The Princess's Mess Hall Surprise
“Major General Gadus, I greet Your Highness the Princess!”
Rimir Castle's north gate.
Among the commanders, the highest-ranking Major General Gadus knelt at the forefront.
“I'm relieved to see you're unscathed. You've done something truly monumental, General.”
The princess clasped Major General Gadus's hand, praising his achievements.
The surrounding commanders struggled to keep their lips from curling into smiles.
“This was all possible only because His Majesty the Emperor provided such steadfast support.”
“He would have been overjoyed to hear that. When we return to the capital, please tell him yourself.”
“Yes, sir! Understood.”
The princess passed Major General Gadus and exchanged greetings with the other commanders as well.
“Deputy Commander Lieutenant General Alic, I greet Your Highness the Princess!”
“8th Division Commander Brigadier General Walter, I greet Your Highness the Princess!”
After greeting all the general officers, Major General Gadus approached the princess's side.
“We've prepared quarters for you in the command castle. For today, please head there and rest from your journey.”
The awards ceremony was scheduled for tomorrow morning.
Until then, keeping the princess's mood as serene as possible was Major General Gadus's top priority.
“I've rested plenty in the carriage—I'm fine. More than that, I'd like to tour the castle. Would you guide me?”
“The castle... you mean?”
Caught off guard by this unscheduled activity, Major General Gadus faltered.
“I've heard there was fierce fighting at the south gate. I'd like to see that area—and where the soldiers are billeted.”
“I must humbly advise against it, Your Highness. The site hasn't been fully cleared yet, and there are many unseemly sights unfit for your eyes.”
“It's all right. People shed their blood there too—if even looking is too hard for me, how could I claim to be a member of the imperial family who cares for all the realm?”
Her exemplary response deeply moved the commanders and everyone around them.
“I shall escort you.”
Major General Gadus escorted the princess into her carriage, then personally took the reins and headed for the south gate.
“This is where the heaviest fighting took place.”
“Ah...”
Upon arriving and beholding the walls and gate with her own eyes, Rene found herself at a loss for words.
“If it's too much, Your Highness, you may retire inside.”
The deep crimson bloodstains etched into the walls.
Anyone, even a child, could tell it wasn't from beasts or monsters—it was all from human bodies.
“I'm fine. I'd like to go up. Where are the stairs?”
“This way.”
Following Major General Gadus's lead, Rene ascended to the ramparts.
“Her Highness the Princess arrives!”
Before Rene's foot even touched the wall-walk, an officer already up top bellowed the announcement.
“W-wait... what did he just say?”
“The princess...? Did I hear that right?!”
“Hey, fix your uniform—quick!”
As the soldiers on sentry duty above hurriedly straightened their attire, Rene stepped onto the ramparts.
“It's even worse up close.”
Rene began walking slowly along the wall-walk.
“Private First Class Derthys! I greet Your Highness the Princess!!!”
“Corporal Bearul! I greet Your Highness the Princess!!!”
The soldiers at the post trembled at the sight of imperial royalty for the first time in their lives and dropped to their knees.
“You've worked hard.”
“N-no, not at all!!!”
It wasn't a long exchange, but for commoners, even sharing words with royalty once in a lifetime was monumental.
“Keep up the good work ahead.”
Rene's hand brushed their shoulders lightly as she passed.
“I'll stake my life on it!!!”
“I'll fight to the death for Your Highness the Princess!!!”
It might seem baffling how something so simple could boost morale.
But to these men, the imperial family was like the unreachable heavens.
Exchanging words with one—let alone a mere touch.
They wouldn't forget this moment even in their dying breath.
“You can descend this way. Shall we visit the soldiers' billets next?”
“On second thought, my presence would only disturb their rest, so let's skip it.”
Facing the soldiers atop the wall had changed Rene's mind.
A few commanders sighed in relief at her words.
The odds of zero slip-ups among hundreds or thousands of troops were vanishingly low.
“Then back to the castle...”
“Before that—isn't dinner soon? I'd like to visit the soldiers' mess hall. His Majesty always does, doesn't he?”
“Yes...”
The current emperor, whenever inspecting the troops, always took his meals in the soldiers' mess.
Standing in for him, it was only natural for her to follow his example.
“I'll escort you to the mess hall.”
Once more, Major General Gadus led from the front on horseback.
Ahead of even him, one officer bolted toward the mess hall at breakneck speed.
* * *
“No time—sweep the floor wherever you see dirt!”
“Yes, sir!!”
“And what's today's menu?”
“Mutton grill, mushroom soup, french fries, and a slice of bread.”
The mess hall buzzed with unprecedented frenzy.
I stood at the center, directing operations.
“Keep the standard large menu unchanged. Who's the best at grilling meat? Now.”
“Uh... uh, Sergeant Ret grills the best!”
“M-me? No, not me.”
The singled-out Sergeant Ret waved his hands in vehement denial.
But strong denial often masks strong affirmation.
“Sergeant Ret will grill the mutton for Her Highness starting now. Stake your life on it.”
“U-understood!”
Solemn gazes passed between us, and he finally nodded.
This was likely the greatest crisis—and potential opportunity—of his life.
“Her Highness the Princess arrives!”
The booming voice rang out just as we'd barely finished basic prep.
No “this is a drill” disclaimer, but to us, this was war.
'No battalion commander around, so I have to nail this.'
She'd left the castle briefly for supply company business, and I'd never resented that more.
'Whew.'
I steadied my breath with a deep inhale and stood by the entrance. Moments later, a carriage pulled up before me.
“Please, step down.”
Major General Gadus, who'd ridden point, carefully opened the carriage door.
“Thank you.”
The woman who descended with his escort was none other than the princess I'd glimpsed at the blacksmith—Rene Lycan.
“Supply Company Commander Lieutenant Palan Oclo, I greet Your Highness the Princess!”
The instant her gaze turned to me, I dropped to one knee and saluted.
“It's been a while.”
“An immense honor to see you again.”
“Hm.”
What was this?
Suddenly, she pondered something deeply after hearing my greeting.
'She won't nitpick that I don't really feel honored, right?'
At the forge, maybe—but if she said that here, I'd be socially buried.
“I think there was a misunderstanding last time.”
“Not at all.”
“Will you introduce me to the mess hall yourself?”
Had someone else possessed her body?
Her vibe was openly friendly.
'Don't tell me she's feeling guilty because I'm really on the front lines?'
If so, this was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to turn everything around.
“Yes, ma'am! Right this way!”
Grateful just to have survived, I led her through the hall.
Trailing us: general officers on horseback.
“This is the kitchen. We prepare three meals a day here.”
“The facilities are enormous.”
“With so many troops, even full capacity barely keeps up.”
“Where does all that food come from?”
“Currently from nine trading companies.”
Her questions weren't too technical, so I answered smoothly.
“This is today's soldier ration.”
A carefully plated serving was set before the commanders and princess.
“Is this a full meal?”
“Yes, ma'am.”
She looked less than thrilled.
I got it.
To someone used to imperial banquets with dozens of dishes, a single plate seemed pitiful.
Sensing it, Major General Gadus jumped in.
“Your Highness, this is truly excellent fare.”
“Is it?”
“Yes. Since our supply company commander arrived, soldier satisfaction has skyrocketed. Every passing trooper raves about the food—it's famous.”
The general singing my praises.
Praise makes whales dance, so I kept fighting the urge to puff up.
“I hope it suits your palate.”
Rene glanced at me, then sliced the meat with her knife and took a small bite.
'Please, please, please, please.'
Every eye in the supply company and among the commanders—subtly, at least—locked on her mouth.
“Mm. Delicious.”
Her verdict: glowing review.
I swear I heard someone in the kitchen pumping a fist and whooping.
“Haha! Indeed. Quite delicious.”
“Mutton and all—the supply company's doing stellar work.”
“He's the castle's treasure, isn't he?”
The moment she approved, the commanders chimed in, and suddenly I was treasure number one.
“And what's this?”
The princess pointed her fork at the pile of french fries on one side of the plate.
“Ah, that's a dish called french fries.”
“French fries? First I've heard of it. A western traditional recipe?”
“No, ma'am. Developed by the supply company commander himself.”
“What? The supply commander?”
Clearly blindsided, she turned to look at me.
“To explain the background...”
This was worth bragging about, so Major General Gadus launched into the tale—somewhat lengthy, but engaging.
In short: pitying the troops eating plain potatoes, I'd pulled all-nighters to invent it.
Bit of a stretch from reality.
'Research time? Maybe an hour.'
But all-nighters sounded more impressive—good is good, right?
“Truly... remarkable.”
Having heard the tearjerker explanation, the princess gazed at me with an inscrutable look.
“Commander, you're too kind.”
I replied humbly, dipping my head slightly.
“And it's that good, you say?”
“Yes, sir. Can't make enough to meet demand.”
“I see.”
She speared a french fry with her fork and tasted it cautiously.
Crunch.
Freshly fried just before her arrival, the crust shattered with a heavenly sound.
Our best fryer handled it—no variables.
“This is... really delicious. Made with just potatoes?”
Unlike the mutton, genuine surprise lit her face.
Game over.
“Yes, ma'am. Just a sprinkle of salt for seasoning—otherwise, pure potato.”
“When imperial citizens fill their bellies with potatoes, taste was the issue. This is a tremendous discovery.”
The princess, slightly excited now.
Smart as they say—probably calculators whirring in her head.
How do I know?
Been there myself.