Val was deep in thought for a while; then his eyes lit up. "Yesterday you told me that you have the recipe for chestnut cake. Would you like to come down to the kitchen with me, and help me clean it, and then we can try the recipe?".

"Yes -- yes, I can do that", Adrien said - and something seemed to subside within him; enough to allow him to smile back at Val. "Thank you".

"No, thank you", Val said, chuckling. "I can't wait to try the cake".

Adrien's smile became broader. "Really?".

"Of course", Val nodded. "Let's have breakfast, and then we go to the kitchen".