The Cooking Princess - Chapter 34

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Princess Who Cooks

 

Episode 34

 

Whether the reason for participating in volunteer work was genuine kindness or wanting to appear kind.

 

They couldn’t ignore or envy the Young Viscountess who came to the Service Group for the first time based on rumors alone.

 

Chloe was confident that once she was accepted into the group, she could change her image from within.

 

‘They don’t invite me to parties in the first place, so I need to be able to go.’

 

After finishing her greetings, Chloe hid her true intentions and mixed among the people with a humble expression.

 

Shortly after, the Priest explained today’s volunteer activities to the Service Group members.

 

“Today we’re going to help the Slum that was damaged by floods. The houses have been somewhat restored, but they’re severely lacking in household goods and food.”

 

The Priest divided the work into three categories: ‘making winter supplies and bedding, making food, and transporting and distributing food and goods to the Slum.’

 

And just as he was about to distribute the tasks to the people.

 

“Um, there’s something I’d like to do.”

 

Everyone’s attention focused on Chloe’s bold statement as a first-time participant.

 

‘Don’t tell me she’s trying to pick an easy job from the start?’

 

‘Just try mentioning the Garnet Estate’s name here.’

 

‘She should know how to humbly accept assigned work, the rumors weren’t for nothing.’

 

Amid the sharp glances being exchanged, Chloe calmly continued.

 

“I’d like to make food, would that be possible?”

 

Everyone’s eyes widened at her unexpected choice.

 

Since embroidery and knitting were basic accomplishments for noble ladies, everyone thought Chloe would choose making winter supplies and bedding.

 

“Volunteers are always welcome. Then sister, you can make food to distribute to the Slum today, and food for the Service Group brothers and sisters who are working hard together.”

 

The Priest also assigned several other ladies to the food team with Chloe, and Chloe moved to the Kitchen with them.

 

In the awkward atmosphere, Chloe took the lead in preparing cooking ingredients.

 

Even the Noblewomen who had been trying to stop her, worried that the young Duchess might mishandle knives or tools and cause an accident, opened their eyes wide at Chloe’s extraordinary skills and watched her technique with admiration.

 

“My goodness. It’s surprising enough that a young Duchess does this kind of work, but to be so skilled at it.”

 

To that admiring comment, Chloe smiled as sadly as possible and replied.

 

“I’ve always loved cooking, so this kind of work is easy for me. Compared to the pain in my heart, this is nothing.”

 

Chloe didn’t forget to explain that she had reflected deeply on her neglect of religion, and while fasting and praying, she felt she should give generously to Commoners, which led her to volunteer.

 

But things didn’t go entirely smoothly.

 

A Young Viscountess who came to the Service Group following her mother picked a fight with Chloe.

 

“Seeing you come here when you have time to idle around, the rumors must have really bothered you?”

 

Even to the aggressive words from the Young Viscountess her own age, Chloe responded calmly.

 

“It’s true that I was hurt by malicious rumors, but if it were just for myself, I would have gone on a retreat rather than volunteering.”

 

“Ha, aren’t you just pretending to be good to look nice to other people?”

 

“I simply don’t want to turn away when there are people who need my help.”

 

Actually, that Young Viscountess was right. Chloe was participating in the Service Group to clean up her image.

 

But since she couldn’t openly admit that, Chloe calmly added.

 

“But that’s something I can only prove through my actions.”

 

After that, Chloe no longer responded to provocations and silently helped with the work.

 

The amount of food the Service Group needed to make was enormous, and it was incomparably harder than what Chloe usually prepared at the Garnet Estate for herself, Shuel, and family members.

 

But Chloe worked without a single complaint, even as she became drenched in sweat, taking on all the menial tasks.

 

While food preparation was hard work, the Noblewomen were given somewhat easier tasks among them. Things like packaging finished food or seasoning dishes.

 

However, Chloe mixed with the Priests to prepare ingredients, stirred stew in front of hot fires, and even washed large pots and countless bowls.

 

Her mature behavior, unbecoming of a mere twelve-year-old, began to stir talk among the older nobles.

 

“She seems quite different from the rumors, doesn’t she?”

 

When one Nobleman opened the topic, a Duchess who had been working until just moments before nodded and agreed.

 

“That’s right. With such a kind heart, it’s understandable she’d feel wronged…”

 

“I can see why Grania Garnet, Count worries about his tender daughter and feels heartbroken.”

 

They were busy whispering and talking about Chloe.

 

“That’s probably why she’s trying so hard. The poor Young Viscountess, getting caught up in power struggles… tsk tsk.”

 

Regardless of others’ reactions, Chloe silently prepared ingredients and kept her words to herself,

 

And right then, an accident happened.

 

“We, we don’t have enough ingredients!”

 

More Commoners had gathered than originally prepared for, and the food was quickly running out.

 

It wasn’t completely gone yet, but it was clear that at this rate, it would run out quickly.

 

The nobles who realized this a bit too late began to panic.

 

While everyone was at a loss and in confusion, Chloe surveyed the dining hall with her eyes.

 

All she could see were bones left after the meat had been stripped away. But.

 

‘This will work.’

 

Chloe asked the adults in a calm tone.

 

“Please leave it to me.”

 

Of course, the nobles opposed at first.

 

“Young Duchess, don’t get involved.”

 

“This isn’t something to entrust carelessly.”

 

However, aside from Chloe, none of them had any particular solutions to offer.

 

Eventually, the nobles had no choice but to watch Chloe with displeased expressions.

 

Chloe first filled a pot with bones, removed as much blood as possible from the bones, added enough water to cover them, and boiled them vigorously over high heat.

 

After discarding the boiled water once, she thoroughly washed the bones in clean water, put them back in a large pot, and this time added about five times as much water as the bones.

 

Then she boiled it over high heat and simmered it thoroughly for the remaining time.

 

Chloe divided the milky white broth into large containers and put the bones back in the large pot.

 

She added relatively less water, brought it to a rolling boil, then simmered it diligently over low heat.

 

She mixed the broths extracted in the first and second rounds in appropriate proportions.

 

And when she added green onions!

 

Chloe nodded as she adjusted the seasoning appropriately.

 

‘Perfect. This should be enough. Serving rice too might be overdoing it?’

 

She had spent a long time simmering thoroughly, and there was no more time left.

 

‘I’m lucky there was still meat stripped from the bones.’

 

She gathered all the uncooked portions, boiled and sliced them, then distributed them fairly among the remaining people.

 

Though there would be less meat than in the stew, the rich broth would provide a sense of fullness.

 

The adults had tried hard to procure other ingredients during this time, but it didn’t seem to work out well.

 

In that situation, Chloe shouted.

 

“It’s finished!”

 

Having barely managed to meet the deadline, the nobles hurriedly carried the food to the Free Soup Kitchen.

 

The Commoners initially tilted their heads at the seolleongtang, then were surprised by its deep flavor and emptied their bowls without complaint.

 

Seeing this, the nobles were amazed and began talking among themselves.

 

“My, she must be smart too.”

 

“Well, yes. I heard she also invented something called a refrigerator for long-term food storage.”

 

The nobles finally began to recognize that Chloe was a genius who, starting with the refrigerator, had created various items and even established trade relations with the Magic Tower.

 

“Such a genius, yet she’s in the Empress’s bad graces.”

 

“Wasn’t that incident originally the Grand Duke’s problem, not the Duchess’s? For the Empress to be so petty.”

 

“Oh my, exactly. I just feel sorry for the child.”

 

Before long, the Service Group’s public opinion began to shift toward thinking that the Empress had been a bit too harsh on such a kind, diligent, and devout Duchess.

 

Though they didn’t speak openly due to the Empress’s tremendous influence, watching them read the room and hold back their words among themselves, Chloe thought.

 

‘This is enough.’

 

Now these Noblewomen would spread the word in social circles on their own.

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