IVGC 07

Chapter 07

‘Rice used in this way…?’

The Emperor had only ever eaten two types of rice dishes so far.

Rice pudding, and a rice dish stir-fried with meat called pilaf.

Rice pudding was mainly eaten in the north, while pilaf was a dish enjoyed in the south.

But neither of them resembled the rice dish he had discovered inside the chicken.

Carefully, the Emperor scooped up the cooked rice together with chestnuts using a spoon.

“Hooh.”

A sound of admiration escaped him naturally.

Soft rice, sweet chestnuts, and rich chicken broth blended together in a perfect harmony.

The Emperor could not stop eating with fork and spoon until he was completely full.

It had been so long since he felt the urge to keep eating because something was delicious that he could not restrain himself.

In the end, he only looked up after leaving nothing but bones in the bowl, his expression regretful.

He noticed the young cook, Heidi, watching him repeatedly with a flushed face.

The Emperor acknowledged that she was far beyond his expectations.

In truth, he had hired her thinking it would be enough if she could occasionally make the sweets that resembled Selene’s, but he had never imagined her skills would be this outstanding.

Finally, patting his slightly full stomach after such a long time, he asked in a satisfied voice.

“This is a dish I have never eaten before. What is its name?”

Perhaps it was an unexpected question, as Heidi looked flustered and her eyes darted around.

“It… it’s just chicken soup.”

“Just chicken soup?”

“Yes. It’s only a slight variation of ordinary chicken soup.”

The Emperor narrowed his eyes.

Comparing this extraordinary dish to the bland chicken soup he had been served in the past felt like an insult to food itself.

It seemed the cook, despite being a noble lady who had been disowned, was too shy to take pride in her cooking.

In that case, he would have to give it recognition himself.

Jabez Obern slowly spoke. His voice, filled with the dignity of an Emperor who had ruled all his life, echoed throughout the room.

“To call this ‘ordinary’ is unacceptable. From now on, this shall be called Royal Chicken Soup.”

“…!”

Gasping sounds could be heard from all around.

The Emperor looked at each of them in turn, as if refusing to accept any objection.

I also pretended to be surprised along with them.

If even Kailos was shocked, then this must truly be a remarkable situation.

And seeing Rodolf glaring at me with a dissatisfied expression made it feel like this was quite an honor.

Rodolf had the talent of making people dislike him within hours of meeting him.

Rodolf spoke slowly.

“Anything labeled ‘royal’ is a great honor. You should be grateful, Chef, to His Majesty.”

“…Thank you.”

The Emperor didn’t seem bothered at all by my formal tone.

“It is nothing. I simply could not allow such a remarkable dish to carry such an ordinary name as chicken soup.”

I agreed with him, but I couldn’t exactly say the dish’s real name was samgyetang, so I stayed silent.

The Emperor wiped his mouth with a white napkin and looked at Rodolf.

“This dish is too excellent to be only a main meal. I would like to hold a banquet featuring it as the centerpiece. What do you think?”

“Your Majesty…!”

This time, Rodolf was not displeased. Rather, he looked deeply moved.

I frowned.

I could not understand why he was so happy just because a banquet was being held.

‘What is going on?’

Rodolf stepped forward with a bright expression.

“Your Majesty, are you certain about this?”

“We cannot keep leaving everything to Hyperion forever.”

The Emperor answered lightly, as if it were nothing.

At that unexpected name, my body trembled slightly.

Hyperion Obern.

That was the name of the male lead.

‘So he already held real power at this point.’

If the Emperor failed to recover and died like in the original story, Kailos’s downfall would be inevitable.

‘……’

I briefly considered whether there was any way to cure the Emperor’s illness, then shook my head.

I was not a doctor.

Of course I had no medical knowledge.

‘Still, if he keeps eating properly, maybe his condition will improve.’

I decided to focus on what I could do—cooking—and stared at the Emperor.

Was it too much pressure?

The Emperor coughed awkwardly.

“Of course, if it is burdensome, you do not have to do it. It has only been two days since you became the imperial chef, so preparing a banquet is…”

“…Pardon?”

I asked blankly.

I had been thinking only about the Emperor’s illness and completely failed to follow the conversation.

Unable to watch any longer, Kailos tapped me and whispered.

“He means you should prepare the banquet.”

“Th… Your Majesty.”

I spoke carefully.

“While I am grateful for the honor, it is beyond what I deserve…”

I tried to sound as polite as possible.

Naturally, an imperial banquet would involve many responsibilities.

I did not want to confidently accept it and then make a mistake that would get me fired.

And more importantly, my focus was the Emperor’s health.

If he overexerted himself during the banquet and his condition worsened, everything would be pointless.

But the Emperor seemed to take my words as simple modesty and laughed heartily.

“How could it be beyond you, after presenting such a magnificent dish?”

His gaze drifted into the distance.

“If Selene were still alive, she would have loved this soup…”

He even brought up his late Empress, whom he had deeply loved.

In the end, the only thing I could say was that I would do my best.

As soon as I left the Emperor’s bedroom, I held my forehead.

I had only just become an imperial chef, and already I was being asked to prepare a banquet.

Moreover, judging by Rodolf and Kailos’s reactions, it seemed highly unusual for the Emperor’s personal chef to be in charge of such a thing.

At least it was a relief that samgyetang had been chosen as the main dish.

Of course, I had no intention of carelessly serving poor dishes just because the main was fixed.

‘I can refer to cookbooks here. I just need to prepare appetizers and dessert…’

The Emperor had said he would not eat much since it would be difficult for him, so there was no need for anything overly extravagant.

Appetizer, samgyetang, and dessert would be enough.

‘This might actually be good.’

I did not intend to remain an imperial chef forever.

Once I saved enough money, I planned to leave and open my own restaurant.

If successfully handling this banquet increased my reputation, that would be beneficial.

While I was lost in thought, Kailos placed a hand on my shoulder.

“Don’t worry about anything.”

“Pardon?”

I blinked.

I wasn’t surprised by the physical contact.

I was surprised that Kailos Obern was the type of person who would comfort someone.

“The purpose of this banquet is simply to announce that His Majesty has recovered some strength. So no one will care what you make.”

What?

His words sounded as if he was already assuming my cooking would be disappointing.

I narrowed my eyes at him.

I didn’t know how I was supposed to respond.

Kailos quickly realized how his words might have sounded and added hastily.

“So don’t feel pressured.”

“…I see.”

I nodded.

The misunderstanding was cleared quickly.

Kailos did not know that I was a skilled, even highly capable chef.

No, I did not need to be modest with myself.

I am an excellent chef.

Before becoming Adelaide, I had even run a popular restaurant with waiting lines!

I was not someone who needed to be worried about over a simple banquet.

I looked straight at him.

Kailos looked slightly awkward and avoided my gaze.

“Follow me.”

“…?”

Though he seemed confused, he followed obediently.

A short while later, we arrived in the kitchen.

I walked toward the chicken I had set aside earlier for samgyetang.

Kailos watched me with curiosity.

“You think my cooking earlier was just luck, don’t you?”