Chereads / Reborn as the demon queen personal chef / Chapter 23 - Sandwiches for solders

Chapter 23 - Sandwiches for solders

After finishing preparing breakfast, today I decided to make pancakes for Zephara and even added honey on top. I placed the dish on the table with a freshly squeezed glass of orange juice. 

"Here's your breakfast, your majesty," I said, and Zephara examined the dish before finally taking a bite. She chewed slowly and swallowed, then took another bite. She didn't say anything.

Unlike last time, she showed no emotion towards what I had prepared. Was it bland, or was it simply disgusting? 

"Is there a problem with the meal?" I asked, my voice far from serene. 

Zephara looked up at me before lowering her gaze again. She sighed and put down her fork. She pushed the plate away from her, and she shook her head.

"The dish you prepared is good. You can go back to your room; I no longer need you," she said, and I did as she asked. 

I closed the kitchen door before heading to my room and threw myself onto my bed. I felt a mix of emotions: confusion, frustration.

"I thought I was going to die; it was so frightening," I said, rolling around in bed. I remembered the fight I had with her captain, the demon with the axe. Maybe Zephara was angry that I had killed her captain. 

"I'd better go take a shower; I've sweated a lot," I said, heading towards the shower. I needed to wash away the dirt and the blood from the fight. I wanted to feel clean and fresh.

A good cold shower will surely make me feel better. I felt the cold water run over me and immediately felt better. I felt the pain and the fatigue leave my body. 

After the shower, I decided to choose a simple outfit, a comfortable purple dress. I hope Zephara has finished eating because I would like to prepare something for myself as I'm super hungry.

I hadn't eaten anything since yesterday night, and I was starving. I want to make something delicious and nutritious, something that would give me energy and strength. 

I left my room and closed the door; fortunately, my kitchen was only a few steps away from my room. I didn't have to walk far, or encounter many people. 

I tiptoed, trying to make as little noise as possible, until I reached the kitchen door. I opened it slowly and carefully, hoping no one was inside. I hoped the kitchen was empty, and I hoped the food was plentiful. 

"What are you doing?" asked one of the soldiers who was there earlier, and I couldn't help but startle and hit him.

"Oh, sorry, but I'm trying to avoid the queen," I said, helping the soldier up, and he couldn't help but laugh.

"The queen has returned to her office; don't worry," he said with a laugh before continuing, "By the way, you impressed us earlier. I've never seen anyone fight like you before." He looked at me with admiration and curiosity, and he smiled.

He was a young and handsome demon soldier, with black hair and green eyes and he had no horns but he got some fangs. He wore a leather armor and a sword, and he had a friendly and cheerful demeanor.

"I don't feel any particular power emanating from you, but you showed us your strength earlier, even though we had to train twice as hard as usual because of you," he said, sighing. He sounded a bit tired and bitter.

It's not my fault if your queen is sadistic. That's what I would have wanted to say, but I wouldn't want him to repeat it to the queen. 

"How can I make it up to you?" I said, pretending to be sorry. 

"I heard you cook really well; could you make sandwiches for the soldiers, please? We've never had a good meal," he said, almost kneeling.

"Alright, but I'll need help carrying everything afterward," I said, and the soldier couldn't help but rejoice. 

"Thank you," he said, giving me a hug, then he stepped away from me a bit embarrassed before clearing his throat. He blushed and smiled, and he apologized

"Sorry for the hug. I'll wait just outside the door; you can call me when you're done. My name is Alfonse."

"Pleased to meet you. I'm Leora," I said. I introduced myself.

I entered the kitchen and quickly started making the sandwiches, using the bread, cheese, ham, lettuce, and tomatoes that I had found in the pantry. I sliced the bread and the cheese, and I spread some butter and mustard on them.

I added the ham and the lettuce, and I topped them with the tomatoes. I cut the sandwiches in half, and I wrapped them in paper. I repeated the process until I had used up all the ingredients, and 30 minutes later, I had prepared at least sixty sandwiches ready to be eaten.

I opened the kitchen door, and Alfonse was still waiting for me. He was sitting on a chair, and he was reading a book. He looked up when he heard me, and he smiled. He put down his book, and he stood up. 

"I've finished preparing the sandwiches; we just need to take them back," I said, and the soldier entered the kitchen with me.

He looked around, and he was amazed by the sight. He saw the piles of sandwiches, and he smelled the delicious aroma. He licked his lips.

"Wow, you're amazing. You made so many sandwiches, and they look so good," he said, and he hugged me. I didn't think a demon could be so cuddly.

I had put all the sandwiches I had prepared into four baskets, and the soldier took two, and I did the same. The sandwiches were really light, so they were easy to carry. We walked out of the kitchen, and we headed towards the training ground. 

Once we arrived where the soldiers they were still training and didn't seem to have noticed us. They definitly looked like they needed a break.

"Hey, everyone, lunch is served!" Alfonse shouted to all the soldiers, who rushed to us in an instant and then stopped in front of the baskets as if they were waiting for permission to eat. They looked at the baskets, and they looked at us. 

"You can help yourselves," I said, almost laughing, and in an instant, each soldier had taken a sandwich, but they hadn't started eating yet.

They held the sandwiches in their hands, and they looked at them. Then Alfonse took a bite of his sandwich, and all the soldiers did the same.

Seeing their faces, I could tell that my meal must really please them. Some of them even started crying. They moaned and groaned, and they smiled and laughed.

"Thank you so much," said the demon soldiers at the same time, as they continued to enjoy their sandwiches. 

It's great to see people enjoying my meals so much, it warms my heart and I couldn't help smiling, but the sound of footsteps I could only recognise brought me back to reality. 

"It seems to me that I haven't given you a break" said Zephara and when I turned towards her, she looked furious.