Chapter 4: A Culinary Rebellion

The head chef of the Bertine Ducal family, Ron Taylor.

He was a man with great pride in his profession.

The Bertine family, one of the five ducal families, oversees the central region.

It is not easy to step into the kitchen of such a family.

But Ron managed it.

Not as a subordinate, but as the head chef.

The third son of a rural baron secured the head chef’s position purely through skill.

This extraordinary chef is currently.

“Uhm.”

Dozing off alone in the kitchen.

It was possible because there was still time before the duke’s meal.

Knock knock.

The sound of knocking from outside woke Ron, who rubbed his sleepy eyes and stood up.

Before the duke’s mealtime, only one person would usually visit this place.

“Yaaawn… I thought the Lady wouldn’t come today…”

Stretching as he walked, Ron suddenly froze.

Standing at the door was a white-haired man he had never seen before.

“Are you the head chef?”

“Yes? Oh, yes.”

“You were sleeping, weren’t you?”

“I dozed off for a moment.”

“This is work time. What if the duke himself had come instead of me?”

“I’m sorry. There’s still some time left until the duke’s mealtime… But who are you?”

Ron reflexively bowed and then belatedly asked.

“I am Luke Bucklin, newly appointed as Lady Elin’s tutor starting today.”

The man with a sharp impression gave a slight nod.

“A tutor? Ah…”

It had slipped Ron’s mind since it wasn’t something he paid much attention to.

“I heard the Lady’s meals are prepared separately.”

“Oh, are you here to collect them? Please wait a moment.”

Ron went into the kitchen and brought out a pre-prepared plate.

“Does the Lady usually dine at this hour?”

“No? She usually comes much earlier, but when she didn’t show up, I thought she might skip the meal today.”

“Does the Lady often skip meals?”

“Well, it happens occasionally.”

Luke’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

“Ensure that never happens again. The Lady is at an age where she needs proper nutrition to grow.”

“Y-Yes.”

Ron involuntarily replied.

Anyone would, faced with those blazing golden eyes.

“Here it is.”

As Ron handed over the plate, feeling oddly evaluated, Luke’s eyebrows furrowed fiercely.

“What is this?”

“Pardon? This is the Lady’s dinner.”

“This?”

Luke could hardly believe his ears.

“Has there been a famine recently?”

“I don’t recall hearing about a drop in harvest…”

“Then why are you serving this excuse for a meal?”

Luke pointed at the plate.

On it were only roasted potatoes and a tomato.

The potatoes were cold, and the tomato was almost overripe.

“Lady Elin has a very small appetite, so this amount suffices.”

“The problem isn’t the quantity. Why is the freshness this poor?”

“Well, the Lady was late today, so…”

“A mere hour or two at most. Does that make sense?”

“Erm…”

As Luke continued to question, Ron pressed a hand to his forehead.

He quickly realized what kind of person Luke was.

The most challenging type to deal with in the Bertine Ducal family.

One who genuinely cared for Elin.

“I do agree this meal is insufficient.”

“At least you understand.”

“But there’s nothing I can do. This is the Duke’s order.”

“Order?”

Luke’s gaze turned sharp.

Seeing his predatory look, Ron gulped.

“Yes. The Duke has restricted Lady Elin’s food portions.”

“Why?”

“I’m not sure, but he said those who show no progress don’t deserve to eat…”

“Ha.”

Before Ron could finish, Luke let out a hollow laugh.

“Here’s what we’ll do, Chef.”

Luke flicked a silver coin into the air.

“From now on, you’ve accepted a bribe.”

“…Pardon?”

“A greedy tutor was curious about the Bertine kitchen’s skills. That’s a good enough excuse.”

“What are you talking about…”

Before Ron could protest, Luke dumped the potatoes and tomato into the trash.

“So, from now on, you’ll cook for me. Using the best quality possible.”

“…”

Ron wasn’t a fool.

He knew whose plate the food would actually go to.

And that it meant disobeying the Duke’s orders.

As Ron prepared to refuse, Luke flicked another silver coin.

“No matter how much money you offer, I am a proud chef of Bertine. I cannot defy the Duke’s orders…”

This time, Luke flicked five coins at once.

“Oh, uh…!”

Ron scrambled to catch the coins flying in all directions.

“Impressive.”

Luke clapped, smiling as if entertained.

Feeling like a circus animal, Ron muttered reluctantly.

“Please wait a moment.”

Although it wasn’t entirely unpleasant.

That day, Ron’s loyalty to Bertine was swayed by seven silver coins.

“You’re amazing, as expected of a head chef.”

Ron swiftly prepared a meal.

He worked with a mix of excitement at the handsome pay and nervousness about the repercussions.

“Now we’re accomplices.”

“…Excuse me?”

Luke’s words hit the mark perfectly.

“What’s your name, Chef?”

“…Ron Taylor.”

“Very well, Chef Ron.”

With a snap of his fingers, Luke created a small portal.

Moments later, the aroma from the kitchen vanished into it, erasing the evidence.

“Looking forward to working with you.”

Luke lightly patted Ron’s shoulder.

“Looking forward…?”

“Surely you didn’t think you’d be paid seven silver coins for just one meal? If you did, I might as well report you to the Duke, and together…”

“Wait, wait! I understand. I’ll do it!”

An overwhelmed Ron nodded.

“What if the Duke catches us?”

“That would be unfortunate.”

“Pardon?!”

“Don’t worry. I’ll take responsibility. After all, this food is for me, isn’t it?”

Luke gave a faint smile, which didn’t comfort Ron in the slightest.

Dragging a cart laden with food, Luke left the kitchen.

“Chef, just focus on preparing balanced meals moving forward.”

Instead of using the door, Luke snapped his fingers again, opening a portal.

“See you tomorrow morning.”

“Could you come at a more reasonable hour…?”

“I’ll avoid times when the other members of the Bertine household are dining.”

With that, Luke disappeared through the portal, leaving behind an eerie silence in the kitchen.

“Ha… I’ve definitely gotten myself into something troublesome.”

Ron let out a heavy sigh, the only sound in the now still kitchen.

The portal brought Luke to just outside Lady Elin’s room.

He knocked softly, not wanting to startle her.

“Lady Elin, it’s me.”

He waited for a response, but none came.

“Lady Elin?”

Puzzled, Luke gently opened the door.

There she was, fast asleep on her bed.

The warmth of the room suggested that a heating spell had been left active, creating a cozy atmosphere perfect for dozing off.

Luke hesitated. He didn’t want to disturb her peaceful sleep.

But she needed to eat.

“Forgive me, my lady. I was late.”

He placed a hand on her shoulder, intending to gently wake her.

Before he could, Elin bolted upright, trembling.

“I’m sorry! I’ll do better! I promise! Please, give me another chance!”

She clutched her blanket tightly, mumbling incoherently.

When her eyes finally met Luke’s, she froze, her face drenched in sweat.

Luke frowned.

He hadn’t meant to scare her.

“I apologize if I startled you, my lady. I didn’t mean to.”

“No, it’s… just that… being touched makes me a little nervous…”

Her voice trailed off.