Published at 3rd of September 2021 07:01:12 PM

Chapter 23

Since its difficult to pinpoint Amoides disease, various factors had to be considered, which was why, as harmless as they seemed, small creatures could pose a danger to Amoide as well.

My goodness.

Th-thats right. Even the smallest dangers could be detrimental to my husbands health. Im very well aware, I said, laughing so that my tone would seem casual, but I ended up laughing too loudly.

When I see that cat again, Ill be sure not to let it go. It already stole one too many expensive fish.

So, thats why the cat smelled fishy at times. Apart from the meat I often gave Noir, I could smell a fishy scent from him sometimes, I usually wondered where he could have possibly gotten some. My goodness!

What will you do when you catch it? I asked Jean.

Im not sure yet. I havent thought that far ahead.

An ominous image suddenly passed through my mind, and I shuddered at the very thought.

Bu-butterfly soup?!

[ TL/N: Its called Butterfly soup, though its actually a kind of soup thats made from extracting concentrate from cats. It supposedly heals arthritis, etc., but its more of a folk remedy rather than a common dish. Anyway, this isnt scientifically proven pls dont boil ur cats ]

No, Jean! I forbid you from doing that!

From what? Jean asked, looking at me once more like I had grown another head on my shoulders.

E-even if that cat looks fat and lazy, its quick on its feet Itll be hard to catch, and you might get scratched. One wrong move and you might hurt your hand

Oh, you dont have to worry, Milady. I catch wild boars with my bare hands, he replied as he gazed at his knife laying innocently by itself on the chopping board.

You dont believe me? As his expression became increasingly grave, Jean appeared as though he would up and go catch wild boars this very minute.

No, no. I believe you. I took a glance at his arms, and sure enough, those were meant to catch bears, not just wild boars. Of course, I believed him.

But, Milady, have you seen that cat before?

No, I answered immediately. I couldnt say that Id been imagining that very cats belly just a few moments ago.

Still, Amoide never said anything about the cat! He also didnt cough or anything! was what I wouldve wanted to scream at the top of my lungs, but I urgently tried to control my expression in front of Jean.

Really, I believe in you, Jean. Of course, I do. I reassured the large man again. It was quite disconcerting to see such a serious expression on his face. I also look forward to the healthy dishes youll make.

Theres no room for error. I shall prepare only the best.

May I know in advance what youll be cooking? Worried, I asked this only to make sure theres no cat soup on the menu.

Oh, first I will

But instead of letting him continue, I couldnt contain myself and immediately yelled, Butterfly soup! Butterfly soup is absolutely forbidden! The health benefits are a hoax!

Butter what?

Thatthat the cat I stammered, but couldnt continue saying it, so I just silently swallowed my words. Making sure he wasnt getting any ideas, I made sure to warn Jean again.

That boiling pot gave me the creeps.

Anyway, you cant do that! You dont know what kind of side effects youd get out of it even if you think its a special ingredient! After all, its just a myth that eating a flexible cats body was good for the joints! So that butterfly soup, just dont

Butterfly soup? Jean, still perplexed, frowned at the name of an unknown exotic dish. However, then, after thinking about it once more, his eyes widened as he spoke, Butterfly? Ahh. No way, you mean a cat?

Jean guffawed, the vibrations of which shook the entire room. In between his wild laughter, he continued, Who would boil a cat and serve it to their master?

Ri-right?

Im only going to scold the cat a little to make sure it never comes back again, he explained, still laughing his head off in that underground kitchen. Taken aback by the volume, Rona and I held each other in a tight embrace.

When Jean finally settled down, I requested a few more things.

Make two servings of the Dukes meals from now on. Bring me the extra serving.

Jean took out a notepad and diligently took down my instructions.

What my husband eats is exactly what I will eat. Bring meals made from the exact same ingredients and recipe, andAh. A bulb lit up above my head. Of course, Ill be eating my meals together with Amoide in his room.

Together you say? Jeans mouth was wide open.

Its only natural for a couple to eat together, right? And weve been very close lately.

If it was possible, Jean looked more surprised than before as I emphasized the word we. Without thinking, he murmured, It must be true if thats what the maids keep whispering these days

As his voice faded, he covered his mouth with one hand as though he just realized what he said. I merely smiled surreptitiously at him. Its amazing how the rumor had already reached this far, but I knew Ronas loose lips had a big role in how fast it must have spread.

I understand, Milady, but then youll be left with tasteless meals since I wont season them normally.

I already know this, however, dont you think itd be nice to share meals between a couple like us? I asked, then added with a hint of remorse, Now that I think about it, I havent been good enough for Amoide lately.

Milady Even Jeans rugged features were capable of showing a sympathetic expression.

Although I dont hold much power, I am still the mistress of this estate. Besides, Jean, isnt this kitchen too old? And its location is too inconvenient as well. Again, I put on the airs of a confident madam and brought up my fan to my face.

The kitchen that had only one window was heady with smoke and spices.

Youre cooped up in a place like this while cooking so passionately, so obviously, you wouldnt be able to think about much else, I uttered, remembering Ronas fear of the chef as she and I walked down the stairs a while ago. Its no wonder the chefs always hot-headed.

Ones environment shapes an individuals personality, after all.

Exactly like the precious master of this house.

What you say is true, Milady, but its the same with the other nobles I used to work for. Their houses were extravagant and well decorated, but the kitchen would always be hidden away like its an embarrassing place to see. Jean said all this with a straight face, as if it werent a big deal, but listening to him made me reflect as well.

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The food that came out of the kitchen was always delicious, always intricately placed in bowls and plates. As dishes would be served in the dining room, it would be pleasing to the senses whenever steam would rise from a heavenly aroma. And yet, if such an aroma would seep through the walls from the chefs working environment and around the house, it was a different matter.

No matter how much a kitchen is maintained, its impossible to stop the mixed scent of all kinds of food from escaping the room.

Nonetheless, Jean, its hard on you, too. If such a scent is kept inside just the kitchen, itll smell worse, and the heat would always be locked in here as well, While eyeing the small window of this wide kitchen, I said. Its shocking that they didnt have proper ventilation here. Ill try to move the kitchen somewhere else.

Pardon?

It will be as wide and as open as possible.

Jean couldnt say anything in response. This time, it was he and Rona who exchanged bewildered glances, wordlessly asking each other if what I said was possible.

Then, that will be all for now. From tomorrow onwards, we will be in your care, Jean.

I raised a hand to wave goodbye as he looked down and bowed with an indescribable expression on his face. At that, Rona and I left the premises.

Milady, you were pretty cool just now!

Me?

Rona stopped in place and crossed her arms in front of her chest, putting on a haughty scowl. Are you forgetting who I am, Jean?' she said, reciting what I had said earlier.

Ill try to move the kitchen someplace else.'

Although I dont hold much power, I am still the mistress of this estate.'

Stop it.

The hairs on the back of my neck were standing up.

Ah, just stop it! I yelled again, but she continued her one-woman show. To drown it all out, I just groaned to myself as I covered my reddened ears in embarrassment.

Anyway, you were wonderful, Milady! I felt so frustrated ever since the beginning because you always looked like a wet chick, but

A wet Without continuing the words, I imagined water continuously being poured over a pitiful chick that somehow had the same eyes as me.

Yes, thats it. Thats exactly how Id been living thus far.

So, what do I look like now?

Um. An exceptional hawk? Rona spread her arms wide and flapped them, pretending to be the very bird she mentioned. She looked so ridiculous that I laughed.

It doesnt look very cool, though. Well, its just for sur For survival, is what I wanted to say.

Surwhat? Rona urged me to continue with her sparkling eyes, though I only shook my head in return.

If I continued, I would have to say it was just for survivalbecause I remembered my past life, because I know this was a world within a novel.

Why do you look so excited like this?

Its because the Duchess seems to have changed a lot.

Really?

Out of the blue, all the strength I had left in me vanished. It just occurred to me that many different things happened all in one day: I managed to get my mother-in-laws permission to oversee my husbands health, I took a walk with Amoide, and

[ From now on, dont do anything useless. ]

I remembered what Amoide said with his eyes trained directly on mine, with his arms wrapped around my waist, with the distance between us disappearing slowly

Delicately, I raised both hands to cover my cheeks. They were strangely warm.