My Lady Chef novel Chapter 95

Bel's POV:

"Your Highness? I was going to visit you once the lunch meal rush was over." Alaina soon found me and curtsied. "Pardon my messy appearance, milord. I do not usually look this way."

"No, no...It is very practical. No need to apologize. I just came to give my thanks for a delicious meal. I loved the idea of a...savory pie. It was genius."

"Oh well, I am pleased that you love it." she smiled before someone called her. "Your Highness, are you here because you need someone to show you around the castle?"

She seems very busy so I declined but took her hand which smelled like herbs and bread to kiss it.

"I will see you at dinner. And..." I leaned closer to her ear and whispered. "I am placing the kingdom's hope for a prolonged trade with Ryu in your hands"

She looked surprised but her eyes lit up with excitement at my challenge as she nodded.

"Leave it to me, Your Highness." She said confidently and left me a bit dazed as I walked away.

Do all women have that confidence?

It was rather....attractive.

I wonder if my future queen would have even half the conviction Alaina has.

That was only my wishful thinking.

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Dinner came soon enough.

And I am nervous because usually Prince Oshu would be complaining like a wounded parrot but ever since he was served luncheon; he has been deathly quiet and even now he was silent as she sat next to me at the table.

Ezran was seated at the head of the table as the host and he seems in an even darker mood, his glare was directed at me.

What did I do now? The last time he gave me that scowl was because I stole a certain lady he was aiming for during our younger days.

"Today's supper will be a bit different. In honor of our esteemed guest, Prince Oshu from Ryu; my wife has crafted a dinner menu made of Exotic Land ingredients and some of our own local products. Enjoy. " Ezran raised his glass of wine and everyone did the same.

The food started coming in, served by young squires dressed in simple but clean tunics.

"Prince Belmont. The cook responsible for this is a woman. Yes?" Oshu said to me as the appetizer was placed in front of us.

"She is our host's wife. The Duchess of Aisenburg." I nodded at him.

"The meat pie and greens I ate during noontime were very acceptable. If she pleases me then our kingdom will continue to trade with each other." He said before his eyes widened at the wooden basket prepared before him. "This...This cannot be..."

I looked down as the squires took off the wooden covers and saw something I have only seen a few times in my life.

An Exotic Land food called dumplings. They differ from Ming's version or Ryu's.

The skin was almost translucent, almost like fine silk as it wrapped around the steamed mincemeat which was a bit visible. I looked like a piece of art.

I took the chopsticks which were the utensils used for dumplings but the others used their forks as I dipped it into one of the sauces and took a bite.

The plumpness of the meat, mushroom, and chives simply exploded in my mouth and the dumpling skin was chewy and delicious! The dipping sauce made of some sort of salty-sour black sauce with a bit of spice enhances it more.

"*This flavor is similar to one of our dumplings. Impressive and fine delicate work." Oahu murmured to himself as he ate everything with a smile. "the dipping sauces are a nice touch. This is a very good start.*"

*talking in Ryuen.