Startled by the sudden appearance of Caerina in the kitchen while preparing dinner, Gilma watched the girl stride in energetically, accompanied by Letta.
"Hello, Gilma!" Caerina greeted, waving.
"Lady, what are you doing here? The kitchen is no place for a noblewoman like yourself," Gilma remarked.
"I don't care. I’m here to cook now."
Letta placed a basket filled with spices and a bag of salt on the counter. Approaching Caerina, Gilma examined the contents.
"Isn't this wild herbs? Why have you brought them to the kitchen?"
Clicking her tongue in annoyance, Caerina was tired of hearing how her ingredients were dismissed as merely wild plants. These were her most prized treasures, especially for chefs.
"These aren't wild herbs. You must know, these will make the food taste much better."
Confused, Gilma struggled to understand. As an experienced cook, she had never used such strange ingredients in her recipes.
"You must be jesting, Lady. How could these wild herbs improve food?" Gilma objected.
"Just like I said, Lady. Even Gilma, the skilled cook of Marquess Navre's residence, knows that these plants are no better than rubbish," Letta added.
"I won’t listen to you. Just wait, I'll make you both float with euphoria and taste the real pleasures of earth."
Caerina inspected the remaining kitchen inventory. There were noodles, fish, potatoes, carrots, and a few pieces of chicken.
"Stay quiet over there with Letta, Gilma. Let me do the cooking," Caerina stated.
"But you cannot cook," Gilma blurted out, trying to halt Caerina's progress.
Glaring at Gilma, Caerina exclaimed, "Silence! Do you want a gag?"
Instantly, Gilma and Letta quieted down. They had no choice but to let Caerina proceed as she pleased.
'Firstly, I have to wash all these ingredients thoroughly.'
Caerina worked with great attention to detail. Her movements were swift, as if she were accustomed to cooking in a kitchen. Even Gilma was stunned, watching her mistress skillfully slice the ingredients.
'From the age of fifteen, I've been on my own since my parents passed away. Necessity forced me to learn cooking. My mother's culinary skills led to my eventual success.'
Caerina's company, aside from cosmetics and fashion, overlapped into the culinary domain. She frequently crafted new food products personally.
'Is that salt? Where did the Lady get salt? And what will she do with the wild herbs?'
Dumbfounded, Gilma witnessed Caerina confidently mixing all components. She could hardly believe how adept Caerina was in the culinary arts, even though her methods differed from Gilma's.
'The taste is just right.'
When the taste test was satisfactory, Caerina turned off the stove. A delightful scent wafted from her cooking, luring people from outside with its enticing aroma and appetizing presentation.
"What is this smell? I'm getting hungry."
"Huh? Lady Caerina cooked? Is this aroma her doing?"
"It seems so. What did the Lady prepare? I've never seen such a dish."
The servants and knights buzzed about the nature of Caerina's dish.
"Try this, Gilma," Caerina urged.
Sampling a spoonful of chicken curry from the pot, Gilma tasted it carefully.
Boom!
The flavor explosion, rich with spices, overwhelmed Gilma's palate. Astonishingly delightful! She couldn't believe Caerina had crafted a dish capable of shattering all known culinary standards.
"What is this, Lady? Why is it so delicious?" asked Gilma.
"This is called chicken curry. I'll explain later, now try these two."
Moving on, Gilma tasted the grilled fish and the spaghetti. Her reaction mirrored the first. She felt as if lifted into the clouds, the flavor exploding vibrantly in her mouth.
"This is heavenly... truly, a taste of heaven. Where did you learn to cook like this, Lady?" Gilma queried, nearly in tears after experiencing Caerina’s flavor blast.
"I taught myself. See? The plants I brought aren't useless; they're food enhancers. You need to learn how to use them, Gilma," Caerina explained.
"I will learn. Please, teach me, Lady." Gilma bowed, pleading for instruction.
"Alright, later I will teach you," Caerina replied, without further consideration.
Soon after, Caerina turned to the door, where about fifteen mansion workers had been quietly gathered.
"Why are you lingering there? Come in. I made plenty, feel free to try some."
They eagerly entered the kitchen, and Caerina served curry with steaming rice – a perfect combination. Letta too indulged in Caerina's culinary creation.
At that moment, everyone was in disbelief at the existence of such delectable food in their world.
"It melts in the mouth."
"If I were to die now, it'd be with the knowledge of having tasted pure delight."
"What is this sensation? I feel like weeping with joy."
Caerina was gratified by everyone’s responses. Now she turned her attention to dessert.
"What else do you plan to make, Lady?" Gilma asked, curious.
"Pudding. I want to make pudding."
"Pudding?"
Caerina sighed wearily while touching her forehead. It seemed that this world was a tiny version of hell, with its scarcity of sweets like pudding and others.
"It's a sweet dish. You'll understand once it's done."
Observing carefully, Gilma watched as Caerina retrieved the remaining ingredients from storage. Caerina intended to exhaust the stocks to share with the entire mansion's workforce.
Cooking with the aid of her aura, Caerina quickly completed the pudding. It was now time for them to taste this dessert.
"Ah, it's so soft. What do you call this, Lady?" Letta inquired.
"This is chocolate pudding. Taste it now."
Letta cautiously sliced through the tender pudding, fearing she might ruin its delicate form. Once tasting, the chocolate flavor luxuriously melted on her palate. Once again, responses were filled with wonder.
"Lady, this is exquisite. Never in my life have I tasted something so flavorful," a servant spoke, echoed by others.
"Really? I'm glad you enjoy it. Now I will prepare some for Father, Mother, and Sister. They're in the dining room, correct?"
"Yes, Lady. The lady of the house and Lord are awaiting you," a knight responded.
"Let’s proceed, then. Please, help me take these to the dining room."
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