Chapter 116

Chapter 116

Translator: Yonnee

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Liam’s fortress had lots of quality ingredients. I felt bummed after hearing Albert say that just now, but I began to feel happy again as I cooked.

Cooking from time to time is a good way to divert yourself. In this case though, my mind continued to wrestle with my thoughts round and round.

First things first, I have to explain the reason I made this decision, so I should start with telling him about the nightmare I had.

…And the reason I can’t bear to part with the ones I love.

It’s been a long while since I brought up my parents to anyone.

My friends didn’t ask me about it, and people who didn’t know me naturally didn’t know, so I’ve never talked about it.

It’s also a bit troubling that I didn’t know anything about Rosé’s past. However, if I had to explain my situation to Albert, I couldn’t leave out the past.

I cut the raw chicken up into pieces, drained its blood and dressed it with the flour batter I prepared.

Cooking in this unfamiliar space reminded me of the tower.

Sizzle. When I dropped a bit of batter on the oil, it started sizzling already. It’s the right temperature. One by one, I put in the well-coated chicken.

The coated drumsticks began to cook to a golden brown in the oil. I turned the chicken over from time to time so that it could be cooked juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside.

I had a fleeting thought that maybe I should run a chicken restaurant business in this world, but I soon gave up on that idea. Anyone can do business. I’ll just live as a humble citizen.

I made a plan to increase Liam and Schubert’s shares. I owe them both, after all.

I felt especially apologetic towards Schubert since I got him roped into doing something bad. And because he followed my example, he also fell unconscious at that spot.

…And apart from all that, I felt guilty about inadvertently causing Rosteratu to have that nightmare. If he didn’t have one, then there wouldn’t be a call to arms right now.

I sprinkled the minced scallions on top of the well-fried chicken. I soaked the scallions in water for a long time before this so that the flavor wouldn’t be too overpowering.

“Too bad we don’t have condiments.”

The kitchen here at Liam’s residence didn’t have red pepper paste or soy sauce stocked. This was probably because those ingredients weren’t very popular.

Indeed, that’s why I’ve been given permission to cook food for Albert in the first place. If the pantry was full of ingredients from guaranteed sources and with guaranteed taste and composition, then it would be difficult to poison him, unless I prepared poison in advance.

The meal has been completed.

While I stared at the fried chicken, I grabbed a fruit knife and nicked my finger with it. The moment I made the cut, it stung.

Uuugh, I hate this. But if I was going to make a wound without him knowing, this was the only way. I pressed down on the wound. Blood bubbled up. I remained still for a while, then I soon arranged the fried chicken on the tray.

…As I left the kitchen, I hoped my prediction was wrong.

I asked a passing attendant to deliver Blanc’s share of the chicken to him, then after he’s done eating, I asked the attendant to bring Blanc to me at the dining room.

Compared to earlier, I felt more at ease now because I had some time to think. This was why it’s important to prepare one’s heart. I pushed the tray cart towards the dining room.

After knocking, I entered the room, and there I saw Albert sitting at the table while reading a book.

…It was a book about dragons. Anxiously, I placed the fried chicken on the table. At this, Albert closed the book and set it aside.

“I’ve been waiting for you, Rosé.”

As I laboriously tried to avert my gaze from the book, I laughed slightly.

“Yes, I’m done preparing for our conversation. But please eat first before we talk. Today, I prepared scallion fried chicken. There’s no sauce for it, like red pepper paste.”

This wasn’t the kind of topic that should be brought up while eating.

Albert blinked as he scrutinized the fried chicken that I cooked. But shortly after, he nodded casually.

“Alright. You eat up, too.”

And so, Albert and I started eating. If we really started talking while eating, I’m sure I’d get indigestion. Fortunately though, he was quiet. I bit into the drumstick I had in my hands with the particular mindset of the last supper.

Crunch. I savored the scallions’ spiciness, the chicken skin’s crispiness and the soft flesh’s moistness all in one bite.

There was a delicate line that could easily be crossed when it came to the chicken’s greasiness, but thankfully, the crisp scallions were perfect to balance it out. Delicious. As expected, it has a different charm from any other sauce!

It seemed like Albert was also eating well, so that’s a relief. Everyone inevitably feels better when eating delicious food.

But if we’re going to talk about the drink alongside this, I missed fried chicken’s usual pair. Ah, the best drink along with fried chicken really was beer. Whether it was in this place or back in the tower, I’ve never had a drink since.

“Prince, beer goes really well with this dish. When we eat this together again next time, it’s a really good combination to have.”

At my determined remark, Albert blinked.

“Are you asking me to drink with you, Rosé? That’s quite tempting.”

“No, I don’t mean it that way!”

I shook my head desperately when he replied playfully. I really don’t have ulterior motives!

“I know. But seeing you refuse so strongly like this is making me a little sad.”

He chuckled. Albert’s smile was like the beautiful springtime, unyielding to the cold northern wind. No one would be able to take their eyes off him.

He pressed down on his lower lip for a moment, then he soon broached the topic.

“So, what’s your reason for deciding to become a dragon’s contractor?”

Though he already knew the answer, he asked anyway.