The Possession-Spoon Chef Feeds the Empire - Chapter 45

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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 45
It was a delicately crafted Golden Bracelet.
The Purple Magical Stone set at its center gleamed with a soft inner light.
At first glance it appeared to be merely an ornament, but Lucia Ella sensed a certain flow of Magical Power within it.
“It’s a Magical Stone that abnormally amplifies physical abilities. Using one fully would let Bael walk for about a minute.”
He spoke with a slight smile.
“If you listen to what I say, I’ll give it to him.”
“……Such a thing exists?”
Lucia Ella’s widened eyes fixed on the bracelet.
There it was.
Theo caught her reaction without missing a beat and continued.
“Your mother handles Magical Stone Distribution as well, but when it comes to rare Magical Stones, my father’s connections throughout the Empire are second to none. This was artificially created by an exceptional Mage Scholar by combining multiple Magical Stones. Even Uncle Cain tried acquiring it several times and failed.”
“…….”
As Lucia Ella’s pupils wavered, Theo’s smile deepened at the corners of his mouth.
Just as he thought—an innocent girl.
Her eyes betrayed her even if her words didn’t.
“……But you said you dislike Bael.”
“Bestowing favor upon someone you dislike and gaining the upper hand over them is rather amusing, don’t you think?”
Theo spoke with candid expression, shrugging his shoulders once more.
“And to my eyes, you appear far more valuable.”
Lucia Ella seemed struck, unable to offer any response.
Theo’s eyes gleamed.
He’d shown the carrot; now it was time to show the stick.
“It’s terribly expensive. And this has another effect, by the way. A side effect, you might say.”
He added quietly.
“Depending on how you use it, it could work to ruin your life instead. The price is high because it’s worth it.”
“…….”
“You understand? I’m not asking you to betray Bael. Bael gets what he wants, you get what you want, I get what I want. It’s not a bad deal at all.”
At Theo’s words, Lucia Ella gazed at the bracelet with a complex expression for a moment.
“I wish I’d known such a thing existed beforehand.”
“Don’t you? So—what’s your answer?”
Lucia Ella set down the tray and looked up at Theo’s face intently.
How many seconds did they hold each other’s gaze?
“Yes.”
“What?”
“I agree.”
“Are you… really?”
Theo’s eyes widened at the unexpectedly straightforward answer.
“I should go now. The setup is finished.”
The corners of Theo’s mouth moved slowly.
Just as he thought—this girl was ultimately nothing more than an ordinary person.
Even quite a reasonable one at that.
Theo smiled with bitter amusement and opened the Kitchen door, slipping out.
“Trust in me.”
“…….”
Lucia Ella stood alone in the quiet Kitchen again, arranging the dishes on the tray once more.
‘Turns out he was more naive than I expected.’
—she thought, shaking her head.
Click.
As she opened the door and entered, the Reception Room—which had been alive with intermittent conversation—fell utterly silent.
Every eye fixed upon Lucia Ella’s tray.
“Oh…….”
A soft exclamation escaped from several lips.
Three dishes sat arranged in a line on the tray.
‘Phew…….’
She felt the weight of their attention. Lucia Ella drew a small breath and began to explain the dishes in a clear voice.
“Here are the finished pieces.”
The first was a small, low ceramic dish.
Its surface was covered with a thin, translucent golden caramel that would shatter like glass at the touch of a spoon, pulled taut with perfect tension.
“This is Black Tea Crème Brûlée, made with a custard infused with steeped black tea.”
Lucia Ella gestured to the dessert as she spoke.
Eyes widened around the table.
Black tea not drunk but incorporated into a dessert?
They narrowed their eyes, examining its appearance and fragrance.
The custard filled the dish completely, its surface burnt to caramel perfection, and as one drew closer, beneath the scent of charred sugar rose a delicate floral note of black tea.
Exactly the reaction Lucia Ella had intended.
Familiar ingredients used in unfamiliar ways. She could feel their interest kindling.
“The second is a Green Tea Soufflé. Green tea is, so to speak, another form of black tea.”
The second dish was releasing thin wisps of steam.
A uniquely shaped dessert, delightfully puffed within a small, round ceramic vessel.
Its deep green surface rose slightly above the rim, dusted with a gossamer layer of powdered sugar.
Not a form familiar to Empire citizens, yet somehow one could instinctively sense that a single moment’s delay would cause it to collapse—and thus felt an immediate urge to reach for it.
This was a dish she’d learned about from her mother and attempted to recreate.
In the Republic of Korea, there had once been a sweeping trend of all manner of desserts made with green tea, or so her mother had mentioned.
Anticipating possible resistance to a green-hued dessert, she’d shaped it in a way that would inspire curiosity and enthusiasm, thereby reducing any risk of hesitation.
‘Perfect……!’
Feeling the reaction she’d hoped for returning, Lucia Ella continued.
“And the third.”
The third dish, unlike the previous two, was cold.
“Black Sesame Blancmange.”
Lucia Ella explained.
The deep gray dessert sat on the plate in its small, smooth mold form.
Its surface had set firm and even, catching light with a subtle sheen.
Ground black sesame, boiled together with milk and set firm.
This was the dessert aimed at her most crucial taster—Melina.
Using her mother’s words: the woman had a Korean grandmother’s palate.
If she loved black sesame, there was no way she could dislike this dessert.
With all three dishes arranged in a line, they made quite an intriguing display.
Golden, deep green, dark gray.
Not garishly mixed but each holding its own color, and thus somehow harmonizing perfectly when placed in a row.
The eyes of those gathered never ceased their busy movement.
The moment Lucia Ella finished serving, they gazed upon the dishes like predators eyeing prey.
None could begin tasting before The Duke raised his fork, so many brought their noses close to the dishes, determined to at least catch the fragrance.
“Refreshing.”
“Sweet, yet somehow different from the sweetness I know.”
“Let’s eat quickly. That green one especially—it just screams to be eaten right now.”
Lucia Ella let out a breath of relief.
The three experimental creations, crafted from her mother’s memories, her own imagination, and several flavors the Empire’s people generally favored, pleased her greatly, and the crowd’s response exceeded her expectations.
“The reaction is already quite good.”
Melina lifted her fork, speaking. Her own eyes too shone with anticipation.
“If this truly goes well, I promise to let you work in whatever manner you desire.”
Lucia Ella’s eyes widened slightly.
“In whatever manner I desire…….”
“Exactly as I said. Whether in the Mansion, on the Estate, or in a shop in the very heart of the Imperial City. You could even open a café under your own name. A place where you could manage as the owner.”
Clank.
“Presumptuous child.”
The sound of a fork striking the table echoed.
“What about my late-night meal? Making such a proposal on your own?”
The Duke, about to taste the dish, set down his fork and interjected.
“It concerns Bellaon’s business matters, Father.”
Melina countered firmly.
“Have you abandoned filial duty?”
“It was your own teaching that each must sacrifice their own happiness for the family’s sake.”
The Duke’s gaze was ominous, but Melina did not yield.
She turned her head back toward Lucia Ella.
“Say whatever you wish. Should you have any interest in managing a shop…….”
Watching this exchange, a subtle smile spread across Theo’s face.
Melina had a habit of letting her thoughts expand rapidly when it came to business matters.
Raising this topic before they’d even properly tasted—he was grateful for it.
As Osborn’s gaze also turned toward Lucia Ella, Theo’s heart began to quicken slightly.
He’d done it this time.
That eyesore, Bael, who she’d given support to—he’d removed her from under his influence.
The moment he sent her the silent pressure to give her promised answer.
“I know nothing about managing a business.”
She smiled brightly and shook her head.
“I just want to stay here. For a very, very, very long time.”
“……!”
Theo’s face hardened.
Lucia Ella shrugged and looked at him.
Surely you didn’t think that was true?
—her eyes seemed to say, lingering on him for a moment before moving away.

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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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