Chapter 05
Of course, I had never planned to open a large restaurant from the start.
But even if it was a small one, I would still need enough capital to try many different things.
‘Maybe I could open a small, specialized restaurant. There should be newspaper ads in this world too. If I promote my signature dishes…’
I cupped my cheeks with my hands.
The title of “Imperial Chef” was already the strongest advertisement I could imagine.
I could already picture customers flooding in like clouds.
“Not only that.”
Kailos’s voice broke my daydream.
“…?”
I blinked.
Even the one million penta monthly salary was already amazing—what more could there be?
“You will now have first access to the best ingredients in the entire empire. Imperial chefs… there are probably over a hundred of them. All of them will follow your orders.”
I was so excited that I could barely process his words properly, but I still understood the important part.
I could now cook anything I wanted.
If I used the power of the imperial kitchen, I could fully use my strength in fusion Korean cuisine.
My heart started pounding just imagining it.
“Are you that happy?”
“Yes.”
“……”
Kailos stared at me silently, as if trying to read something deeper into my answer.
But there was nothing hidden.
I was genuinely just happy.
Kailos spoke slowly.
“I don’t think it’s something you should be so happy about.”
“Why not?”
“There will be more people targeting you.”
He didn’t seem like he was trying to scare me.
I tilted my head.
“Just for being a chef?”
“You are the Emperor’s personal chef. And newly favored at that.”
He corrected me.
“Many people will try to approach the Emperor through you.”
I replied a bit flatly.
“I thought you were worried about poisoning.”
“Poison can be handled by a taste tester. If you can’t find a trustworthy one, call me instead.”
“You’re kind.”
Kailos frowned.
“Kind? Me?”
“Yes.”
I nodded.
He was warning me about problems in advance and even offering to be a taste tester himself.
It almost felt like I was seeing a different side of the villain.
“Don’t misunderstand. I simply want you to do your job properly.”
He then continued explaining.
“The Emperor hasn’t eaten anything for a full month. The only thing he ate was that… thing you made.”
“Dalgona.”
“Yes.”
He nodded.
“So for now, focus on making that.”
That was a bit absurd.
To keep feeding a patient nothing but sugar candy made of caramelized sugar and baking soda?
Even I, who wasn’t a doctor, knew that didn’t sound healthy.
“Dalgona is a snack. Not a meal.”
I declared.
“So I will prepare proper meals for him during mealtimes. Is that alright?”
After a moment of silence, Kailos answered.
“…Do as you wish.”
His voice was calm. Not angry.
That night.
For the first time since becoming Adelaide, I lay on a soft, warm bed.
But I couldn’t fall asleep.
I kept thinking about tomorrow’s menu.
The Emperor had been starving for a long time, so three full-course meals a day would be too much.
One properly chosen dish would be enough.
Now that I was the imperial chef, I could cook anything.
But the problem was that my patient had not eaten properly for a long time.
The imperial physician said the Emperor’s condition was unknown, but the main symptom was a complete loss of appetite and vitality.
‘There’s nothing he absolutely must not eat.’
Still, I didn’t want to make anything too unfamiliar.
Then I remembered a dish the heroine in the novel had eaten when she had a bad cold.
‘Chicken soup.’
It wasn’t difficult to make.
But it still felt too light for someone who had been starving for so long.
It also didn’t fully use my strength in fusion Korean cuisine.
I needed to show more than just dalgona.
‘Yes… I’ll make that.’
A smile naturally formed on my face.
I had thought of something perfect—similar to chicken soup, good for a weak patient, and extremely familiar to me.
Gurgle…
I looked down at the boiling broth with a satisfied smile.
The rich smell of chicken feet, green onions, garlic, onions, and ginseng filled the kitchen.
This was a kitchen meant for only one person—the Emperor.
It was not overly decorated or extravagant, so there were fewer distractions.
That was because maintenance was easier that way.
Still, I had access to any ingredients or tools I needed.
There were also chefs assigned to help me.
But I sent them all away.
They had never even heard of samgyetang, so working with them would only slow me down.
So in the end, only one person remained beside me…
“What exactly are you making?”
Kailos Obern asked curiously.
“If you’re curious, pay ten million penta.”
“Again?”
He scoffed.
“My private funds don’t leak that easily.”
“What about dalgona?”
“The Emperor ate on his own after a month. That’s enough payment.”
His sincere tone left me speechless for a moment.
I looked back at the broth instead.
Floating impurities were being skimmed off with a ladle, so there was not much to do.
Still, watching the bubbling surface was calming.
“Putting herbs in food…”
Kailos looked a bit tired.
In this world, that reaction was normal.
I still remembered the expression of the palace staff when I mentioned ginseng.
It was basically like saying I was putting medicine into the Emperor’s food.
“It’s good for the body.”
“He needs to eat anything he can. That’s why I wanted you to only make dalgona. Not strange dishes like this.”
“I am the Emperor’s chef. Not you.”
Kailos looked momentarily defeated, but didn’t give up.
“If he refuses medicine, your carefully prepared food might be thrown away just because of one herb.”
“Why would it be thrown away?”
I asked innocently.
“If he doesn’t eat it, I’ll eat it.”
“……”
Kailos stared at me in disbelief.
“How delicious is it anyway?”
Honestly, I planned to make two bowls.
One for the Emperor, one for myself.
As the imperial chef, I deserved at least that luxury.
“Sounds like someone very experienced in cooking.”
His sudden remark made me freeze.
“Well… various things. I was a loner in high society.”
Adelaide had only acted for her father and fiancé.
She had no real friends.
Kailos frowned.
“I heard you had quite a few friends…”
“Do you really think they were my friends?”
They had only been nobles with shared interests.
Not real friends.
After Adelaide was disowned, none of them helped her.
“…I’m sorry.”
