"You… You… WHAT!"
A loud roar echoed through the estate, shaking the walls.
Ethan stood frozen with his expression turning pale as he slowly looked toward the source.
Sophia stood there, her face became red with shame hearing the voice echoing through the hall.
"You forgot about me? How the hell can you forget about me?" she shouted.
"I was locked away for just two months, and now I come back to find another woman?"
Ethan coughed awkwardly, his face stiff. "I was busy, I forgot. But you…"
"What do you mean by that?" Sophia crossed her arms, glaring at him. "Who took care of the marriage arrangements? Me! Who made sure everything ran smoothly while you played hero? Me!" She patted her chest proudly.
Ray stood nearby, staring at his parents with a blank face. For a moment, he wondered if he was really their son or just some lost child they picked up from the street.
His eyes wandered around the room until they fell on a trembling figure hiding behind Lia.
"Miranda!" he shouted suddenly.
"Y-Yes!" Miranda jumped to her feet with a frightened salute, her expression tense as if she were about to march into battle.
"What do you mean, yes?" Ray stepped forward, his glare sharp. "How could you forget your dear brother?"
Miranda froze. Her lips trembled as she searched for words. Her eyes darted to her parents for help, but both Ethan and Sophia looked away helplessly.
"Tell me," Ray said coldly. "I'm listening."
Miranda's mind raced. Then she blurted out, "It's because I was taking care of Aunt Lia! She was weak and needed help. I nursed her and looked after Nera and Herion too!"
Ray narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Really?"
Miranda looked desperately at Lia. Lia nodded quickly, smiling awkwardly. "Y-Yes, she did help me a lot. She took good care of us."
Ray hesitated, still fuming but unable to argue further.
Ethan quickly stepped in. "I was busy finding a gift," he said, trying to divert attention.
"Gift? I don't want any gift!" Ray shouted back.
Ethan sighed, spreading his arms. "I searched day and night. I went through hell to bring back new techniques for you. But since you don't want them, I'll just throw them away."
Ray's eyes widened. "Wait—what? No! I want them! Give them to me!"
Ethan smiled faintly, hiding his relief. "Come to my room later. I'll give them to you then."
Ray nodded eagerly, dissolving his anger in an instant.
Sophia crossed her arms and muttered under her breath. "Men. Always finding a way to escape trouble."
Ethan just smiled nervously, pretending not to hear her.
...…..
In the Duchy of Valor…
The preparations were finally complete. This was the day when something new would begin—something that could change the very way people viewed food.
Before a large crowd, workers pulled away the last of the wrapping that covered a huge building. The noise of fabric tearing filled the air, and soon, an exquisite structure stood revealed in front of everyone's eyes.
At the very top, a grand signboard gleamed in the sunlight.
[Flavour of God]
The moment people saw it, murmurs spread through the crowd.
"Woah, what is this place?" someone whispered.
"That name sounds strange but impressive."
"It looks nothing like the other buildings around here."
They were right.
Unlike the stone and wooden inns surrounding it, this restaurant looked modern, sleek, and polished.
The walls shimmered with fine white tiles, large glass windows reflected the sunlight, and the metal framework gave it a foreign, futuristic charm. The entrance was adorned with hanging flower baskets, while the golden doors opened automatically with a soft motion that was something unheard of in this world.
And yes, it was the same inn that Rony had once managed. But within a single year, under the guidance of fine craftsmen and Ethan's design, it had been completely transformed.
When the ribbon was finally cut, the crowd cheered. The person holding the scissors was none other than Duchess Emma, accompanied by her daughter Julia.
Emma's eyes widened as she stepped forward. "This is really a marvel, isn't it?" she said softly, her voice filled with amazement.
Julia nodded, her gaze moving across the shining marble floor and elegant chandeliers. "It's beautiful, Mother. I've never seen anything like it."
Leading them inside was Rony, dressed neatly in a black suit. His movements were steady and confident. After months of intensive training in cooking, etiquette, and service under Ethan's supervision, he carried himself with grace.
"This way, Your Grace," Rony said, guiding them toward a grand dining hall.
Inside, the tables were arranged in a modern style, each covered with spotless white cloth and decorated with candles and flowers. Silver utensils gleamed beside crystal glasses. The servers moved quietly and efficiently, each step measured and polite.
For the people of this world, such a dining system was completely new. Everything—from the order of serving dishes to the way meals were presented seemed like something from another realm.
Rony smiled as he gestured to the servers. "Your Highness, here is your course meal."
The first plate carried golden French fries, sprinkled with herbs and served with red sauce.
Alongside it came grilled chicken pieces, juicy and perfectly seasoned. The aroma filled the hall, making even the nobles watching from the side swallow in anticipation.
Next came the main dishes—seasoned steak, lamb chops, and a variety of vegetable sides. Each bite exploded with layers of flavor. Spices and sauces mixed in harmony, blending sweetness, salt, and heat in perfect balance.
Emma took a bite of steak and her eyes lit up instantly. "I've had many steaks before, but this… this just leaves an explosion dancing in my mouth!" she exclaimed.
Julia laughed softly. "What's with this recipe? So many flavors all at once."
Then came the dessert—ice cream, cold and creamy, topped with nuts and fruit syrup. The smooth sweetness melted on their tongues, unlike anything they had ever tasted.
For both Emma and Julia, it was a completely new experience. They had never known food could hold such depth and complexity.
While they enjoyed the meal, Rony stood nearby with a calm smile, proud yet humble. Seeing the Duchess and her daughter savoring every bite filled him with quiet satisfaction.
He knew this was only the beginning after as soon as the rumours would spread,people would flock here.
....
Ethan picked up a small golden card from the table and observed it closely.
"Today the restaurant is going to open, right?" he asked casually.
"Yes, my Lord," his assistant replied. "But it would have been better if you went there yourself."
Ethan waved his hand dismissively. "We can't declare openly that it belongs to me. Why do you think we made separate franchises?"
There were three divisions under Ethan's grand plan.
The first one targeted the rich, offering luxury five-star dining experiences under the main restaurant brand.
The second focused on middle and lower-class customers through fast-food chains that served burgers, fries, and other popular meals.
The third was dedicated to packaged products and snacks, managed under the brand Jester's Corn, which had already gained popularity across Ruthiana.
Ethan leaned back in his chair with a thoughtful look. "It will take time, but once we gain entry into the Empire, I can topple the entire food market. However, it's going to be very, very difficult," he said with a quiet sigh.
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