In response, the cook snorted and disdainfully slammed the long spoon onto the edge of the iron pan.

“Are you coming down every day to watch, fearing that it might be poisonous?”

“It’s a joke. Surely you’re not foolish enough to do such a ridiculous thing as serving someone as young as the Lady something harmful? You should know that it’s the job of a servant to check what the master will eat. You should be aware of that. I wonder if you would have said the same if it were Sir Gémero.”

The cook’s expression twisted unpleasantly. Maiana knew from repeated experiences that it was impossible to confront him head-on. But his pride was hurt!

As a cook in the Marquisate, excluding close aides like a butler or secretary, he held a relatively high position among the employees. Although Maiana was well aware of this, she didn’t like him scrutinizing her as if she knew nothing.

“Do you know? Today’s menu is fried eggplant and pâté made with lamb and lemon.”

“What’s that smell?”

The cook looked at Maiana as if looking down on a country bumpkin.

“This is a precious spice imported from the Kingdom of Pársen. No matter how capable you are, you’re just a housemaid.”

“If you want to upset my mood, it might be better to research more insulting words. I’m not sure if Lady Arianthe will enjoy such exotic spices.”

“What do you want me to do? Do you know how precious this is? If I distribute this to the maids every day, Josselin, the housekeeper, might put me in a pot and steam me.”

Is that so? Maiana thought with a snort. If it were Housekeeper Josselin, she would probably want to lock Arianthe in a pot or somewhere and starve her rather than the cook.

Maiana said, “Alright. Trying new foods is also an essential experience. Please don’t put too much pepper. Lady Arianthe easily sneezes.”

“Yes, yes. I understand.”

The cook’s sulking attitude didn’t bother Maiana at all. If anything, his attitude seemed more impatient than Maiana’s nonchalant dismissal.

He didn’t mention to Maiana that it was Josselin who instructed him to prepare today’s dish.
No, he couldn’t express it more accurately. He didn’t know if it was more correct to say he couldn’t. For some unknown reason, an unsettling feeling that something would happen suddenly sent shivers down his spine. And Marshal’s figure once again came to his mind.

Darn it, damn it! The cook muttered curses under his breath, looking down at the dish.

When the steam rose, a slightly stimulating yet elegant fragrance filled the air. It was a well-made dish. Regardless of his personality, working in the Marquisate for a long time and taking over the position of the cook had solidified his skills.

But there was something ominous…

The cook looked down at the dish with a gloomy expression.

When Maiana entered the dining room, the dishes were neatly arranged on the table by the servants. She noticed Grethe among the apprentice servants placing a bread basket and sauce dish on the kitchen counter and quietly stopped.

Grethe seemed to be giving orders, but for some reason, she seemed to be fidgeting awkwardly. Wiping her hands on the apron several times, she bit her nails again and snapped at a young apprentice. Perhaps due to her reddened face, her freckles stood out prominently today.

“Grethe.”

Grethe looked at Maiana with a stiff expression. Her lips moved awkwardly.

“Yeah, Maiana… What about the Lady?”

“She’s busy braiding doll hair.”

Maiana saw a momentary flash of frustrated anger on Grethe’s face.

“Isn’t she going to have dinner?”

“Of course not. I told her I’d give her 5 minutes. Vainty will bring Lady Arianthe down.”

“Oh, right. Right…”

Grethe, again biting her nails, turned toward the window. Her attitude suggested she wanted to avoid Maiana.

Maiana watched Grethe closely, deep in thought. Grethe looked desperate and chaotic, as if she were fighting a war alone.

A few days ago, when Josselin was bedridden and didn’t come outside, Grethe had been in such a state since that day when she unknowingly hid her appearance all day, even from her roommate Bridget.

“Grethe.”

She slowly turned her head from the window, her fingers stroking the glass.

The sunset, dyed in red, entered like a knife through her face, dividing her face in half. When the glass shook, the bright sunlight on the table felt like lifting off her body. Grethe, seemingly enraptured, stared blankly as the light spread into the air like a dazzling spectacle.

“Grethe!”

That radiance will be mine. Grethe thought.

Something brilliant, something like the future. Could she say that? The pocket in her possession contained something promising a shining life. A small and deadly tink. This would lead her into a radiant future…

Then there was a clapping sound. It was the sound of Maiana clapping her hands in front of Grethe. Grethe, startled, opened her eyes wide and looked at Maiana.