My Lady Chef
Chapter 105: An Alliance

Anneal's POV:

By the goddess....

These colorful dome cakes were originally beautiful in their simplicity but when June sliced the big white cake. I saw not one, not two...

but four different layers inside a small cake! Only the most gifted cake makers which great dexterity in their hands can make such perfect layers of whipped cream, cake sponge, jam, and chocolate. They look so pristine and perfect that I was dazzled when the layers shined as they made it to our plates.

"Such beautiful layering..." I gasped when June gave me a slice of the white princess cake with a piece of the crown decoration placed on the side.

"The white princess cake is a simple raspberry jam and chocolate flavour." The duchess explained as we both took a bite.

Ooohhh!

Fluffy sponge cake, a rich melt-in-your-mouth custard that just melds with the tart and sweet jam and bittersweet chocolate, and the taste were cleansed away by the creamy yet delicious whipped cream.

It was over before I could even register what I ate. So I ate another and another till my piece was finished. The chocolate crown was something I went for last and it melted in my mouth very well. But...instead of a rich taste I got something...fruity and floral but it was sweet and delicious...

This was chocolate? It tasted like berries.

"This cannot be chocolate.." I looked at the cut section of the crown and saw a rosy pink color amidst the gold.

"It is called Pink Ruby Chocolate, Princess. A newly discovered product from the Exotic Lands. It was a gift to me by Prince Oshu and I grounded the beans and refined it into this chocolate. It took me days to make a small bar but I figured that it would be an honor for the princess to have the first taste of this unique type of chocolate.

Is..Is she saying that she made a new type of chocolate from scratch and it was this refined and delicious? My word! Her dedication and generosity are quite opposite from the nasty rumors currently directed at her.

"L-let us try the smaller pastel cakes." I coughed as June sliced them in half and we began sampling the blue pastel cake.

A burst of blueberries appeared in my head when I tasted it and the smooth nutty taste of the marzipan felt light and nice.

As we continued to eat and sip tea. I realized that every cake had a different fruit jam inside of them. She did so much work for me just for these tiny cakes.

The green one was a refreshing tangy lime, the pink was a lush strawberry compote, yellow was mellow banana cream with caramel and chocolate coffee sponge.

But the last one was strange. It was creamy but fruity with some tartness combined with the sweetness.

"What was the last one?" I asked the duchess. "It has a rather complex flavor but I like it."

"Passion fruit. It is something grown locally in the Exotic Lands. It fits the flavor profile I needed for the last princess cake." She answered. " Impressive, princess. Not many can discern new flavors easily." "Thank you. These princess cakes are so fun and so amazing." I could not help but smile at her with warmth. "I have never had this much fun at an afternoon tea before."

"I am happy to serve, your highness." she inclined her head.

Once the leftover tray was taken away to be stored for tomorrow's tea time. I placed a hand on my chin and looked at the duchess who was sipped her water cup slowly. "I have a proposition for you, Your Grace." A brilliant idea made me giddy with excitement. " I want to invest in your next business venture. What say you?"

I expected the duchess to be thrilled with catching the attention of a princess but she looked at me enigmatically and smiled.

"Your proposition is rather intriguing but..I need to test your sincerity for me. Only after I have gotten my answer then we can talk about the investment at another time." Sincerity? Is she talking about seeing whether I quell the gossips around her with my authority?

I am but the youngest flower. My eldest sister and second sister are the most powerful ladies in society next to Lady Lorax whom they are close friends. What can I do?

"I cannot help you directly with the rumors duchess but I can assure you that I won't contribute to the growing cesspool of nasty gossip. "I frowned at her.

"Hmmmm....What if I say that I can make you a wealthy and independent woman in your own right. You don't have to be forced to marry a foreign prince or nobility and with my backing which includes my husband's. You can even be even more powerful than your sisters and have the King's favor if....you can stake your reputation on the line and help me when the time comes."

A bold statement. A vain princess would have thrown her tea into the duchess' face and stomp away. But ever since I reached the tender age of 14. Marriage offers have poured out to me and most of them were older princes or nobles who could be my uncles or their reputation are rumored to be vicious to women.

Some were even going through their second marriage or looking for consorts!

I was once introduced to a marriage candidate by my scheming elder sister and he was crude, arrogant, and downright plump that his belly was spilling out of his shirt and coat. He even tried to touch my behind and I was only saved from his awful attention by Belmont, who pulled me away for a dance.

He saved me from being compromised, which made me cry with relief the moment I went back to my room.

The third princess and the fourth princess were already bought off to secure an alliance for Beldovia and Fanora's ruling family. Neither of them was happy to be torn away from everyone they love and cherish but as a royal princess, you have no choice.

It was our duty to be pawned off for the sake of the kingdom.

I don't want that.

I want to be in charge of my own destiny, find love and be......happy.

"Then tell me what I can do to help you with this situation. I shall do so to the best of my abilities." I raised my head to the duchess. "but I expect you to follow through with your promise, Your Grace. Do we have an agreement?"

She looked at me with a mysterious smile and raised her gloved hand to me. I reached for it after a minute-long hesitation and she gripped my hand in a strong handshake.

"We have...an agreement. And as a show of my gratitude. I shall supply the princess cakes exclusively to you for the next 3 months."

Her sudden generosity shocked me once again. I smiled and shook her hand again before the duchess took her leave as I waved goodbye to her retreating figure as she left with her maid.

"The duchess is different from the rumors, Your Highness." June stared at the open door where Lady Alaina left.

"She is. The rumors cannot compare to what she truly is." I murmured.

"You are taking a risk. If the First Princess finds out your alliance with the duchess.."

"June, I cannot live under the shadows, like a frightened rabbit all my life. If I want to have a say in what I want then I must take a risk." I held her hand and the maid looked at me with a worried frown. "I have people I want to protect too."

"Princess...."

I took a deep breath and left the garden as a servant came out to clean up, The clean light flavors of the princess cakes were still at the tip of my tongue. Somehow it gave me comfort to know that I have made one strong ally.00000000

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