"Cooking?" Victoria immediately pointed angrily at the maids and scolded, "You usually don't work, and I couldn't be bothered to say anything. But you're not even doing the kitchen work now? How could you let Lord Sylas cook?"
Sylas was a conquered slave, a plaything.
But he was her plaything.
How dare you servants look down on him?
These maids had already been disciplined by Sylas. Now, seeing Victoria angry, they were terrified.
A quicker-witted maid hurriedly said, "Master, it's not what you think. Lord Sylas said he wanted to cook himself. He thought the cook was clumsy and said he wanted to prepare the meal for you personally."
"Hmm..."
A flicker of pleasant surprise stirred in Victoria's heart.
She pushed past these people sullenly and said, "Where is he?"
Accustomed to laziness, she didn't even know where her own kitchen was.
The maids hurriedly led the way.
With every step, Victoria's heart beat faster.
Then, at the kitchen door, she saw Sylas in his brown clothes, bent over, busy at the hearth.
He was dressed simply and neatly, his hair tied up with a bamboo hairpin.
A few stray strands hung by his cheeks, adding a touch of weariness to his appearance.
Coupled with his aloof expression, he maintained a cool, detached demeanor even while cooking.
The kitchen was filled with the aroma of food.
Sylas had just finished dishing up the stir-fry. Turning around, he saw Victoria standing in the doorway.
He didn't smile, merely gave a faint bow and said softly, "My Lady Sovereign."
It had to be said, this lifeless expression, paired with his handsome, refined features, was incredibly stimulating.
Victoria swallowed.
She felt Sylas was seducing her.
You look like this, so cold and dead, yet you're here in the kitchen cooking for me?
What are you playing at? Playing hard to get? Dressing so plainly, thinking it makes you less of a slut?
But he was truly exceptionally beautiful.
Suppressing her excitement, she walked over, couldn't resist holding Sylas's slender waist, and said with a laugh, "Why cook personally? Do you find the chef's cooking unpalatable?"
Sylas didn't struggle free. He put down the spatula, raised both hands to tidy the stray hairs on his face.
This action made his long neck stretch back, revealing a jade-white section.
He was tall, slightly taller than Victoria.
So Victoria had this feeling of controlling him yet not quite grasping him, which was utterly tantalizing.
Sylas still wore that aloof expression: "Answering my Lady Sovereign, I do not find it unpalatable. I merely wished to cook for my Lady Sovereign. Your little servant has a request to ask of you."
"..."
Victoria felt like her nose was about to bleed.
This aloof, noble beauty had managed the household, arranged for her welcome, and now was personally cooking for her.
Even more deadly was that he actually called himself "your little servant"?
The young master of the Lyonesse General's household, her former rival, in her arms, calling himself 'your little servant'?
And with that detached expression?
One must know, only concubines referred to themselves like that.
Could it be that he had already accepted his status as a male concubine?
Victoria's breathing grew rapid. She said solemnly, "Lower your head. Let me kiss you. You are being seductive!"
Sylas helplessly lowered his head. Letting her have her way.
But soon, he patted Victoria's back and said breathlessly, "My Lady Sovereign, let's eat first. Taste my cooking."
"Good, good. I also have good news to tell you."
Victoria felt today was the most joyous day.
She had a brilliant and mighty Empress who appreciated her.
She had a handsome, beautiful spouse caring for her.
She could die without regrets.
She pulled Sylas to eat.
Sylas initially intended to stand by and serve, but Victoria wouldn't allow it.
She wanted to share today's joy with Sylas.
Eating the food made by this beauty, the taste was truly exceptional.
Then, Victoria told him about Isolde's promotion of her.
Learning that Victoria had been given absolute importance, Sylas didn't show much emotional fluctuation.
His tone was even as he murmured, "Congratulations, my Lady Sovereign."
"Official positions aren't important to me. What I'm more grateful for is Her Majesty's recognition and favor!" Victoria said excitedly with a smile.
"For my Lady to encounter a wise ruler is truly a great joy in life."
"Haha..."
Victoria laughed while signaling for wine to be poured.
She looked at Sylas and said bluntly, "Back in Lyonesse, did you also wish for your Queen to appreciate you?"
"I am a man. I cannot bear heavy responsibilities."
"So you seduced the Empress of Aethelred instead, right?"
Sylas lowered his head with a bitter smile. He couldn't be bothered to argue, merely ate a few bites of the food.
Victoria, growing more excited, took Sylas's hand and said with a laugh, "Did you want Her Imperial Majesty to appreciate you? To value you? Is that why you clung to your self-respect, stubbornly refusing to yield?"
Sylas was startled. That his inner thoughts could be discerned by Victoria.
He did indeed want others to respect him.
But Isolde only valued his additional attributes; she didn't care about the value he believed he had.
"Give fck, ten points. Don't give fck, zero points."
That was Isolde's perception of him.
So, it was normal for Victoria to see it.
Sylas was like her in this aspect; they both hoped others would appreciate them.
It was a pity Isolde only valued Sylas's performance in bed.
"There was some intention of that..." Sylas preferred not to hide things when speaking with Victoria; he was quite frank.
"Heh, saying it like that, you really are quite pitiful. Full of talent with no way to use it, forced to endure being a lesser spouse, making my bed and cooking for me."
Victoria laughed very happily.
Having eaten her fill, she stood up and scooped Sylas into her arms.
She walked straight towards the bed.
"Don't worry, don't be sad. From now on, your Lady Sovereign will back you up."
Victoria was far too eager for her next meal!
Sylas was tossed onto the bed, but he sat up and grabbed Victoria's sleeve, saying, "My Lady
Sovereign, I only ask one thing of you, just one..."
He had busied himself all day for this one thing. He couldn't end up with nothing.
"Is it about your mother? I'm sorry, but that's a matter under Her Majesty's personal management. I have no authority to interfere." Victoria apologized quite sincerely.
After all, she believed that continually deceiving someone's son about capturing Alaric when they hadn't was winning by foul means.
Promising anything now would be even more despicable.
Sylas gave her a rather disappointed look.
Then he gently shook his head.
Victoria could only say, "Ask for something else. If I can grant it, I certainly will."
"This servant's chain..."
Victoria glared at him, somewhat angry. "No."
The servant's chain? What do you want to do? You are never allowed to die!
"My mother and sister are already in your custody. I won't commit suicide," Sylas pleaded urgently.
"Still no. It looks good on you. Just keep wearing it. Be obedient." Victoria said, both threatening and coaxing.
"Ah..."
Sylas sighed. He could only mumble, "Then, my Lady Sovereign, could you please go take a bath?"
"Didn't you wash me last night?" Victoria said, raising an eyebrow with a smile.
Sylas said helplessly, "I had people heat water. Take a proper bath."