My Lady Chef
Chapter 82: Mother's Muffins

Ely's POV:

The next morning...

"Oh? S-so the duke knows your true identity?" Lorelei frowned and cursed softly that even I was taken aback for noble ladies who cuss so confidently are unusually rare. "Damn those knights! I was suspicious when they led you away to pick some berries when we could have done that early in the morning. There is only one person who has a grudge against you."

"You mean Lady Lorax? I had suspected as much but...how are you so sure?"

"I overheard a few servants talking while we were walking down the hall. According to them, your husband tortured the knights who were bribed to lure you to the sleeping grounds of the wereboars. One of them spilled the beans and said it was Lady Margaret's wishes and after that..." She shivered. "The Duke had them killed for attempted murder."

I swallowed and felt guilty for a bit but the law in this world belongs to the nobles and as the most powerful duke in Illios. My husband has the right to kill anyone who dares harm his family.

"On...the good side. The captured wereboars replenished our storage and larders. They say it was due to your quick thinking."

"Thanks, Lorelei. Shall we get ready for breakfast? There is a lot I want to teach you about food."

"Oh, I am always ready."

As we helped each other dress up, we made our way to the main kitchen.

"I am just curious about you Lorelei. You can always learn some other more lady-like endeavors to please your father but why go so far as to study cooking? Cooking is considered a male profession and although women are acknowledged home cooks. It is harder for them to climb to a higher position. "

"But you seem to be enjoying it and the joy of being able to create something that makes people smile and invigorate them. It is something I felt when you made that coffee float drink. I never felt such happiness and wonder at something being made." Lorelei answered. " I...also hope that maybe cooking will bring me closer to my mother."

"Your mother?"

She smiled sadly and told me that her mother used to take charge of the baron's kitchens and baked the most delicious cupcakes and muffins. She passed away early and it affects her father for he never smiled anymore.

"Do you have the recipe for these muffins? We can recreate them and maybe if you bake it for your father, he may just grant your wishes to attend the school you want."

Lorelei clasped my hands and smiled at me.

"I remember it but she has a secret ingredient that makes it special but I cannot remember it. Can you truly help me complete my mother's recipe?"

I led her towards the main kitchen and pushed the door open.

It was early morning, way before the sun rises but I started taking out the pots and pans needed.

"Let's get the breakfast service going first and then we shall tackle that muffin recipe. We will be putting it on the menu."

Lorelei's eyes widened as I started instructing her on how to prep certain food items and how to use the leftovers from last night's dinner.

By the time, the male soldier cooks and manservants arrived. Lorelei already knew what to do as she helped me run the kitchen just in time for breakfast as a few dozen warriors came inside the mess hall and started demanding food.

I tapped the bowls of morning fish chowder, leftover roast sandwich, and some lingonberry muffins scattered with honey and nuts that I already prepared on the counter

Enough for a dozen men.

"Breakfast is served. Enjoy!"

Ezran's POV:

These past 2 days, I noticed how every man would hasten themselves to the mess hall after every mission...

Not that I can blame them.

Even the senior knights and the nobles who were not too pleased with our food have been racing like mad dogs to get a seat nearest to the buffet tables.

I know why. The food has improved immensely.

No. That would be an understatement.

The food has become delicious and leftovers were being turned into delicious pies or sandwiches or stews for breakfast and the lunches and dinners were undeniably better and tastier. All because of my wife and Lorelei, who took over both of the kitchens.

No one has noticed but I felt a few food items touched by my wife's mana. She clearly knows what mana can do to a person's body so I let her be since the mana infused in the dishes are low in amount. Enough to help replenish the stamina and fatigue of a tired knight or civilian. It was a safe method to help my men and keep the people from succumbing to illness or disease.

Public opinion about my army has also risen because of the care put into the soup and stews we provided for the citizens of Guthrie.

My wife even took the time to help restore a few taverns and food establishments around the city by sharing her recipes and teaching the owners about fast efficient ways to make food by using a few local ingredients that they can forage or find within the area.

All in just a few days.

Her work may only be about cooking but she has a way of changing certain situations and making people happy with her gift.

She also seems to be helping ease the people of this kingdom to accept Illiosan governance.

After all, it will help me greatly and pave the way for the new governor, who will be stationed here once we manage to root out the rabble and restore the kingdom's infrastructure.

Having her here actually benefits the kingdom.

But it also has its advantages for me, her work with the people has boosted the Aisenburg name.

But I care about having her close to me...

As I went towards the kitchen building where I saw a few men carry metal containers filled with food to the mess hall. I entered and saw my wife beside the stone ovens teaching Lorelei something. "That's it! This is it! It was citrine pulp and honey! My father loved citrine on his morning tea and mixing it with honey to create a jam and putting this in the muffin makes it taste light and tangy yet sweet." The baron's daughter was dressed in a simple blue dress similar to my wife as she ate one golden orange muffin and nodded. "Father would be so happy I found the secret ingredient."

"Now you may bake these for him and earn the right to study at Kalderos." My wife patted her shoulder.

My heart swelled at her joy at seeing her friend so happy as they hugged.

I felt something else too. Pride.

For I am proud of a woman who has such a good heart and she is mine.

"Miss Elena." I smoothly cut in just as both women stopped hugging. "What have we here? Another experiment?"

"M-milord! You startled me...Ahem...yes. I just helped Lady Lorelei complete her family's muffin recipe."

I saw a tray of hand-sized golden orange muffins with an amber jam-filled center and decorated with a small dollop of light yellow cream.

"Looks very delightful. May I have one?"

Lorelei beamed and gave me one. I looked at my wife as I took a healthy bite.

A burst of rich yet light citrine orange jam mixed with the dense muffin making it melt in my mouth and the topping on it was not too heavy but a light airy cream cheese whip that gave a salty creamy contrast. Delicious.....

"This is really good. Will this be tonight's dessert offering?" I polished off the other half.

"W-well if that is fine with you, Your Grace." My wife looked at me with a confident smile.

"I shall look forward to it. Tonight is the last night you will be in this form. We should have these muffins to commemorate and end our little " promise "hmm?" I licked my fingers of the jam that dripped from the dessert while looking at her.

She blushed a little but a feline smile graced her face when she brushed a corner of my mouth and licked the cream cheese that was on it. "Understood, Your Grace."

I noticed the embarrassed Lady Lorelei inching away from us. I bowed to them, ending my little flirtation before leaving for the mess hall.

My body was throbbing and this was only after a slight brush of her fingers against my skin.

For the first time in my life, I wish dinner would be over soon.

Today is the final night she retains this form and I plan on spending my night with her.

That is...if she wants to.☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐

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