Pampered By Power: The True Heiress Returns

Chapter 236

Chapter 236

The enticing aroma of fish filled the kitchen, and Holden couldn't help but swallow hard as he watched Elysia

busily preparing the meal. Concern filled his heart as he said, “Elysia, maybe we shouldn't have come.”

Elysia paused for a moment, taken aback. Their eyes met, and seeing the regret in his expression, she

responded gently, “What makes you say that all of a sudden?”

Holden sighed. “If we hadn't chere, you wouldn't need to wade into the river to catch fish, and you wouldn't

have to cook for us. Elysia, it's my fault you're going through all this trouble.”

He regretted not learning how to cook when he was younger. Now, he felt useless, just standing there and

watching her work.

He thought about how it would have been better if he had brought along two cooks. Then Elysia wouldn't have to

toil away in the kitchen.

A wry smile crept onto Holden's lips. He could indeed hire two cooks to take the load off Elysia.

With that thought, joy lit up his face. “Elysia, I'll go to the village right now and find two cooks-just enough to

help in the kitchen. That way, you won't have to wear yourself out.”

Just as he was about to leave, Elysia called out, “Wait a moment.”

“Is there anything else | can do, Elysia?” Holden asked, his curiosity evident.

Elysia smiled softly, recalling why she had started cooking in the first place. It was out of concern for Jack's

health that year. She had begun experimenting with medicinal recipes to help him regain his strength.

To incorporate healing herbs into meals, she had to know about the ingredients and get the cooking right. Over

time, she found a passion for cooking that she hadn't expected.

What seemed trivial to her stirred deep sympathy in Holden's heart.

Feeling warm inside, Elysia looked at the bewildered Holden and smiled gently. “I'm not tired, and you really

don’t need to look for cooks.”

When she lived with the elders, she only occasionally made meals for them and rarely took on the role of a cook.

As she handled more responsibilities, the elders often worried and told her that too much work might roughen

her delicate hands. To help her out, they even hired a middle-aged woman from the village to learn how to cook.

However, after the elders departed for Sivro, the woman went traveling and would return a few days later. Elysia

then realized that with the limited tshe had left, she should care for the elders and cook for them.

Seeing Holden still standing there, speechless, Elysia added, “In a couple of days, our cook will be back. Once

she’s back, | won't need to cook at all.”

At this, Holden let out a sigh of relief. The mouthwatering scent wafted into the courtyard, making the appetites

of sev people who had felt no hunger just a moment ago calive.

Jack turned to the others while stroking his white beard. “You're in for a treat today; Elysia’s cooking is amazing.

You will absolutely love her meals.”

“Elysia can cook?” Javier said, surprise evident in his voice.

Jack nodded, a proud smile on his face. “She taught herself. This girl has always been quick on the uptake,

mastering everything she tries.”

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Chapter 236

Jack added. “I taught her about medicine and identifying herbs, and she blewaway by figuring out how they

could help.. She even started making her own pills-all of which led her to open the Arcanum House.

“But this girl has also faced a lot of sadness. She lost her parents when she was very young, Although we care

for her like she’s our own treasure, we can never fill the void left by her mother and father.

“She has always carried burdens far too heavy for someone her age, suffering in silence without bothering us

with her troubles. We know this, yet she worries that sharing her pain will only upset us

As Jack spoke, tears filled his eyes. “When | first found her, she was barely alive, her body frozen and bruised. If

she hadn't been so strong, she likely wouldn't have made it until | found her.”

Fabian and Javier listened closely, their expressions turning serious.

They felt empathy for Elysia and couldn't help but lament why they hadn't discovered her troubles sooner. She

had endured such a harsh existence alone for so many years.

If Jack hadn't stumbled upon her during his herbal journey, they might never have seen her again. After all this

time, they owed their gratitude to these elder men; without them, it was unimaginable what Elysia might have

become.

Fabian promised himself that the Evans family would always remember this kindness; without them, there would

be no Elysia as they knew her today.

But as thoughts of that unseen evil crossed Fabian’s mind, a flicker of anger darkened his brow, and he clenched

his hands tightly under the stone table.

He swore that one day, he would make that shadowy figure pay a terrible price.

Javier, usually gentle, had a serious look on his face. Over the years, they had enjoyed a warm and loving life in

the Evans family, but much of that warmth had faded with Evelyn's passing.

When Evelyn was alive, their hwas filled with love; at least they shared happy moments.

A bittersweet smile crossed Javier's face as he lightly mocked himself, realizing they had never thought that

while they rejoiced, Elysia might have been in the corner, tending to her own wounds.

He pictured her petite frand calm face, imagining the flicker of cold light in her eyes, along with her

unwavering strength.

Surely, she felt pain too. She must have shed tears in silence, but she chose to hide her suffering, sparing her

loved ones from the weight of her sorrow.

Javier's heart grew heavy, for Elysia deserved to be cherished, treated as a precious treasure, growing up

without burdens and surrounded by love.

Instead, she had carried too many hardships for someone so young. The most tragic irony was that they had only

just becaware of her struggles too late.

Her reluctance to acknowledge them was understandable. Their fault was learning the truth when it felt almost

too late.

Jack noticed their serious expressions and let out a long sigh without a word.

In that moment, ‘Holden emerged from the kitchen, while Phoebe and Elysia followed closely behind, each

carrying a dish as they approached the table. When they noticed the serious looks on everyone's faces, they

exchanged puzzled glances.

“Jack, what's wrong?” Elysia asked, concern in her voice.

“Nothing, Elysia. Let's eat,” Jack replied cheerfully.

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The group remained still, so Jack tapped his fingers on the table to grab their attention. “This is Elysia’s cooking

we're about to enjoy, and here you all are, sulking as if you dislike her food.”

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