As they both headed to the palace’s dining room, a grand table draped with a beautiful crimson fabric, with a small assortnt of delicious-slling food wafting in the air.
Justinian could already feel himself salivating; it’s been a while since he had a chance to eat sothing other than instant noodles.
"Have you co to dine, my lord?"
The servants asked, standing near the table, making sure the food was in top condition.
"Yes, give the two of us so privacy."
Justinian answered, the servants obeying imdiately as they departed and headed to the palace kitchen.
"The privacy was not needed."
Cassia answered, but Justinian didn’t think so.
"It’s hard to be casual when people are looking at us, isn’t it?"
He gave a glance at Cassia, still wearing armor.
"Why not change for a while?"
"I apologize, but for to change requires to head back to my temporary ho in Snowkeep."
"I’ll take care of it."
Justinian laughed softly, heading to a nearby chair and pulling on it, gesturing for Cassia to sit.
"I should have so in my wardrobe."
It was a vast palace after all, even if Justinian was a male, his late parents had already prepared for both genders, just in case, they already had female attire prepared.
Cassia didn’t argue and took a seat, a servant coming in and handing an extra plate for Cassia to use.
"Bring her an extra piece of clothing, I’m sure the palace has decent ones."
Justinian answered confidently; he was now used to his body and mind. And his mory of the palace and his own capital was now already at its best, a day full of working and acting as a duke, expediting his adaptation.
"This isn’t really necessary, Justinian."
Cassia answered, caution in her face.
"And it would be risky for you as well, if the servants spread rumours of this... special treatnt..."
"I get your concern, but then again, you did promise to be my sworn second. Think of this as part of your duty."
"You’re quite stubborn, aren’t you?"
Justinian shrugged her comnt off, smirking.
"You’re not wrong."
Justinian took the seat opposite her at the table, already filling his plate with food, this ti not minding noble manners; food was a different matter entirely.
’Roasted chicken... I don’t even rember your taste anymore...’
He mused inside his thoughts, already grabbing a serving and taking a bite.
But the flavor was... disappointing.
Even calling it flavor was disingenuous; it was more like bland cardboard.
’Yeah... that makes sense.’
Justinian sighed, laughing slightly.
’This is the feudal ages... of course, food isn’t as well-seasoned as in modern tis.’
He gave a quick glance at Cassia, eating as normal, as if this flavour was normal to her. Not only is she a knight, but she’s also the daughter of House Vesuvian, aning she was used to this kind of food.
So the bland flavour was normal to her.
"Is it to your liking?"
Justinian asked, probing for information.
"Yes, it tastes just the sa in my household, one of my favorites actually."
She smiles.
Justinian tilts his head at her response, for his modern taste buds, even instant noodles tasted better.
’I’ll take matters into my own hands.’
He stood up suddenly, surprising Cassia.
"Anything wrong?"
"Yeah... the food, but I’ll make sothing better."
Cassia stared in disbelief. Nobles weren’t really trained to cook, let alone rival sothing that royal chefs were trained for years; to her, it sounded like Justinian was rely joking.
"Better?"
"Better."
Justinian cockily answered, the royal kitchen should have various ingredients he can use, and a simple porridge would be the easiest thing to make.
"Follow , I’ll prove it to you."
And she did, not like she had anything better to do; if Justinian was really telling the truth, then she had to see it firsthand.
"My lord!? What are you doing in the kitchen!?"
"Relax, I’m just here to cook."
"Cook!?"
The servants began mumbling to each other. They already knew Justinian was acting quirky, but to actually cook himself? That’s another level of weirdness.
"Watch and see."
’I may not be a professional chef, but compared to these dieval servants, I’m a Michelin-star professional.’
First, he wiped his hands clean with a towel, not like they had a faucet for running water anyway.
Then he looked around the kitchen once, keeping in mind where the ingredients he needed were located.
And then he began to work.
Justinian tossed small chunks of chicken into a sizzling pan over the hearth, adding chopped herbs, salt, and a dash of pepper. While it cooked, he stirred barley porridge in a cauldron, mixing in dried figs and honey.
By the ti the chicken browned, he combined it with the porridge, creating a simple yet flavorful dish.
"Hot, fast, and worthy of a duke," Justinian said with a grin.
The others just looked in silence, seeing Justinian maneuver a kitchen with top efficiency, with a sll that seed heavenly to them.
’The experience of working in a soup kitchen is finally being useful!’
By the ti he finished cooking, he tasted it with a ladle, savoring the taste, with the mixture of a Duke’s filled kitchen, and the skills of a modern man, even he could make sothing tasty.
"...My lord... that slls... great!"
The kitchen cooks and servants praised Justinian, surprised at how easily he made sothing up on the spot.
"Satisfied, Cassia?"
Justinian answered with a wink, using her first na to build rapport.
Cassia could only open her mouth in surprise, a bead of sweat appearing on her cheeks.
"...I think satisfied would be an understatent."
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