My Lady Chef

Ely's POV:

I took advantage of Linda going out to get our trays back to the main house and retrieving our first meal. This will work to my benefit since she will not see me make our food.

I have been reading numerous culinary books and how to incorporate mana into one's food ever since the first weeks I was ensconced her. This kind of cuisine is sought after by the noble house as this type of food can strengthen their mana core which makes their ability to perform magick stronger.

Since Linda and I organized the kitchen after the supplies and materials arrived on our doorstep which why I am more than ready to try my hand at cooking in this world's method.

First to activate the stove, which looks like a black metal box. One needs a mana stone to fire up the stove but that is only if your mana is weak.

My fire mana has been growing stronger ever since I first called for it. Book studies on mana show that they are natural forces that respond to those who are gifted in channeling their abilities. but for me, it feels different. The fire residing in me seems sentient and it listens to my will somehow.

It was the same with my water mana which acts as a calmer companion to my fire. In short; I think I can continuously use my mana in place of stone to make some omelet and maybe a few other things. I do miss a big breakfast after a month of tasteless and boring food.

I inserted my hand on the small slot where the mana stone should be and used an adequate amount of fire mana into it, the stove lit up and two big red circles appeared on top surrounded by runic symbols that I can read.

"Alright!" I gathered a skillet, some chopping board, and a few cooking utensils and laid them on the table as I grabbed some eggs from the basket and began slicing some ham and mushrooms into bite-size pieces. I also steamed some potatoes and prepared some chopped chives and parsley as the skillet heated up and I expertly twirled around some butter and made my first mixed omelet.

I tasted my first experiment and the egg just melted into frothy foamy goodness accompanied by the earthy mushrooms and meaty saltiness of the ham. the seasoning was also on point and the egg tasted soft creamy and devoid of any charred or burnt flavor.

I still got it! Oh yeah!

I hurriedly prepared the fried hash brown, stuffed baked potato, and a small side salad before making two hefty portions of omelet along with making toasted bread with the bakery goods that were brought in just this morning.

Cleaning up after cooking was easy as I spread our big breakfast feast on the main kitchen table where the strong sunlight made the spread, even more, Instagram worthy because the produce and food we acquired were of good quality.

"Whew." I absorbed all the mana that was leftover from the stove and patted myself on the back.

Until a door slammed closed from the kitchens and a red-faced Linda came inside but before I could say something, her brown eyes went wide at the food I made and her stomach rumbled noisily.

It was then that I noticed that my maid's cheek had a slap mark on it. I felt myself getting mad for some reason but her stomach growled loudly again so I took a seat and pointed at the other vacant one. "It seems like they did not give you any trays for the first meal. No matter, Please take a seat, Linda. Let us eat." I ordered her and she finally snapped out of her dazed look and sat beside me while staring at the food." Is it not to your liking?"

"I-I...It looks so beautiful and delicious. Like one of the Royal Chefs spinning their mana enriched cuisine from how shiny this egg is." she scooped it up and gasped when it jiggled. "It moves!"

I watched as she ate it and her eyes lit up as she chewed and moaned with delight. I ate my egg as she switched to the baked potato which had bacon and a mix of cream, chives, and garlic. Her response was also good from how she ate half of it. then she also ate some hash browns and the toast with sauteed mushrooms and tomatoes.

Even the salad I ate made her moan again in delight as she drank water and stared at me with wonder.

"M-Milady...These dishes were all so delicious and there was only a bit of mana in it but how did it taste this good?" she was looking at me like I was some sort of magician." This omelet is so fluffy and it just melted in my mouth! How?"

"I beat the yolks and whites separately to create the creamy foamy texture and added the cooked mushroom and ham into it. The hashbrowns and baked potato are made by frying, boiling, and baking methods I am familiar with." my explanation made her gasp with awe.

"What about the salad? I-It tasted so good! Not bland and soggy." Linda's eyes sparkled.

"I made it with the usual lettuce some arugula, tomatoes, and a salad dressing," I said.

"Dressing?"

"It is merely olive oil, some balsamic and salt, and pepper with a spritz of lemon for some acidic brightness." I smiled as she ate more while listening to me.

"You...you really know how to cook Milady. I-I am so happy! Does this mean I don't have to run to get a tray for us?" she put a hand on her cheek and winced.

"I have been meaning to ask. Who slapped you?" I touched her face tenderly.

"Mrs. Yates. The head maid. She told me that I missed the time to get our first meal so she refused to give me any. I asked her respectfully that I do not mind eating but I asked she can spare some for your first meal and what I got for talking back was this..." she said as she smiled at me. "It was...humiliating milady but this first meal and the delicious omelet made me so happy that I forgot the pain."

My fists clenched at my maid's treatment from the main house's staff. There has to be a limit for this!

As soon as we finished our meal, Linda helped me bathe and dressed me in a more expensive gown complete with the necklace the duke gifted me on the day of our wedding.

I asked her to follow me as I walked out of the bridal house and into the steps of the dukes' mansion.☐☐☐☐☐☐☐