Chapter 22  

Alina woke up only after the sun had risen the next day.

When she opened her eyes, she was leaning against Rihart’s shoulder.

“Mmm…”

“You’re awake?”

Alina blinked and rubbed her sleepy eyes, startled when she saw those golden eyes looking back at her.

Her mind wasn’t fully awake yet, so it took a moment for the situation to make sense.

“Ri… hart?”

“Let me see.”

Rihart gave her a gentle smile and placed his hand on her forehead.

“Your fever has gone down a lot.”

“Wait—where are your clothes?”

She rubbed her eyes again, then saw Rihart’s bare upper body and jumped.

He gave a shy smile, lifted the shirt that had been resting on her forehead, and said,

“Right here.”

He shook it out a few times and hurriedly put it back on.
Seeing him like that made Alina’s expression darken.

“I shouldn’t have brought you.”

“Huh?”

“I shouldn’t have made you come.”

That hurt Rihart.
He frowned slightly.

“What kind of thing is that to say? I came because I wanted to. You didn’t drag me here.”

“That’s true… but still, I should’ve taken better care of you. Instead I made you suffer all night. It must’ve been tiring. Weren’t you scared?”

As she spoke kindly, worrying about him, Rihart’s face twisted in frustration.

“I wasn’t tired and I wasn’t scared either. Why do you keep talking like that? Who’s taking care of who? We’re only five years apart!”

“That’s exactly why I’m saying this. You’re only fourteen. And I made a fourteen-year-old stay up all night keeping watch. I’m sorry.”

“…”

“Rihart?”

His lips pressed into a straight, thin line.

His expression showed nothing.

***

Back at the Palace

After all that trouble, Alina safely returned to the imperial palace and began preparing the dish she would present in the cooking contest.

She had worried because her fever rose after getting drenched in the rain, but thankfully Lillith healed her with magic.

Lillith, who came again today to check Alina’s condition, spoke with concern.

“About that request from Lise last time… that kid might not be allowed to attend the academy after all.”

“His Majesty is against it?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Lillith nodded, her expression unusually serious.

So Rihart wasn’t neglected for 14 years without reason…

It seemed the Emperor truly despised Rihart.

Alina had heard the rough reason, but even so, it felt cruel.

Yes, losing the Empress was tragic.
But that wasn’t Rihart’s fault.

Why put the blame for misfortune on an innocent child?

Rihart was the last child left in the world by the woman the Emperor loved.
Shouldn’t that make him more precious?

Instead, the Emperor blocked him from receiving even basic affection or education.

It was wrong.

And Rihart is so excited about going to the academy…

Despite everything, he had been so thrilled that he might finally attend like other nobles.

But now it was becoming difficult.

Alina’s eyes grew sharp with worry.
Lillith sighed.

“I’ll try persuading him again. This is harder than I expected.”

“Please… I’m counting on you.”

Alina held Lillith’s hand tightly. But judging by Lilith’s expression, the chances didn’t look good.

Is there any way…?

She went down to the ingredient prep room, tying her apron while thinking about Rihart’s situation.

For now, she would focus on today’s work—and think slowly while cooking.

When Alina brought out the eggplants she stored earlier, Marika arrived with the tomato sauce she’d requested, eyes shining with excitement.

“So you’re finally starting?”

“Yeah.”

“What’s the dish called? ‘Risse’s Eggplant Dish’?”

Alina laughed softly at her curiosity and answered,

“I hope it turns out tasty enough to deserve that. It’s called Eggplant Parmesan.”

“What’s that? Eggplant with Parmesan cheese on top?”

Marika tilted her head. It was natural—Malearc people didn’t know this kind of dish.

But to Alina, it was familiar.
Her memories from her previous life weren’t perfect, but the recipes were vivid as ever.

She washed the large eggplants and began slicing them lengthwise.

“You know lasagna, right? The one with flat pasta sheets layered with meat sauce and cheese, then baked?”

“Of course. I ate that back when I worked at the Zenotat mansion. You’re making that? But that’s not a vegetable dish.”

“Right. But this version uses eggplant slices instead of pasta.”

She showed Marika the wide slice of eggplant.

“You can use meat sauce, but I’m going to make a vegetarian version using tomato sauce packed with herbs.”

She placed the eggplants on a tray, sprinkled salt and olive oil, and put them in the oven to roast.

Her gaze drifted to the cheeses on the table.

“And since Ambassador Kestol does eat cheese, we’ll add plenty of fresh cheese.”

“So basically… eggplant lasagna? That sounds so good!”

Marika clasped her hands dramatically, and Alina smiled.

“Exactly. Just imagine lasagna, but with eggplant instead of pasta.”

Alina layered the roasted eggplant into a large baking dish.

She covered the bottom with a layer of eggplant, added tomato sauce, then generously sprinkled Parmesan, mozzarella, and ricotta cheese.

Then another layer of eggplant, and repeated the process.

Before long, the large dish was full.

Alina topped it with the remaining cheese and slid it into the oven.

“Now we wait.”

She clapped lightly and brushed the cheese crumbs from her hands.

As time passed, the rich smell of tomato sauce and melting cheese seeped out.

Sitting in front of the oven, Marika chopped garlic and grimaced.

“This smell is torture. I ate already, but now I’m starving again. Risse, you’re committing a crime making me suffer like this.”

Alina laughed.

“I’ll repay this crime with flavor. You’ll get to taste it.”

Marika brightened instantly.

“Really? I can taste it? Isn’t this the dish for tomorrow’s judging?”

“This one’s just a test batch. The contest dish is for tomorrow, and we can’t taste that one once it’s served. But I can’t present a dish without knowing what it tastes like.”

“That’s such a good idea. I really admire how thorough and thoughtful you are.”

Marika nodded enthusiastically, clearly motivated by the thought of eating.

Alina chuckled and then asked,

“By the way, how’s Trudy? Preparing well?”

“I saw her boiling potatoes earlier.”

Marika frowned at the mountain of garlic.

“She knew you were competing tomorrow, and still made me peel all this garlic. It’s so obvious she’s taking it out on me. She expects me to finish all this by tomorrow morning. What kind of petty revenge is this?”

“It’s fine. If I can’t finish, I’ll take the rest to the dorm.”

“I’ll take half. But seriously—what is the sous-chef even making with this much garlic? Garlic jam?”

“Who knows.”

Letting Marika grumble, Alina checked the oven again.

“It’s almost done. Just a little more.”

“Okay!”

Marika’s eyes sparkled. She could barely contain her excitement.

“It’s done! Let it cool a bit, then we can eat.”

The Eggplant Parmesan was covered with a beautifully golden cheese crust.

With the browned spots, you’d hardly guess there were eggplants underneath.

“Wow…”

Marika couldn’t help admiring it out loud.

The smell was even more irresistible now that the dish was out of the oven.

Alina took two plates and a big knife.

She pushed the knife deep into the cheesy top to cut it.

The softened eggplant sliced smoothly, almost like pasta sheets.

She cut a grid across the dish, dividing it into four neat squares.

Alina lifted the most perfectly browned piece and placed it on Marika’s plate.

“Here. Be careful, it’s hot.”

“Thank you for the food!”

Marika grabbed her knife eagerly.

Even though it wasn’t a meat knife, the piece cut easily—soft like noodles.

Alina sat beside her, anxiously waiting for the first reaction.

Marika put a bite in her mouth.

The eggplant melted almost instantly, rich tomato sauce and fragrant herbs filling every bite.

It looked like regular lasagna, but lighter—fresh, not greasy, and full of vegetable flavor.

Marika quickly cut another bite.

The second one was even better.

Despite being meatless, it wasn’t bland.
The cheese added enough richness, and the eggplant made it surprisingly filling.

“Is it good?”

“…Risse.”

Marika called her name seriously.

Alina’s eyes widened.

“Why? It’s bad?”

Marika waved her hands quickly.

“No, no!”

She clenched her fist—
and raised her thumb high.

“It’s delicious. So hurry up and decide what wish you want when you win.”

Relieved, Alina laughed.

“Don’t scare me like that. I thought you didn’t like it.”

“I mean… I always thought eggplant was mushy and gross. Honestly, when you said you were using eggplant, I was worried. I wondered if you could even make something edible out of it.”