My Lady Chef
Chapter 80: A Woman Scorned

Margaret's POV:

I had thought that being isolated in this wretched war campaign would make the duke eager for my company.

Employing my best chef and procuring the most high quality ingredients, I infiltrated his camp under the guise of donating food for his army.

I have never done this for any of the lords vying for my attention but what do I get after all my hard work?

Ezran reprimanded me and coldly turned away from the sumptuous feast my chef prepared for him.

Only for me to see him outside the open field where the soup kitchen was erected by that...that woman's so called protege!

He even seems to be enjoying that bloody stew and soup as he smiled and spooned the last bit of food into his mouth before he went to the mess hall.

I glared at this Elena girl. She upstaged me with such paltry offerings?! She should learn her place.

After making sure that the duke was busy, I asked a few men I have already charmed and whispered a few words to them.

A few coins were exchanged and I smirked as I went back to the banquet where the nobles and senior knights were enjoying themselves with the food.

My eyes sought out Duke Ezran as I purposely sat on the empty seat beside him, which made everyone stare at their lord.

A moment of silence and I smiled, thinking that he must have accepted my move but he stood up and bid everyone a good evening meal as he decided to retire.

My hands trembled with resentment as I followed him shamelessly till we were alone in the corridor.

"Duke Ezran, will you ignore me again? Even amongst the nobility, your manners should at least acknowledge a lady when she calls out for you." I cried out to him and he stopped.

"Lady Lorax. Why are you really here?" He asked as he looked at me with the same cold gaze.

He used to be so accomodating and sauve, sweeping me off for a quick tryst and stolen kisses whenever we met.

But now, the frigid way he treats me...

No! I refuse to believe that our time together was nothing to him!

"My love, I am here for you. The affection I hold for you is great that I even went this far just to be with you. Lord Ezran, you must feel frustrated after such a long day. Allow me to comfort you." I reached a hand out to him as I gave him my most inviting smile.

No man can resist me when I push them this far. That bitch Alaina won't know what hit her once I seduce the duke.

A swift movement from him and I felt his hand slap mine away. The air around me suddenly became....difficult breathe.

I gasped and gagged when I could not seem to summon enough air as he leaned down and grabbed my chin.

"Let me make this clear. I have Alaina and I only want her. The next time you approach me, you will stop breathing all together." His red eyes blazed with such cold fire as I felt my breathing becoming even more labored as a haze of darkness surrounded us both.

Th-this is the rumored power of darkness he was so famous for in the battle field...

Such power....

Then in an instant later, it was gone as I was able to breath again. I fell on my knees as I rubbed my chest, frantically gasping for air as the duke straightened up.

"This will be the last time I see you, Lady Lorax. Pack your bags and leave this camp as soon as possible."

His boots moved noisily down the hallway as my love and desire slowly turned to loathing.

No one has ever treated me this way!

I got up and raced towards my room and screamed for someone to help me pack my bags. My pride at staying where I am not wanted was too great.

An evil grin graced my face once the duke hears of the "present" I left for that little trollop of an apprentice.

This is her punishment for taking the duke's attention from me and for being that bitch's protege.

I hope she suffers. Because I am sure this will also make that upstart duchess guilty when she hears what happened to her beloved protege.

Ely's POV:

"His Grace specifically wanted us to pick some lingon berries? This late at night?"

I question the knight who suddenly commanded me and Lorelei to do some sort of request for the duke.

I was supervising the clean up for the souo kitchen when he came up to me and even now...

I have this feeling that something is going on.

But what?

"Yes Miss. His Grace specifically asked you to pick a basketfull of them for breakfast." He pointed to a few men waiting by the gate. "He even provided protection for you. The berry bushes are not that far, just follow them and they will lead you to where it is.

I don't like it. It smells fishy but if it was a trap for me.

Lorelei does not need to be involved. So I told her to finish the rest of the clean up while I had Sir Kain accompany me.

The knight looked nervous when he saw me take my escort as he carried my basket.

We followed the 3 men who looked like infantry soldiers and they formed a ring around us as the eldest one led the way to the berry bushes.

This looks like a set up.

I think so too.

Even Undine and Igneus thinks so too.

"

Excuse me!" Kain called out. "This is not the way to the berry bushes. The trees are thicker here."

I also noticed that before we arrived at a clearing and we saw a herd of slumbering were boars.

More than 8 feet tall, covered in brown coarse fur and gleaming sharp tusks and large snouts. These monsters are known to be temperamental when woken up from their sleep.

One of the men raised his hand to throw something and Kain sprang into action and kicked his leg, causing him to yell out loud.

The earth rumbled as the were boars woke up, their red eyes trained ominously on us like devils in the night.

The men cowardly ran away and different directions. I finally understood why they led us here.

They want me to be injured by a herd of monsters and I have a hunch as to who was malicious enough to want this.

But I had no time to think further as Kain grabbed my hand and we ran for it as the air was punctured by the monster's angry cries as they charged at us.

And I saw about 10 of them!

Wait a minute....

I dug my heels and licked my lips. I have read somewhere that wereboars have the most succulent meat once it is smoked out and the gamey flavour is eradicated.

In a sense...aren't they just huge pigs?

Huge..pigs with delicious marbled meat!

"Milady! What are you doing!?" My knight asked nervously as I summoned my mana sprites.

"Restocking our meat."

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