9 9 - The Kitchen King Appears

Fang burst into the kitchen and stopped short at the bizarre sight that greeted him.

Jules stared at the counter unblinkingly with tears streaming down his face. His two assistants flanked him on side, looking completely dazed. Several staff members stood behind them, displaying various degrees of shock, horror and astonishment.

Two maids were moving around frantically, one taking snapshots and the other recording a video.

Pax and another man who very similar to him but a bit more muscular and rough, stood with their arms akimbo, watching seriously. Their expressions were very different, though. Pax looked horrified, while the other one, who Fang assumed was Pax's brother Wolf, looked amazed. One could pretty much see hearts and stars pouring out of Wolf's eyes.

Fang followed everyone's line of sight and froze. Dr. Gordon, who had followed him in, exclaimed, "My God! What a monster!"

Ren was cooking. Flamboyantly, magnificently, like a professional chef. His long, elegant fingers caressed the ingredients lovingly and tenderly on one hand and chopped unhesitatingly and deftly on the other. He moved with unbelievable speed, cutting here, rolling there, frying here, steaming there...there were at least six dishes being prepared simultaneously!

"Are you sure he's never cooked before?" Fang whispered.

"He's never even boiled water by himself before!" Steward Paul, who had walked in unnoticed, replied.

"Monster," Dr. Gordon repeated.

Everyone could only agree silently. This level of talent was simply inhuman!

Fang watched, mesmerized. He could cook a few things because he often helped out in the kitchen at the orphanage. He could still remember the first time he was on kitchen duty. He'd been six years old, and he'd ended up nearly crippled because he couldn't control the knife properly!

If this was Ren's first time handling a knife...then this man really was too terrifying!

Ren cooked happily, unaware of the frightened and astounded people surrounding him. Food was his second love after medicine, and he enjoyed cooking very, very much. He'd done some research in the afternoon and figured out that the local cuisine of Wolf and Pax's hometown was very similar to the Italian cuisine of his world, so he'd gone ahead with it. Wolf and Pax had really outdone themselves this time and he owed them a huge favour anyway, so he thought it'd be a good idea to sweeten the deal with some food they'd appreciate.

Everyone burst into applause when Ren finished cooking. He looked around in surprise, then grinned cheekily and bowed like a performer.

"Bon appetit!" he declared, clapping daintily.

The staff members hurried to take the food to the dining hall.

"Er...isn't this too much for five people...? Are we expecting all the Blue Wolves?" Steward Paul asked hesitantly.

Ren frowned. "We have nineteen people in the house, don't we?" He looked around with a raised eyebrow. "What, is everyone afraid to sample my cooking? Do you want me to test for poison?"

One of the maids burst into tears. "Master Ren... you cooked for us, too...?"

"Of course I did," Ren replied. "Tell me, have I ever starved my staff members?!"

"No, never!" the maid said quickly. "But you personally cooked all this... and it looks so good..."

Ren huffed. "Well, those who want to eat are welcome to eat. Those who don't want to eat can make something for themselves or order a takeout." And hd marched out of the kitchen.

Fang, Pax, Wolf and Dr. Gordon ran after him.

An hour later, Wolf and Pax lay on the couch in the living room, moaning piteously and rubbing their bloated bellies. Dr. Gordon had given them some digestion pills before he left... the doctor's stomach was bulging a little, too.

Ren's cooking was beyond delicious. Everyone ate far more than what they normally would until there was not a single morsel left.

Fang could swear that this was the most delicious food he'd ever eaten in his short life...and it was definitely the biggest meal he'd ever eaten. He was normally a small eater, but today he'd actually eaten like a healthy growing boy of his age. His stomach felt a little uncomfortable afterwards, but the food was totally worth it. Dr. Gordon had slipped him a digestion pill, too. Ren, too, had sent a spark of magic his way so he wouldn't feel sick - but that was done secretly, so Fang didn't know about it.

"I can't remember the last time I had such a wonderful meal," Wolf said.

Ren grinned and sat down next to him. Wolf immediately grabbed his hands with his own larger ones and planted a reverent kiss on the knuckles.

"Ren, my love, you know I adore you! Marry me and cook for me every day! I'll do everything else for you for the rest of my life!" he said, trying to cuddle up to Ren.

Ren laughed and pushed him away. "Do you want me to die at your new girlfriend's hands? I hear she's quite fierce?"

"I'll break up right now if you agree," Wolf said. His tone was casual and joking, but his eyes were serious.

"Good heavens, no." Ren shook his head, laughing. "Besides, I'm not going to cook regularly anyway!" He smirked mischievously. "But I might be persuaded to experiment occasionally..."

"Anything you need, darling!" Wolf promised.

Ren patted his shoulders affectionately. "Thanks, Wolf. I owe you a big one this time."

Wolf preened. Like a peacock.

"We should move to the study," Ren said. He turned to Fang. "Are you feeling well enough to join us for a while? I think you should know what happened. Rest assured, everything is done and over with and those people will never be able to lay a finger on you again."

Fang nodded. He was curious and a little afraid. Had Ren arranged for those people to be sent to jail? Had he asked Wolf to kill them? Killing them was cruel...but leaving them alive would mean that they could get freed later and reveal their evil deeds...if what was done to Fang and some of the other teenagers became publicly known...how much shame would the victims have to face? Could those evildoers get away by saying that they were seduced instead? After all, who would believe some random orphans over influential grown-ups who were proper members of the society...?

Ren's gentle hand on his head drew Fang away from his dark thoughts.

Fang looked so fragile and vulnerable for a moment that Ren's heart ached and a promise slipped out of his mouth on its own.

"No matter what happens in the future, I'll protect you. So, don't worry. I've got you."

Fang's eyes filled with tears and he looked away quickly.

The others pretended not to notice as he wiped his tears surreptitiously.