My Lady Chef

Chapter 94: Arriving at Guthrie

Bel's POV:

"I heard your wife will be cooking food for us today. I have heard Prince Belmont's praise for her food

and I look forward to trying some of her...offerings." Prince Oshu said in that usual nasal tone that

indicates he was looking down on the duchess.

I looked at Ezran and saw how his smile turned flat and his red eyes gleamed with concealed irritation.

I decided to intervene before he severs a limb...or a prince's head.

"Please have someone show Prince Oshu and his entourage to their rooms. I am sure he must be very

exhausted from his journey." I ordered and Ezran curtly nodded and had his man Hughes led the

foreign prince away.

"I did not get a good look at the foreigner when I escorted your carriage but..really? Another whelp of a

prince for a delegate, Bel? This one is the worse of them all." The duke growled. "A damn peacock."

"Just tolerate him for a day. If he likes the food then he would make sure that trade with Ryu continues

for another 10 years." I looked around and frowned. "Where is your duchess? How is she doing? She is

not sick is she?"

"In the woods. Foraging." came his clipped tone as he told me to follow him to our appointed room so

Elliot went with me.

That was surprising.was it not a few hours ago that Joel told us that she was not feeling well and

now....

She was foraging in the forest like some village girl?

But then again, the duchess was once a baron's daughter, and her home was filled with deep forests.

Maybe old habits die hard.

I was quite happy with the lavishly furnished suite that was a bit far away from Prince Oshu's. Elliot's

room was equally well furnished and adjacent to my room.

Guess Ez read my letter regarding the room arrangements and responded rather quickly.

"You have my thanks, old friend. Prince Oshu does not like going out unless it concerns his food or tea

so I won't have to worry much."

The duke nodded in response. His dark expression made my mischievous side rather ticklish.

"Troubles Ezran? The marital sort perhaps?"

"None that should concern you, Bel." he snapped back at me.

Ah Ez, back to his usual rude ways every time we are alone.

"I'll have someone send a tray of food and cold tea to you. My wife has trained my cooks to make

acceptable noontime snacks. Enjoy yourselves, Your Highnesses." he said as he left me to relax.

My brother Elliot stared at the duke's retreating back for some time before he looked at me.

"I still cannot fathom how you let him get away with being that rude." My brother looked exasperated.

"Ez may be rude but at least you know where he stands. It is thanks to him that you get a whole city all

to yourself to rule."

Elliot nodded and placed a hand on my shoulder.

"And Father allowed my mother and sisters to live here with me because of your skilled tongue. I can

never thank you enough for that."

" Thank me later. I will think of this as a favor to be paid in full at a later time." I smiled. "But for now

brother, rest up and prepare for those snacks. If Ezran's wife had a hand in making them then it should

taste delicious."

"I have heard rumors but....is the Duchess really as talented as you say? She can't be as good as the

Mysterious Cake Maker. I have had some of them and they are heavenly." Elliot scoffed and I tried to

hide my grin.

Since only Ezran and I know that the "Mysterious Cake Maker" is another nickname of Lady Alaina.

"I guarantee that she is better than Chef Pepin. Go to your room and rest up for the feast. I shall do the

same."

"Alright. Have a good rest, brother."

Once my brother left my room, my aide undressed me from my dusty travel clothes and had me in a

clean cotton tunic and pants. The snack arrived and was delivered by a young squire.

I checked the food. The offerings usually offer slices of hard bread, wedges of cheese, and some

leftover meat if there is any.

But to my surprise, there was a small pie with some steamed wild vegetables and tiny buns filled with

jam.

A chilled bottle of white wine was near the plate.

I sat down and sliced open the pie which suddenly oozed with delicious mincemeat, carrots, and raisins

with onion gravy inside. The seasoning was perfect and not too salty or peppery.

Delicious! The pie crust was buttery, flaky, and crisp. The steamed vegetables went well with the meat

pie and the fluffy dessert buns filled with wild berry jam were absolutely stunning.

This was food only the duchess could have thought of. I can tell why the duke's men looked happy and

rather spirited.

Food this good can make any army's morale high.

I finished the meal off in minutes and left the tent to visit the castle's kitchen building

I suddenly wanted to see the woman every soldier and knight calls the Cooking Goddess.

When I was shown to the kitchen building, the moment I entered, It was a cacophony of activity and no

one was slacking off.

She was there and....dressed in a plain dark gown, a dirty apron tied against her full waist and her

blonde hair tied with a cloth.

And yet she still retains her beauty as she supervises the noontime meals for the camp with clear

actions and an air of a leader.

Just like her husband.

The soldier cooks who were hard at work taking out pie tins and cutting them up to be served on plates.

Another was stirring the soup pot and one was prepping vegetables and nuts.

It resembles a well-oiled machine and the duchess was at the helm of it as she walked about

everywhere, giving orders, tasting, and nodding her head when a cook asks a question or has

something for her to check.

I have met so many accomplished ladies and princesses but they were never as vital and lively as her.

A diamond in the rough.