Chapter 27: Obtaining the Recipe
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 27: Obtaining the Recipe
“I-I’m so sorry, Your Highness! I thought the room was empty!”
The maid held a tray with a water pitcher and a cup.
“Leave it and get out.”
“Y-yes, sir!”
Terrified by his icy tone, the maid scrambled to set the tray on the bedside table and hurried out of the room.
Loik felt utterly pathetic. He had made such a fuss telling the Grand Duchess not to visit him at night, yet here he was, caught by a maid while stealing a glimpse of her sleeping face.
Regardless, since the maid had seen them together, she likely wouldn't return to prepare the Grand Duchess for bed.
She’ll be uncomfortable if she sleeps like that.
The dress was one thing, but her earrings looked like they would get in the way of her sleep.
After a moment of hesitation, Loik reached out and gently placed his hand near her ear. As he carefully unfastened the earrings from her small, soft lobes, the sound of her soft, rhythmic breathing echoed in his ears.
It took him a long while to finally remove them. After tucking her in properly, Loik left the room, forcing himself not to look back.
*
When I opened my eyes, I saw a stark white ceiling.
Pushing aside the crisp duvet, I sat up in bed.
I definitely remember reading a book in the office last night...
Looking down, I realized I was still wearing the same clothes from yesterday.
What happened? Why hadn't I changed?
No matter how hard I tried to recall last night’s events, I had no memory of returning to my room.
I was clutching my head, trying to force a memory to surface, when I spotted a maid coming in to tidy the room and hurriedly called her over.
“About last night?”
The maid gave me a look that said, How should I know? but answered hesitantly nonetheless.
“I don’t know the details, but I heard His Highness the Grand Duke was looking after your sleeping arrangements, Your Highness.”
Did I hear that right?
Perhaps thinking my sharp tone meant I was displeased, the maid quickly added while watching my reaction, “That is... I was told not to enter until daybreak because His Highness was in your room...”
Even after dismissing the anxious maid, I couldn't hide my confusion for a long time.
The Grand Duke was in my room? Did he bring me here? How? Surely not... a princess carry? No way. Or did he hoist me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes?
Either way, it was incredibly embarrassing.
I had gone all out to look good for the knights, wearing a heavy dress and every accessory I could find, from necklaces to earrings. I must have been incredibly heavy.
Turning my head, I saw a pair of earrings neatly placed on the nightstand.
Even when I was stone-cold sober, I had never arranged my jewelry so tidily.
Ugh.
This is driving me crazy. How did I not even wake up?
I called Whitley and subtly probed him about last night, but he seemed just as clueless. He mentioned that the Grand Duke had an external schedule all day and wouldn't return until late evening.
I felt a brief moment of relief that I wouldn't have to confirm what happened last night, but that was quickly followed by a slight sense of deflation at his absence.
What am I supposed to do for fun all day if the Grand Duke isn't even here?
In the capital, everyone had tea times and balls, but here, not a single person had come to greet me, let alone invite me anywhere...
Then again, I hadn't made an official appearance yet, so I couldn't really complain. How could anyone invite me if they didn't know me?
The weather is so nice. Maybe I should head outside the castle?
Once I decided to go out, I didn't have to think twice about the destination.
Less than an hour later, I was sitting at a table in the inn with Norton.
Perhaps because we arrived at the right time, there were a few scattered customers eating, unlike my last visit.
Soon, Marie placed a bowl of steaming tomato stew in front of me.
“It’s hot, so please be careful.”
Marie, who had already been scolded by Norton for trying to make a fuss earlier, omitted the title "Your Highness." Instead, she showed her respect through her eyes as she spoke.
I took a spoonful of the stew. As the spicy heat traveled down my throat, a shiver of delight ran through my body.
“I really think your tomato stew is the best in the world.”
“You flatter me.”
Marie whispered back, her face flushing with shy embarrassment as she checked to make sure no one was listening.
“I’m not joking. Even the castle chef can’t match you when it comes to this stew.”
In fact, I had once asked the Grand Duke’s chef for spicy tomato stew. The version he served was delicious and rich with cream, but it lacked the sharp, hearty kick I craved.
“Sigh, I can’t exactly come here every time I want this stew.”
As I shook my head in regret, Marie’s eyes widened.
“Would you like me to write down the recipe for you?”
“The recipe? Is it alright to just give away the inn’s secret like that?”
Marie waved her hand dismissively.
“It’s hardly a secret. Every household just has a slightly different blend of ingredients.”
My eyes lit up involuntarily. While the food at the castle was excellent, I had been dreaming of this spicy broth every single day.
“Then... could I ask that of you?”
No sooner were the words out of my mouth than Marie wrote down everything—from the cooking method to the exact measurements of the spices—with meticulous detail.
I feel a bit shameless taking this...
As I carefully tucked away the recipe, I felt a pang of awkwardness. No matter how common tomato stew was, a recipe was still an asset to an inn. Of course, I didn't intend to take it for free.
“Would you like another bowl?”
Marie beamed at me, seeing that I had finished the first bowl at lightning speed.
“Yes, please.”
Since we were tucked away in a corner and Norton’s broad shoulders partially blocked me from view, thankfully, not many people paid us any mind.
This allowed me to observe the people around me in peace.
It’s fascinating how different they are from the people I see inside the castle.
It seemed mostly clerks and laborers from nearby shops coming in for lunch.
The dishes they ordered were varied. Some were tearing into chicken legs, some were eating bread, and the person next to them was eating something that looked like noodles, similar to spaghetti.
Surprisingly, there were very few people who looked like travelers.
I asked Marie when she brought the second bowl of stew.
“There don't seem to be many guests staying here. Is it the off-season?”
“Blenheim doesn't usually get many travelers. There isn't really an off-season or a peak season.”
“Huh? Then how do you run an inn if there are no travelers?”
“Merchant guilds stay for a day or two before crossing over to Rondoris. There are also those who occasionally come to the North for business.”
“Is that enough to stay in business?”
Marie gave a kind smile.
“Well, we manage to hold on thanks to the lunch trade.”
It was only after Marie went to check on other customers that the phrase "manage to hold on" began to feel a bit ominous.
It doesn't look like there are that many customers even for lunch.
I returned to the castle with that lingering sense of unease, only to be met with news.
“Madame Ramondria is here?”
“Yes, Your Highness. Actually...”
I blinked at the unexpected news Whitley delivered.
“The Grand Duke called for the Madame?”
“He asked her to look over your wardrobe, as the seasons will be changing soon.”
Suddenly? Why?
Did my dress look too shabby when I stood before the knights yesterday?
Sensing my flustered state, Whitley spoke cautiously. “I believe he didn't mention it beforehand because he didn't want you to feel pressured... If you aren't up for it, I can have her return another day.”
“No!”
I hurriedly waved my hands.
“The Grand Duke went out of his way to call her; of course I should see her.”
I didn't know the reason behind it, but it worked out well since I didn't have a single spring dress in my closet. I nodded in agreement.
Once permission was given, Madame Ramondria entered, followed by staff carrying a mountain of dresses and fashion plates.
Her cold impression remained the same, but I offered her a sincere smile.
“I was able to greet the knights properly yesterday thanks to you. You must have worked hard despite the lack of time.”
“It is an honor to have been of service, Your Highness,” the Madame said, bowing humbly. “Meeting a deadline is the basic duty of a clothier. If you entrust me with your needs, I will do my best to ensure you are never disappointed.”
Her words felt genuinely reliable. I had worried that the quality of the embroidery might suffer due to the tight schedule, but when I checked the handkerchiefs during packing, the designs on all ninety-nine were perfect.
She’s someone who takes responsibility for her work.
I was starting to quite like this stoic Madame.
Once the staff finished setting up, the Madame began to explain each dress she had brought.
From a blue silk dress studded with tiny jewels to an off-the-shoulder gown with delicate lace sleeves, and a ruffled dress adorned with pearl buttons and pleats—the colors and designs were incredibly diverse.
“Since Your Highness has such fair and beautiful skin, I believed you would suit any design, so I prepared a variety of styles.”
“It hasn't been long since I contacted you. Did you make all of these already?”
At my questioning look, Ramondria added in her level tone, “Actually, upon hearing the news of your arrival in Blenheim, I began working on these in advance, hoping you might seek me out one day.”
Wow, this woman... she’s a businesswoman to the bone.
And she certainly had a sense for it.
I had felt it at her boutique recently, but even compared to the dresses I saw in the capital, these didn't feel lacking at all. It was surprising, considering the standard of the shops I had seen while passing the windows on Gold Lane.
They were clothes that followed the trends while remaining appropriate for the dignity of a Grand Duchess.
Everything was great, truly great, but...