‘Romantic, successful!’

A kiss from the morning.

‘Is this the charm of living together?’

The heart of the virgin who faced her lover from the morning was pounding.

“They really were lovers.”

“My goodness, what a surprising thing!”

Exclamations flowed from the maids who had been glancing at me.

Ahem, I cleared my throat pretending to be nonchalant.

“You came?”

“Yeah.”

Kashar nodded lightly and sat down next to me.

A fragrant scent wafted from his body that had just finished showering. As I was unconsciously sniffing, Kashar asked.

“What are you doing?”

“Ah, it smells nice.”

“… Is that so? I just washed.”

Kashar smiled languidly with his chin propped up. I gasped at the sight of the handsome man who didn’t lose any of his charm despite the dining hall’s appearance.

The blue veins protruding on his forearm with rolled-up sleeves were very sexy, making me wonder if he really went to the training ground as he said.

‘I wonder what he looks like?’

I suddenly became curious about Kashar holding a sword.

In the book, there were only descriptions of him killing people cruelly, but I thought the actual sight of Kashar wielding a sword would be quite cool.

It was when I was spreading my wings of fantasy.

Kashar, who had turned his gaze to the empty plate in front of me, smirked.

“I’m glad the meal at least suited your taste.”

“… The chef said he was a Rihart.”

I ate well despite fainting yesterday. It would have been different if it were Mein cuisine though.

‘But this is strange.’

Even though Kashar had come, no one seemed to think of bringing out food.

“Aren’t you going to eat?”

“I just came to see your face.”

Whether that was true or not, Kashar didn’t even request for food to be brought out.

‘No, you just came from exercising, didn’t you?’

It would be a big problem if he lost muscle mass.

“Are you really not going to eat?”

“Yeah.”

Kashar, who had roughly answered my words, plucked the grapes placed in front one by one.

Instead of going into his mouth, the large grape berries rolled around on the plate.

‘Is he not eating because he doesn’t want to? Or is it because he’s lazy?’

For a man who had asked me to cook, Kashar was acting like someone who had thrown away his appetite.

It’s impossible for a handsome man to have loss of appetite.

I decided to fulfill the mission written in the contract.

“That won’t do.”

“Hm?”

I got up from my seat abruptly and approached Eshtora to ask.

“Can I borrow the kitchen by any chance?”

“Ah, yes. This way.”

Eshtora, who had paused for a moment, led me.

She stopped in front of a small door connected to the dining hall.

“Eileen, where are you going?”

Louis asked with sauce smeared on his mouth. Evan also seemed curious as his gaze turned towards me.

“Young princes, do you still have room in your stomachs?”

“Yeah, it’s not fully stuffed yet.”

“Me too.”

“Then that’s good!”

I smiled brightly and gave a thumbs up.

“Please wait for a moment. I’ll go cook and be right back!”

The first cooking in the Demon King’s castle, let’s begin!

I reached for the kitchen door.

Following Eshtora’s guidance, I passed through a short corridor and soon the kitchen appeared.

“This is it.”

‘Thank goodness. The kitchen is normal.’

I felt silly for worrying that a new demon realm might unfold, as the kitchen was clean and spacious.

‘It’s incomparable to the kitchen in the Cold Palace.’

It was then that I was looking around the kitchen with curious eyes.

A middle-aged man wearing a chef’s hat was approaching us.

“Hm? Head maid. What brings you here? And this person is…?”

“This is Lady Eileen Hallen, the master’s lover.”

At Eshtora’s introduction, the man’s jaw dropped.

“Oh my, it’s an honor to meet you! I am Babito, the head chef of this castle.”

“Babito, I’m sorry for the sudden visit.”

“Oh, there’s no need to apologize. But what brings you here? Is there any problem with the food…?”

Babito’s complexion turned pale.

Well, it’s rare for a lady to barge into the kitchen rather than the dining hall.

I waved my hands and denied it vehemently.

“No, not at all. Both the young princes and I ate deliciously.”

“Is that so? I’m glad the food suited your taste, but…”

His eyes seemed to ask why I came here if there was no problem with the food.

I decided to be honest.

“Actually, Kashar doesn’t eat much at all. I wanted to cook something for him.”

At my words, Babito’s eyes widened round.

He nodded as if he understood.

“You mean the master… Come to think of it, it’s been almost three months since he last had a meal.”

“Three months?!”

It far exceeded my expectations.

‘I thought he was eating well, but he’s been starving.’

I knew that adult royalty didn’t have major issues even if they skipped meals for a long time.

But since they were still human, cutting off food completely would gradually cause problems.

‘It might just weaken their abilities a bit.’

Kashar was also taking poison, so it would obviously be bad for his body.

‘What should I make?’

Since he hasn’t eaten for a long time, should it be light food?

But then again, Kashar has eaten all the food I’ve made so far without any problems.

‘It doesn’t seem like there’s an issue with his stomach.’

If he’s not sick, I should prepare something hearty and delicious.

‘Let’s go with a meat dish.’

With this, the range of menu options narrowed.

The dish that was finally selected was…

‘Sweet and savory bulgogi!’

The number one Korean food that foreigners love the most!

The very dish from ‘Korea is crazy’!

Now that the menu was decided, it was time to put it into action.

“Babito, do you have any beef?”

“Yes, we have thick cuts, but…”

“I need thinly sliced ones. Very thin. And it should be a tender cut.”

“I understand tender, but thinly sliced meat?”

Babito gave a quizzical look.

‘It must seem strange.’

Well, here beef is typically grilled thick as steak or used in stews.

“Is it not possible?”

“But the master…”

When I asked cautiously, he pondered.

If it wasn’t possible, there was nothing I could do. It was already impolite to intrude into someone else’s kitchen.

But soon, as if he had made up his mind, determination filled Babito’s face.

“If his lover cooks for him personally, I’m sure the master will eat it deliciously. I’ll prepare the beef.”

“Thank you!”

“Please trust me!”

Babito immediately went to prepare the beef.

While waiting for the meat he would bring, I needed to prepare the vegetables and make the marinade.

‘Oh no, all the seasonings are in my room.’

The soy sauce, sugar, and everything else were in the bundle I had brought separately.

“Eshtora, there should be a red bundle in my room, could you bring it for me?”

“Yes, understood.”

Eshtora was about to move with her response but hesitated for a moment.

Wondering if there was a problem, I asked, and a small voice muttered.

“What’s wrong?”

“… I hope the master will eat the food made by the young lady.”

Soon after, Eshtora left the kitchen saying she would bring it right away.

‘She was worried too.’

It wasn’t just Eshtora. Babito and all the servants were concerned about Kashar.

“Is there anything we can help with?”

“Ah, could you bring some carrots and onions? Garlic and mushrooms too, if available.”

“We’ll prepare them right away!”

The people in the kitchen moved in unison.

‘Well then, shall we start?’

It was when I was chopping the vegetables that the servants had brought.

“Here’s the thinly sliced beef.”

“Here’s the bundle you requested.”

“Thank you all!”

All the necessary ingredients were now in my hands.

‘Let’s see, there’s no time to marinate the meat, so…’

I checked the meat on the plate.

The beef Babito had sliced was just right for bulgogi, with fat evenly distributed.

‘First, push this aside and make the marinade.’

I put crushed garlic in a bowl and added seven spoons of soy sauce, three spoons of sugar, and three spoons of sesame oil, mixing them well.

‘It would be better with cooking wine, but…’

As a substitute, I sprinkled some Gotguki pepper, and the marinade was complete!

I tasted it with my pinky finger, and the seasoning was just right.

“Put this here. And next…”

As I was muttering and putting down the bowl with the marinade, I noticed the gazes.

‘Everyone’s watching me.’

Probably due to the unfamiliar cooking method, but cooking in front of so many people for the first time made me shy.

Unable to contain his curiosity, Babito approached me quietly and asked.

“May I ask what that is?”

“It’s a marinade to season the meat. Oh right, I need to stir-fry the meat, could you lend me a pan?”

“Ah, here it is!”

I took the pan Babito handed me and went to the stove. I poured a little oil into the pan, and the well-seasoned cast iron became slick.

As I placed the thinly sliced meat on the heated pan…

Sizzle-

A pleasant sound echoed.

But I couldn’t let my guard down. I took out the long wooden chopsticks protruding from the bundle.

“What are those for?”

“They’re cooking chopsticks. Used similarly to a spatula. Like this.”

As I gently separated the sticking meat, Babito’s eyes widened so much they looked like they might pop out.

“Would you like to have them later?”

“C-Can you really give me such a precious thing?”

“Of course. It’s a thank you for lending me the kitchen.”

I could just dream once more and bring new ones to use.

“Thank you so much! Feel free to use the kitchen anytime!”

“I appreciate it.”

I finished the conversation and focused on cooking in earnest.

Over the meat with an appropriate Maillard reaction, I poured the prepared vegetables.

After quickly stir-frying like that, I finally needed to add the marinade.

‘This will give it a more definite taste.’

While marinating is good, doing it this way greatly reduces the time.

“… A sweet smell.”

“It’s a fragrance I’ve never smelled anywhere before.”

As the cooking was finishing, the people in the kitchen muttered.

“What’s the name of this dish?”

“It’s called bulgogi. It’s meat stir-fried in a sweet and salty marinade.”

“Bulgogi… bulgogi…”

I took the plate from Babito, who was staring at the bulgogi as if mesmerized.

“It’s done!”

Sesame seeds were sprinkled on top of the bulgogi, glistening brown and moist.

‘Lastly, add some freshly steamed rice on the side, and it’s complete.’

The rising steam was infused with flavor and aroma.

The kitchen was instantly dominated by bulgogi.

“I’m going to take it out now!”

“I’ll open the door!”

As I placed the bulgogi plate on a large silver tray, the kitchen door opened.

It was like a king’s procession.

“Wow, it smells delicious!”

“It’s the smell of Eileen’s cooking.”

“Now, now. Please sit down!”

Louis and Evan were the first to recognize the food.

I calmed the children down and distributed portions to each of their empty plates.

“Let’s eat.”

It was the moment a proper Korean-style breakfast table was set in the duke’s castle.

The gazes of those in the dining hall turned towards the table.

An unidentifiable dish. But the aroma wafting from it was extraordinary.

“Just a moment. Today, let’s have the young princes’ elder brother eat first.”

“Hm? Is that how it usually is?”

“For today.”

I gently appeased Louis and then turned to Kashar.

“You should take care of your meals. The children learn by watching, you know.”

At my words, everyone’s gaze turned to him.

Finally, Kashar, who had been silent, picked up his fork.

A little steaming rice, and then bulgogi on top of it.

The food neatly piled on the fork soon made its way to his mouth.

His cheeks, with dimples forming, moved pleasantly.

How can he eat so deliciously without making a sound?

It’s academically proven that just watching a handsome man and my child eat is enough to make one feel full.

Finally, after silently swallowing the food, Kashar’s eyes widened.

“It’s amazing every time.”

“Pardon?”

“The right amount of saltiness and sweetness. And it melts so tenderly. My tongue might melt.”

The thrilling sweet and salty symphony felt from the moment it touches the tongue.

That was the charm of bulgogi.

His hand moving the fork gradually quickened. Louis, unable to hold back any longer, vigorously picked up his spoon.

“Me too, I want to eat too!”

Louis’ cheeks puffed up as he took a big mouthful of bulgogi.

Not to be outdone, Evan also picked up his fork.

The cheers burst out simultaneously.

“The meat is sweet!”

“… A pleasant balance of saltiness and sweetness.”

“Eileen, it’s so delicious!”

The succession of exclamations was making me feel full.

‘How satisfying.’

What could be more heartening than the praise of those eating?

‘I understand mom’s feelings now.’

Kashar ate quickly yet neatly. His plate was already empty.

“It’s delicious. Beyond any price I could put on it.”

Kashar’s expression as he said this was truly serious.

‘Hehe, I’m quite good, aren’t I?’

Cooking skills acknowledged even by a handsome man!

Mom, I’ve made it!

While I was basking in the joy of those words, another surprise spread from around us.

“Ma-Master…”

“You tasted the flavor?”

What’s this about now?