"This is amazing!" Caius exclaimed in delight as he gazed at the table filled with dishes. Then, turning to Grandma Lunla, he grinned and said, "Grandma Lunla, with skills like yours, it's a shame you don't run a restaurant!"

  "Hehehe, my old bones can't handle that much work anymore. As long as you all enjoy the food, that's good enough for me," Grandma Lunla replied with a warm smile.

  "How about this?" Caius glanced at Belle, his eyes lighting up as he continued, "I'm going to be staying here, but I'm not great at cooking. So, I'd like to pay you a thousand gold coins per month to prepare our meals. How about it?"

  "T-That's too much," Grandma Lunla waved her hands quickly. "If you like my cooking, I'll happily make it for you. You don't need to pay…"

  "That won't do," Caius shook his head. "I have a big appetite, and I eat a lot of meat at every meal. I can't let you bear all the costs."

  "But…" Grandma Lunla wanted to say more. After all, in her eyes, eating meat at every meal didn't warrant spending a thousand gold coins a month.

  However, Caius waved his hand decisively. "It's settled. Any extra can go toward nourishing the little ones."

  "Children their age shouldn't be this thin."

  Hearing this, Grandma Lunla hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement. She looked at Caius with a gaze full of warmth and affection. She knew he was doing this to help them.

  That meal was lively and cheerful.

  Tina and the other little girls, who rarely had the chance to eat meat, were practically glowing with excitement. The moment the meal began, they eagerly stuffed their cheeks with food, making them look adorably chubby.

  Meanwhile, Caius ate as he observed Belle.

  At this moment, Belle had folded her collar down, revealing half of her small face.

  She ate quietly, taking small bites. Caius also noticed that, apart from scooping a few pieces of fish tail meat with a spoon, she hadn't touched any other meat.

  This wouldn't do.

  Without hesitation, Caius speared a piece of beef with his fork and placed it into Belle’s bowl.

  Belle blinked in surprise and turned to look at Caius, who was giving her a serious look. "Eat more meat. Look how thin you are—you seem malnourished."

  "A magical researcher needs proper nutrition to keep their mind sharp!"

  Hearing this, Belle glanced at the piece of meat in her bowl before nodding lightly. "Okay."

  Seeing her start to eat the meat, Caius finally nodded in satisfaction and resumed his own meal.

  However, every now and then, he would continue adding pieces of beef, fish, or even a drumstick to Belle’s bowl.

  "It's too much… It's too much…" Belle murmured anxiously.

  "Too much? That just means your appetite is too small," Caius countered.

  "Mmm…" Belle hesitantly looked at the large chunk of beef occupying half of her bowl.

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  Seeing her struggle, Caius simply pushed his own bowl toward her. "If you can’t finish it, give it to me."

  Belle hesitated briefly before carefully picking up the piece of beef with her fork and placing it in Caius’ bowl.

  Caius took it and devoured it in one bite.

  Swallowing the meat, he said, "From now on, you need to take the initiative to eat meat. Don't wait for me to give it to you, or you’ll never finish."

  Belle obediently nodded. "Okay."

  Caius raised an eyebrow. "Say 'I understand.'"

  Belle: "I understand."

  Grandma Lunla smiled warmly as she watched them interact while eating.

  Usually, when they had the rare chance to eat meat, Belle would barely touch it. At most, she would drizzle some meat sauce over her rice, leaving the actual meat for Grandma Lunla and the younger children.

  Grandma Lunla had tried to persuade her before, but Belle would only take a tiny, symbolic bite before stopping.

  She knew Belle didn’t dislike meat—on the contrary, she loved it.

  Whenever there was meat, Belle would always swallow secretly, trying to hide her longing.

  But for this household, meat was a luxury.

  Before Caius arrived, they had meat at most twice a month. This sensible and heartbreakingly considerate girl always left the meat for the younger ones.

  Even though she was still a child herself.

  This time, under Caius' "threats," Belle had eaten several pieces of meat. Though she remained outwardly composed, the way her feet swung slightly beneath the table betrayed her happiness and satisfaction.

  Finally, they finished their meal.

  Caius leaned back in his chair, completely satisfied, and let out a comfortable burp.

  The little cat Meow mimicked him, sprawling out lazily in the chair and purring contentedly.

  Belle, on the other hand, helped Grandma Lunla clear the dishes.

  However, just as she was about to start washing them, Grandma Lunla gently pushed her out of the kitchen.

  "Let me handle these. You go rest in the living room."

  Belle looked at Grandma Lunla in confusion. Usually, she took care of all the housework, given that Grandma Lunla was elderly and frail, and the younger children were too small to help much.

  But today, Grandma Lunla kept taking tasks away from her, leaving Belle unsure of what to do.

  Seeing Grandma Lunla’s firm stance, Belle had no choice but to nod and head to the living room.

  Grandma Lunla chuckled as she watched Belle and Caius before contentedly returning to the kitchen to wash the dishes.

  She simply wanted Belle to spend more time around Caius, hoping it would help her become more open.

  As long as Belle became happier, Grandma Lunla would be satisfied.

  In the living room, Belle started knitting a sweater.

  Caius didn’t do anything—he simply sat there and watched her knit.

  Kiki and Tina had gone outside to play, leaving only Caius and Belle in the small living room.

  It was quiet, but not awkward. Instead, a peaceful serenity filled the space.

  Caius hadn’t felt this way in a long time.

  He loved the chaos of battle, the thrill of fire and steel. But too much chaos needed a counterbalance.

  And this tranquility? It was perfect. He liked it.

  After a while, he started feeling drowsy. Giving in, he lay back in the wooden chair and drifted into sleep.

  The only sounds in the house were the faint rustling of Belle’s knitting needles and Caius’ steady breathing.

  After a moment, Belle paused.

  She stretched her neck slightly, then turned to look at Caius, finding him fast asleep.

  She blinked in surprise, then quietly walked to another room, returning with a blanket. Carefully, she draped it over him.

  Her movements were so gentle that Caius didn’t wake up.

  Normally, as a mercenary, he had an extremely light sleep. Even the smallest noise would rouse him instantly.

  But this time, he slept deeply—and even dreamed a pleasant dream.

  So much so that a faint smile lingered on his face as he slept.

  Belle stood there, quietly watching him. Her lips curved into a gentle smile.

  From the kitchen, Grandma Lunla emerged, seeing Belle standing motionless, gazing at Caius like a wooden doll.

  As someone who had lived a long life, she understood what was happening.

  So, she merely smiled kindly and silently returned to her room, choosing not to disturb them.

  Belle stood there for a long time.

  Only when the laughter of children and Holan’s voice drifted in from outside did she snap out of it.

  Caius stirred as if about to wake up.

  Belle panicked slightly, glanced around, and quickly picked up her knitting, pretending she had been focused on it the entire time.

  Just then, the door swung open, and the children, along with Kiki and Holan, stepped inside.

  Caius opened his eyes and stretched lazily.

  It had been a long time since he had taken a proper nap.

  "You slept well," Holan chuckled.

  "Yeah." Caius smiled at him—then noticed the blanket draped over him.

  He turned toward Belle.

  She remained seated, knitting slowly, as if nothing had happened.

  But Caius grinned.

  Because he noticed—her sweater hadn’t made much progress since before he had fallen asleep.