Volume 1, Chapter 24: I go on a business trip.
Three days after Mister Royce came to visit.
After finishing all the preparations for opening and making the sweets for takeout, I left Helena to take care of the shop and brought Zeke with me to the royal palace. We went by the carriage that Mister Royce specially prepared for us, so we drove right into the palace without being stopped at the entrance.
My first time visiting the royal palace, I saw that the garden was, as expected, spacious and extravagant. At a glance, the decorations on the outer wall seemed pointless, but I suppose those also had something to do with the dignity of the country. I wondered whether the maintenance fee was disgustingly expensive like a true commoner, when the carriage slowly rolled to a stop.
A guard opened the carriage door from the outside, and Zeke got off first before reaching out a hand to me. Hesitating a bit, I put my hand on his and got off the carriage. We were led into the royal palace, where Mister Royce came out to welcome us.
“Lady Risa, Mister Zeke, thank you for taking the time to come here. Shall I bring you to the kitchen right away?”
“No problem. Yes, please.”
As we were visiting the royal palace, I thought I should wear a dress at first, but I got caught up making sweets for takeout at the shop in the morning. Then suddenly it was time for the carriage to come get us, so I couldn’t help but come wearing the café uniform.
Putting aside whether it was suitable attire for visiting the royal palace, it was probably okay for cooking in the kitchen. Thus did I try to convince myself while following Mister Royce to the kitchen.
“Lady Risa, although it is a bit late to say this since you are already here, the chefs may not be very nice to you.”
“What do you mean?”
Mister Royce said with a stiff expression along the way to the kitchen, to which Zeke asked suspiciously.
“Royal chefs stay at stewards for a very long time, at least ten years even if they start as soon as they come of age. During those years, they train, learn and polish their skills.”
I began to understand what Mister Royce was trying to say.
“I see. You’re saying that kind of person would never listen to the words of a young lass like me. They have the pride of someone who has been working in the royal kitchen for a long time.”
“Yes, exactly.”
Although Zeke seemed to understand, his expression showed he wasn’t very satisfied with the answer.
“I’ve already taken that into consideration, don’t worry.”
“…I see. It may be a bit troublesome, but I put them in your care.”
Surprised by my unexpected reply, Mister Royce gazed at me in wonderment before looking away apologetically. While we talked about such things, we reached the kitchen.
Mister Royce took the lead into the kitchen. As it was past noon, the kitchen was not very busy. Right now they were preparing for the evening meal.
“Mister McKinnies, do you have a moment?”
Observing the kitchen, Mister Royce called out to a man. The man clearly made a face as if to say it can’t be helped and came towards us. Seeing that, a shadow passed over Mister Royce’s face, but it quickly disappeared.
“Lady Risa, this is the head chef of the royal kitchen, Ian McKinnies.”
“Nice to meet you, I’m Risa Claude.”
Even though they were the ones to be coached, we were the ones who specially came to greet them. Not only that, but the Secretary of Civil Affairs, Mister Royce, introduced him as opposed to a self introduction. Ignoring how McKinnies, a chef hired by the royal palace felt, it was unacceptable for that to reflect in his attitude.
Mister Royce had placed me above him in the hierarchy for everyone in the kitchen to see by introducing his name first. His face flushed red with rage, but he accepted that this was still work he had to do, and he deadpanned nice to meet you before returning to his station.
Mister Royce shrugged and glanced at me in concern.
“I imagine you have your own work to do, Mister Royce. Don’t worry, we’ll be fine. Zeke is here too.”
“Please leave it to me.”
Although I had not planned on doing so on my way here, this looked like a situation where I would have to rely on Zeke. My heart felt lighter upon hearing Zeke’s quick reply.
“Please let me know if anything happens. Then, Mister Zeke, I leave it to you.”
Still concerned for me, Mister Royce quickly walked out.
…Now, I guess it’s time to battle.
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