Chapter 15: The first kill.
The couple was rather agitated and it was hard to guess which one was going to stress-eat the moment the discussion was over. Lee decided to go with his gut.
He casually sat next to Dale, put down the bowl, and joyfully asked, "What are you guys talking about?"
As expected, he wasn't welcomed one bit and Hannah tried to shoo him, "Not now, Lee! Go away!"
Lee pretended to throw a helpless glance towards the two, then sighed, took a nearby bowl with stew, and went back to where the large group from earlier was.
His absence was short and when Tess noticed him, her only question was, "You told me you had enough!"
"Mhm." Lee nodded and with full mouth said, "But it's so good!"
"Indeed!" Unexpectedly The Emperor joined in, "It's hard to believe a remote place like this has cooks of such quality."
"It's all in the salt." Lee involuntarily blurted out. This was something he used to tell Tess, but here everyone's surprised gazes turned towards the only child.
"... I hear things ..." Realizing he had to give an explanation, Lee said something vague.