My Lady Chef

Ezran's POV:

"Foreign guest?" She looked intrigued and not scared as most cooks would panic at the thought of serving an unknown variable.

"Yes. The 13th imperial prince of Ryu. His name is Oshu and Bel thinks that maybe you can satisfy his palate as he is not impressed with the food the Royal Palace has been giving him."

"I see. It won't let the Prince down." She nodded and looked distracted for a bit. "I may have to start planning for it as early as possible and research on what Ryu-style cuisine is."

"I have a few books on Ryu food that I can lend you." I took a few books from the library. "The Guthrie library has some good books regarding foreign food."

"Thank you. This will help." She took them from me, our hands brushed against each other and the effect was a slight jolt that tingled..

"Wife. The prince's delegation will arrive within a week. Once the new governor has been initiated and blessed by the Crown Prince, we can go back home after a few days." She smiled and looked happy about returning home...with me.

"That is great news!"

"And there is another question I want to ask you."

"Hm?"

"How long was it? When you were able to manipulate mana?"

The silence that followed our warm conversation halted and some awkwardness flowed in.

"How...I never..." Her eyes widened as I placed a hand on her cheek.

"Wife. I am a dragonkin. Our kind can sense even the barest hint of mana and I have noticed lately that you have been slowly infusing the food you cook with water and fire mana." "Since some time ago. Why? Am I not supposed to use mana?"

I shook my head and kissed her hair.

"No. But do not use too much of it for the special feast. Mana manipulation is strenuous and I don't want to tire you any more than you have."

Her apprehensive star softened and she relaxed against my touch.

"As you wish, husband." She looked at me. "So what are your mana sprite's names?"

Now it was my turn to be surprised.

"You can also sense mana?"

She nodded.

"My mother's people, The Fey are keen in sensing mana flow, and although you have not used yours in days. I can detect two threads of mana attached to you. The question is....what element are they?" "Light and...Darkness."

"Those are rare ones."

"Yes. I only use them when necessary. They are battle types."

"Can I see them?" There was a hint of enthusiasm and warmth in her voice and I felt my insides flip at her pleading smile.

"Maybe later....when we are not where anyone can walk in on us."

I remember talking to her till minutes became hours until I could not stop myself from wanting her...

With her pretty blonde hair tied up and her plain dress and apron, the musk she exudes made my heart beat fast.

So I took the books she was carrying and placed her on the huge oak table by grasping her hips and depositing her on top of it before taking the books from her. "Ez? What are yo-Mmmphh!"

I kissed her, tracing her plush lips with my tongue before slipping it inside her mouth.

At times like these, I would steal a kiss or two since we both were busy with our respected fields. Stolen touches and kisses at times like these excite me.

Feeling her melt against me as I continued to kiss and run my hands over her back, I deepened the kiss in a feverish haze of desire.

I should let her go....

But I don't want to.

I want to savor these stolen moments with her because I want her to remember me even when I am not around.

Ely's POV:

After my make out session with my husband, I studied the cookbooks and the Ryuen culinary cuisine manuals to prepare for the guests.

From what I can see. This country's cuisine looks to preserve the optimum flavor of their food so steaming, stewing, grilling and boiling method is the most preferred cooking technique. There are no written methods on frying or roasting.

Fish Stew with Miso and Steamed Vegetables.

Steamed Fowl flavored with Ryuen soy sauce, sweet wine, and boiled persimmon.

Steamed Buns with Boiled Red beans

Beef Noodles Soup

These are some of the food they usually consume and it all sounds so healthy as they do not use much oil.

They also use subtle gentle flavors as well in their dishes...similar to Japanese cuisine.

That also explains why the strong flavor palate of the food here is not loved by the Prince.

After dinner service ended and every one of the cooking team left. I had all the ingredients I have at hand for some trial dishes.

As I was preparing the dough, I heard the door open.

"Huh?"

It was dim in the huge kitchen and I had a few lights on. I grabbed a rolling pin and looked at who entered.

My fear subsided when I saw that it was Ezran dressed in a simple shirt tunic and black pants. He had no coat on and he looked amused when he saw my weapon.

"That won't kill an intruder, wife. You should have gone for a knife or a cleaver." He chuckled.

"Sorry, but what are you doing here?" I asked him. He must be very tired so I thought he would sleep without me.

"I was hoping you would want some help? All your extra hands left for the night."

"You...want to help me? Are you sure?"

My husband looked sincere. It was odd, seeing his powerful frame in the kitchen which is usually my domain.

But something inside me warmed up to his offer. It was a sweet gesture.

"Very well, milord." I looked at him gently even as I feel happy that he would seek me out like this.

He stood next to me as he folded his sleeves and somehow what I imagined as a long night of cooking trials turned into something more intimate and enjoyable.

My husband was a good listener and followed my instructions strictly to the letter. It shows a lot of his discipline as we finished prepping a few items early and I decided to call it a night. Ezran helped me clean up and once again being near him gave me butterflies.

Cooking together made me feel closer to him and that he is trying his best to find something in common with me.

"Shall we go to bed? Maybe a bath together?" He gave me a warm smile as he reached his hand to me.

He towered over me but I felt safe as I linked my hands with him and walked through the vast quiet halls of the castle, we did not speak as we got to our room.

"I had the servants draw us a bath before I left. Do you think you can warm the waters up for us with your mana?" He asked me and I immediately did so.

A small ball of red concentrated sphere appeared in my hand and I dropped it into the cold water tub that was placed near the fireplace.

The sphere of trapped fire acted like a warmer and soon the water was at the right temperature before I dissolved it. "Fascinating use of fire. Shall I help you undress?"

I turned around and nearly swallowed my tongue when I saw that he had taken off his shirt and was now half-naked. And dear goddess, he was gorgeous.000000☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐