The next day I decided to go to the palace kitchen. The ladies-in-waiting and even the cook were surprised to see me there.
"Is there anything Her Highness the Empress wants?" Ask the cook to me. I then looked around.
"You all may rest."
All the ladies and gentlemen entered and left the palace kitchen. After they all left. I then started the conversation.
"I came here because I wanted to ask your help to teach me how to make cakes."
The cook was shocked to hear that. After a while he smiled and bent down with his arms crossed to his chest.
"It is an honor to be able to become Her Majesty the Empress' teacher."
"Thank you."
The cook then gave out the name of the essential ingredients to make the cake. However, the tools here aren't as great as the tools in my world back then. It's not easy to make. It takes hard work and patience. Even to knead the dough using only hand power. The palace cook is very disciplined in teaching the empress. To him now, the empress was a disciple. No special treatment. After a few hours of hard work. The cake is finally made.
"Why is it like this?"
"This is normal for beginners. His Majesty is just studying hard."
His words were like entertainment. But somehow, I didn't feel amused. I then took a cake that I made myself. The shape of the cake looks very strange.
"This cake tastes good despite the bad shape."
The cook ate the cake I made. I then looked at the cake I was holding. Finally, I decided to give it a try. With both eyes closed, the cake went into my mouth. That's right, and it tastes good even though it's not as good as what the teacher made. My spirit rose again. I can't just give up. For several hours the empress was in the palace kitchen. Duke Magnus came to the palace to meet the empress. He wanted to see how his wife was now.
"Where is Your Majesty?" The duke asked the lady-in-waiting who served the empress.
"Her Highness the Empress is now in the palace kitchen." One of the ladies answered with a trembling body. Immediately the duke went and met the empress.
"It's best if Lord Duke doesn't go there." Emmanuel said to the Duke as he met in the palace hall.
"Are you trying to give me an order?" The duke said in a cold tone. A lowly concubine from slavery dared to prevent him from leaving.
"Her Majesty is now learning how to bake a cake for the Lion crown prince." Emmanuel tried to explain.
Duke bit his lip. He had always hated it when the empress was close to a lowly concubine. Now the crown prince Lion is trying to seduce his wife. The duke walked past Emmanuel. He still wanted to meet the empress. Emmanuel sighed, knowing the Duke's childish nature. Several hours have passed. This is the last cake made by the empress. The cook takes out the finished cake. I'm happy because the cake looks good.
"What if Her Majesty the Empress tries it?"
The finished cake consists of several pieces. I then took one of them. The cook looks at me, awaiting the result of the taste assessment. The softness and sweet taste melt in the mouth. Look at the happy expression on my face. The cook then smiled.
"Master doesn't want to try it?"
"That's not necessary. I already know the answer."
I winked even though the teacher has not eaten the cake. But why did he already know the taste of this cake? Finally, I can make a cake with a sweet taste. Crown prince Lion will love this cake. I then wrapped the cake in a box. Duke Magnus looked at the empress from behind the door.
"It seems that the empress really likes the Lion crown prince."
Duke's chest suddenly felt tight. His head started to spin too. The duke then walked out of the palace kitchen with his feet slowly. The Empress always smiled in front of the concubines. Why only to him the empress put on a flat face. Wasn't she also one of the empress's concubines.
"How can you smile at me?"
***
After bathing, the empress then visited the crown prince Lion. When in front of the door of the harem palace. There is a tingling feeling in her heart.
"Her Highness the Empress?"
The crown prince instantly got up from the chair after seeing the empress.
"Long time no see crown prince. How are you doing?"
"I'm fine. Is there anything I can help?"
"Not. I just wanted to meet you."
Crown prince Lion looked nervous. The Empress came close. She then stood in front of him. So far, it has been heard that the crown prince of Lion has a face like a monster. A magician cursed him. Slowly the empress held the crown prince's mask. Is the news accurate about the crown prince Lion?
"Sorry for being so rude."
When she realized the empress then lowered her hand. The atmosphere became awkward. They both fell into silence. After a while, the empress then remembered the purpose of coming here.
"This is a gift for you. Open it!"
The crown prince Lion accepted it. This is the first gift his wife gave him. Immediately the crown prince opened it. There is a piece of cake in a box.
"I made this cake for you. Actually I'm not good at making it. That's why I asked the palace cook for help to teach me."
Crown prince Lion's expression looked very happy. He was delighted that the empress made this cake for him. The Empress even asked the palace cook for help.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Crown prince Lion spoke and kissed the end of the empress' hair. The empress' heart then beat fast. It looks like a couple.
"What about your coronation ceremony? Because my plans went awry."
"Your Majesty there is no need to worry. Before I go to the Mist Territory place. I've asked my cousin for help to find someone disguised as my replacement."
Are you looking for a replacement to disguise? A coronation ceremony is a sacred event. But why did the crown prince do it?
"Sorry for making you make such a decision."
"Isn't this already my job? As a concubine you must protect and give happiness to Her Majesty."
Sweet words. I just found out that the Lion crown prince can be aggressive. He was scarier than Karol. It would be dangerous to always be near him. The Lion crown prince will soon realize that I am not the empress. This body indeed belonged to the empress, but this soul belonged to Huan Ran. For her who was never close to a man. This is going to be something scary. Surrounded by handsome men and have a Harem. The empress's body suddenly fell onto the bed. The Lion crown prince pushed him gently. He then took off his gloves, and they looked very sexy. The crown prince then kissed the back of the empress' palm. The empress's face reddened.
"I really miss Her Highness the Empress."