Reborn into Beast Tamer Clan with Monsters-Only Affinity-Chapter 52: Jealousy

The door to the dining hall opened with a soft creak. Elias entered, pushing a silver trolley that carried a porcelain tray covered with a cloche. His steps were steady, but his eyes flicked up as if wanting to gauge the mood of the room.

What caught Axelius’s attention, however, wasn’t the trolley—but the little figure walking just ahead of it.

Ellory.

With her hands tucked neatly behind her back and a bright smile gracing her small face, she walked toward him with such confidence that for a moment, Axelius didn’t know whether to frown or sigh.

He chose the former.

"What are you doing here again?" he muttered, frowning slightly.

Ellory didn’t answer right away. Instead, she stopped beside the table and made a few hand gestures toward Elias. The butler nodded and stepped forward, lifting the cloche with a light flourish to reveal a beautifully arranged dessert plate. There were small, flower-shaped tarts dusted with powdered sugar, glazed fruits in delicate cups, and a centerpiece cake with intricate petal-like frosting.

"Lady Ellory prepared these for you, Young Master," Elias said, his tone proud yet respectful.

Axelius blinked, momentarily stunned. "She... made these?"

Ellory’s face flushed a soft pink as she nodded, looking down at her shoes for a second before meeting his gaze. "Mm! I did," she said quietly.

Elias, smiling gently, continued, "She woke up very early this morning and insisted on doing everything herself. The measuring, the baking, even the plating and the decoration. She only allowed minimal help for the oven, but the rest... was all her."

Axelius stared at the dessert again, this time with new eyes.

"A four-year-old," he whispered, lifting a fork, "not only speaks like a little noblewoman... but can bake like one too?"

Ellory beamed. "This one is called Rosiemelt Tart. It’s made with rose cream and strawberry glaze. I saw it in a book and always wanted to try making it myself. It’s my favorite now!"

She pointed to one of the fruit cups. "That one is lemon-apple jelly. It’s refreshing after heavy meals! Oh, and the cake in the center—it’s a layered chiffon with floral honey. I tried to make it light because you haven’t eaten much lately..."

As she explained, her hands moved animatedly in the air, and her excitement made her look even younger, even sweeter. Her eyes sparkled with the kind of pride that only came from doing something for someone else.

Axelius looked at her quietly.

No sarcasm came out. No cold remark. Instead, he picked up a tart and took a bite.

The taste was... gentle. Soft. Balanced.

It was warm, not just in temperature, but in the intention behind it.

"...It’s good," he muttered.

Ellory’s eyes widened. "Really?!"

"Yeah." He avoided her gaze and took another bite. "Thanks."

Owen, who had been quietly eating from his corner of the table, peeked up. "Man... now I want some."

Axelius didn’t even stop chewing as he picked up a spoon, scooped a piece of cake, and shoved it into Owen’s gooey mouth.

"Mmph—mm! That’s good!" Owen cried, wobbling excitedly.

Elias bowed slightly. "Shall I inform the head chef to assist Lady Ellory more often in the mornings?"

Axelius paused. Then shook his head.

"No. If she wants to cook, let her. But don’t let her touch anything dangerous."

"Yes, Young Master."

Ellory giggled. "I’ll make something even better next time!"

Axelius didn’t reply. But his fork moved again, and this time, it was toward the lemon-apple jelly and now pretending not to be impressed even though the taste was undeniably good. His pride wouldn’t let him show it, not in front of everyone—not when the person who made it was watching him so closely with hopeful eyes.

Then, without warning, the peace shattered.

BAM!

The door flew open, crashing hard against the wall. The loud noise echoed throughout the room, shaking the stillness like a dropped plate.

Owen flinched in his seat, "Oh—ow..." he muttered under his breath, eyes wide as he turned toward the entrance.

But Axelius? He didn’t even pause. He brought another spoonful of cake to his mouth, chewing slowly, his eyes steady on his plate as though nothing at all had happened. If anything, he looked a little annoyed that someone had dared to interrupt his meal.

Standing in the doorway was Cyruz, panting slightly, his eyes blazing with emotion as they locked onto one person—Ellory.

"What is this?!" Cyruz shouted, striding in with long, angry steps. "Ellory?! What are you doing here?!"

Axelius, still not sparing him a glance, answered in a calm voice that sounded completely detached, "Isn’t it obvious? Because she’s not there.."

Cyruz marched over, his polished shoes hitting the floor hard enough to be heard with each step. When he reached the table, he slammed his hand down against the surface—not hard enough to damage it, but just enough to show he was close to losing control.

"You took my maid," he hissed, his voice low and bitter. "Now my little sister too?! What else are you planning to take from me, huh?!"

Finally, Axelius looked up. Slowly, deliberately, he leaned back in his chair, one arm draped over the side as he gave Cyruz a grin that was both amused and dismissive.

"Your crush," he replied, casually.

Cyruz’s face turned bright red. His hands clenched into fists, trembling by his sides. "You—!"

But before his anger could explode, a small but clear voice cut sharply across the room.

"What do you think you’re doing, Cyruz?"

Everyone turned in surprise.

Ellory stood up, her little arms crossed firmly in front of her, her cheeks puffed slightly in a scowl. Though she was only four, her expression was stern, almost noble-like, and her tone carried a weight that made even Cyruz freeze for a moment.

His rage faltered.

For a second, all he could think was how cute she looked even while angry.She’s even cuter when she’s mad...

Cyruz shook the thought out of his head and took a step toward her, trying to explain—but Ellory stepped back, clearly upset.

"Ellory..." he said more softly, "Why did you bake for him? You’ve never made anything for me. I’m your big brother."

"I wanted to," Ellory replied, turning her face slightly toward Axelius. "Brother Axel said the tart was good. That made me happy."

"Brother Axel?!" Cyruz repeated, voice rising. "You’re calling him that now?! Ellory, he’s your half-brother! He’s from a peasant bloodline! I’m your full-blood brother! Why do you only call me by name?!"

Ellory didn’t answer.

She looked down, avoiding his gaze, her fingers lightly touching the edge of the table as if she couldn’t find the right words to say. The silence that followed was heavy, awkward, and full of tension.

Then Axelius laughed.

"What are laughing at?! You think this is funny?!"

It was a low chuckle, amused and lazy, as if none of this was worth getting worked up over. He reached for his glass of milk, took a sip, and wiped his mouth with a napkin before finally speaking.

"I’m laughing," he said, "because you sound like a jealous girlfriend."

Cyruz turned back to him, face flushing even redder.

"What did you just say?!"

"You heard me," Axelius said, still smirking. "You’re whining about attention like some dramatic girl. What’s next? Gonna cry because she smiled at me too?"

Owen, who had been trying to stay quiet, covered his mouth and turned away, clearly trying not to laugh.

"You—!" Cyruz growled again, his fists trembling harder.