
"Then don't say anything."
He began preparing the plates.
"Just serve it."
The servants quickly gathered around him, carefully placing the biriyani onto the plates.
Dante looked over the final portions.
Then he nodded.
"Take them to the dining hall."
The servants carried the steaming plates out of the kitchen.
Dante followed behind them, his hands resting casually at his sides.
The moment the first plate was placed before the Arabian king, the king looked down at the unfamiliar dish.
The Queen of Al Rayan leaned closer.
Both of them exchanged a curious glance.
Neither of them knew what Dante had prepared.
But the aroma alone had already captured their attention.
Dante glanced back toward the kitchen.
There was still some chicken left over.
He stared at the remaining pieces for a moment before an idea suddenly came to him.
"Hmm..."
Dante turned toward the servants.
"Keep serving the biriyani. I've got something else in mind for the side dishes."
The servants exchanged confused looks, but Dante had already picked up the remaining chicken.
He placed the pieces onto the cutting board and began cutting them into smaller portions.
He separated them into different piles, arranging each portion according to what he intended to make.
The first batch would be fried.
The second would become something much more aggressive.
Dante seasoned both batches, rubbing the spices into the chicken before preparing the cooking pans.
One pan was filled with oil and placed over the fire.
Another pot was placed beside it.
Dante reached into his bag and pulled out a small sealed container.
The chef immediately became curious.
"What is that?"
Dante opened the container.
Dark brown liquid filled it.
"Soy sauce."
The chef stared at him.
"Soy... what?"
"Something I made."
Dante poured some of the soy sauce into a smaller bowl.
Then he pulled out several chillies from his bag.
The chef's eyes widened.
"You're adding those?"
Dante looked at the chillies.
"Of course."
"Those things are ridiculously spicy!"
Dante shrugged.
"That's the point."
He sliced the chillies into thin pieces and set them aside.
The oil in the first pan was now hot.
Dante carefully lowered the seasoned chicken into it.
The moment the pieces touched the oil, they began sizzling violently.
The kitchen filled with the sound of frying meat.
Dante turned each piece one by one, making sure they developed an even golden-brown crust.
Meanwhile, he moved to the second pan.
He added a small amount of oil, followed by the chillies.
They immediately released a sharp, fiery aroma.
Dante added the second batch of chicken and began stir-frying it.
The flames flickered beneath the pan as he tossed the pieces around.
Then came the soy sauce.
Dante poured it over the chicken.
The dark sauce coated every piece, mixing with the chilli and spices.
The aroma changed almost instantly.
It became smoky, savoury, salty, and intensely spicy.
Diana coughed once.
"Dante..."
"What?"
"Are you sure that's safe?"
Dante continued stirring.
"Depends on who is eating it."
He gave the chicken another toss.
"Which is why I'm making two different dishes."
The fried chicken continued cooking in the other pan until the coating became crisp and golden.
A few minutes later, Dante turned off both fires.
"Done."
The servants quickly brought over two large serving plates.
Dante placed the fried chicken onto the first.
Crispy pieces of golden-brown chicken piled neatly across the plate.
Then he transferred the chilli chicken onto the second.
The pieces were coated in a dark, glossy layer of soy sauce, with thin red chillies scattered throughout.
Dante looked at both dishes.
"Perfect."
The servants carried the side dishes toward the dining hall.
Dante followed behind them.
By the time the dishes reached the table, everyone had already begun eating the biriyani.
The Arabian king had taken his first bite.
He paused.
His eyes widened slightly.
The Queen of Al Rayan also tasted it.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The fragrant rice, tender chicken, and unfamiliar combination of spices had created a flavour neither of them had expected.
Farah slowly tasted another bite.
Her expression softened with surprise.
"This is..."
She looked toward the kitchen.
"Very different."
The king nodded slowly.
"But in a good way."
Dante remained standing nearby with his arms crossed.
"Good."
The servants then placed the two side dishes onto the table.
Everyone looked at them.
Avabel pointed toward the fried chicken.
"What are those?"
"Side dishes."
Dante casually pulled out a chair and sat down.
"Try them."
Taka immediately grabbed a piece of fried chicken.
He bit into it.
The crisp coating cracked beneath his teeth.
His eyes widened.
"Whoa..."
He quickly took another bite.
"This is really good!"
Evan reached for one as well.
He tasted it and nodded.
"I'll admit it. The boy knows what he's doing."
Avabel grabbed a piece next.
She chewed slowly before smiling.
"Not bad."
Dante raised an eyebrow.
"Not bad?"
Avabel glanced at him.
"Don't get cocky."
Dante shrugged.
"I wasn't."
The Arabian king also tried the fried chicken.
He took a bite and nodded approvingly.
Farah followed.
She seemed equally pleased.
But then the king noticed the second dish.
His eyes moved toward the dark, glossy chicken covered with chillies.
"And what is this?"
Dante pointed toward it.
"Chilli chicken."
The king looked at the red chillies scattered across the dish.
"Is it spicy?"
Dante smiled faintly.
"Very."
Taka's eyes immediately lit up.
"Then I want to try it!"
Dante looked at him.
"Your funeral."
Taka ignored the warning and picked up a piece.
He took a bite.
For the first few seconds, nothing happened.
He chewed.
Then his eyes suddenly widened.
His face turned red.
"H-HOT!"
He slammed his hand onto the table.
Everyone looked at him.
Taka grabbed his glass of water and drank almost the entire thing in one go.
"So hot! He's trying to kill me!"
Dante stared at him.
"I literally warned you."
Evan began coughing after trying his own piece.
Avabel's eyes watered as she desperately reached for her glass.
"This... this is fucking spicy!"
Even Will, who had tried to maintain his dignity throughout the dinner, was now silently reaching for his water.
His eyes had begun watering.
Dante noticed.
He smirked.
"Patriarch, you alright?"
Will glared at him while drinking.
"Perfectly fine."
His voice was noticeably strained.
Dante nodded.
"Sure."
The sight almost made Diana laugh.
Meanwhile, the Arabian king slowly chewed his portion of the chilli chicken.
Unlike the Ruthwilfers, he did not immediately reach for water.
Instead, he paused and allowed the heat to settle across his tongue.
His expression changed.
Then he smiled.
"This..."
He looked toward Farah.
Farah had also tasted it.
She was handling the spice much better than everyone else at the table.
"It reminds me of home," she said.
Dante's expression softened slightly.
"That's what I was going for."
The king looked at him with renewed interest.
"You made this specifically with us in mind?"
Dante nodded.
"The northern palate is different from what you're accustomed to. I figured you'd appreciate something with a little more heat and a flavour closer to what you're familiar with."
The king smiled.
"You are quite considerate for someone who seemed determined not to speak to us earlier."
Dante looked away.
"Don't misunderstand. I just wanted the food to be good."
Farah smiled faintly.
"Still, thank you."
Dante glanced at her.
He gave a small nod.
"You're welcome."
The king took another bite of the chilli chicken.
"This is excellent."
Farah nodded in agreement.
"So is the biriyani."
The king looked toward the table filled with the dishes.
"Your son has quite a talent, Will."
Will remained silent for a moment.
He glanced toward Dante.
Dante was already eating casually, seemingly uninterested in the praise.
Will's expression became complicated.
For all the strange inventions and unusual skills Dante possessed, he had never expected the boy to create a meal capable of impressing foreign royalty.
The Arabian king raised his glass.
"To Dante Ruthwilfer."
Dante slowly looked up.
The king smiled.
"Thank you for the meal."
Dante stared at him for a moment before giving a small, almost reluctant smile.
"Yeah."
He picked up another piece of fried chicken.
"Enjoy it while it's hot."
After everything was finally settled, Dante headed back toward his shed.
It had been a long day.
Between preparing dinner, dealing with the royal guests, and somehow ending up impressing an entire table of nobles with food they had never tasted before, Dante was exhausted.
All he wanted now was sleep.
He reached his shed, stepped inside, and was just about to head toward his bed when—
Knock. Knock.
Dante stopped.
He slowly turned toward the door.
"Ugh... why always me?"
He shrugged and walked over to open it.
The moment he did, his eyes widened slightly.
Standing outside was the Queen of Al Rayan.
Farah.
Alone.
Dante immediately peeked left.
Then right.
His eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"Your Highness, you're alone, and somehow I'm going to get in trouble for this later, so please get to the point."
Farah chuckled at his paranoia.
"Relax. I only came because I wanted to thank you properly."
Dante leaned against the doorway.
"For the meal?"
"Yes. The chilli chicken was delicious."
Farah smiled.
"But I believe there was another reason behind it."
"The snow."
Farah's expression brightened.
"I was right."
She folded her hands gracefully.
"You used the heat and spices of the chilli chicken to warm our bodies against the cold."
Dante nodded.
"Exactly."
He glanced back toward his bed.
"And you're welcome. Anything else?"
"Chocolate."
Dante blinked.
"Come again?"
"I would like to invest in your chocolate and help spread it throughout the southern regions."
Dante's expression became more attentive.
"Why?"
Farah stepped closer.
"Because your chocolate has something the southern markets have not seen before. The northern regions already know of it, but Al Rayan and the surrounding territories have yet to experience it properly."
She paused.
"If we establish a trade arrangement between us, I can introduce your chocolate to merchants throughout the southern region. You would provide the product, while my side would handle distribution and trade."
Dante considered her words.
"And what's in it for you?"
"Profit, of course."
Farah smiled.
"But not only that. I believe your product has potential beyond the northern kingdoms. If handled properly, it could become a valuable luxury good throughout the southern territories."
Dante crossed his arms.
"You've thought this through."
"I have."
They continued discussing the details for several minutes.
Dante asked questions about trade routes, distribution, merchants, and how much control he would retain over his recipe and production.
Farah answered each one without hesitation.
Eventually, Dante gave a small nod.
"Fine. I'll agree to the investment."
Farah smiled.
"Excellent."
Dante looked at her.
"For a queen, you've got a sharp mind for business."
Farah laughed softly.
"Before I became this..."
She paused, choosing her words carefully.
"...I lived a very different life."
Dante listened.
"I was once a dancer in Al Rayan. I performed on stages in local establishments before I met the king."
She smiled faintly at the memory.
"The king eventually fell for me, and I fell for him as well. His kindness and righteousness were what convinced me that I could trust him."
Farah looked toward Dante.
"You have skills, Dante. You are secretive about them, but I respect that."
Her expression became more serious.
"If the public learns your recipes, there will always be people who try to alter them and claim that they created them first. Your work could be copied, and your name could be erased from it."
Dante gave a small smirk.
"I have my ways of making sure that doesn't happen."
"Of course you do."
Farah chuckled.
"Well, it was nice getting to know you."
She paused.
"But perhaps I should give you something in return."
Dante raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
Farah stepped farther into the shed.
She closed the door behind herself.
"Something from my past."
Dante looked confused.
Farah then began performing a graceful traditional dance from Al Rayan.
Her movements were precise and elegant, carrying the rhythm and cultural style she had learned during her years as a performer. There was confidence in every step, but also a sense of nostalgia, as though she were briefly returning to a part of herself that she had left behind.
Dante watched quietly.
He had expected another business discussion.
Instead, he found himself watching the Queen of Al Rayan perform a dance from her homeland.
After several moments, Farah brought the performance to an elegant conclusion.
She looked at him.
"What do you think?"
Dante gave her a small smirk.
"Still got it."
Farah laughed.
"Naughty boy."
She walked over and gently kissed Dante on the forehead.
"May this collaboration between us prosper for both our kingdoms, Dante."
Dante gave a small nod.
"I'll drink to that."
Farah opened the door and left the shed.
Dante watched her disappear into the hallway before closing the door.
He stood there for a moment.
Then he shook his head.
"Damn. Got a traditional Al-Rayan dance from the queen herself?"
He chuckled.
"Lucky."
Coming back to reality of the present time...
Dante stood quietly against the wall.
His eyes rested on Farah, who was sleeping soundly.
For the first time since bringing her back, she appeared peaceful.
Dante remained there for several moments, making sure she was breathing comfortably and that nothing seemed wrong.
Eventually, he turned away.
He walked back toward his own room.
Before entering, however, Dante left the door slightly ajar.
That way, if Farah woke during the night or needed assistance, he would hear her.
He quietly settled into bed.
The room became silent.
For now, Farah was safe.
And that was enough.
---
Chapter 67 — End