Voren froze in place for a second, his eyes dropping down to the steaming bowl of soup in his hands before slowly lifting to meet his father’s gaze.
He couldn’t remember a single time Vladimir had ever cooked anything, not even once.
The rich, mouthwatering aroma rising from the bowl was enough to make anyone’s stomach rumble with hunger, but the sheer surprise of where it had come from left him standing there completely speechless for a moment.
Vladimir noticed the hesitation written all over his son’s face and let out a quiet, understanding chuckle. "It’s alright if you don’t trust me right now," he said, his voice carrying no anger at all, just patient warmth.
"But you have to remember something important." His expression softened with genuine emotion. "Everything I’m doing now is my responsibility as your father, and soon, as a grandfather to my grandchild."
Voren studied him for another long moment before finally reaching out and accepting the bowl. A small, grateful smile crept across his face. "Thank you," he said softly, his fingers tightening around the warm bowl. "I’ll let you know if she likes it."
Vladimir gave a satisfied nod. "It takes about two hours to cook properly," he explained, folding his arms as he went into detail. "Low heat the whole time, plenty of fresh vegetables, and no added water. The chicken and veggies release all their own juices. The spices can be a little tricky to get just right, though." He paused briefly. "If she enjoys it, make sure to tell me. I’ll whip up a much bigger pot before everyone heads out to the Centenary Pack tomorrow morning so she can take some with her."
Voren couldn’t hide his appreciation anymore. "Well noted, Dad. That means a lot."
Vladimir smiled warmly before quietly heading back to his own room, leaving Voren standing in the hallway with the soup.
The comforting warmth and delicious smell filled the air around him as he walked back into the bedroom.
He carefully set the bowl on the bedside table, then reached over to adjust the heater, making the whole room feel even cozier and more inviting.
Almost immediately, Seraphine’s sleepy eyes fluttered open. The incredible aroma hit her before she was even fully awake, and her eyes suddenly sparkled with pure delight, as bright and excited as a kid waking up on Christmas morning.
She slowly pushed herself up into a sitting position, breathing in deeply. Her stomach let out a loud, demanding growl that made her laugh.
A huge smile spread across her face. "Oh my gosh, I smell something absolutely amazing," she said, reaching for the spoon without another thought.
Just before it could touch the soup, Voren gently caught her wrist. "I have to taste it first, babe."
She looked up at him and smiled sweetly. "You’re being extra careful tonight."
"I have to be," he replied, his expression staying serious and protective. He scooped up a spoonful, tasted it, and blinked in genuine surprise. His eyebrows shot up. "Whoa, this is even better than I expected." A slow, pleased smile appeared on his lips. "Dad made it."
Seraphine looked genuinely shocked. Her eyebrows lifted as a rush of warmth filled her heart. "Your dad?" She glanced back at the bowl with fresh interest. "In that case, I really have to try it now."
She carefully took her first spoonful, and the rich, comforting flavor exploded across her tongue. Her eyes widened in pure bliss. Without even realizing it, she took another bite, then another, and another.
Before either of them knew it, the entire bowl of soup and tender chicken had completely disappeared.


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