Because the cruel image of Jeff from my past life was so vivid, I found it fascinating that forming a family could change someone so much.

If, as a lord, I honored the hard work of my subordinates by giving additional rewards, such as bonus pay, vacation, or precious metals, that might be one way.

However, Jeff’s chosen method was somewhat surprising, considering that he was the emperor, a figure I knew so far.

Some might think that money isn’t everything, and since it’s a time of peace, there’s no harm in indulging in such luxury. Still, considering it somewhat wasteful, like with flour, I couldn’t readily accept Jeff’s answer.

‘Well, it’s spilled water now. I should focus on the meat.’

Honestly, when animal shapes or my face appear, it gives me goosebumps, but it doesn’t feel too bad.
And now, even if the current me complains negatively about fireworks, it would only make me seem strange. Besides, it could worsen the dining atmosphere, and I might end up fasting due to indigestion, so I decided to let it go.

As someone who was a lord in a previous life, I couldn’t understand Jeff’s choice. However, as a lord, it was also an obligation to show mercy, do good deeds, and take care of the people and subjects. I could think of Jeff achieving such things in his own way.

“Dad, of course, our little Emperor is the most beautiful and important to you, but as the person in the highest position in the country, you also need to take care of those working in the palace.”

Look, everyone is returning with smiling faces, aren’t they?

Jeff added with a gentle smile. The satisfaction embedded in that smile, unlike the face of a cute animal he used to hold and care for during my infancy, was a smile that combined something I, as an emperor, lacked in basic manners.

‘Unconsciously, I felt like Jeff had something I don’t have.’

For a moment, I was surprised, trying to quickly recall what it was. However, like a fog covering it, it remained vague.

Afterward, still in Jeff’s arms, we moved quietly for a while, and when Hecate’s silhouette sitting by the pond finally appeared in the distance, I asked him to put me down.

“Dazzling!”

As we took a few steps, whether she sensed our presence or turned her head by chance, Hecate met my gaze. She got up and, just like when we visited the military training ground before, came towards me, picking me up and twirling around.

“Our daughter’s welcome~ Mom wanted to go too.”

Hecate, who guarded the spot alone after losing in rock-paper-scissors with Dad, puckered her lips, complaining. Jeff looked at her and cleared his throat.

“Cough, Empress. I wonder if the world of an unknown match isn’t harsh.”

It felt like being a vegetable stuck between sandwich bread. Feeling awkward, I kept quiet for a moment and then stopped Jeff and Hecate’s trivial argument with the words that I was hungry.

“Let’s quickly tear into the meat and watch the stars.”

“P, potatoes?”

“I’ll eat a little.”

Is it a showdown between the enthusiastic potato lover and the passionate meat lover today? I shrugged my shoulders in response, and seeing Jeff’s attitude, who seemed reluctant to eat potatoes as if he were an old man with no energy, I sighed inwardly.

“Indeed, meat is the best, right? Dazzling, when you grow a bit more, it would be great if you could eat several kilos like Mom!”

No, I might die from overeating before that. Feeling like I was being taken to a distant mental world, I sighed inwardly, deciding to give in to one side.
So, with a bit of bickering, we leisurely arrived in the courtyard. On the splendid crimson tablecloth adorned with golden embroidery, there was a modest yet undeniably imposing display of dishes. On the left side, potato dishes took their place amidst the candlesticks, while on the right side, meat dishes occupied their territory.

“It’s incredible.”

Potato salad, potato soup, potato pancakes, baked potatoes, a dish where thinly sliced beef, vegetables, and potatoes were chopped into square shapes and stir-fried together, a dish where potatoes and chicken were roasted together and topped with herb and lemon sauce, and a feast of honey-glazed lightly fried potato chips. My mouth widened at the scent.

“Oh, wow…!”

As the freshly cooked dishes emitted steam into the air, making one’s mouth water, a genuine expression of admiration escaped me at the sight of the meat.

That’s how sincere I was about meat, and Hecate, calling herself my daughter, looked at Jeff with a happier and prouder expression.

‘I can’t possibly eat all that with this body. I should just taste them.’

On the other hand, the meat dishes were no less impressive.

Roast turkey, crispy on the outside and moist inside barbecue dishes, a premium stew with carrots, broccoli, peas, and meat chunks, steak seasoned with garlic and butter, accompanied by mushrooms and beige-colored sauce, meatball spaghetti, and a slightly spicy-looking chicken dish bewitched the senses with a captivating aroma, making my sense of smell and reason momentarily paralyzed, as if my soul was being pulled out, and I sat down on the chair entranced.

Soon after, as if by obligation, I served myself potato dishes onto the plate first and quickly put the meat dishes into my mouth. At that moment, a small fairy choir appeared on my tongue, showering sweet desserts all around and blessing me, making me feel locked in a mood of ecstasy. That’s how fantastic the meat was.

Of course, without forgetting, I arranged for Poppin to have a separate dish for the meat at intervals.

Poppin also enjoyed the meat very much, and when she ate the potato dishes, she even shed tears, proudly raising Jeff’s potato dishes that almost brought him to tears.

“When will we see the stars?”

“You’ll see them when we have dessert later.”

Jeff seemed a bit sad because I kept eating only meat, but eventually, he smiled and continued the meal. It wasn’t until much later, after spending time with the two of them, that I could look at the constellations in the night sky while having ice cream for dessert.

“Oh? That’s a constellation representing a hunter.”

“Really? Then, then! Should I tell you a story about the constellation?”

Although I couldn’t enjoy the sight of the originally intended meat while tearing it apart and was a bit bloated from eating too much meat, spending time with Jeff and Hecate by taking them along was the best way to pass the time until my digestion settled.

“Yes.”

So, gladly accepting Jeff’s suggestion, I rode a horse, holding onto the strands of his hair like reins, maintaining balance and spending a leisurely time until I yawned.