Heavy footsteps approached Aqua and Lucia; her ears twitched as she slowly turned her head. Behind them stood a rather large elven man, who wore a long, curled mustache and short black hair.
He had brown eyes and wore a white bandana and white robes.
Overall, he looked like a real chef in Aqua's eyes. Her lips curled up as she placed her hand on her chest and bowed.
The man raised his brow as he first stared at Aqua, then at Lucia, before quickly returning to bowing to Aqua. "Who may you be?"
"I am Aqua. I work as Princess Sheira's tutor."
His eyes widened, "It's an honor, Madam! Forgive me for not recognizing you. I had seen you visit with the Queen before."
Aqua nodded as she straightened her back. "If I may ask, why is someone as distinguished as you in the kitchen?"
"Does it matter? Creating food is even more important than teaching magic, you know."
The comment made the man light up, "I keep telling them!"
Aqua nodded with a giggle, "I agree, without delicious food it is not even possible to perform at full efficiency, your work is important!"
"Finally, someone who appreciates my art!" He rushed forward and grabbed Aqua's hand. "You, madam, will always be welcome in my kitchen."
Lucia's eyes widened as she witnessed someone who was always angry act as if he had met a long-lost friend.
"And to answer the question, I helped Lucia over here get the ingredients for the kitchen."
He nodded, "So she disturbed your work because she was unprepared, typical."
Lucia opened her mouth and shrank back.
"No, no. I offered to help her. Please do not hold it against her."
"If you say so, Madam."
Aqua smiled, "And drop the madam, just Aqua is enough."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, Chef."
The man's lips stretched into a grin, "And for you, madam, you can drop the chef and call me Adam."
Lucia stared at the duo as if she was about to cry before she muttered under her breath, "I guess it's just natural charm instead of luck…"
"So, Aqua. Do you have any duties to attend to?"
"Not right now. Why?"
"Great! I thought you may want to try your hand at cooking. If the Queen trusts you enough to dine with you means you are trustworthy enough to be near the food."
She rubbed her chin before a slight blush spread over her face, "I am very bad at cooking."
"Hah! Everyone is bad at a skill when they first start. Come, let me teach you personally!"
Aqua smiled, and her ears slumped slightly, "I will be in your care!"
"Hah! I like you already. For now, just watch me and Lucia, she is your senior in this after all."
He gestured to Lucia, "Get ready, and be at your best performance, we have a new student!"
"Yes, sir!" Lucia gathered herself and saluted. She disappeared into the back, closely followed by the chef. "Aqua, I do not have spare uniforms right now, but I will get you one for the next time." With a wink, Adam disappeared.
Aqua puffed out her cheek as she crossed her arms, her gaze wandered over the kitchen, learning how to cook was never her top priority, yet now that she had free time, Aqua did not find an issue with it.
"The more skills one acquires, the better, after all, the knowledge is truth, and knowledge is true power." Aqua chuckled as she dragged her fingers over the tables. They were made of strong wood and were extremely clean.
I can tell Adam really enjoys his work. She couldn't help but nod. It was admirable, and in a way, she had gained immense respect for the man.
Her gaze fell on one of the chairs before she approached and pulled it out. With a quick adjustment of her shoulders, she took a seat and crossed her legs. I am kind of missing Sun God already.
She let out a sigh, she really wanted to spend some time with Azure and Sheira too, yet their own duties prevented her from doing so. I could help them out. While it was not her duty to help her friends, it was still something she wished to do.
If they accept that is. While she hated it when someone tried to force her to do something, she hated not doing anything even more when it came to her friends. Instead of accepting her offers, they merely dismissed her and reassured her that she could relax.
They had not asked anything from her, and it pained her. They were different, and it made her wish to help all three as much as she could.
She pushed air out of her nose as she leaned back on her chair. If they ask for help, I will gladly provide it.
It took some time, but eventually the duo came back and greeted her. "Aqua, since it's your first time, you can watch me and Lucia." He turned to Lucia slightly, "Actually, just me, Lucia is not a good example~"
The chef left out a hearty laugh as he slapped Pouting Lucia's back. "Come on… I think I am doing well."
"Not as well as you could be, so time for you to show off to Aqua!" He clapped his hands together as his eyes scanned the groceries. "Alright, Aqua, would you mind unpacking these for us?"
Aqua nodded, "Of course." With the grace of a phoenix, Aqua moved her hands through the bags and slowly sorted the veggies and fruit on the table.
"Thank you, Lucia, start cutting up the veggies while I start the fire!" Aqua's eyes widened as she stared in amazement at the efficiency they moved.
"Adam, may I ask?"
"Yes, Aqua?" He stopped for a moment.
"Is it only you and Lucia here?"
"Not usually, just today." He groaned as he retrieved a large Iron cauldron from a nearby shelf.
"I see." She nodded as the duo quickly prepared the water for boiling.
"We are making a stew today, it's quite simple."
"Can I help in any way?"
"Hmmm… Help Lucia cut up the veggies and prepare the meat. I will prepare everything else." Adam winked before he approached the stone oven. With a quick activation of the mana circle, a burst of flame came forward.
As Adam rushed about to prepare the water and the cauldron, Aqua turned to Lucia, who merely smiled at her. "Here, start with these onions!"
Aqua nodded silently as she grabbed an onion and a knife."Lady Aqua, we want it minced into small cubes!"
Lucia smugly stared at Aqua as she diced her own portion."Don't cut yourself~"
It's not exactly some complicated science, Lucia. Aqua sighed as she threw the onion in the air and, with speeds surpassing sight, she minced the onion into small bits.
The young maid stared with her mouth agape, "Sure… Alright, I am not jealous. I will just shut up." She muttered under her breath, yet she looked as if she were about to cry.
Adorable! Aqua squealed in her hand and exhaled loudly. She let the next fall harmlessly to the table as she ran the knife over her skin. "Ouch~"
"I cut myself." Aqua feigned being hurt despite the knife not even being able to nick her skin.
"Hah! I told you to be careful, Show off!" She puffed out her chest, "You have to do it slowly like I do!"
"I see." Aqua placed her hand at her mouth and giggled.
Instead of going at her full speed, she slowly cut and diced while adjusting her speed to Lucia's. While her jealousy was bad, it was still rather adorable; thus, she extended a courtesy of pretending to be more clumsy than she was.
Lucia showed her how to cut and prepare vegetables and then the meat, while the girl had experience with it, she was rather clumsy.
I can see why Adam would shout at her; she is not the best at this. Yet despite it she could tell the girl was very eager to fulfill the tasks, even if it was merely to help with preparation.
"Ah you ladies are done? Great! Please bring everything to the cauldron." Adam motioned for them to bring the ingredients.
"On it, Chef!" Lucia picked up the tray with diced veggies and took a step forward; however, she almost launched herself straight at the floor before Aqua caught her.
"Careful!"
"I… Uh thanks! I planned to do that!" She adjusted herself as she quickly averted her gaze.
Adam sighed as he stirred the pot. He was used to Lucia's clumsiness, yet she was so eager that he could not abandon such a student. "Now you two will learn how to cook a stew properly!"
"While Lucia should know by now, I would like Aqua to follow carefully so she can try to do it next time. I haven't prepared for a new trainee, but it is always exciting to teach those who are willing." He smiled.
I might actually have fun with this.