In the early evening, Liliana enjoyed dinner with Estevan.
It had been a long time since they had dinner alone together.
“The nobles seem very curious about who will become the Fairy of the Founding Festival.”
“I am curious too.”
“I heard the daughter of Count Lennox advanced to the final round this time?”
“Yes, she received a high score and entered the final in first place.”
“How unexpected. House Lennox has never participated in events like this.”
House Lennox was that rigid and conservative. Yet for some reason, the daughter of Count Lennox had participated this time.
Cutting her steak and putting it into her mouth, Liliana said,
“There must be some circumstances.”
In fact, Liliana knew those circumstances well.
‘To gain a sponsor.’
Even though she had come of age, she still didn’t have a sponsor. That was because she wanted a specific one.
‘Her Highness Princess Grace Ainde Grapesion.’
The eldest daughter of the former Emperor and the Emperor’s sister. Despite being sixty-five years old, she was still a major figure spoken of in high society.
There wasn’t a single young lady who had failed to make a successful debut after passing through her hands.
All of them had made names for themselves in high society and secured positions.
For that reason, many young ladies wished to become her protégées, but her standards for selecting them were so strict that they couldn’t approach her easily.
‘In the case of the daughter of Count Lennox, it was winning the May Fairy.’
House Lennox was a declining House.
To revive her House, the daughter of Count Lennox requested Princess Grace to act as her sponsor, and Princess Grace set winning the May Fairy as the condition.
‘In the end, she failed to win.’
After losing the victory to the daughter of Count Valentier, the daughter of Count Lennox disappeared from high society forever.
‘And a few years later, House Lennox completely fell.’
Unable to repay their massive debts, House Lennox had all their assets taken by House Valentier, and the daughter of Count Lennox was married off as if she were being sold.
It was unknown whom she married.
‘How will it turn out this time?’
She was very curious. It seemed Estevan felt the same.
“It seems Her Highness Princess Grace is also very interested in this competition.”
“I heard that too.”
“Honestly, I don’t want Lady Valentier to win.”
“Because she is on Consort Isabella’s side?”
“Yes. She will definitely use tricks to win. You should be careful as well. His Majesty the Emperor is also very interested in this competition.”
Liliana answered while spearing salad with her fork.
“If even the slightest impropriety occurs, I will be in serious trouble.”
Instead of answering, Estevan nodded.
“Do not worry. Improper tactics will not work.”
Liliana showed the guest list to him.
After looking at the list, Estevan’s eyes lit up.
“You put a lot of thought into this.”
“They are not people who would ever be swayed by bribes or pressure of power. Because the guests I selected are royalty from other countries.”
Many nations had visited for this Founding Festival. Among them were many members of Royal Families.
Liliana selected those who had no connection whatsoever with Consort Isabella.
That way, it would be fair.
In the past, the winner had also been decided through a similar test.
‘Back then, a noble who ate the food made by the daughter of Count Lennox had an upset stomach.’
Because of that, Lady Lennox had been greatly humiliated. That was likely a major reason she disappeared from high society.
Liliana suspected the Valentier side had tampered with it.
And there was a high chance the same would happen again.
‘It won’t happen this time.’
Watching Liliana, who kept smiling the whole time, Estevan set down his fork and knife.
“What is making you so happy?”
“Because I am dining with Your Highness?”
“Your jokes are getting better.”
“I am serious.”
“When I look at you, you seem full of confidence no matter what.”
“That is my strength.”
At that, Estevan shook his head. But he didn’t refute her words.
***
The Ruby Palace.
Consort Isabella met Count Valentier and Cecil in the reception room.
“So, this is the list?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
When Cecil answered with a smile, Consort Isabella checked the list and frowned.
“Royalty from the Magic Kingdom, the Sabotea Duchy, and the Paemonte Duchy.”
All were countries she had no personal ties with.
“The Princess Consort is quite capable.”
Count Valentier looked at Consort Isabella with expectant eyes.
“Unfortunately, they are all royals with whom I have no connections.”
“Ah, is that so?”
Count Valentier smacked his lips in disappointment.
“Then what should we do? The daughter of Count Lennox is truly not ordinary.”
“You said she received perfect scores on every test?”
“Yes.”
When Cecil answered in a small voice, Consort Isabella frowned.
House Lennox was truly unexpected. She had never imagined they would participate.
“There is nothing to worry about. Thanks to that child, Viscount Ashran’s daughter did not advance, which is better for us.”
“That is true.”
If Viscount Ashran’s daughter had reached the finals, she would have been difficult to deal with. Because she belonged to Consort Diena’s side.
So rather, the daughter of Count Lennox, who had no backing, might be better.
“The food you prepare tomorrow will all be made in the Imperial kitchen.”
“You mean…”
“It means it is a place where my influence reaches.”
Consort Isabella elegantly lifted her teacup and curled her lips.
“If things go well, there might be a problem with the food prepared by the daughter of Count Lennox tomorrow.”
At those words, the father and daughter’s faces brightened.
“Do not worry. Lady Lennox will not be able to make proper food.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Bright smiles appeared on the three faces.
However, the next day, those smiles didn’t last.
***
The morning of the day for the final round.
Cecil and Claire were summoned by Liliana.
The place where the two were called was the cooking area, and the location was unexpected.
“Where is this?”
When Cecil asked, Liliana kindly explained.
“This is where you will prepare the food to serve the distinguished guests for lunch.”
“I heard it would be the Imperial kitchen, but this place…”
“It is the kitchen of the detached Palace. And those distinguished guests are all people who sent valuable gifts for my engagement ceremony with His Highness Prince Estevan. So I specially invited them today. Of course, I naturally received His Majesty the Emperor’s permission.”
Cecil looked at Liliana with an uneasy expression.
She had come firmly believing it would be the Imperial kitchen, yet suddenly they were in the detached Palace.
Liliana had only given the two the guest list, and hadn’t told them the location of the banquet or the cooking area.
So they would naturally have assumed it would be held in the Imperial kitchen.
“Lady Valentier. It seems you are disappointed that this is not the Imperial kitchen?”
“I had expectations to see the Imperial kitchen. If I appeared displeased, please forgive me, Your Highness.”
“It is alright. That is understandable.”
At that moment, Claire, who was standing beside them, spoke.
“What does the location matter? The guests we will serve are more important. I do not mind wherever it is.”
“Thank you for thinking that way.”
Not wanting to be outdone, Cecil added,
“I-I do not mind either.”
“Then you each brought a cook, correct?”
Cecil answered confidently.
“Of course. To serve the finest food, I specially invited Chef Arwin, the head chef of the Grant Hotel.”
Arwin bowed politely to Liliana.
“I am Arwin. I will do my utmost to serve the distinguished guests.”
“Very well.”
Smiling faintly, Liliana turned her gaze to Claire.
“Lady Lennox, whom did you bring?”
“I brought the head cook of our family. His name is Vito.”
At those words, Cecil sneered.
Claire lightly ignored Cecil’s sneer and introduced Vito.
“My name is Vito. I will do my best.”
“I look forward to it.”
With a soft smile, Liliana explained the procedure.
“The meal will be served as a course. From now on, you will prepare the appetizer, the first course, the main course, and the dessert. You must complete all preparations by 12 p.m. and serve them.”
The current time was 8 a.m.
They had to prepare a full course meal within four hours.
“The distinguished guests will dine in the outdoor garden in front of the detached Palace. You must complete your dishes by the set time and bring them out.”
After that, she assigned the cooking stations to the two.
“Lady Valentier will use the left station, and Lady Lennox the right station.”
When Liliana gave the order to begin, the two young ladies consulted with their chefs at their respective stations.
Cecil had already planned her menu, so she only needed to relay it, while Claire held an in-depth discussion with Chef Vito.
