Chapter 8. Me, Rian!
“Your Highness, forgive me, but... why on earth did you bring those paprikas into the kitchen?”
Hans, the head cook of the Winter Guard's mess unit, recoiled in horror. In my arms was a mountain of red paprikas I'd swept clean from the serving line. Hans and the kitchen staff stared at me like I'd brought in a pile of garbage.
“Just wait. This is going to be Winterfell's pride and joy ingredient. Now, everyone, make way. I, Rian, am about to unleash my special dish.”
I grabbed a knife. I was confident—hundreds of hours watching cooking videos in my past life. And what I was making was simple: paprika powder. Just one sprinkle turns cheap meat into 'insane barbecue' in seconds. A magical spice that works on everything. If I couldn't win these knights' favor here, my future was doomed... no, I'd steel my resolve. I had no main character powers, after all.
One bite of my paprika powder, and you won't be able to resist.
Normally, you'd dry them completely first, but with no time, I'd control the fire just right next to the hearth.
Slice!
I halved the paprika and carved out the white core—the bitter culprit. The kitchen staff just gawked. To them, paprika was a 'torture tool' boiled whole or chomped raw.
I thinly sliced the cored paprikas and laid them out near the hearth oven-substitute. Once the moisture evaporated and they were bone-dry, I ground them fine in a mortar.
Scrape, scrape.
Moments later, the mortar brimmed with jewel-like crimson powder. As the spicy-sweet aroma filled the kitchen, Hans's nostrils twitched despite his wrinkled nose.
“Wh-what is this smell? It's not that foul paprika stench!”
“This is the 'magic dust.' Now, fetch me a container for it?”
I started filling a white jar with the finished paprika powder.
Perfect—done in 20 minutes.
Back in the knights' mess hall, the mood was still icy. The knights, saddled with extra night training, shoveled food in silence. Betty was nearly done eating.
If Betty likes this, great. But test it on others first.
I hurried to a crowded table.
“Winter Guard knights, great work today. As thanks, I've prepared some special magic dust for you.”
The knights eyed their plates suspiciously, then the red powder jar.
“......Your Highness, don't tell me you turned those paprikas into powder?”
All eyes locked on. Full of doubt: What the hell is the prince doing?
“Come on, don't just stare. Let me sprinkle it on, and give it a try.”
One knight glanced at his dusted plate, shrugged, and popped a piece of meat in his mouth.
Crunch.
His jaw froze. One second, two... silence stretched.
“Hey, you okay?”
The moment another knight asked, the first one's eyes flew wide. His face flushed, sweat beading on his forehead.
“Th-this flavor!”
He started devouring the meat like a storm, then chugged his soup bowl whole, gasping as he bellowed.
“It's delicious!”
“No way......”
The concerned knight took a bite skeptically—and his eyes lit up too.
“Insane! No weird gaminess at all! It cuts the grease, explodes with umami!”
The hall erupted. Knights clamored for my powder on their plates.
“Your Highness! Me too!”
“Whoa! Your Highness, this powder is a revolution! Night training? Hell, if I can keep sprinkling this on meat, outdoor sleeping's no big deal!!”
Quest Progress Update!
💖 Current Favorability 'Friendly' Achievement: 15%, 30%, 45%... Soaring!
Kuhaha, yes! This is it!
The status window numbers skyrocketed. I cheered inwardly. Soldiers can't resist bold, spicy flavors, just as I thought.
Then Betty, who'd been watching, approached with a cough.
“......Your Highness, with everyone making such a fuss, I suppose I should try it too.”
Curious after seeing the stone-cold Winter Guard go wild? I generously dusted her offered plate.
The knights now hailed me not as the 'capital softie' but the 'savior of the north,' praising me in relay.
“As expected of Your Highness—pretty boy genius, and a cooking genius too!”
“Milady, you're so blessed! Where'd you find a husband like this?!”
“Quiet.”
“......”
Betty's word killed the chaos. She elegantly sliced and ate the dusted meat.
Nom nom.
After a silent chew, she spoke coldly.
“......Nothing special. Too stimulating. Pathetic that Winter Guard knights lose their dignity over mere powder.”
But her hand never stopped, slicing meat to mouth.
Ha, look at her. Says it's nothing, but her hand won't quit?
I grinned and teased.
“Huh? Milady, you say it's nothing, but your plate's emptying fast. Actions speak louder than words, huh?”
Betty flinched, fork pausing. The knights, seeing me tease her again, cheered wildly.
“Your Highness! Let that demoted guy have some to snap him out of it!”
“Haha, sure! Dig in, everyone!”
As knights swarmed me like clouds, Betty's eyes sharpened oddly. Her controlled hounds, bound by honor and loyalty, wagging tails at a prince over mere powder—it irked her.
“Sir Wolff.”
Wolff, quietly stuffing dusted meat, jolted up. Red powder on his lips, scrambling straight—comical, but Betty's eyes weren't laughing.
“Yes, milady!”
“Has the knights' mess ever been this rowdy? Today, the order is utterly disappointing.”
Her razor voice chilled the hall like ice water. Knights who'd chanted my name slunk back.
Betty dabbed her mouth gracefully and rose.
“Tonight, night training for the entire Winter Guard—not just the losers. Followed by outdoor sleeping to build your mental fortitude.”
“......Orders received!”
Wolff and the knights paled instantly. Full night training plus outdoor sleep? I panicked, grabbing at rising Betty.
“Wait, Betty, they're all enjoying it—why suddenly......”
“Your Highness.”
She turned, her once-mild gaze gone—only Winterfell's master's cold red eyes pierced me.
“You've spent too much time in the kitchen. A royal indulging in cook's work is unbecoming.”
“No, I just......”
“Don't follow.”
She cut me off before I could speak, striding out without glancing at my plate.
“I don't want to see Your Highness's face anymore today. Return to your quarters and rest.”
Bam!
The mess door slammed. Left alone, I stood dazed, paprika jar in hand. Knights, eyeing Betty, slipped away.
Quest Complete!
🎁 Reward: Knight Order Key Member Info Windows Activated
⚠️ Special Note: Betty's feeling toward you has changed. From 'Madman' to 'Annoying Guy'.
Got the reward, but that special note...
"Eek! Did you see? The Ice Duchess's intense reaction! Tsundere-ing while savoring the paprika flavor—that's true love! Her anger's just her heart racing from your cooking addiction!"
Here we go again.
"'Don't follow' means she wants to savor your 'red spice' alone—a shy confession! Don't worry! You're now #1 in her heart as the 'Annoying (But Unforgettable) Guy'! Congrats! 🌹"
Fine, whatever—reward's in, madman or annoying guy, same difference.
Betty stormed out faster than usual. Her maids trailed miserably. But her mind boiled not with rage, but deeper confusion.
What did that prince do?
She licked the lingering sharp-sweet aftertaste. The hated paprika bitterness gone, only subtle spice remained.
It wasn't mere food. And her Winter Guard knights were her hounds, bound by honor and loyalty. Yet over red powder, they'd forgotten her, tails wagging at the prince.
A crack in her perfect control.
Annoying.