Life as a Tower Maid: Locked up with the Prince - Side Story 8
Side Story 8
Translator: Yonnee
—
As he walked closer to Albert, Liam greeted me.
“Apologies for the delayed greeting, Your Majesty. I am Duke Liam Masen.”
“Nice to meet you.”
There was no hint of resentment in his polite greeting. It was ironic considering our first meeting.
The carriage that followed Liam brought down the luggage one by one. As the carriage door opened, an unexpected person appeared.
“Just as you requested, I brought them here.”
Liam hadn’t come alone. As the carriage door opened, someone I hadn’t expected stepped out.
“Hello, everyone. It’s an honor to join you for this camping trip.”
It was none other than Seo Ina.
* * *
The carriage Liam had ridden was almost entirely filled with food supplies.
At first, I wondered why we hadn’t brought any, but it seems that was all left to Liam, who came later.
Freshly butchered meat, traditional Korean ingredients, seafood, flour, water, and tools to set up a makeshift kitchen were all packed.
It felt like we were about to attend one of Seo Ina’s cooking classes.
“Then let’s start preparing.”
“I’ll help.”
Seo Ina and Liam nodded to each other as if they were used to this and began the cooking preparations.
…What is this unexpected combination? What made this scene even more intriguing was that their relationship didn’t feel romantic but rather like a chef and her assistant.
“They didn’t just meet today?”
“Liam has been meeting her regularly while you were away.”
“You didn’t hire her as a palace chef?”
“I like your cooking more.”
Albert’s words genuinely moved me.
Isn’t this like a husband telling his wife that her cooking is better after eating at a five-star restaurant?
Just comparing my cooking to that kind of cuisine was flattering, but to actually prefer mine!
Albert played a big part in boosting my self-esteem.
Even though I couldn’t cook often, I felt proud knowing there was something I could do for Albert whenever he wanted.
Seo Ina had already started cooking. When I peeked at the ingredients, she smiled, holding a knife.
“Outdoors, it’s all about meat and broth.”
Meat is a must, and broth tastes better outside. Seo Ina’s eyes burned with passion as she spoke.
Thinking similarly to me made her feel closer.
I had expected we’d meet again, but I hadn’t thought Albert would bring her first.
Soon, Seo Ina started performing what seemed like magic in front of us. To me, anyone better at cooking was magical.
Everyone, from the now-quiet Schubert and Mercy to Alexander and Blanc, was fully focused on her cooking.
“First, I’ll prepare the broth and dough, then I’ll grill the meat.”
“Both sound good…”
We all nodded vigorously at Blanc’s words. Everyone was hungry.
“First, the broth…”
She chopped the vegetables and tossed them into the pot, filling it with a creamy broth.
“Do you prefer knife-cut noodles or hand-pulled noodles?”
When she asked, I replied resolutely.
“Why not both?”
Both answers were right! Seo Ina nodded in agreement and added more vegetables to the pot for the broth.
Looking at me, she added,
“How about a spicy broth?”
“A woman of culture…”
“Then I’ll add plenty of kimchi and red pepper powder.”
At my words of admiration, Seo Ina nodded and began kneading the flour dough.
It was already widely known that I was from another dimension, and it seemed Seo Ina understood what kind of person I was.
“I’ll help too.”
“Pardon? It’s alright, Your Majesty…”
“I also traveled dimensions, so such social hierarchies don’t mean much to me. Isn’t it the same for you, Seo Ina?”
“That’s true, but…”
If it were someone from this world, they might insist on maintaining the dignity of their status, but Seo Ina was different.
Besides, I wanted to have a proper relationship with her in this life.
Becoming friends would be ideal.
I rolled up my sleeves and stood next to Seo Ina.
Albert raised an eyebrow, seemingly disapproving, but I stubbornly helped knead the dough, giving him a wink.
“I need to learn if I want to cook for you later.”
“…I have no words. Making it like this is quite a skill.”
“You’re no stranger to indulging me.”
“…I’ll assist with grilling the meat then.”
Liam, who had been silently listening to our conversation, chimed in.
He seemed accustomed to assisting with Seo Ina’s cooking, having met her several times.
He started skewering meat and vegetables on the prepared metal skewers.
“As expected, Duke, you’re serious about food. I’ll join in too.”
“If everyone’s helping, I’ll assist as well.”
Schubert’s words prompted Leona to join in the food preparation. Even Alexander, who had been watching, cleared his throat.
“This looks easy enough…”
“I think I can do it better than you…”
“Are you challenging me to a bet?”
Alexander bristled at Blanc’s words.
“Shall we make a few more campfires then?”
Seeing more people joining in the cooking, Mercy used her staff to create two more campfires.
The crackling of the firewood harmonized with the laughter and chatter of the group.
Under a sky filled with countless stars, we had the best dinner ever.
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