As they both headed to the palace’s dining room, a grand table draped with a beautiful crimson fabric, with a small assortment of delicious-smelling food wafting in the air.
Justinian could already feel himself salivating; it’s been a while since he had a chance to eat something other than instant noodles.
"Have you come to dine, my lord?"
The servants asked, standing near the table, making sure the food was in top condition.
"Yes, give the two of us some privacy."
Justinian answered, the servants obeying immediately as they departed and headed to the palace kitchen.
"The privacy was not needed."
Cassia answered, but Justinian didn’t think so.
"It’s hard to be casual when people are looking at us, isn’t it?"
He gave a glance at Cassia, still wearing armor.
"Why not change for a while?"
"I apologize, but for me to change requires me to head back to my temporary home in Snowkeep."
"I’ll take care of it."
Justinian laughed softly, heading to a nearby chair and pulling on it, gesturing for Cassia to sit.
"I should have some in my wardrobe."
It was a vast palace after all, even if Justinian was a male, his late parents had already prepared for both genders, just in case, they already had female attire prepared.
Cassia didn’t argue and took a seat, a servant coming in and handing an extra plate for Cassia to use.
"Bring her an extra piece of clothing, I’m sure the palace has decent ones."
Justinian answered confidently; he was now used to his body and mind. And his memory of the palace and his own capital was now already at its best, a day full of working and acting as a duke, expediting his adaptation.
"This isn’t really necessary, Justinian."
Cassia answered, caution in her face.
"And it would be risky for you as well, if the servants spread rumours of this... special treatment..."
"I get your concern, but then again, you did promise to be my sworn second. Think of this as part of your duty."
"You’re quite stubborn, aren’t you?"
Justinian shrugged her comment off, smirking.
"You’re not wrong."
Justinian took the seat opposite her at the table, already filling his plate with food, this time not minding noble manners; food was a different matter entirely.
’Roasted chicken... I don’t even remember your taste anymore...’
He mused inside his thoughts, already grabbing a serving and taking a bite.
But the flavor was... disappointing.
Even calling it flavor was disingenuous; it was more like bland cardboard.
’Yeah... that makes sense.’
Justinian sighed, laughing slightly.
’This is the feudal ages... of course, food isn’t as well-seasoned as in modern times.’
He gave a quick glance at Cassia, eating as normal, as if this flavour was normal to her. Not only is she a knight, but she’s also the daughter of House Vesuvian, meaning she was used to this kind of food.
So the bland flavour was normal to her.
"Is it to your liking?"
Justinian asked, probing for information.
"Yes, it tastes just the same in my household, one of my favorites actually."
She smiles.
Justinian tilts his head at her response, for his modern taste buds, even instant noodles tasted better.
’I’ll take matters into my own hands.’
He stood up suddenly, surprising Cassia.
"Anything wrong?"
"Yeah... the food, but I’ll make something better."
Cassia stared in disbelief. Nobles weren’t really trained to cook, let alone rival something that royal chefs were trained for years; to her, it sounded like Justinian was merely joking.
"Better?"
"Better."
Justinian cockily answered, the royal kitchen should have various ingredients he can use, and a simple porridge would be the easiest thing to make.
"Follow me, I’ll prove it to you."
And she did, not like she had anything better to do; if Justinian was really telling the truth, then she had to see it firsthand.
"My lord!? What are you doing in the kitchen!?"
"Relax, I’m just here to cook."
"Cook!?"
The servants began mumbling to each other. They already knew Justinian was acting quirky, but to actually cook himself? That’s another level of weirdness.
"Watch and see."
’I may not be a professional chef, but compared to these medieval servants, I’m a Michelin-star professional.’
First, he wiped his hands clean with a towel, not like they had a faucet for running water anyway.
Then he looked around the kitchen once, keeping in mind where the ingredients he needed were located.
And then he began to work.
Justinian tossed small chunks of chicken into a sizzling pan over the hearth, adding chopped herbs, salt, and a dash of pepper. While it cooked, he stirred barley porridge in a cauldron, mixing in dried figs and honey.
By the time the chicken browned, he combined it with the porridge, creating a simple yet flavorful dish.
"Hot, fast, and worthy of a duke," Justinian said with a grin.
The others just looked in silence, seeing Justinian maneuver a kitchen with top efficiency, with a smell that seemed heavenly to them.
’The experience of working in a soup kitchen is finally being useful!’
By the time he finished cooking, he tasted it with a ladle, savoring the taste, with the mixture of a Duke’s filled kitchen, and the skills of a modern man, even he could make something tasty.
"...My lord... that smells... great!"
The kitchen cooks and servants praised Justinian, surprised at how easily he made something up on the spot.
"Satisfied, Cassia?"
Justinian answered with a wink, using her first name to build rapport.
Cassia could only open her mouth in surprise, a bead of sweat appearing on her cheeks.
"...I think satisfied would be an understatement."