Chapter 93

Since the kimchi incident, the loyalty of the Leander Imperial Guard toward Ramona had become even more intense.

“On a day like this, grilling some firm, dried rice cakes would be delicious.”

“It’s winter, so I’m craving a warm bowl of rice cake soup.”

“Lady Ramona, we happen to be quite skilled at making rice cakes. Ahem.”

The knights’ eyes sparkled as they dropped heavy hints, implying they would make the cakes if she would transform them into a meal.

“Are you talking about the kind of rice cakes used for spicy and sweet rice cakes?”

“Yes! You know spicy and sweet rice cakes! Ah, I truly miss the kind my mother made when I was young.”

“In our country, they sell it on the streets. They give it to you in bamboo containers with rice cakes, fish cakes, and boiled eggs. It’s truly delicious.”

“If you only come to the Leander Empire, we will personally guide you on a gourmet tour every day. There are so many delicious places.”

The knights, full of pride for their homeland’s cuisine, beamed at Ramona. When they first arrived in this country, they had expected to starve because Roquan food wouldn’t suit them, so they had brought small jars of red chili paste just in case. They had fully prepared themselves to slather chili paste even on steaks—but then Ramona appeared.

She had arrived like a comet, not only seeing through the pranks of Benjamin and Bradley but making everyone happy. They had thought she was merely a beautiful woman; who could have known she possessed such peerless culinary skills?

Whenever Ramona cooked, she worked with a “big hand,” preparing enough portions to include the Leander Imperial Guard. Thanks to her, they were able to savor the same delicacies as the Empress every single day.

“I have the tools for rice cake pounding, but are you sure? it looks like hard work,” Ramona noted.

“Hah! We didn’t expect to find rice cake mallets here, but if you just bring them out, we will pound that dough with everything we’ve got!”

Ramona nodded, watching the knights who were willing to be put to labor anytime for the sake of a good meal. She immediately laid out the rice cake pounding set and the first batch of steamed rice flour mixed with water.

At first, only the Leander knights participated, but eventually, the Arab knights joined in. Before long, it turned into a fierce competition as they began pounding the dough like men possessed.

“This is the basics! The basics! How can a man call himself a knight if he cannot master such fundamentals?”

“It’s my first time, but the rhythm feels perfect. Even those who claim years of experience don’t seem much different from us beginners.”

Eventually, the contest narrowed down to a duel between Sir Reynold, Commander of the Leander Guard, and Sir Baston, Commander of the Arab Knights. Their inexplicable competitive streak only stopped simultaneously when Ramona cried out for them to quit. No matter how much they bickered, they knew better than to disobey the person who fed them.

“Thanks to you, the rice cake has been pounded beautifully.”

The dough was finished—smooth, glossy, and fine-grained. Though everyone looked exhausted, they grinned broadly as they ate the pinches of warm dough Ramona tore off for them. She then rolled the dough into long, cylindrical shapes.

A few days later, once the cylindrical rice cakes had firmed up, they began slicing them thinly with knives.

“This is harder than I thought. I don’t think I’ll be able to use my hands for days,” one of the men grumbled, clutching his aching hand. In contrast, Ramona sliced through the firm cakes as effortlessly as if she were chopping vegetables.

“Ugh, youngsters these days have no patience and no muscle. All they have are loud mouths to brag with and holes to stuff food into. Move aside!”

Freire, who had just returned from a short trip after getting bored while Raon was at the academy, grabbed a knife the moment he arrived.

“I’m quite skilled with a blade myself. Ahem,” Sir Billion joined the fray. Shortly after, Sir Razi silently brought his own knife and cutting board to join the slicing.

“That fellow stays quiet, but he’s a chatterbox and a devoted husband once he gets home. He’s the type to put on an apron and cook as soon as he clocks off, so this will be easy for him,” Billion remarked.

Sir Razi, a Secret Knight, blushed slightly but continued slicing the rice cakes in silence. Though he was a man of few words on duty, his happiness was running home to carry his child on his back and cook for his wife.

“Sir Razi’s wife must be very happy. There’s nothing more heartwarming than eating a meal your husband made for you,” Ramona praised. Sir Razi’s ears turned beet red at the compliment.

With more participants joining in, the slicing was finished much faster than expected.

“You all worked hard today. See you at dinner!”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Everyone knew what her words meant. No one was going to refuse a meal made from the rice cakes they had just prepared. Those who had helped were rewarded with even larger portions, and the dinner itself drew gasps of admiration as soon as it was served.

“Whoa, look at this. Is this made from what we pounded with the wooden mallets?”

“I think so. Heavens, it’s my first time trying this, but how can it be so chewy?”

While the Cassius employees were savoring the meal, some of the Leander delegation members were moved to tears.

“Wait, this is… shredded chicken soup? This chicken-based rice cake soup is exactly what my late mother used to make.”

“I haven’t had this since I was a child. I remember my father, back when he was healthy, personally catching a chicken to make this for us. Haha, truly… I miss those days.”

The chicken had been boiled with garlic, green onions, and soy sauce until salty and tender, then the meat was shredded. The broth was strained of oil and used as the base. This was shredded chicken rice cake soup, a Southern Leander style dish usually served only to precious guests.

Those who grew up eating this dish in their childhood wiped away nostalgic tears while devouring the soup.

“In my village, we use beef.”

“We put in oysters or clams; it makes the broth so refreshing.”

The ingredients varied by region, showing the distinct local colors even within the Leander Empire. Ramona moved her trolley among them, ladling one or two more scoops into the bowls of those blowing on their hot soup.

“Thank you. It’s truly delicious.”

“I want to kidnap you to our country.”

“I feel like dropping to one knee and proposing right now.”

The saying goes that a woman with great culinary skills is a partner for life. Those who hadn’t understood the meaning of that phrase before were now feeling it deep in their souls. A few had even tried to propose to Ramona in secret, only to be caught and nearly kicked out by Adolf and Adrian.

“I appreciate the sentiment, but if that happened, I think our Raon would cry.”

Watching Ramona cherish a child who wasn’t even her own blood, the men let out low sighs. Previously, when Raon had seen a Leander knight proposing, he had immediately dragged Ramona away. After that, the Leander delegation had been served nothing but pure Roquan Imperial food for the rest of the weekend.

“The person who taught Ramona how to cook must be from the Southern region of Leander. I’m certain of it because it’s identical to my mother’s touch.”

Flora, now free from morning sickness, was spending her days enjoying international cuisine. After finishing two bowls of the chicken rice cake soup and sipping on tart lemon-honey tea, her expression looked much lighter.

“Hmm, I wish my memory were intact. Then I could tell you about the person who taught me these dishes. By the way, Sister, whose picture is hidden in the locket around your neck?”

Ramona asked curiously, noticing the uniquely patterned locket Flora never took off, despite not wearing other flashy jewelry.

“It’s a picture of my mother. Do you want to see? She was a very grand and beautiful person.”

For Ramona’s sake, Flora opened the locket she had never shown anyone before. Inside was a young woman with a graceful expression, smiling brightly while holding a small child.

“My family was very poor back then, so my mother left me at my uncle’s house to go find work. But… suddenly, we lost contact.”

As Flora explained that they had been out of touch for nearly twenty years, Ramona warmly took the hand that held the locket.

“I’m sure something good will happen. Who knows? Maybe your mother will appear.”

“Yes, I believe so. Since I met a ‘person of noble destiny’ here, I’m sure I’ll be able to meet my mother too. I believe it because you’re the one who told me, Ramona.”

Still calling Ramona her person of noble destiny, Flora eventually had to begin her journey home due to Duke Linus’ “threat” to go on strike. Throughout the boarding process, she looked back so many times she nearly tripped and fell into the sea. Ramona had packed plenty of food and drinks for the journey, ensuring they ate well until they reached the Leander Empire.

When they finally arrived at the harbor, their families were there, waving. Seeing the travelers disembark, the families were shocked by the abundance of food they had brought back.

“I thought you’d be skin and bones from starving, but you’ve actually gained weight!”

“Did you just play and eat there instead of working? Was the Roquan food better than your mother’s cooking?”

“My goodness, look at my child’s face—even expensive medicine couldn’t make them gain weight, but now they’re glowing and plump!”

The families shook their heads, seeing the group returning not with exhaustion, but looking as if they had hidden a honey pot somewhere in the Roquan Empire.