---

Chapter 1: This House Has Fallen Apart Without Her

“Dear Mr. Roy:

Recently, the internal exchange meetings of the Mage Association have resumed. As the winner of the Blue Trial, you will automatically gain membership. We will regularly send you a list each week of the new extraordinary items available for sale. You can also propose bounties for us to help you acquire desired items.

Here’s the list of extraordinary items available: ……”

On a weekend evening, Roy sipped on hot milk, holding the letter from the association, and raised his brows in satisfaction.

After waiting so long, the association finally had news.

According to Janthea, the Mage Association, which gathers numerous extraordinary items, is the most promising place to obtain the Certificate of Kingship.

Roy had previously doubted the truth of her words due to repeated delays, questioning how reliable these mages truly were; however, upon seeing the catalog sent by the association today, he realized the truth.

The previous underground auction was nothing but some fish from Veszyra.

But the internal exchange of the association was like Veszyra’s treasure trove!

From potions with a hint of extraordinary energy to rare treasures that could rival a clan’s heirloom, from masterfully forged extraordinary weapons to priceless protective charms, everything you could imagine was there.

Even items from the Holy Light Church were visible, proving the depth of the Mage Association.

It’s no wonder that, compared to noble kingship, mages have significant limitations with their bloodline abilities, so they are eager to collect and create extraordinary items to compensate for this shortcoming.

Surely, only at the Mage Association could one find such a variety of extraordinary items.

Although there was nothing resembling the Certificate of Kingship on this list, Roy was still thoroughly entertained, like browsing a treasure website.

Of course, with two major marketplaces and the diverse abilities of a False King, he didn’t really need to buy anything special.

But hey, getting some items for others could work!

Roy glanced toward the kitchen.

The little maid, wearing an apron, was busy bustling about, her black-and-white frilled skirt and golden short twin tails swaying with her deft movements, forming a view Roy couldn’t get enough of.

Charlotte and Nia had strong backing, and Leanna was a member of the association herself, so they weren’t lacking in extraordinary items.

So, the only one who needed something was Alice.

Coincidentally, it seemed there was a pair of gauntlets from the Holy Knights circulating among the items; Alice would look pretty cool wearing those…

“Hey, look at our Roy, checking someone out! Isn’t that little maid of yours just adorable?”

A deliberately teasing voice rang out in his ears, followed by the soft, squishy feeling of two puffy bulges.

Being hugged from behind by the elven girl, Roy felt a wave of pressure forming on his head.

“Hmph, isn’t it only natural that my maid is cute?” Roy laughed off casually.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he said that, the other two girls by the couch turned to look at him simultaneously.

“Yeah, it’s not good to have inappropriate thoughts about your own maid.”

“Hmm, if junior likes it, maybe I should try out a maid outfit next time.”

Nia didn’t say anything but just hugged tighter.

What the heck, is it necessary? Are you two even jealous of Alice? She’s still just a little sister!

Not to mention, in the original story, it was clearly you two who were all crazy about her…

Roy looked at the trio glaring at him, feeling utterly exasperated.

Fortunately, just when the atmosphere was getting more dangerous, a sweet voice from the kitchen echoed.

“Everyone, dinner’s ready!”

“Hmph, I’ll let you off this time.”

Charlotte muttered, dashing toward the dining table with the other two girls.

Roy couldn’t help but sigh in relief.

Thank goodness, food trumps everything; appetite wins out in the end.

As he reached the dining table, the scene before him still left Roy in disbelief.

Charlotte gasped slightly: “Roasted piglet with salt crust—that’s a specialty from the southern part of the kingdom, right? I can’t believe you made this!”

Alice kept a calm expression, but her eyes were warm: “The market just happened to have a fresh stock recently. Miss Charlotte, there’s strawberry cake for dessert, which should pair nicely with the black tea.”

“Sounds great! Um, I mean, I’m really looking forward to Alice’s cooking, even if it’s not cake, I’d like it.” Although everyone knew she was a sweet tooth, Charlotte still felt the need to clarify.

Alice looked at Leanna: “How did you find the meat sauce pasta, Senior Leanna?”

Leanna, having taken a small bite, looked up with a smile: “Perfect.”

“Just like what my mother makes. I can’t believe you only ate it once, yet learned our family’s secret recipe!” Leanna chuckled: “Mom would be shocked if she knew.”

“As long as you like it,” Alice nodded gently.

As for Nia, her way of showing praise was simple—basically just eat, eat, eat, welcoming everything that came.

To be honest, they weren’t like this at first.

Roy still remembered the first day Leanna came for dinner; the witch and princess had such a tense atmosphere, it was like the beginning of a world war.

It was said their terrifying aura that evening had nearly made nearby students run to the teacher, fearing a domestic violence incident.

Until the little maid brought tea, honey wine, and coffee, the brows of the three girls instantly relaxed, and the atmosphere eased.

To win over a man, you first need to win over his stomach.

That saying applies to women, too.

It was proven that Alice’s cooking became a bridge for the girls to get along peacefully. No matter the conflicts, at the dinner table, everyone could always coexist in harmony.

At that moment, in Roy’s eyes, Alice was no longer just a maid; she was an angel radiating the Holy Light.

Alice, this house has definitely fallen apart without you.

“Master…”

“Uh, did dinner suit your taste?”

“As long as it’s made by Alice, it will never go wrong!” Roy replied cheerfully.

As a glutton from the heavenly kingdom, that was no empty compliment.

Alice was not just skilled in cooking. Even when Roy once casually mentioned wanting to eat Peking Duck—a dish nonexistent in Veszyra, and not even feasible in his past life—she perfectly recreated it, using vague descriptions.

From that point on, Roy didn’t just appreciate Alice’s cooking; he worshipped it.

“Is that so…”

Alice murmured softly, her expression softening, but a hint of resentment flashed in her eyes.

Being praised by her master was undoubtedly a joy.

But what Alice actually wanted to ask wasn’t this…

The little maid recalled the words she had inadvertently overheard, her thoughts drifting.

Alice, am I really that cute—I’d love to hear my master confirm it in person.

But, as a maid, demanding her master for compliments seemed a bit strange, right?

“Master, good night.”

“Yeah, good night.”

The golden-haired girl, troubled, never managed to ask that question in the end.