12 Truly delightful!

Hmm? No insults, just bringing me food? Is that even possible? In that case, maybe it’s not… no, that can’t be right!

“What are you trying to do?”

At that moment, Valentina instinctively sensed something was off. She fixed a serious gaze on Herbert, searching his face for any sign of deceit.

She had no concrete reason to distrust him, yet something felt wrong.

There’s a problem… there must be a problem!

This guy’s smile is way too bright—he definitely has ulterior motives!

Ha, young mortal. You won’t fool me!

With a cold snort, Valentina lifted her head proudly and declared, “Kid, I don’t know what tricks you’re up to, but you can’t deceive the great Magma Flame.”

“Heh, save it. Don’t think a few skewers of grilled meat can buy me off!”

“Nothing in this world can make a mighty dragon bow down!”

“Not even gods!”

Her words rang high and mighty, showcasing the arrogance and stubborn pride of an epic dragon.

The only thing that slightly spoiled the mood was the grease still glistening at the corners of her mouth as she spoke.

At the same time, her slender fingers, smeared with seasoning and oil, continued to fumble inside the box… only to find it empty.

“What!?”

Realizing this, Valentina’s expression changed instantly. With lightning speed, she grabbed the wooden box in disbelief, only to find a few crumbs left inside.

They were all gone!

How did she finish them so fast!?

A wave of intense regret surged through her chest, making her feel as if her heart were suffocating in pain.

This can’t be right!

There were so many just moments ago…

Where did the meat go?

Who ate them all!?

Just as Valentina’s face filled with despair and she bit her lip to stifle a silent lament, a faint smile tugged at the corner of Herbert’s mouth.

The smile didn’t fade; it simply shifted to his own face.

He didn’t respond to Valentina’s earlier speech but asked with concern, “Miss Valentina, what’s wrong? Aren’t you full?”

Valentina: “...ahem, cough, cough!”

Such a useless question.

What do you think?

Of course, it’s not enough!

But facts are facts, and her proud dignity wouldn’t allow her to retract her earlier words.

So, even though her heart was bleeding, she had no choice but to stick to her path and swallow all the bitter tears.

Turning her head away, her voice even choked with emotion, she weakly said, “No, I’m not… hungry!”

Yes.

I’m not hungry. Not even a little.

Valentina kept telling herself—no hunger, no hunger, no hunger… but hunger, hunger, hunger, hunger!

I’m so hungry!

Before, when she wasn’t eating anything, it was easier. She didn’t deliberately think about the feeling of swallowing food.

In the long captivity, she had long gotten used to the hunger and even forgotten about it.

As a legendary dragon with peak power, nearly at epic level, she could live without mortal food, sustaining herself solely on mana.

But “being able to survive” and “living comfortably” are vastly different!

She simply couldn’t suppress her craving for food.

Growl—

Her stomach let out a mournful cry, constantly reminding Valentina of its thirst.

Growl.

Herbert watched Valentina’s neck, catching the exact moment she swallowed saliva, and smiled inwardly.

Good.

She’s hooked.

Seeing the time was ripe, Herbert shook his head regretfully and said, “Oh, so you’re not hungry anymore? Looks like I misunderstood.”

“I thought that after being hungry for so many years, one portion wouldn’t be enough, so I prepared another.”

He muttered to himself, taking out another wooden box from behind and pushing it just out of her reach.

???

Suddenly realizing, Valentina’s expression twisted in disbelief as she looked back—there was another full box of skewers.

The meat’s texture, shine, doneness, and aroma… it looked even more tempting than the previous box!

She almost wanted to slap the Valentina from five minutes ago.

Damn it, why did you blab!

Why rush to say such nonsense!?

What now?

What do I do now!!!

“What do I do now?”

While Valentina was caught in turmoil, Herbert spoke softly, almost troubled, “This is a headache… I made so much, and there’s no way I can finish it all alone. What should I do? Should I just throw it away?”

What do you want to do!?

Valentina’s heart trembled at his words, almost shouting in anger: “Give it to me if you’re not eating!”

Herbert shook his head again, sighing, “No, no, no, I couldn’t think like that. Wasting food is disgraceful! I absolutely cannot do that.”

Right, right, right!

You can’t do that!

If you can’t finish it, I can help you eat it!

“By the way, I can find someone to help me finish these skewers. But who should I look for?”

The breathing inside the cell suddenly quickened. Valentina almost blurted out.

Me!

Pick me!!!

Come find me to help you eat—

However, Herbert was completely oblivious and immediately dashed her hopes.

“Miss Valentina is already full, so I have to find someone else!”

No!

I’m not! I didn’t! Don’t say that…

I can still eat!

“How about Miss Frema? Not sure if she eats anything besides fish… Anyway, I’ll go ask her first…”

Saying this, Herbert lifted the box and headed toward the second area.

At that moment, Valentina could no longer hold back. She coughed forcefully.

“Cough! Cough! Cough!”

“Oh? Miss Valentina, are you alright?” Herbert turned around, looking strangely at the flushed dragon lady.

“I… cough!”

Valentina took a deep breath, gritted her teeth, and finally made up her mind, speaking in a low voice:

“I can help you!”

“You’ll help me? With what… oh! You mean these skewers?”

Herbert blinked in confusion and asked, “But weren’t you already full?”

The dragon lady’s lips moved hesitantly, then she bit her tongue and forced out the words:

“…If you’re this troubled, I guess I can help eat a bit more.”

She wasn’t stupid; she knew full well Herbert was deliberately putting on this act to make her bow and would surely make unreasonable demands.

She understood.

But she just couldn’t resist anymore.

The aroma was simply too tempting!

Valentina had already decided to lower her pride temporarily, eat the meat, and then back out later, refusing any further requests.

“That’s very kind of you!”

Yet, to her surprise, Herbert didn’t make any demands. He immediately pushed the box forward, placing it right in front of the railing.

Hmm?

No conditions?

Valentina looked puzzled and hesitated for a moment.

“What are you waiting for? Eat up!”

Hearing the gentle encouragement and seeing the sincerity on the young man’s face, she closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled.

“Hah…”

At that moment, only one thought remained in her mind.

These skewers…

They smell absolutely divine!