Chapter 20
Then—
There was movement at the entrance to the kitchen.
Siena exchanged glances with Arthur.
Arthur stepped in front of her protectively and lowered the lantern to his side.
Then, in one swift motion, he flung the door open and drew his sword.
“Who’s there?!”
At the vague silhouette, the hand wrapped around her tightened.
‘What is that smell?’
It was a familiar, hearty scent.
Siena lifted the lantern she’d set down.
“Benny?”
“I—I’ve committed a crime worthy of death!”
Benny stood there trembling, a potato clenched between his teeth, his whole body shaking.
“Arthur, put your sword away.”
“A—ah! Yes.”
Only then did Benny collapse to the floor in relief.
“What are you doing here at this hour?”
“Well, um… I was just so hungry.”
Arthur moved the lantern around the kitchen.
A large pot of steamed potatoes came into view.
Siena walked past Benny and counted the potatoes in the pot.
“Mind if I use some of these?”
Benny’s eyes widened.
“Huh? You’re… not punishing me?”
“For eating a few potatoes? What for?”
“But still…”
“Do you want to be punished?”
“That’s not it, but…”
“Then instead of that, could you make some coffee? The coffee you made last time was good. And if possible, make it cold and sweet—lots of ice, milk, and sugar.”
“…Ah! Yes!”
Benny stood there blankly for a moment before hurrying off to make the coffee.
Cold and sweet. He repeated the words to himself.
It was impossible to get chewy rice cakes and gochujang here—but when people were desperate, they could pickle cactus even in the desert.
Siena crushed the well-boiled potatoes thoroughly.
Imagining Pierre’s face made it oddly satisfying.
Arthur, who had been staring blankly at the suddenly busy scene, snapped back to attention at her voice.
“Arthur. Could you find some eggs, flour, salt, sugar, garlic, and chili powder? Oh, and any vegetables you can find.”
“Ah—yes!”
Since it was his first time in the kitchen as well, he hurried around asking Benny for help as he searched for the ingredients.
Siena diligently mixed together everything Arthur brought.
She was making gnocchi.
If there were no rice cakes, gnocchi would do just fine.
The only regret was that while chili peppers existed here, gochujang did not.
‘If I’d known a day like this would come, I should’ve learned how to make fermented paste.’
Making do, she added generous amounts of chili powder and garlic.
The vivid red appearance and ominous aroma made both Arthur and Benny look at her suspiciously.
“Where on earth did you learn to make food like this?”
“Uh… ah! A book! I read it in a book. It’s a recipe from a country far to the east, across the sea.”
Seeing it bubble vigorously, it looked just about done.
“Oh! Almost forgot.”
She finished it off with a sprinkle of black pepper and a generous heap of cheese.
“Done!”
After roughly cleaning up the kitchen, the three of them sat together in a circle.
But the other two only glanced at each other hesitantly.
Was it really safe to eat something that looked so red and smelled so spicy?
“You’re not eating?”
Siena, who had already taken a bite, blinked in confusion at the two frozen figures.
“Next time, should I try making broth with seafood? Or go all the way and make seafood tteokbokki! With boiled eggs, too!”
While she excitedly upgraded the recipe, the curious Benny finally speared a piece of tteokbokki—or rather, gnocchibokki—with his fork.
With a look of grim determination, he cautiously put it into his mouth.
“Well? Does it suit your taste?”
“…It’s spicy.”
“Hahaha.”
Benny’s face immediately turned red.
He cooled his mouth with the cold, sweet coffee and tried again.
Despite the heat, it didn’t seem so bad.
Encouraged, Arthur also picked up his fork.
“Hm. Not bad.”
He said it primly—then promptly began eating as if competing with Siena.
The generously made first batch of gnocchibokki was gone in no time.
“Ah, I’m full.”
Siena patted her stomach in satisfaction.
This deep, late-night fullness—what bliss.
Things bad for your health were always the most enjoyable.
As they cleaned up, Benny asked,
“Since we had something spicy, shall I bring out a sweet dessert?”
“Benny, you—”
Siena called him in a low voice, then raised her thumb toward the suddenly tense girl.
“You really know your stuff.”
At the newly earned thumbs-up, Benny smiled shyly and brought out refreshing strawberry sherbet.
A perfect ending.
They didn’t know the exact time anymore, but it was deep into the night.
While everyone else slept, the three of them chatted quietly.
Mostly, Siena asked the questions.
She heard stories about life outside the castle walls, and about what went on inside as well.
Then suddenly, a worry struck her.
“This is bad.”
Morning would be breaking soon.
‘How long has it been… since I stayed up all night?’
Probably the first time since she’d come here.
She stood up and brewed herself a strong cup of coffee.
“Your Highness?”
“I think I’m going to need this today.”
Blacker than a devil, hotter than hell, pure as an angel, and sweet as love—
Recalling Talleyrand’s praise of coffee, Siena stirred in plenty of sugar.
She opened the window wide, let the fresh breeze wash over her, and downed the cup in one go.
“Benny, if you’re tired, you can rest a bit longer. I’ll tell Anna. And Arthur.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Let’s go.”
“…Go where?”
“The secret room.”
“…The secret room? Pardon?”
Without waiting for a response, Siena began walking briskly.
By the time they reached the central main building, the number of people noticeably increased.
At the sudden appearance of the princess, the attendants hastily bowed while keeping their eyes on her.
Climbing the wide central staircase, a massive tapestry depicting the founding myth of the kingdom came into view.
