Ariana couldn't help but smile brightly at Lady Zula. She was so excited that she was being allowed to enter the kitchen with Rin that she completely disregarded the mocking looking. Ariana jumped up in delight, skipped around Roy, ducked under the counter and was standing in front of the double doors.
"Lady Zula I will make you a serving too!" Ariana shouted with glee as she curtsied. Lady Zula eyed her mannerism 'truly this child was not what she seemed' she thought to herself. "Roy you are not allowed to follow her inside. I will allow Rin to go inside and watch over her. If the child is lying Rin will be there to drag her out if she needs too... but you on the other hand if she needed the help, you would definitely step in." Lady Zula said as she glared at Roy.
Roy clutched the fabric on the side his pants and held back his protests. "As you wish Madam." Roy said solemnly as he bowed again to his mistress. The moment he rose Lady Zula closed the distance between them and gently tapped the side of his cheek with her index finger. "Don't be like that." Lady Zula said softly as she smiled at Roy then turned to Ariana. She nodded her head showing her approval for Ariana to go inside.
Ariana couldn't bother hiding her excitement and blew Lady Zula a kiss before she moved past the double doors, while Rin followed in suite. Once the girls were well inside the kitchen Ariana turned to see Rin's face.
"Well that was exciting." Ariana said as she crossed her arms over her chest. Rin shook her head from side to side and brought her hands up in defeat. "Honestly you look like a little angel but who knew you're actually a little devil." Rin sighed at her own ignorance. The child before her was no angel and she cursed herself for ever thinking that Ariana was.
Ariana raised an eyebrow as she looked Rin square in the eyes. "Oh please, I am a little angel. I just have little devil qualities, please do not misunderstand." Ariana said boastfully. Rin leaned against the wall and rolled her eyes. She then watched Ariana look around the kitchen. Ariana saw a medium sized skillet drying in a tray.
The moment she grabbed the handle of the skillet the strange light appeared around her feet. Again the gentle gust of wind, rainbow fluff ball lights and shinning white eyes started up again. Rin took a couple of cautious steps forward and reached out her hand to try and touched one of the rainbow, fluff ball lights.
The instant she touched one a flood of information appeared before her eyes, she felt overwhelmed and fell backwards. She started to breathe erratically as giant drops of sweat rolled down her face. Ariana's lights disappeared and she fluttered her eyelashes. She looked down and smiled at Rin. "What is your level of skill in the kitchen?" Ariana asked quietly as her eyes stared at Rin.
Rin looked at her with confusion so Ariana asked her a different question. "Can you cook?" Ariana asked with a heavy sigh. Rin wiped the sweat off her brow and tried to stand up but her legs were wobblier then a bowl of jelly. "Everything I cook turns to coal." She answered bitterly as she finally found her balance.
Ariana smiled as she turned to fetch a pot. "Alright a baking lesson it is. First I will start prepping all I need then I will teach you a simple dessert that will wow everyone!" Ariana said enthusiastically as she went to grab a pot. Rin looked at Ariana like she was insane. "I just told you everything I touch turns to coal why would you have me bake instead?!" Rin yelled with hysteria.
Ariana ran around the kitchen collecting all her ingredients. "Just trust me." Ariana said as she cradled some tomatoes. "I will explain everything to you tonight."
....
There was an enchanting smell in the air that caused Roy to salivate. He couldn't help it when his stomach growled in agony as he stared at the double doors. Soon Rin came out hold a tray with two big servings of what looked like golden mountains. While Ariana followed behind her with a smaller serving.
Rin and Ariana placed the food onto the counter and allowed everyone to ooh and awe over it. Lady Zula looked displeased as she poked the golden mound with her index finger. "Child, what are playing at? You are serving eggs." Lady Zula said arrogantly. Ariana smiled brightly as she looked at Lady Zula. "Yes Lady Zula it is an egg dish and one that you can eat at anytime of the day." Ariana explained.
Roy looked over the mound curiously as he tried to figure out how it was made. "Big brother Roy, let me feed you the first bite!" Ariana said excitedly and stared cutting into the mound with just a fork. "No it's?!?!" Roy started to protest but Ariana shoved a good fork full of Omurice into his mouth.
Roy started to chew slowly and soon enough his shoulders sagged, his face became slightly flushed and his whole aura glowed with joy. "Mmmh!" He said as he tried to take the fork from Ariana's hand. "You cooked the chicken so tenderly that you can easily cut it with a fork!" He exclaimed as he grabbed a fork laying on the counter and cut himself another piece.
"Chicken?!" Lady Zula said as she looked at the mound again. Ariana brought her elbows onto the counter, she cradled her small face as she held onto the fork and waved it in the air. "That's right. Egg, chicken, rice, carrots, onions, peas, cheese and a special sauce." Ariana said happily as she stared at Lady Zula.
Lady Zula looked at Roy who had eaten half his mound already then back to Ariana's face. "You want me to eat commoner's food?" Lady Zula questioned with disgust. Ariana looked at her with unwavering eyes. "Yes!" She replied joyously. "If you like it Lady Zula we could add it to your menu." Ariana saids without a hint of shame. Lady Zula's eyes became furious. A small vein was now visible above her left brow.
"What makes you think I would add this to MY menu?!" Lady Zula said in a low, daunting voice. Ariana didn't even bat an eye when she heard Lady Zula's words.
"Your menu is very high end. The way your kitchen is stocked I believe you don't get a lot of customers ordering meals and I will tell you why. One, it's too rich and could make them feel sluggish or cramped. Why would someone want to feel that way when they have come to enjoy themselves. That's just ridiculous. Two, this one meal would be more cost efficient for you. What you made before most have costed a fortune to get all the necessary ingredients. With this alone you can buy the items at a reasonable cost and mark up the sale price, no one would complain." Ariana said matter of factly.
Lady Zula's rage subsided as she looked at Ariana quizzically. "Tell me child why would someone pay more for commoner's food when they can prepare it at home?" Ariana batted her long eyelashes and reached into her apron's pocket. "Because of this. It is a one of a kind sauce that no one will be able to replicate even if they know the ingredients." Ariana said as she unscrewed the jar.
Lady Zula eyed the red jar and dipped her pinky finger inside. She brought her pinky to her tongue and shivered in delight. "What is this?!" Lady Zula asked excitedly. "Ketchup." Ariana replied indifferently, she then looked at Roy who was almost done is meal and added a small, ketchup heart onto the remaining piece of Omurice. "You'll like it more now." Ariana said earnestly. Roy was already stuffed but the look in Ariana's eyes urged him to try one more fork full.
Tears were brought to his eyes and he grabbed the small jar of ketchup, placed it against his cheek and started to cuddle it. "You're my treasure now." Roy said affectionately.
Lady Zula couldn't hold back anymore and tried a bite. She had the same reaction as Roy and sighed with pleasure. She then snatched the jar away from Roy's hands and was ready to pour the sauce all over but Ariana placed her hand onto of the jar. "Lady Zula too much can be over powering, here let me." Ariana said sweetly.
Ariana took the jar back and started to draw a flower design on the egg. She then moved and drew a sun with clouds on the last Omurice. She screwed the lid back on the jar and placed it back in her apron's pocket. Ariana walked over to Rin and handed her a fork. She then grabbed Rin's hand and walked her over to the last Omurice. Ariana brought her hands together into the shape of a heart and started to sing.
"I shower this meal with my love so I hope you do say yum." Then looked at Rin with anticipation.
The corner of Rin's mouth twitched, she needed to act fast or else she would show everyone her smile. Rin cut a piece of Omurice with her fork and at the same time Lady Zula had gotten a fantastic idea. Both women took a bite and began to blush, they squirmed with giddiness as they "Mmmh" in sync. "I want that sauce!" Lady Zula yelled as she got up from her seat. Ariana looked at Lady Zula and blinked. "Ok." Ariana said as she dug the jar out of her pocket and handed it to her.
"No I want the recipe! I want to have it as part of the menu along with this Omurice!" Lady Zula yelled in frustration. Ariana scratched her head and looked at Rin. The young women nodded taking her que and disappeared behind the double doors. "Lady Zula I am honoured by your request and I will be more then happy to sell you the recipe and rights to the dishes." Ariana said coolly. Lady Zula dropped her fork in surprise.
"Sell?!" Lady Zula exhaled as she narrowed her eyes. "Correct sell. I believe this will be one of the highlights to your business and will bring in all types of customers, with proper advertising of course." Ariana said as she looked at Lady Zula with a cold demeanor. The air around her became frigid and unforgiving and Lady Zula remembered she was not dealing with a regular child. "How much do you want." Lady Zula asked cautiously.
Ariana blinked and her innocent smile came back. "Can you make me a fair offer?" She asked politely. Lady Zula gulped she didn't want to offended the girl and thought about it seriously. Suddenly Rin walked in carrying a platter full of oddly shaped, tan coloured balls with a white powdered layer sitting on the top.
"Ahh she's back! Before we start negotiating, I want you to try this puff dessert. I will be upfront with you, this is no commoner's dessert and nobles would kill to get their hands on these." Ariana said as she passed the puff pastry to Lady Zula.
"I will give you the recipe for the Omurice and ketchup for the right to go to school regularily. I want my books, materials and uniform paid in full for 4 years." Ariana said seriously as she held the puff pastry high in the air. Lady Zula laughed. "That's it?! Done! I will send you to the best school there is as long as I get the rights to these two items."
Ariana nodded her head in agreement. "No need to send me away. I want to be close by so I can monitor the growth of your business but before we get into the details I want you to try the puff pastry. I will give you the recipe for a say in your business plan, look over your financials and to reinvent your business." Ariana proclaimed as she raised her nose into the air.
Lady Zula's jaw dropped. After her momentary shock subsided, she pursed her lips and dragged her nails across the countertop. "No." Lady Zula answered firmly.
Ariana shrugged. "You say that now but the moment you bite into this I will guarantee you that the angels from heaven will come down on you and whisoer your hearts desires." Ariana said as she waved the puff pastry in fron of Lady Zula's nose.
Ariana saw that Lady Zula would not budge she let out a long sigh. "Look, I'm not taking over your business. Rin has explained what goes on here and I believe your girls can sell their bodies in a different way. Not the way they are living now where they are risking their lives! B-U-T to make you feel more reassured about our little business transaction I can give you collateral." Ariana said as she put the pastry back on the tray and then crossed her arms.
Lady Zula's lips started to twitch. "What kind of collateral?" She asked as she carefully watched Ariana. "My life." Ariana said bluntly. Lady Zula laughed. "I don't mean you can kill me but rather I become your slave but only if this item can't generate enough gold to cover your losses of the first 3 months." Ariana said as she picked up the puff pastry again.
"Interesting but why would I need a slave?" Lady Zula asked as she raised her eyebrow. "Slave to the kitchen. I will give you 10 recipes. 5 meals and 5 desserts that you can use or auction off. Sell them to the higest bidder and regain your losses while keeping me chained to your kitchen, coming up with new food or cooking your favourite foods." Ariana said with a shrug
Lady Zula started to relax and held out her hand for the puff pastry. "Do you seriously believe my girls will be able to bring in more profit from your plan then what they are currently doing?" Lady Zula asked arrogantly as Araian walked up to her and place the puff pastry in her hand. "My good lady, they will be able to pay off their debt to you in the first year and stay here by their own free will." Araian said with a small giggle.
Lady Zula raised the puff pastry in cheers as she smiled at Ariana. "We have a deal." Lady Zula said right before she bit into the pastry. Lady Zula instantly flushed with pleasure and started to fall backwards.
The women started screaming Lady Zula's name as they rushed to her aid but to their surprise Lady Zula was gently embracing the puff pastry as she grinned like a fool. "Madam are you alright?' Ariel asked as she fanned Lady Zula's face. "I see angels." Lady Zula said with a dazed expression then took another bite.
Ariana looked at Rin and gave her a small nod. Rin then p[laced the platter of pastries ion top of the countertop. Ariana walked over and stood beside the pastries. "Now, who would like to try one?" Ariana asked as she waved her hand over the platter.