8

The royal kitchen hall of the Moonveil Dominion was far larger than Aurora had ever imagined. As soon as Nanny Miriam opened the door, the aroma of various spices immediately greeted her. Dozens of chefs were hard at work. Some were baking bread, cutting meat, stirring soup, and preparing various desserts.

But when they saw Cassian enter the kitchen with Aurora, all their activities came to an immediate halt. The clanging of pots and pans faded, and everyone bowed respectfully.

“Greetings, Your Majesty.”

Cassian nodded briefly. “Please continue with your work.”

No one moved. Instead, they quietly stole glances at Aurora. Is this the woman the King brought home? That was the thought that crossed their minds. Aurora immediately felt awkward. She unconsciously hid slightly behind Cassian’s shoulder.

Cassian noticed the small movement but said nothing. Instead, he shifted half a step, unintentionally blocking most of the curious stares directed at Aurora.

“Take your time,” He said quietly. “No one is rushing you.” Aurora nodded slowly.

A large man in a white apron stepped forward. His hair was already streaked with gray. He bowed respectfully.

“Your Majesty, is there anything we can do for you?”

Cassian turned to Aurora. “Aurora mentioned she enjoys cooking.”

He glanced toward her. “If she’s willing, I’d like to try one of her dishes.”

All the chefs’ eyes widened instantly. What?! The King was asking a woman who had just arrived in their kingdom to cook?! The old man looked a little hesitant.

“Your Majesty, wouldn’t it be better if Lady Aurora got some rest?”

Aurora quickly nodded. “You’re right. I don’t want to be a bother either.”

Cassian, however, shook his head. “I’m not forcing her.” His gaze shifted to Aurora. “If you don’t want to, we can go back.”

Aurora thought for a moment before finally letting a small smile spread across her face. “Actually, I’d like to cook, too...”

It had been two days since she’d been in the kitchen, and her hands were itching to get back to work as usual. The royal head chef finally introduced himself.

“My name is Edgar.”

Aurora bowed politely. “Aurora Ashcroft.”

Edgar smiled warmly. “Lady Aurora, please feel free to use this kitchen as you wish.”

Aurora inhaled slowly. The familiar scent of herbs, fresh bread, wood smoke, and butter. For the first time in days, her shoulders relaxed. She looked like someone who had finally found a place that she truly understood.

Aurora looked at the various ingredients neatly arranged before her. There were fresh vegetables, wild mushrooms, venison, chicken, and all sorts of spices. Her eyes immediately lit up. Aurora felt just like a little kid walking into a candy store right now.

Cassian noticed the change in Aurora’s expression. “Are you happy?”

Aurora nodded quickly. “Yes, of course I’m happy. The ingredients are amazing!”

Cassian gave a small smile. “Good. I’m glad you like everything.”

Shortly afterward, Aurora began washing her hands and tying her hair back, then put on a simple apron. As soon as the apron was on, Aurora transformed. Her nervous gaze vanished, and her movements became calmer and more confident.

The knife in Aurora’s hand moved so quickly and deftly. The carrot slices were all exactly the same size. The onions were sliced thinly without losing their shape in the slightest. The mushrooms were also cleaned carefully. Edgar watched it all, his eyes slowly widening.

“Her technique...”

A young chef whispered. “She’s amazing.”

Edgar nodded slowly. “Not just amazing, she must truly love her work.”

Edgar then folded his arms. “Who taught you knife work, Lady Aurora?”

“My mother.” Aurora smile. “I kept practicing every day.”

Edgar nodded slowly. “I can tell.”

That was evident in every one of Aurora’s movements in the kitchen. Meanwhile, Cassian hadn’t left. Instead, he stood in the corner of the kitchen, watching Aurora there.

Gareth approached him. “I haven’t seen you stand in one place this long, Your Majesty.”

Cassian blinked, unconsciously. He looked away from Aurora. “Is that unusual?”

Gareth nodded. “You normally leave the kitchen after giving instructions.”

Cassian fell silent. Only then did he realize it. The corners of his lips were indeed slightly turned up. He glanced back toward Aurora.

“I suppose.”

Aurora appeared to be stirring the soup. She added thyme leaves and a pinch of black pepper, then tasted it with a wooden spoon.

“Hmm… it’s still missing something.” Aurora took a small amount of butter, then added a few leaves of an herb unknown to the royal chefs.

Edgar immediately approached her. “What kind of plant is that?”

Aurora smiled. “It’s called moonleaf. If you boil it too long, it can turn bitter. So it has to be added at the very end.”

Edgar nodded in admiration. He had only just learned that technique. An hour later, a fragrant aroma filled the entire royal kitchen. Some of the waiters even unconsciously swallowed hard.

“That food smells so good...”

“It’s making me hungry all over again.”

Edgar even closed his eyes. “It’s been a long time since I’ve smelled food like this.”

Aurora chuckled softly. “It’s just a simple dish.”

“No.” Edgar shook his head in disagreement. “Simple dishes are actually the hardest to make.”

Shortly afterward, the meal was finally ready. Aurora placed a bowl of warm soup in front of Cassian.

“I hope you like the taste.”

Cassian stared at the bowl for a few seconds, then picked up a spoon. The entire kitchen held its breath in anticipation. Their king was notorious for rarely praising food. Even Edgar, who had been the head chef in the kingdom for twenty years, had only been praised twice.

Cassian tasted a spoonful of soup, then fell silent. Aurora began to feel nervous. “Does it not taste good?”

Cassian lifted his face. His golden gaze met Aurora’s eyes directly. Then, Cassian took another spoonful of soup, and then again and again. Within a few minutes, the soup in the bowl was gone. Aurora’s eyes widened as Cassian set down his spoon.

“Aurora.”

“Y-yes?”

“It appears, I understimated how hungry I was.”

Aurora blinked rapidly. “Huh?”

Several chefs exchanged amused glances. Aurora couldn’t help smiling. Cassian cleared his throat.

“Just one bowl won’t be enough for me. If there is more, I wouldn’t mind another bowl.”

Edgar nearly choked. Gareth covered his mouth to keep from laughing. For years, their King had never asked for seconds.

Aurora smiled shyly. “In that case, I’ll make some more.”

While Aurora returned to the stove, Edgar approached Cassian. “Your Majesty.”

Cassian turned. “What is it?”

Edgar smiled. “Lady Aurora has remarkable skill.”

Cassian nodded once. “I noticed.”

“If she ever wishes to work here, our kitchens would benefit greatly.” Edgar continued carefully.

Cassian then looked at Aurora, who was busy stirring the second pot of soup. Her face looked far more alive than when they first met in the forest. Aurora was clearly doing what she loved most right now.

“I’ll let that be her decision.”

“All right, Your Majesty.” Edgar replied.

Then he walked over to Aurora, who was still busy preparing the next bowl of food for Cassian. Cassian watched Aurora speaking with Edgar. She laughed quietly after one of the older chef’s jokes. It was different. The guarded woman he had met in the forest seemed lighter.

Not completely actually, but enough to notice. For the first time since arriving in Moonveil, Aurora looked as though she had forgotten to be afraid. Cassian looked away. Perhaps Gareth had been right. Perhaps bringing Aurora here had been the correct desicion.

Not because she was his mate, but because everyone deserved at least one place where they could simply be themselves. And if Moonveil could become that place for Aurora, then he would consider the journey worthwhile.