Chapter 11
Leon, who had been staring at the floor, flinched when a hand suddenly reached out to him. He looked up and immediately regretted itāhe wasnāt ready to face Adel yet.
He squeezed his eyes shut, but then, a gentle voice spoke.
“Leon, come with us.”
Where?
Leon couldn’t bring himself to ask. Instead, without thinking, he took Adelās hand. Her warm, soft touch made his tension slowly melt away.
“Where is the kitchen?”
“I know the way,” Leon answered in a small voice. Moving awkwardly, he led the way.
Since it wasnāt mealtime, most of the kitchen staff were resting.
Knock, knock.
“May we use the kitchen for a while?”
The chef quickly recognized Adel. She was the woman the master of the house had brought for the first timeārumored to be the mother of a child. That alone was enough to spark curiosity.
“It’s not time for meal prep yet, so go ahead.”
“Weād also like to borrow some ingredients.”
“What do you need?”
“A little bread, two eggs, milk, sugarā¦ Do you have any bananas or apples?”
Fruits like those were a luxury. Adel had never eaten them in her past lifeāher family had been too poor.
“We donāt have bananas, but we have plenty of apples.”
The way she calmly requested sugar, milk, and fruit made the chef misunderstand. He assumed she must have come from a well-off family. Her smooth, glowing skin, gentle tone, and graceful movements only reinforced that impression.
“I’ll bring them right away.”
“Thank you.”
“Itās nothing.”
Once the ingredients were ready, Adel turned to the children.
“Shall we wash our hands first? You know how to do that, right?”
“Of course!”
“I do too!”
Competing with each other, the boys washed their hands thoroughly and returned. Adel handed them slices of bread and a large mixing bowl.
“Can you tear the bread into pieces?”
Ronschka was the first to jump in. Determined to follow his motherās instructions perfectly, he ripped the soft white bread apart like shredded chicken.
Leon hesitated, then quietly picked up his piece and copied him.
“You’re doing great!”
It was just a simple compliment, but Ronschka beamed. Leon, too, felt his nervousness ease a little.
The torn bread was placed in a baking dish.
“Lay the bread flatāyes, just like that.”
Then, they poured in a mixture of milk, sugar, and eggs. The bread soaked up the liquid, becoming soft. Finally, they placed the sliced apples on top.
Leonās heart, which had been pounding, now felt calm.
He had expected to be scolded, but somehow, he was here making food with Ronschkaās mother.
Andā¦ it wasnāt so bad. Actually, it was kind of fun.
“Should we add more apples?”
Eventually, he even dared to ask Adel.
“Letās add another layer of bread first.”
“Okay.”
The corners of Leonās mouth lifted slightly, and his blue eyes sparkled like stars.
Ronschka seemed just as excited, completely forgetting their earlier fight. He eagerly helped Adel.
“Alright, letās put this in the oven.”
As the dish baked, Adel handed the children warm cups of milk, sweetened with a little honey.
Leon wrapped his hands around the warm cup and took a small sip. It was sweet and comfortingājust like the milk his mentor used to give him when he couldnāt sleep.
Drip.
Tears, as small as peas, rolled down Leonās cheeks.
“Hicā¦ sniffā¦”
The kitchen staff glanced at him but didnāt say anything. They could tell something had happened between the children.
“Iām sorry. Iām so sorry. It was my fault.”
Leon sobbed, his tears falling freely.
Now he understood.
He had been jealous of Ronschka.
Even though Leon had no parents, he had his mentor. He had told himself to stay strong, to work hard to rebuild his familyās name.
But deep insideā¦
“I was jealous. Iā¦ I donāt have a mother.”
Leon hiccupped, trying his best to stay quiet as he cried. It was heartbreaking to see how he had learned to cry without making a sound.
“Leon.”
Adel gently reached out and stroked his hair.
“Itās okay, Leon.”
Ronschka loved his kind mother, but right now, he suddenly didnāt like this.
Donāt touch Leon!
His chest burned with frustration.
Without thinking, he ran up to Adel, grabbed her dress, and clung tightly to her leg.
“Ronschka?”
“I-I donāt like it! D-Donāt touch him!”
His small body trembled.
Adel had tried so hard to show him love, but he was still scared. She knew that. So, she smiled gently and crouched down.
“Ronschka, whatās wrong?”
“I-I donāt want you to touch Leon!”
“I see.”
Adel would do anything for Ronschka. But thisā¦ this was something she couldnāt grant him.
“Can you listen to me for a moment?”
People donāt live alone.
One day, just like a baby bird breaking out of its shell, Ronschka would have to open himself up to the world.
“Ronschka, I want you to get along with others.”
“Why?”
I only need you, Mom.
She could see it written all over his face.
His love was so pure and devotedāit was heartwarming. But at the same time, it was also painful.
“Because I want you to be happy. I want your world to be bigger. I want you to learn how to talk to others.”
“Whyā¦ why do I have to?”
“Because then, Ronschka, youāll be even happier.”
Adelās gentle voice softened Ronschkaās expression. He didnāt fully understand everything yet, but he could feel the warmth in her words.
Lifting his head slightly, he mumbled,
“Thenā¦ just a little.”
For the first time, Ronschka learned to make a small compromise.
Pleased, Adel pulled him into a warm hug. Then, she turned to Leon.
Leon was crying so much it looked like his eyes might melt away.
“Leon.”
Adel stepped closer and hugged him just as she had hugged Ronschka.
“Stop crying, or your eyes will disappear.”
“Butā¦!”
“Itās okay. Kids fight sometimes. But if you think you did something wrong, you must always apologize afterward.”
Leon sniffled and turned to Ronschka.
“Iām sorry, Ronschka.”
Ronschka looked grumpy, but he still accepted the apology.
Adel wet a cloth and gently wiped Leonās tear-streaked face. Ronschka whined for attention, but she made sure to take care of both boys equally.
Meanwhile, the bread pudding in the oven had turned golden brown. Adel carefully took it out and used a big spoon to scoop some into small bowls.
Steam rose from the warm, delicious-looking pudding. As soon as she placed it in front of them, both boysā eyes sparkled with excitement.
“Alright, letās eat!”
“Yes!”
Leon scooped up a big spoonful. The pudding was soft and warm, with a faint scent of apples. Not wanting to fall behind, Ronschka also took a huge bite.
“Ah! You have to let it cool first, Ronschka!”
He flapped his hands in panic from the heat, quickly drinking the water Adel gave him. Seeing that, Leon paused and blew on his pudding before taking a bite.
I want to eat it quickly.
When he finally tasted it, sweetness filled his mouth.
“Is it good?”
“Itās delicious!”
Leon eagerly ate more.
Ronschka, meanwhile, had already finished his first bowl and was holding out his empty dish for more.
Adel felt proud watching them enjoy such a simple dish.
“Itās really good.”
Leon couldnāt stop saying how delicious it was as he ate.
It was strangeāhe had eaten expensive, fancy meals with his mentor before, but somehow, this tasted even better.
For a while, the kitchen was filled with warmth.
Leon and Ronschka had apologized and seemed a little closer now.
Ronschka still grumbled at times, but he didnāt push Leon away anymore. Of course, if Leon got too close to Adel, Ronschka wouldnāt hesitate to stop him. But at least, things were getting better.
