CHAPTER 481: RICHARD

Coco’s focus shifted as her eyes fixed on Richard the goleter, who stood quietly a little distance away.

She took a spoonful of the chocolate mousse that Zaque had lovingly prepared for her, her attention divided between the delicious dessert and the stone creature that stood nearby.

Her brow furrowed slightly as she observed Richard, her gaze flickering back and forth between him and the mousse, clearly intrigued by his presence, but she couldn’t talk just yet.

Hurriedly, Coco swallowed the spoonful of mousse, the rich flavor still lingering on her tongue.

As she pulled the spoon from her lips, she turned her gaze towards Richard, her interest piqued, she pointed a finger at him and inquired, her voice tinged with a hint of playfulness. "So, you’re ’Dick’ now, right?"

A frown appeared on the goleter’s face as he shot back a reply, his irritation evident in his tone. "Unfortunately."

His response was sharp, his voice tinged with annoyance and perhaps a touch of genuine disgust as well. "And thank you for that, by the way."

Coco’s eyebrow quirked with slight amusement, a small smirk playing on her lips as she observed the goleter’s grumpiness, making her giggle— unable to hold it and keep it to herself.

"You know, the name ’Dick’ suits you pretty well right now." She quipped, her tone laced with amusement and sass. "You’re acting an awful lot like a dick at the moment, after all."

"Who wouldn’t be a dick? You gave me an ugly name!" The goleter growled in frustration, his annoyance clear in his expression.

However, Coco couldn’t take him seriously because of the piece of clothing that he was wearing.

Between the ferocity of his reaction and the frilly pink apron he was clad in, the innocent and adorable garment softened the intimidating effect of his angry snarl, causing a rather comical disconnect between his fierce attitude and adorable appearance.

Coco couldn’t help, but stifle a chuckle again as she watched the goleter’s grumpy expression clash with the dainty apron he wore.

Unfortunately, Coco’s giggles escaped her lips, her eyes sparkling with amusement at the goleter’s annoyed expression and his frilly apron— which made him look quite adorable by the way.

"Aww." She chuckled, her words filled with both jest and sincerity. "Don’t you just look so sweet and precious right now?"

The goleter’s annoyance increased exponentially, his scowl becoming even more pronounced at Coco’s comment.

He quickly turned around and stomped his way towards the kitchen, muttering something incoherent under his breath and honestly, Coco wouldn’t be surprised if the stone monster was cursing her.

"He’s so cute!" Coco’s soft laughter echoed throughout the room as she watched the disgruntled goleter walk away, his attempts at intimidation completely diminished by the apron.

She couldn’t help, but find his grumpiness endearing, even if he wouldn’t appreciate the sentiment.

Heiren, who was standing nearby, shook his head, amused by her antics.

"You know.." He spoke up, his voice holding a tone of gentle chiding. "You shouldn’t tease him too much. He actually helped make the mousse you’re enjoying right now."

Coco’s lighthearted giggles subsided and her gaze shifted towards Heiren as she lifted the unfinished mousse in her hand, a note of genuine surprise laced with her question. "He helped make this?"

Heiren nodded in confirmation, a smile playing on his lips as he responded, "Yes, he did. He was surprisingly helpful in the kitchen, despite his attitude."

Coco raised her eyebrow in surprise as Heiren added. "Actually, I must correct myself— it was Richard who made the mousse for you. Zaque only prepared the ingredients and watched him do everything."

The revelation that the goleter was the one who crafted the delicious mousse she was savoring seemed to add an unexpected layer of irony to the situation.

Coco brightened up and couldn’t help, but find the golater’s baking skills fascinating so she burst into another fit of giggles because hearing about the goleter’s baking skills was truly unexpected.

"Wow!" She exclaimed, between fits of laughter. "He’s quite the baker, isn’t he? I bet he could help out in the kitchen whenever Zaque is too busy."

Heiren chuckled, nodding in agreement. "He was actually helping, big we could consider having him pitch in with kitchen duties from time to time. He seems to have a hidden talent for baking and a little bit for cooking."

Coco’s grin broadened as she contemplated the offer. "I never expected him to have such talent, but I’m definitely not complaining."

Heiren chuckled softly in response, a knowing smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Of course, I can ask him if he’s open to the idea. Though, I can’t promise he’ll be too thrilled about it, given his mood earlier."

"Oh.." Coco blinked as her hand unconsciously went up to her neck, rubbing it sheepishly while acknowledging her mistake. "Yeah, I probably went a bit overboard with the teasing.. I didn’t mean to upset him so much. I better go and apologize for taking it too far."

Heiren simply offered a comforting smile. "I’m sure he’ll understand," he reassured her. "He’s just a bit moody, but he’s not completely unreasonable."

"Okay, I’ll go right now—" Coco answered, preparing to stand up to apologize to the goleter, but as soon as she began to rise, her legs buckled beneath her, causing her to lose her balance.

"Coco!"

Unable to catch herself in time, she toppled forward and landed face-flat on the floor with a dull thud, accompanied with a pained groan. "Fuck.."

Heiren immediately rushed to her side, his eyes wide with concern. "Are you okay?!"

Coco groaned softly, her face still planted on the floor.

"I feel so useless.." She muttered, a hint of frustration in her voice. "On top of that.. I totally forgot that I don’t have any strength yet."

"Hey, don’t push yourself too hard." He chastised gently as he helped her sit up. "You’re still recovering, remember? You need time to regain your strength. Being patient is important right now."