NOVEL NEXT Chapter 19: Winter
About Five Kilometers from Frascine Town.
A lavish carriage was being pulled by two horses. The wooden carriage had intricate carvings that showed a roaring lion, a symbol that represented a noble. Sitting inside it, were three identical looking men.
One looked older while the other two were younger by about two decades.
One of the younger men looked older man, "Father, they just wish to promote their new restaurant. There is no need for you to come since a chef, no matter how magical they are, will never be able to cure your problem."
"Edmund, nothing in this world is impossible. Besides, your mother told me that I'll find a solution there."
The young boy opened his eyes wide as he looked at his bother, "Mother did? I thought she can't do selective divination anymore."
"She didn't. It was a dream, so in a way… we got lucky. Edward, make sure you keep an eye out for every single guest in the party today. Edmund, you're in charge of testing the chefs while I'll try to get some information out of Baron Frascine and his family."
Edward and Edmund nodded confidently before they looked out the window, "I like this place. There's barely any smoke in the air and it feels so much better."
***
Back in Baron Frascine's mansion, Lukas was happily reading his book on the rocking chair when he heard a knock. He turned to see the butler standing at the door.
"Chef Lukas, the guests are all here and the baron wishes to introduce you to the guests."
With a sigh, Lukas placed the book on a nearby table and walked out. As he entered the main hall, he saw tables placed in a straight line as they touched each other. On it, were similar sized rectangular containers filled with fresh steaming food.
He also spotted a large table that had a stove attached to it, one that Lukas wasn't familiar with. Beside the stove, was a stack of half cooked tortillas and two rectangular containers filled with meat and gravy respectively.
'That's mine…' he thought as he looked at the butler, "What's that stove?"
"It's a stove that runs using mana as a fuel. One can either use mana stones or fill it with their own mana. It's battery can store five points of mana and this is enough to cook for an entire week."
Then, he paused for a moment before saying, "The baron has already got it filled, chef."
"Alright, thanks a lot." Lukas said as he walked over. Once he got close to his table, he heard someone say "Oi!" and turned around.
A scrawny man with a large moustache waved at him with an apron in his hands.
"Here, we must look the same." he said and threw it at Lukas who caught it and put it on. It was only when he turned around that he realised that every single guest's eyes were on him.
He stared at them in shock for a moment before giving them an awkward smile, "I'm sorry about that…."
'What did I do wrong?!!'
"Hahahahahah" the baron laughed loudly as he diverted everyone's attention from Lukas, "Since everyone is here including the man I wish to introduce to everyone, it's time to start the party. But before the starting dance!"
He turned to look at Lukas and pointed at him, "I would like to introduce my new business partner. He will be working with me and Alicia as a chef. We will be opening our Luxury restaurant, Enchanted Supper that will only open on Saturdays but if you wish to eat on the other days, you will have to make a reservation."
Lukas smiled at everyone who looked at him and then, he watched the opening dance. The baron invited Alicia for a dance as his wife was no more and even though he was getting on in age, he still had it in him.
The dance was slow and elegant. Once it ended, the guests joined in slowly as the music played.
Lukas one other hand, felt his stomach grumbling. Only then did he realise that he had forgotten to eat breakfast. A part of him wanted to inhale a taco but he stopped himself when he saw a familiar face walking towards him.
Alicia held hands with another girl who was a few inches taller than her. She wore a frilly dress that was bright yellow, it's sleeves stopping above her elbow while she covered the rest with a white silk glove.
The yellow dress went well with Alicia's bright blue dress and in a way, it looked like they were trying to match each other while also trying to look different.
"Hello, Miss Alicia. I didn't expect you to come here first." Lukas said as he pushed the button that was attached to the stove. Instantly, a flame appeared under the thick iron pan.
Alicia smiled charmingly at him before she glanced at the food on the table, "Is this what my father ate earlier?"
"Oh he told you about it?" Lukas asked as he tried to keep the conversation going until the pan heated up.
She nodded as she looked at her friend, "He told us that this was the best thing you've ever made and that he didn't get a chance to try the gravy. I couldn't hold myself back as it's rare for father to complement something so genuinely. This is my closest friend by the way."
Lukas nodded as he smiled at her friend, "Hello Miss, pardon me if I'm not good at mannerisms. I've only recently began to take lessons from Sir Alaric."
"I know." the girl said and chuckled, "Alicia told me about it. She also told me that you're learning so quick that she feels ashamed of herself. You can call me Winter."
As soon as he said that, she winced before chuckling again while Lukas saw Alicia pinch her arm.
'At the end of the day, she's still a kid.' Lukas thought as he nodded, "I'm only trying my best."
Then, he hovered his hand above the pan before he tossed a tortilla onto it.