Chapter 150: Cooking
Ezme and Atlas arrived just in time for dinner. Atlas’s parents welcomed them warmly, and Ezme greeted them with a curt bow.
"It’s been a while, and I’m glad you agreed to stay for some time," Atlas’s mother said, kissing Ezme on the cheek. They were then ushered straight to dinner.
As expected, it was more like a feast than a simple dinner. Fortunately, Ezme was already accustomed to eating a lot of human food, thanks to Atlas, who loved having her join him for every meal.
"I cooked all of your favorites, Son. I’m sure you’ve been missing them," Duchess Dona commented.
Atlas smiled widely. "That’s true, Mother. The cook in Ezekiel’s palace can’t compare to your dishes at all."
Ezme simply observed the familiar banter within the family, realizing just how much Atlas loved food. "These are all your favorites?" she asked.
Duchess Dona laughed. "You see, Atlas used to cry a lot when he was a kid. His sister Dani loved to tease him and make him cry, but it turned out he was someone you could easily appease with food. Dani would often offer him something to eat, and he’d stop being angry with her."
Ezme smiled, thinking about how food had played such a significant role in their family dynamics. It made her feel even more connected to them and gave her a new appreciation for the simple joys that bound them together.
Ezme wondered why it hadn’t occurred to her to cook Atlas his favorite dishes. But she wasn’t much of a cook.
"A way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, and that’s how my sweet Dona here managed to win my heart," Duke George teased his wife.
"Really?" Ezme asked curiously, thinking she should try that with Atlas, who undeniably loved eating.