The Princess's Dinner (4)
Servants entered briskly, each carrying a plate of food in one hand. One, two, ten. The procession seemed endless. The sheer variety of dishes was staggering.
What on earth did they prepare?
Even for an imperial dinner, the norm was no more than five or six plates. Yet each one wafted a distinct aroma, a medley of scents tickling her nostrils.
As Asella's curiosity mounted, the servants encircling her and Ambrosia placed the plates on the table in perfect unison, like a synchronized dance troupe.
Her anticipation crested just as the silver lids lifted at last, steam curling upward in delicate wisps.
"Eh?"
But the sight of the contents turned Asella's face to stone in an instant. No familiar steak in sight—only a profusion of vegetables fit for livestock fodder.
They were beautifully plated, each portion about two finger-widths, arranged with such artistry they resembled paintings. The issue was that fully eighty percent were greens.
What is this?
The nutty aroma she'd anticipated turned out to be a viscous semi-liquid that resembled a slime's corpse. The grotesque appearance killed her appetite on the spot.
"Head maid, it seems the wrong plates were brought."
Asella immediately reprimanded her in a voice brimming with dignity. With Ambrosia—the emperor's closest confidante—seated right there, she couldn't afford slip-ups. Sure enough, the saintess appeared genuinely startled by fare no imperial meal should feature.
I can't predict what she'll report to His Majesty.
Asella extended her arm with crisp authority.
"A guest is present. I'll overlook one error. Remove these plates at once and bring the proper meal."
The head maid bowed deeply and directed the servants to reseal the lids. They marched out of the dining hall with military precision.
"There must've been a mix-up."
"Hmm. For a mistake, the aroma was quite appealing."
"Even so, it's mere roadside weeds. Hardly fit for you, His Majesty's personal physician."
Ambrosia surely wouldn't report this to the emperor. A touch anxious, Asella tapped her elbow with her fingertips—only for the servants to return bearing fresh plates.
"Ah, finally."
The dishes were arranged neatly once more. The servants lifted the lids with crisp efficiency.
Upon glimpsing the food, Asella hit the end of her patience and furrowed her brow. The plates held exactly the same dishes as before.
"Head maid. Summon the chief physician."
The head maid bowed and backed away from the room.
Moments later, he strode in with confident poise.
"You summoned me, Princess?"
"Young master, what is the intent behind this table?"
Ras offered a leisurely bow before replying lightly.
"Naturally, my heartfelt wish for Your Highness's good health."
"Do you intend to feed pig slop to the great Dengliud Empire's princess—mistress of Moonlight Palace—and to the court physician responsible for His Majesty's well-being?"
"Your Highness, I, Chief Physician Ras Gotberg, swear upon my house that I harbor no designs to harm your precious health."
Ras's tone rang with utter conviction. The corners of his mouth curved upward.
"Have I ever disappointed you, even once?"
As if. Over twenty instances sprang to mind immediately. Asella swallowed her retort. Reprimanding Ras in front of Ambrosia would only tarnish her own image.
"My explanation may have fallen short. Shall we begin? This is cheese porridge."
"What is it? Slime?"
"As you know, Your Highness adores cheese—made from milk. Yet your body struggles with milk. This form makes it far easier to digest."
"...This is supposed to be cheese?"
Asella remained skeptical. In the imperial court, suspicion was the first rule of survival. ...Though Ras had honored every promise thus far.
"Trust me and take just one bite."
"Hoo."
Asella reluctantly lifted a spoon. She delicately skimmed the top with refined grace, steam rising anew to tease her with that nutty allure.
Fine. I'll fall for it once.
If this isn't cheesecake, Ras—it's the underground dungeon for you.
Asella slowly brought the silver spoon to her lips. And then...
"...Hmph."
An involuntary sigh of delight escaped her, swallowed along with the morsel.
It wasn't cheesecake. But it was delicious. The velvety texture melted across her tongue, warming her from within. Milk's profound nuttiness and richness flooded her senses to the tips of her hair.
"Ho, splendid. A truly mysterious flavor—soothes the innards with ease."
Ambrosia nodded in satisfaction, already scooping her next bite.
"Hmph. Better than it looks."
Asella set her pride aside for the moment and took another spoonful. Cheesecake's intensity fatigued quickly after a few bites. This porridge, though? She could savor it endlessly.
"Try the salmon perilla rolls as well. Today's main dish."
"Salmon inside?"
Asella rarely ate fish. The tender flakes had been meticulously shaped into perfect one-bite portions.
She speared one lightly with her fork and dipped it in the black sauce garnishing the side.
"Mm."
The perilla leaf burst with aroma as the silken texture caressed her tongue.
"Young Gotberg, what is this sauce?"
Ambrosia queried, forking a bit of the dark lump beside the salmon.
"Perilla leaf rolls. The sauce is radish pickled in eastern soy—typically saltier, but I've toned it down since meats often come drenched."
"An eastern sauce, then. Exquisite taste—and beneficial for health?"
"The capital's inland terrain limits salt supply. Excess is unwise, of course, but in moderation, it elevates osmotic pressure to flush waste via circulation."
"And why pair it with vegetables?"
"Perilla leaves. Bursting with vitamins to ward off ailments and benefit the skin. Eaten raw maximizes effects, so once you're accustomed to the aroma, I'll offer perilla salad too."
"Salad—you mean these raw vegetables tossed in sauce?"
"Precisely."
Asella glanced at the vegetables. She'd dismissed them as fodder moments ago, but after Ras's cooking? Curiosity stirred.
"Princess, give it a try—just once."
"Fine."
Asella dipped the perilla salad, sniffing tentatively. Unfamiliar, yet she crunched down softly.
"Hmph."
She covered her mouth with her free hand, her tiny lips working busily. Her eyelids lifted, golden irises widening dramatically.
"How is it?"
Ras's beaming face made Asella loath to answer honestly—but she couldn't deny it.
Eyes closed, she replied primly.
"Delicious."
"See?"
"A first for me! Such profound depth. What ingredient bestows it?"
"Haha, a family secret."
Ras winked, pressing a finger to his lips. Even if she guessed beets, only he could extract the MSG.
"Hmm."
Asella's hand moved faster. Before she knew it, she was eagerly forking every vegetable dish, darting here and there.
Then dissatisfaction bubbled up.
Portions are too small.
Taste-test sizes only—not enough to fill up.
"It might not suit your palate, Princess."
"Hm? Oh."
Asella had momentarily forgotten Ras was there, replying with a grain of rice on her lips.
"This is medicine for your health. Think of it that way and finish it all—dessert awaits."
At Ras's signal, the head maid entered with another plate.
Huh, coffee?
Asella's eyes locked on the cup atop the plate. It resembled coffee but had a slightly different hue—not to mention the dark specks settled at the bottom.
"Oolong bubble tea with tapioca pearls."
Ras declared confidently.
"You'll love it."
"Young master, I want bubble tea."
"You had it yesterday. No."
During morning rounds, I refused firmly, and Asella pouted her lips.
Oolong was healthier than coffee, but it still had trace caffeine. Couldn't indulge often.
"Then what's for dinner tonight?"
"Ask the head maid. It's not my shift today."
"What?"
Asella's mouth fell open. A week into the health regimen, her appetite had noticeably surged—a positive sign. Her forehead even gleamed with vitality.
"Why aren't you making it?"
"Because I'm your physician, not a chef. I've been swamped systematizing things; other duties piled up."
"What if it tastes awful? I don't want steak."
"It's my designed menu—no need to worry. I've stocked plenty of seasonings."
I'd check the kitchen periodically, but henceforth, the head maid would lead and direct. Premium ingredients still required the imperial kitchens, so we'd use them. The head chef shot glares at the outsider traffic, but what could he do? Duties dispersed across Moonlight Palace—win-win.
"Consultation over. Your bloodwork shows marked circulatory improvement. Recent magic use?"
"Mm... mana flows faster, feels like."
"Excellent. Keep it up. See you at dinner."
"Wait."
Asella clutched my gown hem.
"Really no bubble tea?"
"Yes."
"Then I'll have coffee."
"Go ahead. Remember the tapioca fiasco last time?"
She narrowed her eyes at my chiding. Tapioca pearls didn't pair with coffee. Her own doing.
"I'll pay the price."
"Ten thousand gold per cup."
"Annoying."
Asella punched my gut and rose to begin her day.
The health diet was a resounding success. Time to prepare moving my office early. The emperor had mentioned adopting the winner's methods—might even shift imperial kitchen trends.
I wondered how Simon's exorcism massage was faring. Not that I cared much.