Though Miyanna and Celine have indeed requested Blanc to bring as much carrot cake as he can, they did not expect what that meant for Blanc.
Not until he and three of the chefs came into the room, each carrying two trays piled to the brim with small slices of carrot cake.
A maid followed closely behind, tea set in hand, and began preparing it with care in front of Celine and Miyanna, just as requested.
"My Ladies… A-are you sure you can eat all of this?" A younger chef asked, stuttering.
"Sir," Blanc muttered, "My wives requested as such, are you insinuating something I'm not aware of?"
"N-n-no, My Lord, I-uh, I was just wondering if this much cake would not be a waste if not properly eaten," the chef tried to explain himself.
The room was silent, for what the young chef was doing was close to half a death sentence in most cases, as it would have been considered disrespect towards Noble Blood.
The maid prepared the tea, the chefs looked to the ground in silence, and Celine and Miyanna were holding back their laughter.
Because they knew their husband and his foolish antics when he was in a good mood.
For that was the difference between them and other Noble Bloods, even in that mansion.
"Bahaha," Blanc started laughing out loud, face towards the ceiling, unable to hold back as he was already feeling bad for the discomfort he had caused the poor chef.
The chefs and the maid looked dumbfounded at the laughing Blanc.
"Enough playing around, my love," Celine said through giggles.
"My Lady?" one of the older chefs asked, confused.
"Fine…" Blanc calmed down, before turning to face the chefs, "Eight trays filled with carrot cake is beyond much, good sirs, not this entire mansion could eat such quantities, but what remains when we bring the trays back is for you, the rest of the staff, and your families."
Which, of course, left the commoners present even more confused than before.
"Keeping each other fed is the least we can do during such times," Blanc continued, "Also… I need to make sure you are fully concentrated on your cooking if I am to learn more recipes from you."
"Is that a challenge, My Lord?" the last of the chefs asked, "Your cooking has bested us once, and now we have bested yours, which means there is a draw happening."
"Precisely," Blanc nodded, "And if I am to defeat you once more, I want to know all your recipes. But I also want a fair battle, where all your focus is on the cooking and not on your families, and if they have something to eat."
At his words, the chefs straightened their backs and bowed lightly, "A challenge we accept with gratitude, My Lord."
And with that, the chefs and the maid took their leave.
"It seemed you had your fun," Celine said once the three of them were alone again.
"I overheard the kitchen staff talk about their lack of food at home, so I wanted to make a scene," Blanc replied, "An attempt at doing something good between all the stagnation I feel."
"I will also tell the Matriarchs about it," Celine nodded, "Wonderful job, my love."
"It almost broke my heart, though," Blanc sighed.
"I don't believe that," Miyanna giggled, "You were almost skipping torturing the poor man."
"Was it that obvious?" Blanc grinned, "The fucker was too cocky during our cookout, so I had to take my revenge. But… from what I've heard, he has a small girl whom he raises almost alone since his wife died during childbirth, so I wanted to help a bit, despite his cockiness."
"Sometimes I wonder what's on your mind," Celine shook her head, before stretching her hand, waving him forward, "Either way, bring us cake."
Half a tray of carrot cake and two cups of tea later, Blanc spoke out, curious about what Celine had mentioned before.
"By the way," he said, looking towards her, "What was that topic of conversation you said you wanted to talk about?"
"That, huh…" Celine muttered, locking eyes with Miyanna, which, for a reason unknown to Blanc, made her sigh.
"The Sanguinarch Order wants something from you, hubby," Miyanna said in Celine's stead.
Which seemed to have given Celine the courage to continue, "A request for all the help they offered us."
"Of course," Blanc nodded energetically, "As long as it keeps them on our side, I would be happy to aid them as long as it is in my powers to do so."
"Even if you do not know what it is?" Miyanna wondered.
"They helped us during the mess with Blood Certa and the Metamorphs, which, as we all know, went as brilliantly as it could. And they also acted as messengers in our stead, which got us here months ahead of schedule," Blanc shrugged, "So yes, if you see value in me aiding them, then I will do it to keep them on our side as much as possible."
"So be it," Celine nodded, "Though we cannot give you any details at this moment, I will have to ask you to bring the Daughter staying in our Domain here before we continue."
"Where can I find her?" Blanc wondered.
"My mother should be able to tell you her exact location," Celine replied.
With a nod from Blanc, he was out the door once more, leaving Celine and Miyanna to pick up the conversation from where they left off.
"I still do not like the idea," Miyanna sighed.
"Me neither, but as Blanc said, it keeps the Order on our side," Celine replied.
"But he did not know what the Order wants from him," Miyanna argued.
"Tell me, Miyanna, do you remember the conversation we had in the Jaguar Path?" Celine asked.
"Do not get me started, Celine," Miyanna looked towards the ceiling, "You know my opinion on this and that. It did not change, nor will it change."
"But?" Celine grinned.
Miyanna sighed, "But-"
"It is also inevitable in the current state of affairs," a voice interrupted Miyanna.
The two turned towards the door and saw Mera entering the room.
"Mother-in-Law," they bowed lightly, still standing comfortably in their bed.