The king slowly turned his gaze toward the Queen Dowager, his expression calm but carrying a dangerous edge.
"What is it?" he asked coolly. "Do you not believe in your own chefs? You were the one who demanded this competition… so let it proceed."
Without waiting for a reply, he faced the gathered court.
"Let the competition begin."
At once, movement filled the arena.
The royal chefs hurried to their stations, lighting fires, sharpening knives, and arranging rare ingredients with practiced confidence. Their hands moved swiftly, each determined to prove superiority before the throne.
Minsoo also stepped forward.
She began preparing a simple dish, her hands steady despite the storm inside her chest. Yet midway through the preparation, she suddenly paused.
Her thoughts drifted back to the old palace servant…
to the quiet words he had spoken…
to the forgotten meal that carried the Queen Dowager's memories of her mother.
A new resolve formed in her eyes.
This competition was no longer about survival alone.
It was about reaching a wounded heart.
Minsoo set aside the ordinary dish she had begun.
Then, gathering her courage, she approached the table where the royal family and nobles were seated. Bowing deeply, she spoke with urgency.
"Your Majesties… I humbly request permission to retrieve a few additional ingredients."
A murmur spread through the crowd.
Before anyone could respond, Miya rose sharply.
"This is cheating," she declared coldly. "She has seen the other chefs' ingredients and now wishes to steal their ideas. She must not be allowed to leave."
Tension tightened across the arena.
All eyes turned to the king.
"There were no rules stated for this competition," he said evenly. "She may add whatever ingredients she desires."
Miya's face darkened with fury.
After a brief silence, the Queen Dowager lifted her hand.
"Very well," she said. "She is permitted."
Relief flooded Minsoo's heart. She bowed deeply in gratitude, then hurried away.
⸻
She found Miso nearby and quickly explained what she needed.
"Bring me clean, deep stream water," Minsoo said urgently. "I must properly boil fresh clams."
Without hesitation, Miso ran.
But hidden in the shadows, Miya watched.
With a subtle motion of her fingers, she signaled her attendant court lady—
Follow her. Stop her.
⸻
Miso successfully gathered the water and clams.
Yet as she hurried back down a narrow stone stairway, danger struck.
Miya's attendant lunged from behind, a small sharp knife glinting in her hand. She pushed Miso violently, attempting to silence her forever.
Miso fell, striking her head as she rolled down the low steps.
Pain blurred her vision. Warm blood trickled across her forehead.
Just as the attacker raised the knife again—
"Stop!"
A voice cut through the air.
Suho, one of the king's royal guardians, had witnessed everything. He rushed forward, forcing the attacker to flee before she could be captured.
Breathing hard, Suho knelt beside Miso and carefully helped her to her feet.
"You're safe now," he said.
Despite the blood on her face, Miso clutched the water tightly.
"I must return… to Minsoo…"
Moved by her loyalty, Suho escorted her back to the competition grounds.
⸻
When Miya saw Miso return alive, fury burned in her eyes.
Her plan had failed.
⸻
Miso reached Minsoo and handed her the stream water.
Ignoring the chaos around her, Minsoo began to cook.
She cleaned the clams with care…
boiled them slowly in the pure stream water…
added soybean paste…
and finally, tender green spinach.
The aroma that rose from the pot was gentle—
not extravagant,
not proud,
but warm.
It was the scent of memory.
Of home.
Of love that never truly disappears.
⸻
Soon, the competition reached its end.
One by one, the royal chefs stepped forward, presenting luxurious dishes and praising their flavors with confident speeches about royal dignity and refined appetite.
The Queen Dowager listened politely, clearly impressed by their skill.
Then—
"Minsoo," she called.
It was her turn.
Minsoo stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"This dish," she said softly, "is made from fresh clams, pure stream water, spinach, and a few humble ingredients."
Confusion spread among the nobles.
"Spinach?" they murmured.
Minsoo smiled gently.
"Yes… spinach."
She invited them to taste.
⸻
The Queen Dowager lifted her spoon.
The moment the soup touched her lips—
time stopped.
Her body froze.
Her eyes widened.
Memories long buried surged to the surface.
Her mother's voice.
Her mother's kitchen.
Her mother's final meal.
Tears slipped silently down her cheeks.
She took another spoonful…
and another…
until the fourth, her hands trembling with emotion.
The entire court watched in stunned silence.
Finally, she looked at Minsoo.
"How… did you recreate my mother's taste exactly?"
Minsoo bowed her head.
"I used pure stream water and carefully boiled the clams," she answered gently. "And… I added spinach because I noticed Your Majesty seemed unwell during your speech. Spinach is good for the body. I wished to offer comfort."
The Queen Dowager's expression softened completely.
"You… noticed that?"
Emotion filled her voice.
"Your food has touched my heart deeply."
⸻
She rose slowly.
"The winner… is Minsoo."
Gasps echoed through the arena.
Miya's face twisted with rage as she turned and stormed away.
The king, however, smiled with quiet pride.
Miso burst into tears of joy.
Victory had been decided.
⸻
Then the king stood.
His smile vanished.
A terrifying silence fell.
"The law of this competition remains," he said coldly.
"Those who failed… will lose their hands."
Horror spread across the defeated chefs as guards forced them forward. Their trembling hands were placed upon wooden blocks. An executioner lifted a heavy axe.
Some cried.
Some begged.
Some fainted in despair.
Minsoo's heart pounded wildly.
This had gone too far.
The axe rose high into the air—
"Cut them," the king commanded.
⸻