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Chapter 17
‘So it was to lend Richard the magic stone.’
If that was the reason, then perhaps Lilit really was a pretty decent person, just as she claimed.
Leaving Richard alone here was another matter, but at the very least, she seemed to be the only person in the imperial palace who was on his side.
Alina tore her gaze away from Richard and spoke.
“Your Highness, the Princess.”
“Lilit unnie.”
Lilit immediately corrected her own title.
Alina spoke with an embarrassed expression.
“I didn’t know back then and misspoke. You’re the Imperial Princess.”
“No.”
“…Sorry?”
“Repeat after me. Lilit unnie.”
I always wanted a younger sister.
When Lilit added that, Alina let out a soft sigh and repeated it.
“Lilit unnie.”
“Good. Yes, Lise? What is it?”
“I have a request I’d like to ask.”
“If it’s from you, I’ll do anything… ah, wait.”
Lilit, who had been speaking warmly, rubbed her chin with a troubled face.
“Um, is it urgent? I was actually on my way to the knight corps. We need to go over the ceremonial procedures for Ambassador Kestol’s visit.”
Lilit pursed her lips before continuing.
“I’d love to take my time hearing you out, but you know how Klaus gets if I’m late.”
At the mention of Klaus, Alina smiled.
“I know that all too well. Then… may I visit you next week?”
“Sure. I’ll finish training early on Tuesday, so come then. Richard, you come early that day too. Hey, Richard?”
“Huh?”
Richard, who had been staring only at Alina the entire time, flinched.
Lilit clicked her tongue and scolded him.
“You don’t even see your sister, do you?”
“That’s not true. I heard everything. I’ll come early.”
Lilit laughed softly and mussed his silver hair.
“See? This is why having a younger brother is useless.”
“News! Big news!”
Marika ran toward Alina, who was plucking stems off tomatoes in the storage room.
Her excited face was as red as the tomatoes.
Alina stopped what she was doing and looked at her.
“Breathe first. What news?”
“You’re going to love this.”
“What is it?”
Seeing Alina’s interest, Marika grabbed her hand.
“Just come. Everyone’s been called together.”
When Alina and Marika reached the main kitchen, the huge table was packed—an impressive sight.
It looked like every kitchen worker had been gathered. The room was noisy with people wondering about the sudden meeting.
Clap clap!
“Quiet!”
Greta, standing in front of the stove, clapped loudly and shouted. The kitchen fell silent immediately.
Hands on her hips, Greta raised her voice.
“You’ve probably heard bits and pieces, but I’ll explain again. I’m only saying this once, so listen carefully.”
“Yes.”
After the workers replied, Greta cleared her throat and continued.
“Unfortunately, we’ve received complaints about our food. Quite a few, and from several people.”
The knight order.
As soon as Alina heard this, she recalled their constant grumbling about the deputy chef.
‘Their initiative really is impressive.’
The knights were all high-ranking nobles—Greta couldn’t ignore their complaints.
In any case, those who don’t act don’t receive answers.
Because of the knights’ enthusiastic initiative, a new wind was blowing through the kitchen.
“So for next month’s welcoming banquet for Ambassador Kestol, the deputy chef’s authority to decide the menu will be suspended temporarily. We’ll hold an open competition for the banquet’s dishes. Experience, age, status—none of that matters. Only skill.”
When Greta said “skill,” her eyes briefly met Alina’s.
It was only for a moment.
Greta flashed a grin and straightened her back.
“Whoever is chosen in the judging will receive the honor of having their dish served as the banquet’s main menu, and be granted an audience with His Majesty. You may make a request or ask for money. A skilled person deserves a reward.”
An audience with the Emperor.
The kitchen exploded in excitement.
“My goodness! We can meet His Majesty? Isn’t he bedridden right now?”
“Yes. As you all know, His Majesty is resting due to illness. Yet he has allowed an audience—because this banquet is that important.”
Greta tapped the shoulder of Trudy, who sat with her mouth tightly shut.
“Trudy, you should participate too. Show your skill again.”
“I said I’m quitting.”
“You always say that. Everyone knows you don’t mean it.”
While Greta poked at Trudy’s weak point, Marika raised her hand.
“So how will the judging work? Are you going to judge, Greta?”
“No. Since it’s a dish for an important occasion, Her Highness the Princess, His Highness the Prince, and I will taste and evaluate together.”
Greta clapped again to finish.
“That’s all! Back to work.”
The kitchen buzzed the moment she finished.
But most weren’t talking about participating—they were gossiping about how the competition would play out between Alina and Trudy.
“Lise, you’re entering, right?”
“Yes.”
At Marika’s question, Alina nodded softly. A nearby cook laughed.
“That’s the wrong question. Lise, you’re going to win, right?”
“What kind of question is that…”
Lise avoided the question with a flustered smile.
“What about you? Aren’t you entering?”
The cook answered as though it was absurd.
“Me? Why would I? I’m going to bet on you. Make sure you win, Lise.”
“Thanks.”
Receiving her coworkers’ encouragement, Alina returned to the storage room and clasped her hands.
She repeated Greta’s words in her mind.
‘Whoever is chosen… will receive the honor of serving their main dish at the banquet and an audience with His Majesty. You may make a wish.’
If she won, she could meet the Emperor. She could make a wish. It felt like a dream.
‘If it’s a wish… I could have my wanted status removed.’
Then she could live proudly under her real name—Alina Zecinder, not Lise Kruger.
She wouldn’t have to worry about being captured. She wouldn’t have to feel uneasy every time she met Richard.
Smiling, Alina whispered to herself:
“This is my chance.”
A chance for those prepared.
Among all the contestants, she was the most desperate—and the most skilled.
As long as nothing unexpected happened, she could win.
Her heart began to race with excitement.
A few days later.
Alina stood before the Imperial Princess’s palace, holding a large basket. She had come at Lilit’s invitation.
But once she arrived, she couldn’t bring herself to step forward. The palace was far more magnificent than the Ivory Palace; its grand splendor made her shrink.
Standing before the lavish building decorated in gold, she realized again just how high Lilit’s status was.
“Lise, welcome.”
“Kaden?”
Hearing light footsteps from inside the building, Kaden came out.
Alina looked at him in surprise and asked:
“What are you doing here?”
“Her Highness asked me to escort you. She’s busy preparing to receive a guest.”
The moment he mentioned Lilit, Kaden’s face turned pink.
When Alina stared at him, he cleared his throat awkwardly and guided her inside.
“Come in. They should be ready by now.”
“Lise!”
As soon as they entered, Lilit greeted her with a bright voice.
“I was waiting forever. I prepared something for our lovely Lise.”
“Kaden just told me that. But what is it?”
“Hehe, I’ll show you inside.”
Lilit said with an excited smile, delaying her answer.
The three walked down a long corridor and entered the princess’s reception room.
Alina gaped at the room, beautifully decorated in deep purple and gold.
“Wow… it’s so…”
“Hm?”
“So gorgeous!”
Alina’s eyes sparkled. Such a beautiful reception room—she was dazzled.
She spun toward Lilit and clasped her hands.
“Lilit unnie, you’re amazing.”
“Oh my. You finally realized? Come visit often, until you get sick of this room. Okay?”
After seating Alina on a soft sofa, Lilit’s gaze moved to the basket.
“But what’s that you’re holding so carefully?”
Alina, who had been admiring the room, placed the basket on the table.
“You said you wanted to have tea time, so I baked some scones.”
“Scones?”
At that word, Lilit’s purple eyes sparkled. Kaden, sitting beside her, raised his voice.
“I love scones!”
“Perfect. I didn’t bring tea because I thought it’d be better to brew it here.”
“Good thinking. I already had some Earl Grey prepared. If you prefer another tea, just say so.”
“I like Earl Grey too.”
“Me too. We match, Lise.”
Lilit winked playfully, and Alina shyly smiled as she took out the scones.
“I brought jam too, just in case. Strawberry, raspberry, fig, and apricot.”
She lined up the small jam jars one by one.
As Lilit surveyed the row of jams, she grinned.
“No blueberry jam? When I saw you pour it over Lysian last time, it looked delicious.”
“That wasn’t jam…”
Alina stopped mid-sentence. Then she raised her voice.
“Wait—you were watching?”
“The timing just worked out.”
“Then why didn’t you do anything?”
Alina’s eyes sharpened.
Lilit answered seriously.
