After tasting the first dish—sweet and sour pork ribs—Yifia quickly lifted the lid of the second course.

Pineapple sweet and sour pork!

That sweet-and-tangy flavor was an absolute favorite among girls!

From observing Westis Empire cuisine, Yifia noticed its people universally favored sweet dishes. Perhaps sugarcane and similar crops weren’t abundant here, making sugar extraction difficult. Imports arrived only by sea at steep prices. Commoners, unable to afford it, showed little sweet tooth. Nobles, meanwhile, seemed ready to bathe in syrup.

During her previous visits to Amelia’s residence, Yifia saw sweet dishes dominated the table. To play it safe for her first attempt, she stuck to familiar flavors—other cuisines could wait.

She’d once worried about East-West taste gaps. But Chef Jeff’s awestruck gaze proved her fears unfounded.

*Delicious food knows no borders!*

As long as she avoided intensely flavored items like century eggs or cilantro, disaster was unlikely.

Confident in the pineapple sweet and sour pork, Yifia watched Amelia elegantly lift a piece with chopsticks. The moment it touched her lips, the tail swaying beneath the table wagged even more cheerfully.

*(Heavens! Even the Overlord lost control of her demon form—was it *that* good?)*

*(I wanna eat eat eat eat eat eat!)*

*(Everyone knows demons transform when emotionally overwhelmed… Overlord, save us a bite! We’re starving to taste it!)*

The system watched speechlessly: demons drooling openly, the Villainess Heiress’s tail swaying without shame. The fearsome demon image flickered, replaced—just for a moment—by pure foodie joy. *Huh. Demons do crave intensely… but this obsession with flavor? Slight character shift. And around this clumsy host? She’s unusually relaxed… Could this be… a route unlock?!* Hope sparked. *Time to tweak the next system task.*

“Yifia, your cooking is wonderful. I’m already eager for the next dish,” Amelia said politely. Yet her noble composure remained untouched—face calm, no visible excitement. Yifia’s shoulders slumped. *Just being kind because we’re acquaintances…*

Gritting her teeth, she unveiled the third dish. Simpler than the others, yet timelessly beloved:

Tomato and scrambled eggs!

Though humble in ingredients, Yifia stir-fried with meticulous care. The eggs emerged tender, the tomatoes bright and tangy—a perfect rice companion.

Before Amelia reached for chopsticks, Yifia swiftly served steamed rice. *All hope rests on this last dish. Please… show me that shocked look!*

Amelia, intrigued by the unfamiliar rice, followed Yifia’s guidance: chopsticks lifting fluffy rice with golden egg. She chewed slowly.

Then—her eyes lit up. Her expression shifted.

*That look.* The warm, happy glow Yifia knew so well. *This* was why she endured sore arms and late nights perfecting recipes. Seeing others find joy in her food? Priceless.

*Wait… did I just see black horns on her head?!*

Yifia rubbed her eyes. Nothing. *Must’ve spaced out thinking about my past life. Humans don’t grow demon horns.* Shaking off the thought, she smiled. Amelia’s changed expression was reward enough. Content, she sat beside her and began eating.

*It’s been so long… Real rice. So good!*

Full and satisfied, Yifia strolled with Amelia through the garden. Hand slipping into her pocket, she gripped the small gift box. *Time.*

“Amelia… besides cooking, I have another gift for you.”

She offered the box, cheeks warm, stealing glances from the corner of her eye.

Amelia opened it. Saw the commemorative gold coin. Paused. Then her lips curved upward. Her violet eyes met Yifia’s—like a calm lake stirred by wind, ripples dancing; like amethysts in a sunlit stream, glittering softly.

“Thank you, Yifia. I truly love it.”

“I’ll keep earning top marks in exams… and send every commemorative coin to you! So… Amelia… am I your friend?”

Yifia blurted it out—sincere voice, earnest eyes, utterly endearing.

Amelia’s laugh was gentle. She took Yifia’s hand, leaned down, and pressed her cool, smooth cheek against Yifia’s palm. Lifting her gaze, she offered not an answer, but a choice:

“Yifia… if you wish to be my friend… stay tonight.”

“…”

*It’s not the first time I’ve stayed over. Obvious choice!*

*Free meals tomorrow? Yes please!*

…

*If only I’d known.*

Yifia might’ve hesitated before nodding.

Instead of waking later to a maid guiding her into Amelia’s bedroom—for *shared* slumber.

*Naive me thought “stay over” meant a guest room!*

“Yifia, come here~”

Amelia reclined on the lavish bed, lace nightgown hinting at curves beneath. Seeing Yifia shrink back timidly, she smiled and beckoned. *The perfect night is just beginning…*

...