Surviving as the Wife of the Swordsmanship Clan’s Troublemaker - Chapter 94

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 94

As I stepped into the Annex Lobby, May was nowhere to be seen. Instead, Chef Hotsen, who had come to greet me, led me toward the Banquet Hall.
The Banquet Hall, situated near the Kitchen, was brimming with an array of dishes.
What caught my eye was something coated in red chili powder.
“What is this?”
It certainly wasn’t kimchi, yet it carried that unmistakable kimchi aroma.
Hotsen approached with a smile.
“As expected of the young mistress. You recognized the newly created dish at once.”
“Did you make this, Chef?”
“Yes. I took the kimchi recipe you provided and simply modified some of the ingredients.”
“Is it scallions?”
Those elongated leaves looked familiar from somewhere. When the Bruno Trading Company visited, I’d asked Marco about various things, and he’d said there was no vegetable called scallions.
“No. This is called spring onion. It’s a vegetable easily found at the Market, but you haven’t seen it?”
“No. I’ve only been visiting the Market for a few days since arriving at the Manor.”
At the local Market, unless it was a basic vegetable like potatoes or carrots, it was difficult to find. I’d seen leeks, which were similar to large scallions, but never anything like spring onions.
“Ah, then it’s natural you haven’t seen them. As the name suggests, they’re cultivated in spring, so they only appear at the Market during that season.”
“How did you manage to obtain them, Chef?”
“Actually, I received research funding.”
He answered while fidgeting with his chef’s hat as if embarrassed.
“From whom?”
Who would do something so commendable—
“The Mother-in-law has been so passionate about kimchi that when I prepared various dishes using different ingredients for her, she generously provided research funds without hesitation.”
“Mother-in-law?”
Of course. It was Francesca.
I knew she was serious about business, but I hadn’t realized she’d utilize investment capital so effectively.
“When the Trading Company visited last time, I purchased spring onions imported from the Southern Empire, where they grow year-round. I’ve experimented with many other ingredients, but none compare to these.”
Moreover, Hotsen was genuinely dedicated to culinary research. He was truly the perfect partner.
“This is spring onion kimchi!”
He’d found an ingredient I thought didn’t exist and even created spring onion kimchi from it.
“Spring onion… kimchi?”
This time too, he tilted his head as if hearing the name of a dish for the first time.
“Yes.”
I quickly picked up some kimchi with my fork and took a bite.
“Mm. The taste is similar enough—it’s definitely spring onion kimchi.”
Moreover, spring onions were far less bitter than scallions and possessed a distinctive sweetness.
It was perfect for people in this fantasy world who weren’t accustomed to spicy flavors.
“Chef Hotsen, you’re a genius.”
“The genius is you, young mistress. When I received the recipe book you gave me a few days ago, I was astonished. How do you know of such dishes? Each one is a flavor I’ve never tasted before, and they’re so diverse that I’m amazed every time.”
He exhaled sharply and waved the recipe book I’d given him. Judging by how worn it already was, he’d been studying it extensively.
“I merely placed a spoon on top of what was already there. All I did was adjust the ingredients slightly and present them differently.”
“But using a variety of ingredients is itself a talent. Moreover, the fact that you created something with spring onions is proof of your exceptional aesthetic sense.”
“My lady… truly, meeting you has felt like a rainbow appearing over the monochrome landscape of my culinary life.”
Chef Hotsen’s voice trembled, and he finally wiped at the corners of his eyes.
“Why do you say that? I should be the one thanking you for preparing such delicious and novel dishes every time.”
Even today, the table had groaned under the weight of everything I’d set out. I knew better than anyone how labor-intensive each dish was.
“Coming to Bloodmere was truly the right decision… *sniff*.”
He finally shed tears. I patted his trembling shoulders. I was right not to run away. How could I let people like this perish?
“Hallara.”
Just then, Docheop entered the Banquet Hall. He seemed to have rushed in, catching his breath before his gaze swept rapidly over us both. He approached swiftly and gently pushed my hand aside.
“Who is this?”
A sharp gaze turned toward Chef Hotsen.
“This is Chef Hotsen. I mentioned him before, didn’t I?”
“The one who frequents your room at all hours?”
His tone was unusually harsh.
“When did I ever say that? I introduced him as the Annex Kitchen chef.”
“Exactly. When I entered your room, I mistook him for the head chef.”
Why was Docheop suddenly acting like this?
He, who always greeted the Maids warmly, had abruptly hardened his expression and regarded Chef Hotsen with cold scrutiny.
Chef Hotsen, who had been shedding tears moments before, was startled by his sudden appearance and immediately bowed deeply from the waist.
“Young Master, I’ve heard you reside in the Annex, but I’ve been occupied and haven’t had the chance to greet you properly. I am Chef Hotsen.”
“Are you close with Hallara?”
“Pardon?”
“I asked if you’re close.”
Docheop’s questions came out clipped and sharp. Even I, watching from the side, felt uncomfortable.
Chef Hotsen nodded vigorously and smiled.
“Yes, I would say we are close. I prepare three meals for my lady daily, greeting her at each one, and whenever time permits, we share recipes together.”
“…So you do frequent her room regularly.”
His eyebrows narrowed sharply, as if that wasn’t the answer he’d wanted to hear.
“Ah! And my lady even created a recipe book for me.”
“She made you a book?”
“Yes. A very thoughtfully made one. I shall treasure it as a family heirloom.”
Chef Hotsen continued smiling blissfully, unaware of his anger. Even I didn’t understand why he was upset, but it was clear he resented how close Chef Hotsen and I had become.
“Hallara.”
And his gaze turned toward me.
“Yes?”
“Did you really make a book for that man?”
“It’s more of a recipe notebook than a book. The Chef Hotsen appreciated my cooking so much that I wrote down recipes I could remember for him.”
It sounded like an excuse, but I felt I needed to offer one anyway.
“Did you cook for him too?”
Um…
I feel like I should say I didn’t do anything.
“Of course! Young Lady’s cooking is truly exceptional. You create flavors we’ve never tasted before using the same ingredients we see every day.”
“…You’ve been eating her food too?”
Smoke practically billowed from him.
I wasn’t the only one who sensed it—Hotsen blinked rapidly. It felt as though Docheop was about to combust.
“Now, now!”
I stepped in front of him and offered a gentle smile.
“Shall we eat before the food gets cold?”
“Is this normally when you have lunch?”
“No. I had matters to attend to since this morning. Come, sit down. I have mountains of things to tell you.”
I’d needed someone to talk to about what happened with Ludvin anyway, so this worked out well. And I still had to hear what he was trying to say to me earlier—this wasn’t the time to waste energy bickering with Hotsen.
“Mountains of things?”
“Yes. First, let’s fill this empty stomach. I’m so hungry my head’s spinning.”
I practically dragged him over and sat him down.
“Chef.”
He called out to Hotsen.
“Yes, Young Master.”
“Have you ever received a nut bar as a gift from Hallara?”
“A nut bar, you say? Ah, I recall seeing her make one over my shoulder.”
“Did you eat it?”
“I did not.”
I suddenly understood why he was asking about the nut bars I’d brought to the Knight Order last time.
“Is that so? I’ve received mountains of them.”
With that, he finally withdrew the sharp gaze he’d been directing at Hotsen. A satisfied smile crossed his face as he pulled out the chair beside him.
“What are you doing?”
“Sit here?”
“Yes.”
“Not across from you?”
Normally, wouldn’t we sit facing each other?
“You said you have much to discuss. Across the table is too far—I won’t hear you well.”
That was true. The table in the Banquet Hall was long and wide.
Sitting beside him felt awkward. Meanwhile, Docheop seemed finally at ease, draping a napkin across my lap. As he leaned closer, I stiffened. Where on earth had he learned such manners?
Ahem.
Hotsen, standing beside me, cleared his throat awkwardly, and Docheop’s gaze shifted toward him.
“Chef, you’re dismissed.”
“Pardon?”
“We have pressing matters to discuss privately.”
His arrogant dismissal rang out clearly through the hall.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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