Chapter 7

Alex still silent.

He didn't respond to Anna's complaint.

To him, it seemed like his wife was simply being clingy and wanted to hear the sweet words.

Anna’s love language is Words of Affirmation. Hearing such a sweet and genuine words make her feel safe.

Alex, however, didn't think it was necessary to repeat himself.

Before they got married, he had already confessed that he was willing to let her reject him if it meant keeping her out of danger.

He firmly believed that actions spoke louder than words.

To him, showing his love through what he did was far more meaningful than saying the same words over and over again.

Instead of answering, Alex simply buried his face against Anna's shoulder while still lying on top of her.

Then he gently took one of her hands and placed it on top of his head, silently asking her to stroke his hair.

Watching her husband act so adorable, made Anna puff out her cheeks. She’s annoyed right now.

"Since you refuse to answer my question," she huffed, "I'm not letting you kiss, touch and sleep with me tonight."

With all the strength she could muster, Anna pushed her husband's larger body off to the side before turning her back to him and pulling the blanket over herself.

Alex froze for a moment, stunned by what he had just heard.

"Honey..."

He gently shook her shoulder.

"You're joking, right? Honey... pleeeaaase..."

Anna didn't answer her husband.

She drifted off to sleep almost instantly.

***

The first thing Anna wanted to do before taking on any of the queen's administrative duties was familiarize herself with the place that become her home now.

A Hogwarts castle...

That was the first thought that crossed her mind as she walked through the palace.

She can’t stop admiring this palace.

She even wondered if her jaw had dropped without her notice.

And… Today's destinations were the kitchen and the library.

As Anna walked through the palace corridors accompanied by Julie, the servants sweeping the floors, polishing the windows, and tending the gardens all stopped to greet her.

The hallways were lined with towering glass windows supported by elegant stone pillars. Beyond them stretched beautiful gardens filled with lush, leafy trees.

"Good morning, Your Majesty."

"Good morning, Your Majesty."

Anna smiled warmly.

"Good morning."

She greeted back the employee she passed, even though she didn't know any of their names yet.

The palace kitchen immediately reminded Anna of one of the bakery factory floors owned by Sanjaya.

Her uncle owned several businesses, including food and beverages, real estate, and electronics.

Anna herself had been placed in charge of the food and beverage division, she’s familiar with the kitchen.

She was also an excellent cook.

Cooking had always been her escape from the constant chaos in her life.

Sanjaya, Ratih, Tommy, and Valencia, on the other hand, had never once stepped into a kitchen.

"Cooking is women's job!"

"Cook? No way! It'll ruin the manicure I paid for."

Tommy's and Valencia's constant complaints had inadvertently pushed Anna closer to the kitchen.

She was grateful for it. Nothing calmed her mind more than cooking.

The palace kitchen was amazing.

Every piece of equipment was oversized to prepare meals for the countless people living in the palace, and the number of cooks reminded Anna of an entire floor in one of Sanjaya's factories.

One thing immediately caught her attention, though.

There were no familiar appliances such as blenders or food processors.

There was no electricity in this world.

At night, people relied on flames for light. Oddly enough, the flames here were different.

They burned with a clear, steady glow that was bright enough for reading or working without straining the eyes.

"Do you have any smaller cooking utensils?" Anna asked curiously, directing her question toward a young man. The one with different clothes.

He must hold an important position in this kitchen, she thought.

"My respects to Your Majesty."

The young man bowed politely.

Anna returned his greeting with a smile.

"Your Majesty, this is Michael, the palace's head chef," Julie introduced him.

"The head chef?"

Anna's eyes widened.

"You? This young?"

Michael looked even younger than she was.

Someone this young is the head chef?

When did he even start cooking?

Is he some kind of culinary genius?

She had to admit, the palace cuisine was extraordinary.

It surpassed even the finest dishes she had tasted in luxury restaurants.

"I may be young, Your Majesty," Michael replied with another respectful bow, "but I truly am the palace's head chef. I swear my dish will never disappointing you, Your Majesty."

Anna immediately waved her hands.

"I'm sorry, Michael. I didn't mean to underestimate you."

"I'm just amazed that someone your age can cook such incredible food. I absolutely love your dish," Anna said with her sparkling eyes.

Hearing such heartfelt praise from their queen caused every chef and kitchen worker to stop what they were doing.

A moment later, several of them jumped up and down in excitement.

Their queen loved the meals they prepared.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Michael said with a broad smile that revealed a perfectly white set of teeth.

"We're honored to hear that you enjoy the dish."

"As for your question, yes—we certainly do have smaller cooking utensils."

Michael led Anna to a large cabinet and opened its doors.

The moment Anna saw what was inside, she couldn't help letting out an excited little scream.

Without thinking, she bounced happily.

"May I use them?"

She looked up at Michael with pleading eyes, like a child asking for money.

Julie, Michael, and the kitchen staff, who had been chuckling at Anna's adorable reactions, suddenly fell silent.

"Your Majesty..."

Michael blinked.

"...you want to cook?"

Still confused by everyone's reaction, Anna nodded.

"Of course, Your Majesty. You're welcome to use them," Michael replied.

Anna took out a wok and a steamer before wandering around the kitchen in search of ingredients she could use.

Ground meat, chopped vegetables, and a handful of seasonings were quickly mixed before she skillfully wrapped them into neat little dumplings.

Joanna Anastasia—self-proclaimed dim sum enthusiast—was now in her element.

"I'm afraid I couldn't make much today," Anna said with a smile as she turned to Michael and Julie. "But if you don't mind, please give them a try."

Her special homemade dim sum was finally ready, filling the kitchen with an irresistible aroma.

Everyone in the kitchen stood frozen.

They had just witnessed something they had never imagined—

the queen is cooking.

"Ahh... Mmm..."

Before Michael or Julie could react, Alex had already helped himself to one of the dumplings.

No one knew when he had entered the kitchen.

"Your cooking has gotten even better," Alex said, licking the sauce from his fingertip so that not a single drop went to waste.

"Ale—"

Before Anna could even finish saying his name, a loud shout echoed throughout the kitchen.

"Your Majestyyy!"

Diego came running inside, completely out of breath.

"There's a woman outside claiming she's carrying your child!"