AFTER Astrid finished cooking, the food looked incredible. The dishes were vibrant with color—perfectly roasted vegetables, golden-brown meat, and steaming bowls of rice. The aroma filled the room, a mix of savory spices and fresh herbs that made everyone's stomachs growl. The table was laid out neatly, with each dish looking like it had been prepared with care.
Compared to the earlier breakfast, which was filled with awkward silence and tension, the atmosphere at lunch was different. People were more relaxed, and the air felt lighter. There were no heavy pauses or uncomfortable glances, just a quiet sense of calm as everyone waited for the meal to begin. Whatever had weighed on them earlier seemed to have faded, leaving the room in a much more peaceful state.
