The bowls were empty.
The broth gone.
Only the warmth remained.
Leon stood to clear the table, gathering the bowls one by one. "I'll cook again later," he said casually. "Maybe something lighter. Soup doesn't travel as far."
Elena froze.
The attendant was still savoring the aftertaste, eyes half-lidded in quiet bliss. The man from Earth looked at the empty bowl like it had betrayed him by ending too soon.
Elena set her fork down—slowly, deliberately.
"No," she said.
Leon paused mid-step and looked at her. "No?"
She stood, walked over, and took the bowls from his hands. Her movements were calm, composed—but her eyes were serious in a way Leon rarely saw.
"You're not cooking anymore," she said.
The room went silent.
The attendant blinked. "Ah…?"
Leon frowned slightly. "Elena, it's fine. I like cooking."
"I know," she replied. Then, in one smooth motion, she turned back to the others, placing the bowls on the counter.
"That's exactly why."
She faced them fully now, posture straight, voice clear. "From now on, I'll be the one who cooks."
The man from Earth hesitated. "Uh… did I do something wrong?"
"No," Elena said gently. "You did nothing wrong."
She glanced at Leon—just once—then continued, her tone warm but firm.
"My husband doesn't realize how much attention he draws."
The word landed like a spell.
Husband.
Leon felt it hit his chest before his mind caught up. His mouth opened—then closed again. For a heartbeat, he forgot how to speak.
The attendant's eyes widened a fraction. "Husband…?" she echoed, then smiled, suddenly understanding.
"Oh," she said. "That explains the mana density."
The man from Earth straightened at once. "S-sorry, sir. Ma'am."
Elena smiled at him, reassuring. "There's nothing to apologize for."
Then she turned back to Leon. Her voice softened—but it didn't lose its certainty.
"You cook like it's nothing," she said. "But people will follow that smell. They already did."
Leon rubbed the back of his neck. "…I didn't notice."
"I know," she replied. "That's why I noticed for you."
Another silence fell—different from before. Warmer. Heavier.
Finally, Leon nodded. "Alright," he said quietly. "You cook."
Relief flickered across her face.
The attendant cleared her throat. "In that case… may I return sometime? For official reasons, of course."
Elena chuckled. "If you do, you'll eat what I make."
"I look forward to it," the attendant said sincerely.
The man from Earth bowed awkwardly. "Thank you. For the food. And… for the kindness."
Leon watched them leave, the door closing softly behind them. The room felt larger now. Quieter.
Elena turned to him.
"Husband," she said again—this time just for him.
He met her eyes. The word no longer startled him.
"…Yes?"
She smiled.