The Cooks' Secret Pride and the Saintess's Tiny Misunderstanding
The chefs who had begun preparing the banquet were teeming with tension, yet their smiles carried an unmistakable hint of joy.
“Be sure to double-check the beef! It’s meat that’s going straight into His Highness’s maw!”
“What about the salmon? Smoke it, or keep it raw?!”
“Both! He loves doing everything at once. No point hesitating.”
…Who was the idiot who just called me a pig?
I nestled comfortably in Kylian’s arms and gazed across the blazing kitchen, the heat shimmering like a living thing.
It was bound to be an annoyance, but I’m grateful…
Seeing them bustle about with such fervent passion just for me, my tail began to give a soft, happy wag.
“Kyaong.”
I’ll have to give the butler a bonus later.
With my tail wagging and a pleased sound escaping me, Kylian who had been cradling me let out a relieved sigh and burst into a light laugh.
“Thank goodness. Now our tail is finally moving again.”
Kylian’s gentle fingers stroked my head with tenderness.
“Blanc, the chefs are working so hard on this. Aren’t you excited?”
“Kyawoo.”
Yes.
I nodded, and Kylian’s face brightened into a satisfied smile.
At that moment, the head chef approached from the center of the kitchen, adjusting his chef’s hat as he came toward us.
Sweat beaded on his forehead, yet his expression was more solemn than ever.
What’s gotten into him? Why so serious?
“Head Chef, what is it? The ingredients aren’t lacking, are they?”
Kylian asked, and the head chef responded with the utmost caution, bowing deeply.
“Your Highness. It is nothing more than… if it please you, might you grant my kitchen staff one small opportunity?”
“Opportunity? What opportunity?”
The head chef clenched his fists and shot a glance toward me.
“Word reached us that His Highness the Divine Beast is lacking in spirit. Our cooks are burning with motivation to restore His Highness’s lost appetite and vitality through their own dishes.”
The head chef’s voice trembled.
Was I scaring them that badly… Ah, it’s because of the butler.
These days I’d grown soft, but before I met him… well, there was definitely a scolding involved.
“I am aware that this is a most impudent and improper request… If His Highness would kindly taste the dishes we present and evaluate which one suits His Highness’s palate best…”
“Kyaong.”
Truly fired up.
The sudden proposal of a cook-off between the chefs lit up my eyes.
These humans of the palace—why do they treat me with such genuine sincerity?
But it meant I could sample delicious food by category. Why refuse?
Kylian frowned, looking at me with a mix of hesitation.
“Head Chef. As much as I appreciate the sentiment, Blanc is currently lacking in energy, so I’m afraid he may not feel up to tasting everything and giving an evaluation…”
“Kyawooo!”
I’ll do it!
I squirmed in Kylian’s arms and nodded enthusiastically at the head chef.
Upon seeing my reaction, Kylian’s eyes widened, but soon a gentle, helpless smile graced her lips.
“Haa… All right. If that’s what you want, we’ll do it.”
Kylian nodded at the head chef and gave her permission.
“Since Blanc has given his approval, I shall bestow a special reward in the name of the Empire: the winner of the unofficial contest will receive the first-place prize.”
“Ooooh! Your grace is most generous!! And His Highness the Divine Beast, we are truly grateful!!”
The head chef bowed so deeply his forehead nearly touched the floor, eyes glistening with tears.
“Everyone! Did you hear that?! His Highness the Divine Beast himself will personally evaluate our dishes!! Should any of you fail to present a truly excellent meal today, you will be dismissed from the kitchen!!”
“Uooooooo!!!”
Once more, the kitchen erupted in thunderous cheers among the staff.
“They weren’t like this before…”
“Kyaong.”
I had already given up.
Watching the scene from within the kitchen, Kylian hugged me tighter and chuckled.
Her warm heart toward me prompted me to lightly lick the tip of her chin.
Before long, the vast dining hall of the palace was filled with an abundance of dishes.
“Here, Your Highness. These are the pride of our kitchen. Please enjoy them to your heart’s content.”
The chefs stood at attention, each carefully lowering the dishes they had prepared before me.
…Wow, there are so many.
From galbi-jjim braised to perfection, crispy salmon steak, tender abalone butter-roasted, even duck breast glazed with a special sauce.
“Kyawoong……”
Where should I start?
I sat at the head table and sniffed the aromas, scanning the plates.
Normally I would have thrust my paw forward and devoured them all by now.
“……”
Somehow my appetite had vanished.
If Mama were here, she would have put this in my mouth too…
With my stomach full of anticipation, I sat before the dishes, the grief I had been suppressing welled up once more, and my tail drooped.
When Blanc remained motionless despite the food before him, the faces of the chefs standing in a line grew deathly pale.
“T-this… His Highness will not touch it.”
“Is there something wrong with our cooking?!”
“Mother… I’m coming soon……”
“…I’ll have to commit seppuku.”
Kylian, who had been quietly observing the scene beside Blanc, rose from her seat.
She carefully picked up the large bowl of galbi-jjim placed at the front of the table and brought it right before my eyes.
“Blanc.”
Kylian took a fork and knife, cutting the thick galbi-jjim into bite-sized pieces with utmost care.
“You love this one the most. It’s so tender and sweet, that beef.”
She speared a piece of meat with the fork and brought it gently to my lips.
“Come on, a- eat. I’ll feed you. Just one bite. Okay?”
“Kyawoo……”
I really have no appetite…
I tried to turn my head, but I could not look away from Kylian’s earnest eyes.
Well, at least one bite… it’s from the butler, after all…
Even if it was merely to repay the butler’s hard work in turning the kitchen upside down since morning, I supposed I ought to take at least one bite.
I parted my lips slightly and carefully bit into the galbi-jjim Kylian offered.
“Kyawoo?”
Ah, it’s delicious…?
The tender beef inside my mouth melted effortlessly.
The sweet-savory marinade assaulted the tip of my tongue, warming my empty stomach.
“Kyaong!”
It’s delicious!
My eyes widened on their own, and the tail that had been hanging limply began to wag happily from side to side.
Kylian’s lips curved into a relieved smile, having caught every twitch of my tail.
“See? It’s good, right? Does it suit your taste a little?”
Kylian glared at the chef holding the galbi-jjim bowl with a triumphant expression.
“Our Blanc eats well. Here, try this salmon too.”
Kylian smiled brightly, genuinely delighted that my tail was wagging.
She cut and fed me meat constantly, as if trying to fill the void left by Mama.
The butler’s loving touch that cherished me.
Her kindness seemed to fill my empty heart.
“Kyuuk……”
How much had I eaten?
With my belly bulging, I flopped back onto the chair.
There was no room left for even a sip of water.
“This pig said to eat a lot, and if I really stuff myself until I burst…”
Kylian approached and gently stroked my protruding belly with a smile.
“Urruuul… Kyawoo……”
Don’t touch me…
I half-closed my eyes in perfect satisfaction and let out a satisfied rumble.
The meal had been perfect.
“……Ugh, my body aches.”
A pained groan came from the direction of the dining hall entrance.
When Kylian and I turned our heads, we saw Lina, face scrunched up, clutching her stomach and waist, walking unsteadily toward us.
“Kyaong?”
What’s wrong with her?
Her pristine nun’s habit was rumpled everywhere, and she held her belly tightly.
“Lina? Why are you like this?”
Kylian frowned and scanned Lina from head to toe.
“Did you roll around somewhere? Are you hurt anywhere?”
“Ah… yes, Your Highness. Kulk.”
Lina forced a strained smile and carefully touched her belly.
“N-no injuries. It’s just… yesterday… there was a very small misunderstanding, and there was a slight physical collision. It’s nothing serious.”
“Really? Well, all right. Go rest after eating.”
Kylian set aside her concern and took out her handkerchief to delicately wipe the remnants from my lips.
“Blanc, are you full? Shall we do the evaluation a little later?”
“Kyaong.”
Yes, I think I’m about to burst.
I crawled over to Lina and looked up at her.
“Kyawo.”
Where does it hurt?
When I tilted my head curiously, Lina hesitated, murmuring something before saying nothing at all.
“Kyawo!”
Mama told me not to play with you. What happened?
“Master Blanc……”
Lina knelt to my eye level.
“Between Mother and me… a very, very small… misunderstanding seems to have occurred. It appears Mother received my deep and sacred faith slightly differently.”
Lina spoke hesitantly, as if excusing herself, clasping her hands together.
“Master Blanc, if Mother comes again later… please convey to her that this unworthy saintess will definitely resolve that misunderstanding and prove my pure heart… I beg you to convey it exactly as that.”
“…Kyaong?”
What have you done?
I stared at Lina with suspicious eyes.
I’ll ask Mama later.