The Idika has arrived!
As Prince Kaldor was about to enjoy his post-breakfast coffee, Tika-san returned to the mansion.
"Here you go, Your Highness! I got it for you! Seriously, you’re such a demanding master—what a handful!"
Tika-san came back puffing and huffing, carrying a burlap sack on his shoulder that seemed to hold as much as a bale of rice.
Wait, isn’t that heavy? And do we even need that much?
"Tika, enough noise. The future of Idika—and by extension, the future of the Samonar Kingdom—is at stake. Quit complaining and get to work. Ah, my apologies for the wait, Miss Cristea. This is Idika. Use it however you please."
With that, the burlap sack was plopped down in front of me with a thud.
Wait, the future of the Samonar Kingdom?
Since when did it become such a big deal!?
Nobody told me about this!
At what point did I become responsible for the future of Samonar?
If I fail to cook this Idika into something delicious, am I going to be charged with breaching a contract (not that I signed any)?
"I-I’ll take care of it then..."
I started to break into a cold sweat, realizing that if this Idika wasn’t what I imagined, it could spell disaster.
Nevertheless, I had Kurogane carry the sack for me as I headed to the kitchen... but wait, why is Prince Kaldor following us!?
"Um, Your Highness Kaldor. We’re going to inspect the Idika and test it by cooking. Would you kindly wait in your room?"
I turned to him and said this, but he tilted his head, as if to say, “Why?”
"I told you, didn’t I? The future of Samonar is at stake. How could I not be present at such an important moment?"
"Well... the inspection and cooking will be done in the kitchen."
What he’s saying sounds reasonable enough, I guess.
But all we’re about to do is check the ingredients and cook.
This is backstage work in my household. We can’t just let a prince from another country into our kitchen.
"If we’re cooking, then of course it’s done in the kitchen, right? Unless you plan to poison me, I don’t see the problem."
He looked at me like I’d said something absurd.
Wait, did I say something weird? No, I’m pretty sure I’m just stating the obvious about how to treat a national guest!
"Uhh, Miss Cristea, may I say something?"
As I was struggling to find a way to refuse him, Tika-san raised his hand, asking for permission to speak. I nodded instinctively.
"Well, you see, His Highness not only mixes medicinal herbs but also blends spices. In fact, he even cooks. So he has no problem being in a kitchen. Just go about your work as you normally would. You can even treat us like air if you prefer."
Tika-san said this with a bright smile, leaving me dumbfounded.
Huh...? Treat them like air? Is it really okay to say that about your country’s prince?
And wait, a prince who not only blends herbs and spices but also cooks?
I mean, I’m a Duke’s daughter and I cook, so I guess it’s not weird for a prince to cook too...?
It’s not weird, right?
"... There are cooks in my kitchen. Some of them might lack proper manners, so I hope you’ll overlook that."
Reluctantly, I agreed, and Prince Kaldor grinned.
"Don’t worry about that. My servant is like *this*, so I won’t consider a little lack of etiquette as disrespect."
"Exactly! His Highness is pretty lax himself. You can work him to the bone if you want."
Tika-san chimed in with more shocking words...
"... I’m beginning to think it’s about time to punish you for disrespect."
"What!? That’s awful! I’m such a devoted servant; I should be rewarded instead!"
"And where exactly does that confidence come from!?"
Watching the two of them bickering, I couldn’t help but let my guard down.
Well, he didn’t exactly strike me as a typical prince when we first met.
There’s no point arguing further; he’s not going to budge anyway...
"Fine. I’ll show you the way."
With that, we headed to the kitchen, Prince Kaldor and Tika-san following behind us, still squabbling.
When I entered the kitchen, as usual, Head Chef spotted me immediately and started to approach—until he froze at the sight of those trailing behind me.
"Miss Cristea... uh, w-what exactly is going on here...?"
He hesitantly removed his chef’s hat, careful not to offend.
"This is Prince Kaldor, the second prince of the Samonar Kingdom, who has been staying with us since last night. He’s here to observe, along with his servant Tika-san."
Although “here to spectate” might be more accurate.
"Y-Your Highness!"
Normally, he would kneel, but kneeling in the kitchen is out of the question for hygiene reasons. My earlier insistence that even royals aren’t an exception to this rule had the head chef bowing deeply instead, signaling to everyone else in the kitchen to follow suit.
Oh no, I shouldn’t have said “even royals”...!
"No need for formalities. We’ve come here at Miss Cristea’s request. Everyone, please focus on your duties."
"Yes! Thank you for your gracious words!"
At the Head Chef’s direction, the kitchen staff hesitantly returned to their tasks.
"So, Miss Cristea, where’s the ingredient to be inspected?"
"Oh, it’s over here. Kurogane, please place it in that empty space over there."
"Understood."
I indicated a slightly spacious corner of the room, and Kurogane placed the sack there.
"Tika, open it."
At Prince Kaldor’s nod toward the sack, Tika-san replied with a casual "Sure, sure..." and untied the string securing its opening.
"Miss Cristea, this is Idika."
Prince Kaldor scooped some out of the sack, placed it on a small dish, and handed it to me.
"Let’s see... Oh, this is..."
No doubt about it—it’s long-grain rice, just like Thai rice.
If its properties are similar, cooking it the same way should work.
"It’s different from Lars, but it should be delicious with the right preparation. Let’s give it a try."
"Really!? Please, I’m counting on you!"
Prince Kaldor’s face lit up, and then he bowed his head.
"Oh, please, raise your head!"
Yikes, this is a huge responsibility... but I’ve got a good feeling about this!
Idika rice... I’m going to conquer you!
What do you think about this chapter?
