"Make me Foie Gras with Fig Compote, then a Blackened Swordfish with Mango Salsa," Kaius said.
This was exactly what Ira was afraid of.
At most, she could probably pass by oatmeal or something, but a dish as exquisite as that just makes Ira's head hurt rehearsing what he said.
"Is that a problem?" Kaius asked. The sarcasm was apparent, and he even chuckled at himself for saying it.
The fact that he knew this would be incredibly challenging for Ira only made her angrier.
She sucked down her anger and resentment, putting on her poised smile.
"No, Your Highness. It is not." Ira replied.
Ira quickly went down to the kitchen, hiding her true resentment.
She always ate extravagant meals in the palace, but something like a Foie Gras made her stomach rumble.
She only ate it once in her lifetime, and that was when she was like four. She remembered that it was creamy and buttery, suitable for a day in a life meal for a royal member.
It was sweet and tangy but, most of all, enjoyable.
As Ira made her way down to the kitchen, she tried to remember all the flavours and buttery tastes that went along with it.
After around three minutes of zoning out, a loud sound could be heard, losing Ira's focus.
"No, I'm sorry!-"
SMACK!
Food was scattered along the floor, with one maid kneeling while another looked down upon her.
"I'm wondering if you are listening or understanding. This is a meal for our great Emperor! I should have you burnt on a stake for thinking of serving this to him!
Oof, poor her.
"You have to make this again! I'll come back soon if it's not worthy of our great Emperor. You-!"
The maid yelling at the poor servant soon bit her tongue and looked away.
"Tch."
The mad maid soon stormed off and slammed the door behind her.
All that remained was the maid she was scolding, her tears and she only remained.
Ira looked at her in a miserable state as she cleaned up the food on the floor.
Soon, Ira came out of her shadows and watched her with a smile.
She kneeled and gave her a hand.
"Are you okay?" She asked.
The sad maid wiped her tears and gave back only a warm smile.
"I'm okay! I'm sorry. You don't need to clean my mess up for me, " she replied.
Ira shook her head in response and chuckled a bit.
"You shouldn't worry. Anyway, I'm also sorry. I overheard what just happened, and I'm sorry I didn't step in."
The maid shook her head in response and took Ira's hand.
"Nono! You shouldn't! I'm glad you didn't because that was Elowen!" The maid yelled back.
Ira gave a confused look. Elowen?
The maid soon noticed her confused look and then gripped her hands harder.
"You don't know?" The maid asked.
"Know what?" Ira asked.
"Elowen, she's the Emperor's favourite! If anything, she's the closest to might becoming a concubine if she gets the Emperor's favour."