Shattered Innocence: Transmigrated Into a Novel as an Extra-Chapter 530: Gourmet

Lucavion exhaled, rolling his shoulders as he cast a glance at the menu laid out before them. The small diner was a far cry from the luxurious inn where he had once dined with Elara, but the scent of fresh spices and grilled meats was undeniably inviting.

Still, there was a problem.

He had no idea what half these dishes were.

Eastern cuisine was a complex thing. Different regions had different traditions, different flavors, and while he had eaten fine meals before, he wasn't exactly well-versed in the intricacies of these particular dishes. Some were seafood-based, others rich in stews, and a few carried an aroma of unfamiliar spices that hinted at heat.

His fingers tapped lazily against the table as he considered his options. And then—he smirked.

Aeliana would enjoy this.

With an air of exaggerated nonchalance, he leaned back in his chair, glancing at her. "Well then, Little Ember," he mused, his tone light, playful, "since you've already taken the liberty of dictating my wardrobe, why not extend your tyranny to my dinner as well?"

Aeliana, who had been glancing at the menu, arched a brow at him. "Oh? You're admitting defeat so easily?"

Lucavion smirked. "Hardly. I'm merely granting you the privilege of choosing my meal."

Aeliana hummed, her amber eyes flickering with amusement. "That so? And here I thought you had refined tastes."

"I do," he replied smoothly, propping an elbow on the table. "But I'm also a man of culture. I like to experience new things—when someone competent is doing the choosing."

Aeliana let out a soft scoff, shaking her head. "Flattery won't get you out of this, Lucavion."

"Ah, but was I trying to get out of it?" His smirk widened. "Perhaps I'm simply indulging in the rare pleasure of seeing you make a decision without overanalyzing it."

Lucavion sighed, stretching his arms out with an easy, languid motion. "Besides," he continued, tilting his head slightly, "who better to judge than someone who has been at the mercy of a self-proclaimed gourmet?" His smirk curled at the edges. "One who dictates, critiques, and—if memory serves correctly—scoffs at every meal prepared in her presence."

Aeliana's fingers twitched slightly against the table. Her expression remained composed, unreadable, but for a moment—just a flicker—something in her gaze shifted.

She remembered.

The time they spent together after being caught in the vortex. Stranded, half-dead, forced to rely on each other in ways neither of them had ever anticipated. It had been… messy. Chaotic. But amidst the constant struggle for survival, there had been moments—small ones—where things had settled into something quieter.

And back then—

Aeliana scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Oh, please." She leaned forward slightly, her smirk laced with sharp amusement. "I had standards. Unlike you, who seemed perfectly content with consuming mediocrity."

Lucavion raised a brow. "Mediocrity?"

Aeliana nodded, her tone dripping with faux sympathy. "If not for me, you would have lived in absolute, uninspired blandness." She tapped a finger against the table, her smirk growing. "You should be grateful someone like me was there to elevate your palate."

Lucavion let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "Ah, yes, how could I forget? A self-proclaimed gourmet, stranded in the middle of nowhere, with nothing but dried rations and desperation."

Aeliana crossed her arms. "And yet, even then, I refused to settle for something as dull as whatever you tried to pass off as food."

'Seven years ago. Seven years… it's been that long, hasn't it?'

The thought was intrusive, unwelcome.

She had changed from then….from the time she was a child gourmet…

But even now, sitting across from him in a market diner, their words laced with teasing and challenge—some things still felt the same.

Lucavion smirked, as if he had caught the exact moment she let her thoughts drift. "You never did explain where that 'refined' taste of yours came from," he mused, resting his chin against his palm. "Were you always so impossible, or was it something you cultivated out of sheer determination to make my life harder?"

Aeliana clicked her tongue. "Oh, wouldn't you like to know?"

Lucavion exhaled, feigning exhaustion. "So mysterious. So dramatic." His smirk curled. "Just admit it. You enjoyed critiquing me. It gave you power."

Aeliana smirked right back. "And what if it did?"

Lucavion leaned forward slightly, his smirk never fading. "Well, if you enjoyed it that much, then by all means…" His voice was smooth, laced with something dangerously close to sincerity. "I don't mind."

Aeliana blinked. "What?"

Lucavion tilted his head, studying her with lazy amusement. "If nitpicking my food choices makes you happy, then go ahead. Rarely did I see you look so…" His gaze flickered over her expression, reading something unspoken. "At ease."

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Aeliana felt it instantly—the heat creeping up the back of her neck, the sudden, uncharacteristic prick of embarrassment.

'What is wrong with him? Saying something like that with no hesitation—'

She narrowed her eyes, searching for the tell, the usual playful deceit woven into his words. But—

Nothing.

No teasing glint. No mockery.

Just a simple statement, spoken with ease, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

It had only been two days since they left that realm. Two days since their time together had ended like that. And yet, the way he spoke—casual, effortless, as if those moments between them weren't just remnants of survival but something else—

Aeliana clicked her tongue, shaking off the ridiculous thought. "Hmph." She crossed her arms, forcing herself to exude nothing but practiced confidence. "I'm just making sure you don't embarrass yourself in public with your tragic taste."

Lucavion chuckled, the sound rich and unhurried. "Ah, of course. The noble act of charity."

Aeliana exhaled sharply, ignoring the way her heart stupidly skipped a beat at his tone.

Before she could retaliate, a shadow loomed over their table.

The waiter had arrived.

A slightly bulky man, built in the way so many Stormhaven locals were—broad shoulders, a weathered look, the kind of presence forged by years of labor rather than idleness. He held a small notepad in one hand, but his gaze lingered for a fraction of a second too long on Aeliana.

Not in the way most men looked at a noblewoman.

It was more careful. Hesitant. As if the weight of recognition had struck him before he forced himself to look away, quickly fixing his focus on Lucavion instead.

Lucavion caught it instantly, of course.

His smirk didn't fade, but there was something almost imperceptible in the way his posture shifted—casual yet subtly watchful. He leaned back slightly, letting the moment pass without remark.

The waiter cleared his throat. "Ready to order?"

Aeliana didn't acknowledge the brief moment of recognition. She had spent years perfecting the art of ignoring such things.

Instead, she nodded, smoothly listing off the choices she had made for them both.

Aeliana's voice was smooth, unbothered, as she listed the selections with an ease that suggested she had made up her mind long before the waiter even approached.

"We'll have the smoked river trout with saffron glaze, the spiced crab stew, and a side of rice wrapped in lotus leaves." Her tone was firm, decisive. "And bring a serving of pickled greens to balance the flavors."

The waiter nodded, scribbling the order down. "Any drinks?"

Aeliana tilted her head slightly. "Warm citrus tea for me."

Lucavion exhaled, smirking. "And I'll take the same."

The waiter gave a curt nod, his gaze flickering toward Aeliana once more—brief, measured—before he turned on his heel and strode away.

Lucavion watched him go, his fingers tapping lazily against the edge of the table. Then, with an exaggerated sigh, he leaned forward, resting his chin against his palm. "You know," he mused, his smirk deepening, "I'm starting to think you enjoy making decisions for me."

Aeliana scoffed. "Someone has to."

Lucavion chuckled. "Fair enough." His gaze flickered with interest. "So then, smoked river trout, crab stew, and… lotus-wrapped rice?" He arched a brow. "I'll admit, I was expecting something heavier. This sounds—dare I say—refined."

Aeliana hummed. "Of course it's refined. I wasn't about to let you order something tragic."

Lucavion smirked, tilting his head. "And tell me, Little Ember, what exactly should I be expecting?"

Aeliana's expression remained unreadable. Then—just the slightest curl of her lips.

"You'll see."

Lucavion exhaled, shaking his head in mock surrender. "Ah, the suspense."

Aeliana smirked. "Consider it part of the experience."

Lucavion leaned back, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Fine. I'll play along."

And just like that, the anticipation settled between them, quiet yet tangible, as they waited for their meal.