Chapter 33: Novel Drama

"You can cook?" Jayden inquired. Elyse replied with a smile, "I have a few specialties I want to cook for you, to thank you for your help." "I'm in for a treat tonight, then," Jayden responded.

Pleased that Jayden was open to having dinner with her, Elyse cheerfully said, "Then I'll go start preparing now." Watching her energetic departure, Jayden smiled.

Just then, the butler, Driscoll, appeared at the door and saw Jayden's genuine smile. "Sir, isn't your wife lovely?"

Jayden accepted a cup of tea, feigning indifference. "What do you mean by that?"

"You're overthinking it," Driscoll replied. "I didn't mean anything by it. I just think she's a good match for you."

"You are fond of her," Jayden asked.

"No, I can see that you are fond of her," Driscoll responded. "To me, your happiness is what matters most."

"I never said I'm happy to have her as my wife," Jayden replied.

Driscoll simply smiled kindly and remained silent.

In the evening, after finishing the last dish, Elyse went to the study to invite Jayden to dinner. The butler and maids had already left, ensuring privacy for the couple. At the table, Jayden saw four dishes and looked slightly displeased. "Only three dishes?" he said.

Elyse's smile vanished. "I poured my heart into these. Please show some respect for the effort I've invested."

Jayden refrained from further comment, sat down, and tried a bite of one dish. After finishing, Elyse asked expectantly, "How is it? Is it good?"

"It's not very good. It's too oily," Jayden remarked.

"Too oily? Try this one; it must be better," Elyse encouraged, offering another dish.

Jayden sampled it and said, "It's too sour. It lacks sweetness, which I don't like anyway."

Frustrated but not defeated, Elyse gestured to another dish. "This one should be great."

Jayden tasted it and simply stated, "Too salty."

"So you don't like any of them?" Elyse asked, her expression falling.

Jayden tried the soup. "The soup can't be bad, can it?"

Hearing this, Elyse removed her apron and went upstairs, her face expressionless.

Confused by her sudden departure, Jayden called Driscoll. When Driscoll saw Elyse had left, he asked, "Where did she go?"

"She went back to her room."

"Weren't you two having dinner together? Why did she go to her room?"

"I'm not sure."

"You must have said something to upset her, sir. What happened?"

After Jayden recounted the events, Driscoll responded, "Sir, how could you say that? We've tasted all the dishes she cooked. They might not be spectacular, but they're certainly not bad. You've hurt her feelings."

Jayden frowned, puzzled by Elyse's reaction. He didn't think she would be so sensitive to a few critical comments, especially after she'd said she'd cook for him as a way to thank him. Could she really have stormed out just for that?

Sitting there brooding, Jayden remained silent.

After a moment, Driscoll approached with some desserts. "Sir, would you like me to speak with her for you?" he asked with concern.

Jayden pursed his lips and responded indifferently, "I just made a few remarks. Why should she be upset over that?"

Observing Jayden's impassive demeanor, Driscoll grew concerned that Jayden might push Elyse further away. "She made these dishes for you. Even if they weren't to your liking, perhaps you shouldn't have been so blunt."

"Women are troublesome. If she wants to sulk, let her be," Jayden dismissed.

Driscoll had hoped Jayden would go upstairs to comfort Elyse, but Jayden seemed indifferent. "Sir, are you really going to just leave her by herself?"

"Why should I go to her? Did I criticize her personally? She's just too sensitive," Jayden retorted.

Seeing Jayden's resolve, Driscoll held back further comments.

...