Piece 24 (part 2)

"Before the start of the civil war… Then, the one who wiped them out was…" I tried figuring it out, and Mom laughed seeing me think so hard.

"You're really clever, Milly! Yes, it was indeed my psychopathic father's doing. He deemed the Felton Viscountcy to be filled with criminals charged with treason. So, he killed all of them, the same way he killed your dad's family." Mom turned to Dad with a smile, and Dad turned to her with a confused expression.

"Pretty sure he killed my family because of a revolt."

"Is that not treason? If you revolted, wouldn't that be treason?"

"In a way, I guess. But, what happened to the Felton family was completely different. My family was punished because the emperor needed a scapegoat for the revolt. Lady Estella's family… were the real rebels." Dad said while tilting his head to Grandma, and the diner owner shook both her shoulders.

"Gotta say, us Feltons have talent at revolting the emperor or empress."

"You don't say…"

Saying that to the emperor and empress… Grandma's aura is just at another level.

"So, why are we heading to Felton, specifically?" I asked, not because I don't understand the intention, but the true goal that we have in mind.

"Well, vacation, no? If you don't know, Felton is one of, if not, the best vacation spots in Veldonia." Dad said while folding the map, and I became widely intrigued.

"W-Why is that?"

"Because it's right by the ocean."

Because it is windy, warm, and just breathable in general. Also because there's a lot of beach spots.

"Wooaaahhh!!!!!!" Half a day later, my jaw was dropped when seeing the beautiful scenery.

The carriage has taken a stop at a nearby cliff. We are only a few kilometers away from the town known as Felton, and we were able to see the entire city from the tall cliff. It is indeed a small city that is right beside the ocean. The city is connected directly to the waters, and there are plenty of docks area that separate the city from the sea.

From the city design alone, I can tell this city is mostly focused on the ocean. Many buildings are facing the ocean instead of the land, and there are fewer and fewer buildings the further the city goes from the waters. It's clear to me that this city might be a fishing centralized town.

"Felton is famous for its fishes. The main job that most people have is related to capturing fishes and treating them. It is also famous for the beautiful beaches as well, which can be reached only a few minutes away from the city." Dad explained what the city is about to me, and everything that I guessed just now seemed to be true.

"Are the fishes good?" I asked Grandma, and she chuckled as if I was insulting her.

"Have you gotten tired of my cooking? Then the fish you'll eat here will refresh your tasting buds." Grandma said with so much confidence, and I can't help but be excited to have a taste.

"Can we not talk about cooking stuff? I feel like I wanna puke." Mom said out of the blue, which resulted in a cold stare from Grandma.

"You shut up. You know damn well about why we're here." Grandma said sternly to Mom, and she stuck her tongue out. 

Hearing this, I turned to Dad with confusion, but the white haired guy only shook his head.

"Let's just say… you'll be learning a thing or two as well from this town. Trust me. The chefs here are incredibly skilled!" Dad said with such excitement as well, and what Grandma said must be true.

This city. It isn't just a city about fishermen and their fishes. It's also a culinary-focused heaven.

"Oh. My. God." My mouth drooled as I uttered those words, and my eyes just cannot move away from the plates that are right in front of me.

The four of us proceeded to head to a random diner that was on the streets of Felton, and we ordered the best meals that were on the diner. Immediately, I can already tell the difference in levels that the plates have compared to Grandma's cooking.

The fishes are quite literally shining golden. How is that possible?

"Go ahead. Have a taste." Grandma said to me with such a big grin, and I became confused why she looked so happy. But, with such delicious food right in front of me, I can't exactly refute her words.

With my spoon, I took a big scoop out of the fish. I made sure to separate the tiny prickly stuff before putting them inside my mouth. And holy moly…

"It's… very goooddd~~…" I expressed while enjoying the fish meat melt inside my mouth, and both Dad and Grandma grinned at each other for a while.

"He didn't lose his touch." Dad commented while putting a spoon full of fish as well, and Grandma nodded so proudly.

"Indeed… Woi. Eat slowly." Grandma realized fast movement is coming from right next to me, where Mom is sitting down. 

I turned to Mom as well, and I found her hands demolishing the fried fishes at a rapid speed. She's using her hands instead of using the spoon, which is understandable, but this eating speed is definitely not normal.

"God damn it, I missed this cooking so much…" Mom commented while tearing up, and she looked like she was enjoying the food a little more than everybody else.

Dad seemed to smile seeing Mom eat, while Grandma kept her disgusted look. It seems like I've been left out with what's going on, and I can't help but realize the reason behind why we're here. I thought about asking it, but my answer came before I could even open my mouth.

"Glad the empress still loves my handmade art." From behind, a manly voice was heard, and everyone turned their gaze to the person approaching from the kitchen.

I was expecting a very muscular guy to have such a deep voice. However, what I found was in fact something else entirely. 

It's… a woman?

The person approaching us from the kitchen has long blonde hair that is untied. Their eyes are bright blue, and I can't help but find the appearance to be really pretty. The clothes implied that this person was just in the kitchen, and I'm guessing these dishes we're enjoying are probably made by them.

"It's been a while, Tim. Your cooking skills seemed to have levelled up!" Dad complimented while standing up, and I turned my surprised gaze to him.

'Tim'?

"Glad to hear it, Your Majesty. And since you don't look like you've aged a single day… I'm guessing your skills are the same?" The chef lady said with their incredibly heavy and manly voice, which again, confuses me.

By the time the chef arrived at our table, Dad lifted his hand for a handshake. The two shook hands firmly, as if two colleagues had just got reunited.

"How's it going for you, nowadays?" Dad asked the chef, and despite his beautiful female appearance, the chef replied with his deep and heavy voice.

"It's bland. It's so-so bland. Every day was just cooking, serving dishes, maybe playing around with young boys who caught a glimpse at me." The chef revealed his hobbies, and Dad laughed as he sat back down.

"Looks like a lot of fun! I'm guessing it has been a while since you casted magic?" Dad asked with a joking tone, and the chef looked really disappointed.

"It sure has… I miss killing people."

"Let's not mention those things when a child is around." Grandma suddenly chimed in, and the chef turned his gaze to me. For a while, the two of us just stared at each other, and I just kept my smile towards him.

"W-Woah! You look just like a younger version of the empress!" The chef pointed out, and I don't know how many times I've heard this already.

"Because she's my daughter. Greet your princess properly, Tim." Mom said with such an annoyed tone, but the chef only waves his hand around.

"Ahaha! No wonder. I see now, you guys are having a family tour. It hasn't been that long since you two were freed from Medusa's curse, so you're just planning on spending some family time. I see, I see."

Medusa's curse…?

"Tim. Greet your princess." Mom said again in such a stern voice, as if that was incredibly important. I wasn't quite sure why that was so serious, but the chef's reply made me understand.

"I see you two have already learned about my intentions. I must apologize, but I cannot do that anymore. The two of you are no longer my emperor and empress, and this lovely little lady is not my princess." The chef explained his standing, which made me rather surprised.

This is definitely… a first.

So far, all of Mom and Dad's past subordinates have been showing respect. Even the ones that are very close to them still greeted me with respect, and I can tell why that is such an important thing. It means that they still value their positions, and they all desired Mom and Dad to be the empress and the emperor once again.

But, for this person, it might be a little different.

"Tim…" Dad uttered with such a saddened expression, but both Mom and Grandma already understood the situation.

The chef turned around on us and started heading back into the kitchen, and the four of us were simply left with our own thoughts.

A member of the Veldonian Empire Government has decided to let go of his position, and there will be nothing that we can do.