A Father's Duty

The banquet started as the food cooked by the royal chef started coming in.

We all started eating... except for the three chipmunks.

"Why aren't you eating? Is the food not to your liking?" Hera asked the three as they shook their head.

"I want to eat father's food! Its the best!" Kagura said as the two seemed to be with Kagura this time.

Hera stared at her son for a second before standing up.

"Noct, help me in the kitchen." There she goes, whenever she calls my name... its the real deal.

She never called me by my name even when I told her about me having a daughter.

I stood up and went to the kitchen with mother meanwhile father and Somnus were excited because its been so long since they've tasted food that Hera made, combine it with my 'weird foods' that I make, they might be able to taste the greatest food that Hera would be able to create.

After we arrived at the kitchen, the Royal Chefs were confused and surprised to see their teacher in the kitchen. They became excited when they see Hera asking for an apron, they might be able to learn something new from watching their teacher. What surprised them though was Hera's next words.

"Son, what food are we making? Care to teach mother about it?" She said as they all had one thought

'Their teacher is the one being taught? That's crazy! And son!? Wasn't he a chef assigned for a special guest? We're screwed!'

Fortunately for them, I'm not that petty if its towards me but when my daughters are involved... I still had plenty of spicy pastes to put in someone's nose.

"Royal Chefs! Hear me! You're going to be using these things in the future, go stand on the side and listen to my lecture!" I said as I cleared the table and brought out all of the cooking appliances I had in my tavern that I put in the system's inventory.

Hera on the other hand has been curious about the devices. She knows that her son has Space Magic so she was not bothered by things appearing out of nowhere.

"Mother, you know that heat control in cooking is important right?" I said as she nodded.

"Of course, its one of the most important and basic thing in cooking." she said.

"This thing right here is called a portable stove, due to its small size it can be placed anywhere in the kitchen, the main thing about the stove is the ability to control the output of fire..." I taught mother and the royal chefs all about the appliances. Their uses and how to use them.

Hera has been trembling when she learned the uses of the appliances. It was not the trembling of nervousness, but excitement she felt when she thought that with the help of my equipment, it will usher the next generation of the Era of Food and Cooking Industry.

The royal chefs though confused at some parts of my lecture knew that a new era was born.

"Also mother, I had a plan to use these equipment as bargaining ch.i.p.s to break our engagement with Minstrel." I said to mother.

"But why would you do that? These things are revolutionary. These equipments will bring forth a new era in Food and Cooking industry. Why are you just giving it to Minstrel?" She asked in confusion.

"Mother, I'm just not giving it to them. We're going to milk out Minstrel of benefits." I said.

"Quit being mysterious, son. Where did you even learn it? Go on, spill it." She asked.

'From anime and novels, mother.' I thought

"We will only give them a downgraded version of Somnus' created fertilizer alongside my takoyaki, and taiyaki grill to them and form a trade agreement with them with the stove and oven to seal the deal. We'll let them produce it while we only get a portion of the profits. We don't get to use any resources of our Kingdom and we got to earn money from them." I said and continued.

"Stove and oven are the most important thing in the cl.u.s.ter and I wouldn't give them away for free. Stove are used for cooking while ovens are mainly used for making breads." I said as mother nodded.

"After that, we'll form trade agreements with every country with all of these appliances. The same as Minstrel, they will produce it and we will just get a portion of the profits and use it for the advancement of Lucis." I said to mother.

"I understand the Minstrel but why other countries as well? Wouldn't the price of these appliances as you call them, become really low?" Mother asked.

"The cost of making these are really cheap. The only thing that would make these appliances a little expensive are the enchanters that would enchant the appliances. Not only that, it would also help the enchanters that are just getting started and can use these appliances as their practice tool." I said as mother understood.

Until an enchanter gained some fame for himself, he had to fend for himself, but with the kitchen appliances, he could use it to get by until he get better and move on to higher level of enchanting.

"Lastly, if we are spreading these kinds of appliances, there will be some people who will rise up and help you in moving the era of Food and Cooking industry." I said with a smile before doing the work at hand

I quickly bought some eggs and other stuff from the system as I quickly made Egg Fried rice with mother because teaching already took some time and the people in the Dining Room must be waiting.

After making a large batch, I quickly asked the chefs to plate it before serving it in the Dining Room.

When we got back from the Dining Room, I saw the chipmunks telling my father the story of Cinderella and father is listening to their story attentively while Somnus is listening with amus.e.m.e.nt on his face. Although the kids had exaggerated some parts, the essence of the story is still there.

Mother rushed towards the kids as she spoke with them.

"What story are you telling to grandpa? Can you share it to grandma as well?" She said as the kids gave her a quick summary much to the annoyance of my father but when moher glared at him, he looked away like nothing is happening.

I am sitting besides Irene watching the Kids bond with the family.

"See? I told you, it will all work out in the end." I said as Irene can't help but smile.

The weight on her shoulders has been lifted and she was glad that her mother-in-law accepted her.

Soon the food arrived and the kids finally ate with smiles on their faces.

After eating, usually, the kids would be playing until they get tired so that it will be easy for them to fall asleep but tonight is different because...

"Son, go sleep in the guest room for now, I've still got a lot of questions to ask my daughter-in-law and the kids. I will also teach her on how to handle someone like you." Mother said as she left the Dining room with Irene and the kids in tow leaving us three on our own.

"So? Who's up for pillow fights? or maybe night fishing?" I said as we looked at each other before laughing.