A steady, rhythmic beat resonated as the knife met the cutting board, chopping fresh ingredients.


    The rhythm was consistent, and the sounds were simr. If it weren''t for the different textures and diameters of the sliced ingredients, it would have been almost impossible to distinguish each chop from the next.


    There was something mesmerizing about the fluid grace of a practiced hand wielding a kitchen knife, turning whole pieces of a nt into a multitude of julienned strips.


    Each piece was the same thickness, the same length, and the same width, regardless of the fact that they each came from a different nt, even if the ingredients seemed at first nce to be simr.


    A sizzling sound rang in the background, mixing with the repetitive and rxing sound of chopping until one or the other vanished.


    Then there was a smell. A pleasant smell that invaded one''s senses in a manner that left one dizzy and craving more, regardless of how little one had ingested.


    Aromas and spices worked together, but when ced in opposition, they formed an equilibrium that would not allow one to stand out more than the other.


    The longer it took, the more time the person inhaling the air would wish to prolong that wonderful mixture.


    The one who was cooking was focused. Their entire being was at peace, in sync, in the moment.


    It was a woman with green eyes and long brown hair, all tied together into a single braid that hung over her shoulder.


    Her curvaceous figure was d in a ck maid''s outfit that reached just a few inches below the upper thigh. She also wore ck thigh-high stockings withce trim that framed her thick thighs.


    With a white apron tied over her waist, she moved gracefully across the kitchen, adjusting the fire of the burners, removing certain ingredients, and adding more seasoning with a masterful ease that seemed at odds with her youthful appearance.


    A beautiful smile hung on her face as Maria continued her cooking, humming a merry tune while she worked. Her pale, supple skin seemed to glow in the warm light of the kitchen, which gave her already attractive features a somewhat ethereal beauty.


    She was quite familiar with theyout of the kitchen, a fact that could be attributed to the number of times she had graced its walls and appliances.


    She had found many new food recipes that used spirit nts and star beasts in the library of the Mystic Starry Realm, which had expanded her horizons.


    Cooking was something she found pleasure in. It allowed her to take something simple, even ordinary, and transform it into something spectacr, something awe-inspiring.


    And when done well, she knew that there would be plenty of smiles as the vors burst across one''s pte.


    As Maria finished cooking, her thoughts began to wander. Her mind began to drift from the food in front of her to a particr man—an important man—in her life.


    He was someone who had been a savior. He had saved her from a miserable existence on Lucas''s estate, where she was about to be the object of a man''s lust.


    It was through no fault of her own, of course.


    The bet that had taken her away was arranged by her first man, Michael, who she once thought was the one.


    Maria blushed as she was reminded of that eventful day when she first met the man who made her heart flutter, Asher.


    "Ahhhh!..." A loud gasp of delight came from her mouth. She couldn''t help but fantasize about what happened that night.


    She reminisced on the pleasure that she had received when Asher took her. At that moment, Maria realized that he was the one she had been searching for all her life. That one and only love.


    He made her feel happy like no man before, and he didn''t just satisfy her lustfully but also made sure to pamper her. The way he looked into her eyes, caressed her skin, and treated her made her feel wanted in a way she had never experienced before.


    "I hope he likes my new dishes," Maria thought, blushing like a maiden and biting her pinkish lower lips.


    Soon, she shook her head and ced all the dishes in an organized manner in the cart before making her way towards the dining area.


    From the very first step outside of the kitchen, Maria noticed a few people sitting at a table and chatting amongst themselves.


    They were all beautiful women who looked like goddesses, especially the one sitting in the middle of them.


    They were Eleanor, Rias, Lysandra, Olivia, Mia, and the most stunning amongst them all—Aria.


    Every single one of these women had an attractive demeanor. But that did note from just their appearance but also from the fact that each of them possessed something that most men wished for. They were all experienced and exceptional beauties thatmanded respect.


    Still, somehow they all held a weakness for a single man, the one that brought them together in the first ce.


    In a few moments, she arrived in front of them and greeted them with a smile before setting down each of the dishes in front of thedies, hoping they would like them.


    The food was hot, and the aroma was irresistible. The group''s appetites were ignited at the sight of the steaming food.


    At that moment, a little girl walked up to Aria with a cute yawn on her lips.


    The girl''s long ck hair fell down to her shoulders in waves of ck silk, giving her a gentle appearance that was entuated by her pale, porcin skin.


    Her eyes were the color of a deep blue ocean, and had an innocence about them. Her facial features were soft and feminine, reminding people of a doll''s.


    She rubbed her eyes as if she were still sleepy before blinking and staring at Aria with her innocent and lovely eyes.


    "Mommy, why didn''t you wake me up for breakfast?" The little girl asked, her voice soft and light, sounding very innocent and cute.


    It was no wonder that Aria couldn''t help but reach out her arms and pull Lily onto herp to hug her, thinking to herself how cute and adorable the little girl was.


    "I didn''t want to wake you up, little angel. You looked so peaceful sleeping in your bed; I couldn''t bring myself to disturb you." She answered back with a beautiful smile and kissed Lily''s cheeks.


    "But I am not sleepy now. I am hungry... hmm... It smells really nice." The little girl mumbled, sniffing the fragrant aroma of food in front of her.


    "Yes, it does smell quite good, doesn''t it? Let''s try it then. How about it? We can eat together, sweetie." Aria suggested in a doting voice, not holding back her affection and love for her little angel.


    The little girl smiled, nodding her head and eximing with glee. "Alright, mommy!"


    All the women seated at the table couldn''t help but smile at the adorable girl before them, enjoying their meal as the beautiful mother-daughter duo started eating too.


    As the women took their first bites, a sense of delight swept over them.


    "Maria, your cooking is getting better day by day, and I believe this is your best dish so far," Lysandramented before taking another bite, savoring the rich vor as her eyes gleamed with appreciation.


    "Hmmm... It is indeed a matchless delicacy in both taste and texture. You are the best, Maria!" Mia added as her eyes lit up with joy as she devoured the food on the table.


    Aria also took a bite after giving Lily a spoonful of her own food. Her appetite seemed to grow as she went on savoring the food, feeling nothing but delight in her heart.


    "Mhm. Yes, this is indeed delicious and vorful. Well done, Maria. Asher is sure to love it," Sheplimented, staring at Maria, whose cheeks blushed a bright shade of red at the mention of his name.


    "Thank you, madame." A beautiful smile appeared on Maria''s face upon hearing theirpliments as her pride grew. She was ted when the woman she looked up to with respect praised her cooking skills.


    "You should also take a seat. Enjoy this delicious meal along with us!" Aria said before cing another spoon of her food into her little daughter''s mouth.


    "Yes. Its delicious!" Lily squealed in joy, smacking her little lips after eating the tasty food.


    As time went by, they all enjoyed the food in a wonderful and content ambiance.


    In a blink of an eye, it seemed as if the food had disappeared and the women had started conversing with each other, but most of the time was spent gossiping about Asher, to no surprise.


    "Mommy, where is the big brother? It''s been too long since I''ve seen him... When is heing back?" The little girl asked, her eyes radiating her boundless love towards her brother as she looked towards Aria, expecting her answer.


    "Hmmm... I think he is ying outside."


    "What...? Why didn''t he take me? I also want to go out and y with him."


    "Oh, don''t pout, little angel. Don''t you like staying here and being with me?" Aria asked, grinning and teasing the little girl.


    "It''s not that... I love being with mommy, but... hmm, I want to y outside too!" Lily said in a sulky tone, puffing her cheeks.


    Aria chuckled upon hearing her reply and kissed her forehead, consoling the cute little girl. "Well, how about mommy takes you outside to y? Would you like that?"


    "Yaay! Yes, mommy, yes, I would love to go out with you. You are the best."