Bruce watched as Sophie placed her hand on what looked like a crystal-like door knob, infusing a gentle wave of mana into it.

~click~

A soft click echoed through the quiet evening air.

She opened the door and turned back to him with a light, inviting smile.

"You can come in…"

Bruce stepped inside, his eyes sweeping across the interior, elegant, spacious, quiet.

"You live here alone?" he asked as he closed the distance behind her. "What about your parents?"

"I only have my father," Sophie replied calmly. "He has his own residence not far from here. But he rarely stays there. He mostly resides inside the realm he claimed from a labyrinth he cleared before securing this region."

"Labyrinth?" Bruce repeated.

"Oh," Sophie blinked, realizing she had never explained it properly. "I can't believe I forgot to tell you about this earlier."

She took a few steps deeper into the house, speaking while removing her light outer cloak.

"Labyrinths are similar to dungeons," she explained. "But unlike dungeons, they don't self-destruct after being cleared. If someone defeats the beasts and manages to locate the Labyrinth Core, they can claim the entire structure for themselves."

She swept a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"It's like owning an entire world… one that belongs only to you. But Labyrinths are extremely rare. Almost indistinguishable from normal dungeons. And even if someone enters one, finding the core is extremely difficult. Only a handful of families have one."

"Oh…" Bruce nodded, instantly understanding the significance.

A private world, under one person's control.

That was no small achievement.

Sophie smiled again, softer this time.

"You must be hungry after carrying me all the way here," she said as she walked toward the kitchen. "Let me make something."

Bruce followed her, curious.

Inside the kitchen, Sophie headed toward the storage cabinet, only to stop when she noticed the shelves.

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

"…The meat stock is finished."

Bruce was scanning the kitchen when something caught his eye, milky-white, round objects neatly stacked to the side.

"Are those eggs?" he asked.

Sophie glanced over. "Yes. Eggs of an F-ranked mutant, Vitalis Heron."

Confirming his guess, Bruce's interest grew.

He stepped closer.

"Have you heard of an omelette before?" he asked.

Sophie frowned and shook her head. "No."

Bruce sighed quietly in his mind. 'So omelettes don't exist here… or if they do, they go by another name.'

Omelettes were one of the few simple foods he genuinely enjoyed back on Earth. Seeing eggs again stirred something like nostalgia inside him… a craving for something familiar.

He turned to Sophie.

"Well, since there's no meat," he said with a small smile, "I guess I'll have to show you a dish you'll definitely like."

Sophie arched a brow, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "Really? And what kind of dish is that?"

Bruce smirked lightly. "You'll see."

Sophie shrugged. "Fine. Since the meat's gone, I may as well try something new."

She stepped back, giving him space in the kitchen.

"But you've made me curious… so go ahead."

Bruce rolled up his sleeves slightly.

Time to introduce Sophie Reign to her first omelette.

Bruce reached for one of the Vitalis Heron eggs, it was huge, almost the size of an ostrich egg, its shell smooth and milky-white with faint glowing veins running across it. He held it firmly, tapping it gently against the counter to crack it.

The shell split with a satisfying sound.

A large, rich-looking yolk slid into the bowl with a smooth glop, its color more vibrant than Earth eggs, almost golden-orange.

Sophie stepped closer, intrigued.

"So this is how it's done?" she asked, leaning slightly against his arm as she watched him work.

Bruce glanced sideways at her closeness but didn't comment. "We're not done yet. I'll need some onions… a few spices. Something salty. We're improvising."

Sophie nodded and moved to the storage cabinet.

"I'll cut the onions."

She grabbed a board and a knife, tying her hair back slightly with a flick of her fingers, a small gesture but one that made her look even more beautiful under the warm kitchen lights.

Bruce whisked the eggs with practiced movements while Sophie sliced onions finely, her motions elegant yet efficient.

There was no awkwardness. No nervousness.

Just quiet harmony.

Two people moving naturally around each other, like they had cooked together a hundred times.

A moment later, she nudged him with her elbow.

"Done. How do you want them?"

Bruce glanced at the neatly chopped onions.

"Perfect. Bring them here."

She slid them into his bowl, their hands brushing lightly, warm, soft, intimate.

Bruce switched on a crystal heating plate, letting the pan warm. A faint shimmer of heat rose.

He poured in a bit of oil, letting it spread evenly, then poured the egg mixture in with a smooth wrist movement.

The eggs sizzled beautifully.

Sophie leaned closer, watching the yellow mixture bubble and firm. "That smell… it's actually nice."

"Just wait," Bruce smirked. "You haven't tasted anything yet."

He flipped the omelette with ease, the motion swift and clean. It landed perfectly.

Sophie clapped lightly, "How did you do that so easily?"

"Knowledge, experience and control," Bruce replied casually.

She blinked. "…What?"

Bruce shook his head with a small laugh. "Never mind."

A few minutes later, the golden omelette slid onto a plate, warm, soft, and lightly steaming.

Sophie's eyes sparkled.

Bruce cut a small piece with the fork and lifted it toward her lips.

"Try."

Sophie leaned in without hesitation.

The moment it touched her tongue,

her eyes widened.

Then softened.

Then lit up.

"...Bruce..." she whispered, swallowing slowly. "This is... good. Really good."

Bruce smirked. "I told you."

"Give me more," she said immediately.

Bruce lifted another piece, slower this time. Sophie leaned forward again, her lips brushing the fork lightly. She closed her eyes as she tasted it, savoring every bit.

"That's amazing…" she murmured.

"You think so?" Bruce asked, amused.

"I love it."

Bruce's smile deepened as he handed her another bite. She looked almost addicted at this point, soft eyes, warm cheeks, lips parting gently as she leaned forward again.

After she swallowed the third piece, Bruce teased, "I hope you're learning the process. I'd like you to make this for me next time I visit."

He expected her to laugh, roll her eyes, or tease him back.

Instead—

Sophie nodded immediately.

Her expression serious.

Determined.

"I will." Her voice was calm but firm. "If you like it, I'll learn. I want to."

***

A/N:

What do you guys think of this chapter? Was it enjoyable... Sorry for the late release...

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