章 3: Challenge accepted

The ceremony had ended, and we were back in the limousine, the hum of the engine underscoring the soft murmurs of the city outside. I was buzzing with a sense of relief and triumph.

I'd done it.

I'd told the world that I wanted to be a chef, not a mage, and while the crowd's collective gasp would probably echo in my memory for days, I couldn't stop smiling.

I leaned back against the plush leather seat, gazing out at the blurred lights of passing buildings. "Well," I said, breaking the silence, "that went better than expected."

Rowena snorted from her seat beside me. "Better? You dropped a bombshell in front of hundreds of people and didn't even flinch. Half of them looked like they were going to faint."

"That's not my fault," I said with a shrug. "They're the ones who overreacted."

"You're something else, Rhiannon," Rowena muttered, shaking her head.

To my surprise, Riley hadn't said anything yet. I glanced at her, half-expecting an angry lecture or at least a stern look, but she was simply staring at me with an expression that was more… puzzled than anything else.

"Are you mad, Mom?" I ventured cautiously.

Riley blinked, as if snapped out of her thoughts. "Mad? No. Confused? Absolutely." She tilted her head, her green eyes narrowing slightly.

"I mean, you've always been a little unconventional, but I didn't think you'd just… declare it to the world like that."

Seraphine chuckled softly from her seat across from us, her crimson eyes sparkling with amusement. "Our daughter is nothing if not bold," she said, her voice carrying that regal undertone she always had. "I rather enjoyed the drama of it all."

"Of course you did," Riley muttered, rolling her eyes. "And you're not upset either?"

"Why would I be upset?" Seraphine replied smoothly. "If Rhiannon wants to carve her own path, who are we to stop her? Besides," she added, a sly smile tugging at her lips, "I've always thought cooking was an art worthy of respect."

Riley sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Alright, fine. But there's one thing I need to know." She turned to me, her expression serious. "Do you really think cooking is going to be more useful than magic?"

"Absolutely," I said without hesitation. "Have you ever seen the joy on someone's face when they taste something extraordinary? That's real magic."

Rowena groaned. "Okay, philosopher. But let's not forget you were trying to make poison this morning."

"I wasn't just making poison," I shot back, feeling my cheeks heat up. "I was experimenting with flavors and—"

"You were experimenting with ways to give working poisons on demons," Rowena interrupted, a smirk spreading across her face.

Riley's eyebrows shot up. "Excuse me, what?"

"It's not as bad as it sounds," I said quickly. "It's just… you know how poison doesn't work on demons? I thought it would be interesting to—"

"To weaponize food," Rowena finished, unable to contain her laughter.

Seraphine laughed too, shaking her head. "Oh, Rhiannon. You truly are your great-grandmother's descendant."

"I'm taking that as a compliment," I said, crossing my arms. "And for the record, I can cook actual food too. Amazing food."

"Let's hope your future diners don't end up with more than they bargained for," Riley muttered, though I could see the corner of her mouth twitching in amusement.

By the time we arrived back at the castle, the moon was high in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the towering spires and dark stone walls.

As soon as we stepped out of the car, a familiar orange blur zipped through the air toward me. Ember, in her small, cat-sized form, let out a delighted chirp before landing in my arms.

"There's my favorite chaos dragon," I said, scratching under her chin. Ember purred contentedly, her warm scales shimmering in the moonlight.

Rowena reached out a hand to pat her, but Ember hissed and snapped her tiny jaws, making Rowena jerk her hand back. "Seriously?" Rowena said, glaring at the dragon. "I train with you, feed you, and this is the thanks I get?"

"Maybe she doesn't appreciate being used as target practice," I said innocently, cradling Ember closer.

"She needs to toughen up," Rowena grumbled, but her expression softened as she looked at Ember. "Still, I guess she's pretty cute when she's not setting things on fire."

We made our way inside, the grand hall welcoming us with its towering pillars and flickering torchlight.

And there, standing in the middle of the room with a wide grin, was Leora. Her youthful appearance was as deceiving as ever red hair that matched Seraphine's, sharp purple eyes filled with mischief, and an energy that seemed boundless despite her age. You can't tell that she is more than a 100 years old.

"Ah, there they are!" Leora exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "My brilliant great-granddaughters! Congratulations on your graduation!"

"Thanks, Grandma," Rowena said with a grin. "Top of the class, as expected."

"And Rhiannon," Leora continued, her eyes twinkling as she turned to me. "I heard about your announcement. I couldn't be more thrilled!"

"You mean it?" I asked, my heart lifting.

"Of course! The culinary arts are a noble pursuit, and it's about time someone in this family followed in my footsteps." She beamed at me, her pride unmistakable. "You're going to be amazing, Rhiannon."

I smiled, feeling a surge of determination. "Better than you, actually."

Leora laughed, a rich, warm sound that filled the hall. "Oh, is that a challenge?"

"It's a promise," I said, matching her grin.

"Well then, you'll need all the strength you can get," Leora said, gesturing toward the dining hall. "I've prepared a feast to celebrate your graduation. Come, let's eat!"

The dining hall was transformed into a banquet of culinary wonder. The long table was laden with dishes that seemed almost too beautiful to eat golden roasted meats, vibrant salads with enchanted glowing herbs, and desserts that sparkled as if dusted with stardust.

The air was filled with the mouthwatering aroma of spices and fresh bread, and my stomach growled audibly.

"This," I said, taking in the sight, "is what I call inspiration."

Leora winked at me as she took her seat. "Eat up, my dear. If you want to surpass me, you'll need to understand what perfection tastes like."

I grinned, already reaching for a plate. "Challenge accepted."

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