Cecil prepared fried dishes, while Claire prepared octopus ceviche.
“The ceviche is really delicious.”
When Princess Helena praised it, Claire responded smoothly.
“I included octopus to help restore energy for those who will be departing tomorrow.”
“The fried fish I made is also high in protein, so it will be helpful.”
“I am sorry. I do not really like fried food.”
Cecil was visibly flustered. She had never expected Princess Helena to dislike fried food.
But Claire was different.
Using the list she had received in advance, she had researched all the guests’ food preferences.
Since they came from different countries, their tastes varied widely. So Claire chose ingredients that were healthy while not clashing with anyone’s preferences.
The octopus ceviche received high praise.
The fried dishes Cecil prepared were criticized as being greasy and were left unfinished.
Next, the main course was served.
The main dish Cecil prepared was roasted veal served with foie gras.
She proudly explained that she had carefully selected only the finest ingredients suitable for the distinguished guests.
Claire prepared her main dish using eel, which was good for stamina.
The seasoning was made using ingredients from the Magic Kingdom Baharus, the Sabotea Duchy, and the Paemonte Duchy.
The glazed eel placed over neatly shaped rice balls looked unfamiliar even to the guests.
“This is a dish I have never seen before.”
Crown Prince Jonas said with curiosity, and Claire explained.
“While searching for ingredients that would help the tired guests, I discovered eel, which is good for stamina.”
“Oh?”
Count Henri showed interest.
Claire continued her explanation.
“Using that ingredient, I made a sauce with garlic and ginger from the Magic Kingdom Baharus, soy sauce used in the Sabotea Duchy, and sugar from the Paemonte Duchy, then grilled it.”
The eel coated in sauce made from ingredients of each country glistened and looked appetizing.
“But why is the rice prepared like this?”
It was a question from Prince Ricardo.
“If you eat it as it is, you may quickly grow tired of the strong seasoning. But if you add rice, the sharp flavor of the seasoning is balanced, making it much easier to eat, so I prepared it with rice.”
“I am really curious about the taste.”
Crown Prince Jonas picked up his fork first.
Before long, Cecil’s dish was pushed aside.
Watching the distinguished guests focus only on Claire’s food, Cecil tightly clenched the hem of her skirt.
‘Why is there no reaction?’
The assistant chef had clearly added the powdered medicine that caused stomach trouble into Claire’s ingredients.
Had she not confirmed it with her own eyes?
‘This is strange.’
Cecil stepped back slightly and called the assistant chef.
“You did it properly, right?”
“Yes, I did it properly.”
“Give me the vial. I need to check.”
The assistant chef searched his pocket.
“Huh?”
“What is it?”
“Th-The vial is gone.”
The assistant chef turned pale and searched his cooking uniform thoroughly. But the vial was nowhere to be found.
“What do you mean it’s gone?”
“Th-That is…”
“Can’t you speak properly?”
The assistant chef looked on the verge of tears.
“Y-You…!”
At that moment, a maid approached Cecil.
“My Lady, you must finish up.”
Cecil glared at the assistant chef.
“I’ll deal with you later.”
Turning sharply, Cecil headed toward the distinguished guests with a gentle smile, as if she had never been angry.
Because the final dish remained.
It was dessert.
For dessert, Cecil prepared crème brûlée.
Crème brûlée was a soft-textured dessert covered with hardened sugar over custard cream.
It was very suitable for finishing the meal.
“This is really delicious. I really like crème brûlée.”
When Princess Helena spoke with a delighted expression, Cecil smiled in satisfaction.
“Hm, it is sweet.”
“It is a very sweet dessert.”
Count Henri and Crown Prince Jonas each commented.
But Prince Ricardo took a bite of the crème brûlée and then pushed it aside.
“It is not to my taste.”
“Me neither…”
Following Prince Ricardo, Marquis Mikelan also didn’t particularly like it.
Next, Claire presented her dessert. It was mille-feuille.
It was a dessert made by stacking dozens of thin pastry layers, with whipped cream and seasonal fruits placed between them.
Prince Ricardo cut a piece and tasted it, then nodded and put the rest into his mouth.
“Delicious.”
When Prince Ricardo ate it with satisfaction, the others also tasted Claire’s dish.
The combination of soft cream, refreshing fruit, and crisp pastry was excellent.
“Lady Lennox’s dishes are very good overall.”
“The composition of the course is excellent, and above all, it is nice that the dishes were prepared with health in mind.”
When Princess Helena and Count Henri praised Claire, Cecil felt her insides burn.
Even after time passed, there was no reaction, not even stomach trouble, which made her anxious.
Moreover, she had lost the vial, making her even more uneasy.
“It seems we praised Lady Lennox’s dishes too much. Relax your expression, Lady Valentier. The dishes you prepared were also excellent.”
When Crown Prince Jonas comforted the disheartened Cecil, she forced a smile and bowed her head.
“Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness.”
With that, all the evaluations were finished. All the distinguished guests expressed satisfaction with the dishes prepared by both young ladies.
Thus, the final round ended. All that remained was the result.
“The results will be announced this evening in the Diamond Hall. The distinguished guests will vote there directly.”
Cecil tightly gripped the hem of her skirt in tension.
Since the attempt to sabotage Claire had failed, only a fair evaluation remained.
Unlike the tense Cecil, Claire remained calm. She had competed fairly and would simply accept the result.
“Both of you should rest until 6 p.m. The maids will later guide you to the Diamond Hall.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
When the two answered at the same time, Liliana handed the ballot box to the maid Jennifer and patted their shoulders.
“Then, see you this evening.”
When Liliana left first with her maids, Cecil glared at Claire as if she had been waiting.
“You were lucky. But the victory is mine.”
Claire smiled faintly and replied,
“They say you only know which is longer after comparing them. Should we not open the box first to see who wins?”
“You seem to have forgotten, but I have Consort Isabella behind me. Do you think Her Highness will hand the victory over to you?”
“Well, what does background have to do with the judging results? If Consort Isabella were to step in, would that itself not be improper solicitation?”
“What did you say? Are you done talking?”
“No, I am not finished yet.”
Cecil looked at Claire in disbelief.
“It seems you cannot do anything without backing, but I am not like that. I came this far with my own ability. So who do you think is superior?”
At those words, Cecil smiled thinly.
“I heard House Lennox is in quite a difficult situation. It seems things have declined so much that you must become the May Fairy of the Founding Festival. Well, since you have no money, who would act as your sponsor? You have to win the competition at least, do you not?”
When she mocked her openly, Cecil’s followers snickered.
But Claire didn’t get angry and accepted it calmly.
“You are right. I must become the May Fairy. Then I will go rest first, since I am tired.”
Cecil ground her teeth as she watched Claire, whose expression didn’t change.
“How annoying.”
Turning sharply, Cecil looked for the assistant chef.
“What, where did that assistant chef go?”
When she asked a maid, the maid shook her head.
“I am not sure. He was here just a moment ago…”
“Did he run away because he didn’t want to be punished? Find him immediately.”
“Yes, my Lady.”
Cecil stormed off, leaving the detached Palace.
***
The missing assistant chef was confined in the detached Palace.
Liliana had Jennifer bring him in.
The assistant chef, tied to a chair, was sweating coldly. He had definitely been with Lady Valentier, but when he opened his eyes, he found himself tied up in an unfamiliar place.
‘What… what’s this…?’
At that moment, the door opened and someone entered. The assistant chef was startled when he saw who it was.
“Y-Your Highness the Princess Consort…”
Liliana smiled faintly and approached him.
“Do you know why you are here?”
The assistant chef shook his head.
Liliana then held out her hand to Jennifer. Jennifer placed the vial containing powder into her hand.
“It’s because of this.”
The assistant chef’s eyes widened when he saw the vial.
“You look like you know what this is.”
“I-I do not.”
“Really? It came from your pocket.”
He looked at Liliana as if asking what she meant.
“I mean I slipped it out of your pocket. I saw you sprinkling this on Lady Lennox’s ingredients.”
The assistant chef’s face turned pale.
“Did you think you wouldn’t get caught?”
He truly thought he wouldn’t get caught. But Liliana had seen everything.
His teeth began to chatter.
