Volume 16 Chapter 41: Coordinating The Menu

“Orin, we’ve got the materials.” Keith and the three entered the shop; they had finished gathering all the items required.

“Good. Bring it to the back.” As they headed to the back, Eric brought the items out.

“Great, then we can get to work on constructing the podium.” While the knights worked, the blacksmith was doing the same: they were drawing designs for the venue.

“Good,” Keith and the three sighed. Gathering the items was not a simple task; they had to dive deep into the dungeon to collect the marble stone. What made it worse was the garnet; that had doubled the time needed.

Eric spoke, “Let’s head home now.” They needed rest after a long journey. Derek rubbed his shoulders, “When we get home, I want to jump into a nice warm bath.”

“I will research the stone.” Alvin pushed his glasses up.

As they entered the lobby, Keith called out, “We’re back.” With those words, the little ones rushed over.

““Big brother!”” “Papa!”

“Did you guys miss me?” He hugged them tightly as he walked them into the living room.

“...” Eric and the others glanced at one another. What are we? Chop-liver? That was the case. As long as Keith was there, they were air.

“Mmhmm!” “Play with Grandma and big sisters.” While Keith was gone, Sophia and the others were to watch over them.

Sophia came to the lobby, “The three of them are so well-behaved.”

“I see. I’ll play with you all later.” Keith rubbed their head more. His brothers were right. There was no need for him to work so much. Sometimes he needed to rest and have fun.

“Yay!” The three children cheered.

“What’s wrong with you, Father?” Keith blinked as he stared at William. He was hiccuping on the sofa. It was a rare sight to see him so disheveled; hearing his name, William explained as he held his mouth, “Do not mind me. I had to go drinking with Michael and others.”

“Oh, bachelor party.” Keith immediately understood.

“No, we were wine tasting.” William held his stomach. “But they told me to drink the whole cup every time.”

“…Ah.” Wine tasting was sips, not crazy amounts. Keith and the others couldn’t help but pity him.

William looked at Keith, “You shouldn’t be worrying about me, son. You should focus on yourself.”

“Hmm?”

“Did you forget about the food?”

“Ah,” His work was far from finished.

…

“Thank you for coming here today.” Keith smiled at the couple.

Michael snorted, “Why are you acting so formal with us?!”

“Young master Keith, there’s no need to.”

“Well, I am keeping it professional as I am the food coordinator.”

“Can’t you just make food for us to try, and that’s it?”

“No, that’s not how it works.” Keith rolled his eyes, “We have to go through a process.”

“…Okay,” Michael grumbled as Sarah held his hand. Slowly, his expression soothed. Keith nodded. As expected of the wife: if she was unable to control this bear, he would go berserk.

“For starters, do you have any theme you want for your dishes?”

“Hmm?” Sarah tilted her head.

“Like ingredients from the colder season or maybe the warmer season?” There were various ways in which to coordinate the dishes.  

“Warm.”

“Warm types of food it is.” Keith jotted it down, “If we’re going by this, then I am thinking salmon and shrimp for the seafood portion, maybe boar for the meat portion. Is that fine with you?”

“Can we have orc instead?” Sarah stared at Michael.

“Definitely the steak.”

“Hmm?”

“That’s one reason why we got together.” The orc steak. That was the first dish Keith created in the restaurant; it was a spark for the two of them.

“She stole my stomach, and that was the end of that.” Michael rubbed his belly, “I want more steak now.”

“Later,” Sarah sighed before she turned to Keith, “Keith, can you put it on our menu?”

“Of course. Actually, we can have that as your main dish.” A dish that had many memories: with such a significant portion to their relationship, why shouldn’t it be the main?”

“The menu doesn’t need to be complicated. What I really want is something that could fill everyone’s stomach. I want nothing that’s amazing and special.” Homey and happy. That was what she wanted for the wedding.”

“Understood. I will keep that in mind.” Keith jotted everything down.