Chapter 397: A Sister’s Misunderstanding

In the kitchen, Stan worked with quiet efficiency. He heated a clean pan and rendered a small amount of ordinary cooking oil, then added thin slices of the polar-bear muscle meat, nothing from the organs, alongside fresh vegetables, a touch of garlic, and a carefully measured drop of liquid Qi.

The Qi was diluted enough to be beneficial without any risk. The meat seared quickly, releasing a rich but approachable aroma that was far milder than the earlier dish.

Within minutes he had a balanced, fragrant plate ready: tender slices of meat over lightly seasoned greens and rice, the faint resonance of Qi woven so subtly into the flavors that only someone sensitive would notice it at all.

While he cooked, the living room fell into an uncomfortable silence.

Sacha shifted on the couch, glancing once toward Camilla, who sat with perfect stillness, crimson eyes half-lidded as though the entire situation barely warranted her attention. The lingering pressure of Camilla’s presence made the quiet feel heavier than it should have.

Finally Sacha forced an awkward smile. "So... what do you think of my brother?"

Camilla’s gaze drifted toward her, cool and assessing. "He’s pretty cool. Possesses plenty of interesting things. Makes me wonder if you have those too."

Sacha’s brows knit slightly. ’First "comrade," now "interesting things"... why does she talk like that? And what interesting things is she even talking about?’

She considered asking, then decided against it. The question felt too personal. For all she knew, her brother and this woman might share some private arrangement, possibly an intimate one, and the formal language might simply be their way of keeping it discreet.

She let the subject drop with another polite nod. Even though she had a slight smile as though she’ve figure them out...

Stan returned from the kitchen carrying the freshly prepared plate and set it in front of Sacha. "Here, Sis. Nothing complicated, but it’s pretty good I’m sure you’ll love it... Tell me what you think."

Sacha’s expression brightened at the familiar gesture. She picked up her utensils and took a bite, eyes widening slightly at the clean, satisfying flavor. "You’ve really improved. This is good, actually better than good. When did you start cooking like this?"

"Recently," Stan said, settling into the seat across from her. "I’ve had time to practice."

"Clearly." Sacha took another bite, then glanced toward Camilla. "Does she cook too, or is this all you?"

Camilla’s eyes opened a fraction wider, as if the question itself were mildly surprising. "I have little interest in cooking... Though I can try."

The reply was so serious, matter-of-fact and off at the same time that Sacha almost laughed. She covered it with a quick sip of water. "Right. Of course, it’s always good to try new things."

They exchanged a few light remarks about the food and her work at the company. Sacha mentioned a recent project that had kept her late most nights; Stan listened with the same quiet attention he had always given her, though something steadier now sat behind it.

Camilla remained mostly silent, watching them both with that same detached interest, occasionally tasting the air as though cataloguing the residual Qi in the dish.

Eventually Sacha’s curiosity circled back. She kept her tone casual, almost offhand, but the questions carried a clear undercurrent of sisterly assessment.

After a few more exchanges she leaned slightly closer to Stan, lowering her voice just enough that it felt private while still remaining audible in the quiet room.

"So..." A teasing smile curved her lips. "Is she more than just a friend?"

Stan met her gaze without flinching. "She is, yes. The thing between us isn’t a normal relationship."

Camilla’s posture stiffened almost imperceptibly. A faint flush touched the tops of her cheeks before she turned her face away with deliberate coolness, chin lifting.

"Hmph." The single sound carried equal parts pride and reluctant acknowledgment. She did not correct him, nor did she look at either of them.

Sacha’s smile widened, thoroughly entertained by the reaction. "Not a normal relationship, you say?" She glanced between her brother and the composed, faintly reddened woman across from them, clearly filing the information away for future teasing. "Well... that’s one way to put it."

Stan smiled awkwardly beneath Sacha’s teasing, knowing look.

’Why do I feel like she’s misunderstanding all this...?’

’Well, I suppose I should have expected it. What else would one assume after walking into a room and finding two people of opposite genders together, especially when one of them is a woman as beautiful as Camilla?’

’And considering she’s my sister, I guess it makes even more sense that she’d jump to conclusions and assume Camilla and I are that close.’

’What would be her reaction when she discovered that the reality of all this is considerably more complicated.’

’Camilla and I are comrades because of the contract. It hasn’t even been that long since we met, so our relationship hasn’t advanced to that level yet.’

He glanced briefly toward Camilla.

’Although I did add her to my harem through the system, that was primarily for my safety. I still have a long way to go before I can truly make her mine.’

His thoughts paused for a moment.

Then, remembering everything that had happened since the previous night, a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

’Though, judging by the changes I’ve seen in her since last night... I have a feeling that day might come sooner than I expected.’

Stan quickly suppressed the thought before Sacha could somehow read it from his expression.

’For now, it’s probably better if Sis doesn’t know any of that.’

The light, awkward tension settled over the table like a third presence, Sacha openly amused, Stan in thought and calmly unbothered, and Camilla staring pointedly toward the window as though the entire conversation had nothing whatsoever to do with her.

After a moment Sacha took another bite, still smiling. "You know, most people just say ’girlfriend’ or ’partner.’ ’Not a normal relationship’ or ’Comrade’ is a lot more dramatic."

Stan shrugged one shoulder. "It’s accurate."

Camilla’s voice came from the direction of the window, cool and slightly clipped. "There is no need to explain further."

Stan couldn’t help but smile seeing that she didn’t correct that, though he knew he might just be thinking too much and reading way too much into this, progress was still progress.

Meanwhile, in response to Camilla, Sacha raised both hands in mock surrender, though the amusement in her eyes only deepened. "Noted. Completely noted."

She returned her attention to the plate, but the quiet that followed was different now, less heavy, more charged with the soft crackle of unspoken questions.

Stan watched his sister eat with mild satisfaction. Camilla continued to study the city lights beyond the glass, the faint color still lingering high on her cheeks.

Outside the formal language and the careful distance, something had shifted. Sacha had been given just enough of an answer to keep her curious, and not nearly enough to satisfy her.