Piece 25 (part 1)

For whatever reason, the food on our plates turned a lot more sour than before.

We were previously eating in delight, but the taste has changed so much than before. No one chimed in to start a conversation anymore, even Mom who was previously eating like a monster has started to eat normally.

So, I decided to brave myself and opened up a conversation.

"So.…what's the deal with that guy? Or lady." I asked the table, and everyone turned their eyes to me.

Mom doesn't look like she wanted to answer, while Grandma isn't exactly the type to answer questions like that. As always, Dad became the one to open his mouth.

"Tim Felton was an old acquaintance of mine. He was a very talented mage from the Felton family, and I've known him since I was very young."

"Ah… so he is Dad's childhood friend?"

"Not quite, because we very rarely met when we were still really young. We only met again after your mom and I got married as the empress and emperor consort, and your grandma here brought Tim as our minister of magic."

M-Minister of magic???

That is a very important role in a country. Because magic is quite literally very important in this world, having the highest role to govern everything magic in a nation is the biggest power that a mage could have outside of the royalties. It's one of those roles that is almost at the level of a prime minister, and for sure a very capable person is needed to fill that role.

"T-Then, is he very strong at magic??" I asked with such excitement, and Dad nodded firmly.

"He is. He was taught by my father when he was very young. I rarely met him when I was very young, but when I met him again many years later, he was already the strongest mage of the south." Dad explained about that person's capabilities, and I was left in awe.

"He was incredibly talented. It's even more stupid that he has a knack for cooking as well." Mom added while lifting a piece of fish that she clawed out of the dish, and I can't help but find a lot of similarities between the chef and Dad.

"That person is… oddly similar to you, Dad." I said to Dad, and for whatever reason, Dad only look… disgusted.

"Don't compare me to him, please… He got some weird taste." Dad commented while turning away, and Mom laughed after remembering something.

"Tim has a weird personality. He loves crossdressing, and I'm sure he prefers men over women. But the worst part about him was how much he flirted with your dad when they were at the castle."

Mom spilled the beans for me, and Dad looked more uncomfortable. It seems like Dad was quite friendly with that person, but only until they started flirting with him...

"O-Oh. Glad to hear Dad is so popular." I jokingly said to Dad, and he coughs to try and speak again.

"Tim has his own reasonings to make his preference is like that. I respect his wishes, but I think he should know better before he flirts with a married man. Nevertheless, I respect his capabilities more, and he has saved our empire many times with his knowledge.

He was the Archmage, the most knowledgeable person when it comes to dealing with magic. His experience with magic is second to no one, and even I still have a lot to learn from him.

Even so… it has been ten years since the empire collapsed. From our short conversation just now, I can tell that he is a lot-lot different than before."

Dad's expression turned quite sad after arriving at that last part, and I can only understand why. From his perspective, it's only been about two weeks since he was freed from being a statue. He has already expected that everyone else around him will age ten years, but the change will naturally surprise him.

And when someone who has served an empire suddenly stops their desire, that can turn him really confused.

"Do you mind asking him why he changed, Estella?" Mom turned the question to Grandma, and the old diner cook drank her whole cup of water before standing up.

"Give me ten minutes. Order an extra drink or two if you need." Grandma said as she started walking towards the kitchen, and I became confused as to why Grandma has to be the one to talk with the chef.

"Uhm… what's Grandma's relationship with the chef?" I asked Mom, and she turned her gaze to the kitchen.

"She was his older sister. The two grew up together."

"HUH???"

T-That doesn't make sense! Grandma is so old!! And the crossdressing guy...!!

"Magic has their own unique specialties, Milly. You'd be surprised what it can do to your body if you master it so much." Dad pointed out to me, and I can only start counting.

"B-But that chef looked so young… And Grandma is already over sixty, right?"

"Estella's nearly sixty. Tim is around fifty five… right?" Mom turned to Dad, and he nodded.

"There's only one thing that can keep a fifty five year old like Tim to look so young. His capabilities in magic proves it." Dad pointed out to me, and I can't help but be so curious about what magic can do.

It can keep your face looking so young. No wonder both Mom and Dad look like they're in their early twenties.

While Mom and Dad are telling me about what the chef has accomplished, time flies by. We didn't realize that over ten minutes had already passed, and Grandma came out of the kitchen fifteen minutes after she went there.

"How did it go?" Dad asked after seeing Grandma coming out of the kitchen, but Grandma shook her head.

"I see.…then, we'll proceed without him." Mom said after the answer, and she stood up while getting ready to leave.

"And here I thought Tim could be a good teacher for Milly. I guess that's impossible now." Dad commented while standing up, and I was surprised that he had such intentions.

"W-Why not teach me yourself?"

"It's a little different, Milly. Your mom and I may have been talented at magic, but it's a whole different case when it comes to teaching. We teach based on what we know is best for us, but that guy can teach you based on what is best for you. But, alas… It's impossible since he does not wish to be related to us anymore."

Dad's disappointment seemed to be understandable, but I don't quite get why we still can't get that person to teach me. There's many ways for someone to teach me, and it doesn't have to be because they are holding a position in the empire. 

Or at least, I think so.

"Why not.…pay him, or something?" I asked out of curiosity as we exited the diner, but the two of them didn't seem to think it's a good idea either.

"Teaching because you're paid and teaching because you want to is very different, Milly. The best kind of service isn't the type that is done because of payment. It's the kind that is given because of passion." Dad explained his perspective, but I still don't quite get it.

"Think of it this way. We can hire a sword master to teach you magic, or we can get an average knight with average sword skills to teach you because they wanted to."

Chances are, you'll learn much better from the average knight than the sword master, because the sword master will only teach you based on how much they are paid. And there's no amount of money in the world that can truly teach someone the best things that they need to learn." Mom added her perspective on the situation, and I understood their reasoning.

"But, do I really need to learn the best way…?"

""Yes!!"" The two of them answered simultaneously, and I opened my eyes wide from being so surprised.

I-It seems like they are really passionate about finding me a teacher…

"I guess we had no choice but to teach you ourselves… What did he say to you, Lady Estella?" Dad turned to Grandma, but the old lady was already entering the carriage leaving us.

"He basically wants us to f*** off." Grandma answered so bluntly, and Dad opened his eyes widely while Mom chuckled.

"Great. He hates us. No surprise there." Mom commented before following Grandma to the carriage.

"So… that mage isn't coming with us?" Uncle John, who was at the driver's seat asked me, and I nodded at him.

"Seems like he still has that personal vendetta." He commented after seeing me nod, and Dad let out a sigh hearing that.

"Take us to the beach, John… We're gonna need some fresh air."

"Yes, sir!"

Beforelong, our carriage started moving once more. The next stopping point will be at the beach, and since it's currently at bright noon, something tells me that this is about to be scorching hot.

But, to my surprise, the weather is cloudy. It's not as hot as I thought, so it doesn't feel too bad.