At that time, Ruby Palace.
“What, they aren’t doing it in the Imperial kitchen?”
“Yes, it will be conducted in the kitchen at the detached Palace.”
Consort Isabella frowned as if she had been struck hard on the back of the head.
She had naturally assumed it would be held in the Imperial kitchen and had already persuaded several chefs in advance.
But now the venue was the detached Palace.
“The Princess Consort is quite clever.”
To think she chose a place no one’s hands could reach.
It was an impressive choice.
“It seems I underestimated her.”
“What shall we do?”
“It can’t be helped. We’ll have to send the medicine over there.”
“Understood.”
“It must be delivered quietly.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
After Emma left, Consort Isabella thought of Liliana.
“She is even more desirable.”
Her family background was good, but her ability was even more appealing.
“It would have been nice if such a girl were by my Mikael’s side. What a pity.”
She meant it sincerely.
‘It was also her doing to use the engagement gifts for charity and improve Estevan’s image.’
Liliana was improving Estevan’s reputation.
Estevan, who had stayed shut inside Sapphire Palace, had begun moving in earnest only after becoming engaged to her.
She had even drawn the Emperor’s attention. She truly regretted missing Liliana.
***
A maid quietly approached Cecil, who was directing the cooking.
The maid discreetly handed something to her and disappeared.
Looking around, Cecil quietly entered the toilette room and checked the glass bottle and note the maid had given her.
“So, I’m supposed to put this into Lady Lennox’s dish.”
Cecil smiled faintly and, after leaving the toilette room, called one assistant chef.
When the assistant chef looked at her with confusion, Cecil quietly whispered into his ear.
“Secretly put this into the opponent’s dish.”
“What is this?”
“It was sent by Consort Isabella. I do not know either. It is something Her Highness ordered, so handle it quietly.”
As she said that, she slipped a jewel into the assistant chef’s pocket.
“Understood.”
Nodding, the assistant chef looked around and observed the opposing side.
The other side had only one assistant chef, so there were gaps here and there.
He watched the opposing assistant chef go to wash vegetables, then followed him.
There was only one place to wash vegetables, so they had to use it together.
The assistant chef brought potatoes and stood beside the opposing assistant chef.
He casually started a conversation.
“Is it going well?”
“It’s going fairly well.”
“Are you done washing?”
“Ah, sorry. Did you wait long?”
“No. Take your time.”
The assistant chef looked at the vegetables the other assistant chef had washed.
He had washed lettuce first and was now washing tomatoes.
Taking advantage of a moment when the other assistant chef wasn’t looking, he lightly sprinkled powder onto the lettuce.
“I’m done washing.”
“Alright.”
The assistant chef smiled faintly while washing potatoes and watched the opposing assistant chef.
Fortunately, it seemed he hadn’t noticed the powder being sprinkled.
He repeated this several times. Whenever the opposing assistant chef came to wash vegetables or fruit, he deliberately went beside him and secretly sprinkled the powder.
Liliana didn’t miss any of this sequence.
Jennifer whispered from beside her.
“Do they really think we would not notice?”
“Who knows?”
“What are you planning to do, Your Highness?”
“They are using only the vegetables and fruits we provided, right?”
“Yes. That is why we moved boxes full of vegetables and fruits into the kitchen.”
Liliana handed a note to Jennifer.
“Give this to Lady Lennox.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Jennifer quietly approached Claire with Liliana’s note so no one would notice.
Handing the note to her, Jennifer whispered,
“Her Highness the Princess Consort told me to deliver this. Read it quietly.”
Nodding, Claire carefully read the note.
Her eyes widened.
[Lady Valentier sprinkled powdered medicine on your ingredients. Replace the ingredients before cooking.]
Claire crumpled the note and put it into her pocket, then glared at Cecil.
‘To do something so cowardly.’
But now was not the time to confront her. Even if she spoke, the other side would likely pretend ignorance.
Soon she withdrew her gaze and informed the chef of the situation.
The chef’s expression hardened, and he removed the prepared ingredients and cooked using new ones.
Jennifer, who witnessed the scene directly, struggled to suppress her laughter.
“It is truly fair now.”
“Of course it should be fair. I can’t tolerate cheating.”
After that, the assistant chef continued to tamper with the ingredients now and then, and each time, Liliana informed Claire so she could take action.
Before long, three hours and thirty minutes had passed.
Both sides were at the final stage of their dishes.
Liliana whispered to Jennifer.
“I need to go greet the guests, so secretly take the powder from that assistant chef. Make sure he can’t cause trouble while I’m gone.”
“Do not worry.”
Liliana smiled and spoke aloud.
“It will soon be noon. I must go greet the distinguished guests, so please focus on finishing your dishes in the remaining time. When it is 12 o’clock, the food will be moved to where the guests are. Then, good luck to both of you.”
After she left, Jennifer approached the assistant chef on Lady Valentier’s side.
“It is tiring, is it not?”
“Not at all.”
“Stay strong.”
While offering words of encouragement, Jennifer secretly took the powdered medicine from the assistant chef’s pocket.
Then she also offered a few words of encouragement to Lady Lennox’s assistant chef and returned to her place.
***
Liliana headed toward the garden in front of the detached Palace. The guests hadn’t yet arrived.
Maids moved busily, arranging table decorations and carrying tableware.
The distinguished guests who would be served lunch in the garden were Prince Ricardo of the Magic Kingdom and Marquis Mikelan, Minister of Foreign Affairs who came with him, the Princess from the Sabotea Duchy and Count Henri, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Crown Prince from the Paemonte Duchy with Count Darc, Minister of Foreign Affairs, making a total of six people.
The distinguished guests from other Kingdoms had already finished greetings the previous day and returned, so they couldn’t be invited.
“The distinguished guests have arrived.”
At exactly noon, the guests arrived with attendants.
“Thank you for accepting the invitation. I am Liliana Dayan, the Princess Consort-to-be.”
Liliana greeted them gracefully with a gentle smile, and the guests returned the greeting with smiles.
“Thank you for inviting us. I am Princess Helena Sabotea of the Sabotea Duchy. And this is Count Henri, Minister of Foreign Affairs of our Duchy.”
“I am Count Henri.”
“It is nice to meet you. I will guide you to your seats.”
After guiding the Princess of Sabotea and Count Henri, the guests from the Magic Kingdom arrived next.
“I am Prince Ricardo Baharus of the Magic Kingdom.”
“I am Marquis Mikelan, in charge of foreign affairs for the Baharus Kingdom.”
“Thank you both for coming.”
Then suddenly Prince Ricardo asked a question.
“Have we met somewhere before?”
“That cannot be. This is the first time I am meeting you.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. But why do you ask?”
“You look somewhat familiar. It seems I was mistaken. Please forgive me.”
“Not at all. That can happen. Your seats are this way.”
Looking at Prince Ricardo, Liliana thought he was truly sharp.
‘His insight is remarkable.’
For a moment, her heart had pounded. Fortunately, she managed to get past it safely.
Liliana then guided Crown Prince Jonas of the Paemonte Duchy and Count Darc, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to their seats.
After a while, trays carrying the dishes began to arrive.
“The appetizers were prepared in two kinds. All the food you will taste today was prepared by the two young ladies. You two, please greet them.”
Cecil greeted them first.
“It is an honor to meet you. My name is Cecil Valentier.”
“I am Claire Lennox. It is an honor to meet you.”
The distinguished guests smiled and accepted their greetings.
“Then we will begin with Lady Valentier’s appetizer. Lady Valentier, please explain the dish.”
Cecil smiled shyly and explained the food.
“What I prepared is salmon vegetable rolls. I added a tangy sauce to stimulate the appetite.”
Next, Claire explained.
“For those who have traveled a long distance, I prepared caprese using tomatoes, which are good for relieving fatigue.”
Princess Helena of Sabotea took Claire’s dish as if pleased.
“I was truly tired, so this is perfect.”
“Then I should also try the tomato caprese.”
Crown Prince Jonas of the Paemonte Duchy also took the tomato caprese.
Only Prince Ricardo of the Baharus Kingdom chose the salmon vegetable rolls.
“I am not particularly tired.”
The distinguished guests tasted both appetizers.
Both dishes were excellent.
Next, the first course was served.
