It was ultimately Frairen’s firm statement—"Focus on what matters; if you don’t take this seriously, I won’t bother with you"—that finally calmed Martha down.

  “Back to the main topic. You all heard earlier; I didn’t actually oppose helping you.”

  Frairen’s earlier act had been to gauge Misako’s resolve and iions.

  “Noelle.”“Yes!”“I’ll leave everything to you. Do your best.”“Uood, Mother.”

  In truth, Frairen had already decided to entrust this matter to Noelle upon seeing her arrive with Misako and the others. As the future King of the Elves, Noelle o start building her own achievements. Assisting the other races in f an alliance or a nation as they determined would be a perfect opportunity.

  Frairen was fident of success. As the current Elven King, she had ied extensive knowledge, including records about the yokai collectively known as bck demons of the ages—an undeniably superior race. Even though they had faced defeat and were sealed in the Abyss, it was only a matter of time before they returo prominence.

  “Well, that’s all for now on this matter. …Maya, why are you here? Shouldn’t you be managing your business?”

  Ending the topic, Frairen turned her attention to Maya, whose appearance bore a striking resembo the queen’s.

  “Oh, it’s nothing. Some new recruits have filled in for me temporarily, so I had some free time. It’s been a while since I came back, so here I am.”

  As Maya spoke, she carefully used tongs to pce sugar ieacup, even scraping and tapping to measure the amount down to the mi.

  “New recruits? Isn’t your business notoriously hard to master? People without both talent and time ’t even mimic it.”“Exactly. That’s why these recruits started training decades ago… though, Frairen, that st ent isn’t as true anymore.”

  Maya’s gaze shifted to Farkonia, who had been silently sitting beside Misako. However, before Maya could linger, Misako caught on and shot her a gre, causing Maya’s lips to twitvoluntarily.

  “Hm? Auntie Maya, are you a high-ranking member of ‘Fluffy Desserts’?”

  Hearing this, Veridith tilted her head in fusion. She recalled Maya mentioning her signifit role in the business but had assumed it was due to exceptional ary skills or favor from the higher-ups. Now it seemed more than that.

  “Pfft! Veridith, your words wound me…”

  Maya clutched her chest, feigning hurt as if blood might spill from her lips.

  Though sidered young among elves, being called “auntie” by a young girl was a blow to Maya’s pride. Awakenily hadn’t helped her mood either. Seeing Maya in a funk, Noelle answered in her pce:

  “Aunt Maya is the founder of ‘Fluffy Desserts.’ Every recipe was developed by her personally.”“I see. No wo’s been so successful.”

  Despite its popurity, ‘Fluffy Desserts’ was hindered by the plexity of training chefs and the i nature of desserts, which couldn’t rely on sheer quantity. Still, being the sister of a queen and a noble certainly helped mitigate such disadvantages.

  “It’s been ages siasted Aunt Maya’s desserts. Would you mind preparing something?”“Of course, dear niece! Here are some of my test creations. Try them!”

  From a time-slowing ste pouch, Maya retrieved refined versions of the desserts Misako and the others had seen earlier. These had undergone further improvements in private.

  “How is it?”“It’s delicious! Sweet yet not overwhelming, with a refreshing ess.”“If I didn’t worry about my health, I’d make this my main course.”“Best not to. Though plump Naver is adorable, affeg your stamina wouldn’t be ideal.”

  Noelle and the others tinued chatting, while nearby…

  “Frairen, say ‘ahh’~”

  Martha had turo feeding Frairen. While that alone wasn’t unusual, the issue y in her using her own spoon, sav it herself after Frairen ate, and clearly enjoying something other than the dessert!

  “Seriously, sis, isn’t this a bit too much?”“Don’t meddle. Isn’t food made for moments like this? In fact, all food should be ehis way.”“…”

  ‘Why didn’t I think of that?’

  Unknown to the others, part of Maya’s motivation iing desserts stemmed from wanting to see little girls happily enjoying them, perhaps even being depe on her, making her feel her life as an elf was fulfilled. However, after spending more time with her older sister, she realized her own inations were far too tame.

  “Don’t you dare get any ideas about Frairen. I was annoyed earlier but held back.”“Rex. While mommy-loli types are appealing, I’ve found my favorite.”“?”

  “Frairen’s still too reserved and soft. I’m drawn to the trast between an adorable exterior and an untouchable demeanor.”

  Maya recalled being utterly captivated by a pink-haired girl retly—her mog expressions and aura of lethal authority left Maya smitten, smiling foolishly at the memory.

  “…Mother and Aunt Maya truly are sisters.”“Agreed.”

  Noelle and Rover exged knowing looks at Martha and Maya.

  ‘…Aren’t you two the same?’

  Meanwhile, Naver, sitting nearby, thought about how she was toyed with at night—how the sisters pyed with each other when tired before returning their focus to her.

  Truly, mother and daughter were cut from the same cloth.

  ‘Even my sister… she’s no different.’

  Naf had fallen even earlier to Tiffany’s charms. Though initially using her knowledge as a reinator to fluster Tiffany, the tables eventually turned. Now, Naf had bee utterly depe on Tiffany.

  It seemed every member of the Stavor family—except for the witch—was fated to be devoured.