Chapter 140 I'll Cook for You
Henry took Mila and Tess to the pier. They needed to return to the ship to change into their formal attire for the noble's banquet. Proper etiquette was essential.
If a noble lack of the fundamental decorum, it would indeed be a subject of derision. The manner of attire formed an integral facet of such etiquette.
Tess, being straightforward, asked, "Henry, will there be food tonight? I haven't had a proper meal all day."
Mila, displeased with Tess's casual address, whispered, "You should address Henry with respect, like Lord Henry."
Tess, puzzled, turned to Henry. "But he introduced himself as Henry."
Mila explained, "In this era, we are commoners, and we should use titles when addressing nobles. For example, you should call him Lord Henry."
Tess nodded in understanding but then asked, "Why don't you use titles? Why do you call him Henry?"
Mila, with a wry smile, said, "That's because we are close to Henry."
"Is that so?" Tess was skeptical. Turning towards Henry, she inquired, "Henry, is it really so?"
Henry found himself at a loss for words. How had the conversation come around to him? Mila's eyes were fixed on him as well, forcing him to concede. "Indeed!"
Initially, he wanted to state it mattered not what one was called. However, in this era, the hierarchy of nobility was scrupulously observed. In his own castle, perhaps it held no consequence. Yet, if heard by others outside, it would most certainly invite ridicule.
"Then, I shall call you Lord Henry as well!" Tess' large chest quivered as she burst into a radiant smile. "Lord Henry, will there be supper this evening?"
"Yes, the kind that will satiate you!" Henry sighed.
"Really?" Tess's eyes sparkled as though little stars were twinkling within.
"Indeed!"
"Yes! Henry... Lord Henry, you're such a kind person." Tess corrected her words under Mila's stern gaze.
Mila kicked a small stone, pouting, cursing under her breath at this overzealous, big-chested woman. Even she had never directly used Henry's name."
As they walked, they encountered David, who expressed concern for Henry's well-being. "Henry, are you okay?"
"I am fine. I just killed some bandits." Henry reassured him, and David and Charles, relieved, continued their tasks.
If Henry sustain an injury, their return home would surely result in a relentless chiding from their parents, as if stripping away a layer of skin. Following this, their younger sister, Willow, would undoubtedly scold them further, akin to being skinned thrice over.
"In the woods beyond Hyratos dwell a band of beastmen willing to accompany us back to Eldoria. Escort them to the ship and ensure they are well-fed. Do not skimp on the wheat." Henry instructed.
"Okay." David nodded.
"Instructing them to return in the morn, cast a vigilant eye tonight, never to slacken. Ensure a night watch is set, and provide everyone with an extra feast, with a slice of big meat." Henry advised cautiously. One could never be too prudent when going outside.
"I got it!" David nodded, leaving together with Charles.
Henry and his company proceeded towards the docks. His somber gaze studied the buildings within Hyratos, concluding that even in thriving Hyratos, the commoners lived in poverty.
It was rather indicative of the times. Affluent nobles grew rich on the sweat and blood of indigent commoners, even looking down upon them—a sizable irony indeed!
"Lord Henry, you truly are a splendidly kind person." Tess affirmed with serious resolve.
Feeding four hundred orcs was tantamount to satisfying over a thousand humans. It was a substantial burden to many nobles.
A gentle smile flashed across the corner of Henry's mouth. Squinting his eyes towards the setting sun, he chuckled softly. "People who follow me, while I may not promise much now, at least I can ensure they have plentiful food to sate their hunger. I can guarantee that."
Indeed, when Henry was lauded as a good man, it was for an objective purpose. Perhaps it was his forward-thinking ideologies that made him seem altruistic.
Tess was now pondering the question of whether or not to summon her elder sister and the other orcs from her tribe.
Perhaps it would be best to reconsider later. She recalled that she had sneaked out secretly only to return home and face a good beating.
They shortly arrived at the docks. Only a handful of soldiers were seen standing guard, and they relaxed upon seeing Henry.
Henry, accompanied by Mila and Tess, returned to the transport ship, immediately procuring some food for Tess.
"Tess, what do you like to eat?" Henry asked, flexing his fingers.
"I'm not picky!" Tess replied, hopeful, "Just make sure there's plenty of it."
"Don't worry, there will be enough for you." Henry assented, rummaging through the crates they brought. Preparing a hot meal might take too long now, so he decided to scavenge for some readily consumable food.
"I got it!" he yelled, pulling out a loaf of cornbread from one of the crates, then turned towards Tess and said, "I'll prepare this for you."
"This for me to eat?" Tess's violet eyes widened as she glanced towards a certain lower part of Henry, her cheeks quickly blushing crimson.
"Henry, you..." Mila gasped, her blue eyes revealing disbelief.
"What is it?" Henry frowned, looking down, following their gaze and finally understanding. Those two had misunderstood him.
Lightly tapping on their heads, he held up the loaf of cornbread and grumbled. "I meant this here! It's called bread!"
"What's bread?" Tess stared in amazement at the paper bag.
Despite having eaten bread before, Mila found herself deeply embarrassed, blushing fervently. Covering her face with both hands, she felt utterly humiliated.
"Mila, go freshen up and change. You are accompanying me to tonight's noble banquet."
While Henry spoke, he was tearing open the paper bag, retrieving the cornbread and placing it into Tess's hand.
Some possessions brought from Earth had been repackaged in Willow's private warehouse. For instance, the cornbread now resided in a paper bag.
"Huh?" Mila exclaimed in shock. "Henry, are you taking me to a noble banquet?"
"Yes, is that okay?" Henry answered without raising his head. "Go freshen up, and we may run out of time."
"No, that's not it, Henry... No noble ever takes a female orc to a banquet." Mila became anxious. She didn't want to bring disgrace upon Henry.
