The following morning, I came to a startling realization.
I knew more about the fictional kingdom's political structure than I did about the people protecting my life.
That seemed... problematic.
Since I came to this world I had succeeded in making the servants fear me less, but each time they saw me, I could still see a flicker of fear in their eyes.
Seeing as they aided the prince and Lyra to take Elara down in the book, I must gain their trust this time.
I decided to do something the old Elara would never do.
Cook something.
I stared at my breakfast.
Then I stared at Sebastian.
He stood beside the dining room doors exactly as he always did.
Perfect posture, expressionless face and arms folded behind his back.
If someone sculpted "professional bodyguard" out of stone, it would probably look like him.
"Sebastian.", I called out
The original Elara had never cared.
Bodyguards existed to protect her.
Not to have personalities.
Unfortunately for the plot, I was not the original Elara.
"Yes, my lady."
"What is your favorite food?"
Silence.
A long silence.
Sebastian blinked once.
Then twice.
"My lady?"
"Your favorite food."
He looked genuinely confused.
I was beginning to suspect nobody had ever asked him that before.
"I..."
He hesitated.
"Roasted lamb."
I nodded.
"Perfect. We'll make Lamb roast today."
I went into the kitchen with Sebastian and Edward who had been listening to us from the door in tow.
When I stepped into the kitchen the chads looked shocked but I quickly chased them out and got to work.
I had noticed that the food in this world tasted pretty bland. Probably from the lack of spices.
I washed my hand thoroughly and noticed that the soap wasn't as effective as the one from my world.
I would change that later.
I called one of the maids to get me a lamb leg, 4 cloves garlic, a bottle of olive oil, some salt, black pepper, fresh rosemary, chopped, thyme, a lemon, zested and halved, some beef stock and potatoes, carrots, onions for roasting.
The maid looked worried seeing me in the kitchen and went off, probably to gossip that the bratty Elara was handling a knife.
The head chef, a bulky man in his fifties seemed skeptical.
"Lady Elara, what do you plan to do with so many ingredients?"
I looked at him puzzled and said "Cook. Of course"
It seemed this world had not yet reached the culinary development as my old one did. Well they were about to.
"Watch and learn" I told him, but he seemed to not believe I could cook anything worthwhile so he only watched from the door.
By now the maid had told all her friends and many servants were gathered at that door of the kitchen probably in disbelief. Well, they were in for a shock.
I rolled up my sleeves, took out a knife and began work.
I began by patting the lamb dry with a clean cloth before making small cuts across its surface. Into each slit I pressed a slice of garlic, ensuring every bite carries its flavour.
Next, I rubbed the lamb generously with olive oil before coating it with salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme, and the lemon zest.
After that I left the lamb to marinated for about 30 minutes, all while heating the oven.
The chad looked on in awe amazed how their lazy lady could cook something professionally. The truth was that in my past life, I had attended culinary school for fun but never did anything with the knowledge.
When the lamb was done marinating, I placed the lamb in a roasting pan and poured the beef stock into the bottom of the pan. I chopped some potatoes, carrots and onions and arranged it in the pan in the final hour of cooking. After a while I brought it out and carved it and took it out to the dining.
I gave a bit to the head chef and waited for his response.
He chewed slowly.
Then he took another bite.
Then another.
The dining hall grew strangely quiet as everyone waited for his verdict.
Finally, he cleared his throat.
"...Acceptable."
Comming from him, that was practically a standing ovation. A few servants hid their smiles.
Even Sebastian s coughed suspiciously into his hand, clearly disguising a laugh.
After dinner, as the servants cleared away the dishes, the royal chef approached with all the dignity of a man marching into battle.
"My Lady."
"Chef."
He folded his hands behind his back, studying the now-empty serving platter instead of looking at me.
"The lamb..." he began.
"Yes?"
"It was cooked properly."
"I've gathered."
"And the seasoning..." He paused as though the words physically pained him. "...was balanced."
"Thank you."
Another silence.
"I was merely curious," he said, adopting the most casual tone imaginable, "where Your Ladyship learned such... seasoning ratios."
I blinked.
"Are you asking for my recipe?"
His eyes widened.
"I most certainly am not."
"You are."
"I am making a professional inquiry."
"That sounds suspiciously like asking for the recipe."
"It is entirely different."
I smiled despite myself.
"Would you like me to write it down for you?"
The chef looked genuinely offended.
"I have no need for recipes."
"Of course."
"I simply wished to compare... techniques."
"Naturally."
"For educational purposes."
I nodded solemnly.
"I understand."
He hesitated.
"If Your Ladyship were to accidentally leave a written copy in the kitchens..."
"I might."
"Then I suppose someone might accidentally read it."
"I imagine they might."
"Entirely by coincidence."
"Entirely."
The old chef gave one sharp nod, satisfied that his dignity had remained intact.
"Very well."
He turned on his heel and strode away with all the confidence of a victorious general.
Edward watched him disappear before quietly asking,
"Should I tell him you intentionally increased the rosemary because you thought it smelled nice?"
I smiled and replied.
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because watching him spend the next week trying to figure it out will be far more entertaining."
Even Sebastian let out a quiet chuckle.
Later that evening, when I passed the palace kitchens, I noticed a single folded sheet of paper had mysteriously vanished from the table where I had left it.
The chef, naturally, never mentioned it.
The following day's lunch featured roast lamb seasoned almost exactly the same way.
He insisted it had always been one of his recipes.