The new barracks’ manager

-Good day to you, Raymond-sama. (Lily)

-Good to you too Lily-san. What brings you here on such a hot day? (Ray)

-I'm sorry to disturb the training, I just came to notify you the meal is ready and served in the dining hall. Please let everyone eat as soon as possible as I'm afraid it might spoil quickly in this hot weather. (Lily)

-Eh? Is that so? thank you for your hard work. But seeing you here, were you perhaps appointed as the new knight barracks' manager? (Ray)

-Indeed, I've just met the head maid this morning and got appointed to my new position. I started my work as soon as possible so I hope I didn't cause much inconvenience to you and the knights. Please take care of me in the future. (Lily) *bow*

-Not at all, I'm glad you could start today. Please take care of us as well. As you can see, both the young recruits and the more experienced men were reaching their limit. To be honest, Serris-san is a very reliable man in the battlefield but he's a disaster in the kitchen. The men didn't stop complaining about his weir... hum, peculiar dishes and he got annoyed and stopped cooking all together. (Ray)

-I understand better why the kitchen was deserted and why everyone was late to lunch. (Lily)

-I know maids are actually very reluctant to accept this job so I thank you very much for taking this task, and I hope it was done according to your wishes? (Ray)

-Please don't thank me, I'm just doing my job. Moreover, I was the one to volunteer so I wasn't forced at all. (Lily)

-Ahhh, is that lily-chan?! No wonder, I thought it was weird for ray to talk that much time with a woman, so it turns out it was you! So? What beings you here? Did you come for otouto-kun again? Or perhaps... you actually came for our handsome captain? (Robert) *Teasing smile, mean full look to ray*

-Stop it Robert, you are being discourteous. She's the new manager of the barracks, so she came to notify us lunch was ready.

-EHHHHHHHHHHHH?!

Robert emitted a very loud shout, he was so surprised he completely forgot about his usual playful and elegant nature. Well, he couldn't be blamed, the knights were young men, moreover very reliant on their physical strength, but they hadn't had a decent meal for a week and thus it was a heavy burden on their training.

To their superior's sudden shout, all the men briskly turn their heads to see what happened and they're very surprised to see a woman talking to me and Robert.

-EVERYONE! WE CAN HAVE LUNCH! HURRY TO THE DINING HALL!

Robert was so excited he barely finished his sentence and started running towards the dining hall.

'Lunch! Lunch! A decent meal! Moreover, made by lily-chan! I'm sure it'll be delicious!!' (Robert thoughts)

The men quickly recognized the beautiful lady as the kind Onee-san from the other day. Understanding she prepared them a meal, they were beyond ecstatic, and started running as fast as they could to get to the dining hall.

Lily-san looked puzzled over the exaggerated reactions, but quietly caught sight of her brother who came to greet her and they both followed the excited crowd.

I also walked by their side and when we reached the hall, all the men were actually standing in front of the entrance agape.

Since they were so eager to eat, I thought they would just rush in and get in line to grab their lunch and I urged them to step inside. But as soon as I got in, I understood the reason why they froze.

Usually, the manger would cook the most filling and easiest dishes in big pots and stand behind the kitchen counter to serve the knights who would then form a line and fill their plates one by one, and then take a seat to eat. I generally experience the same environment as my men to set a good example so I'm naturally familiar with these habits.

However, Lily-san actually went as far as serving the dishes in the dining hall as if we were holding some kind of fancy meal, moreover the dishes weren't soup or unshaped lumps of food, but very appetizing dishes with all kinds of colors and textures.

-Everyone, I'm afraid the food will really spoil by now if you wait any longer. Please sit down and have your meal.

-LILIANA-SAN! THANK YOU!

At that moment, all the men bowed their heads with teary eyes and delighted expressions. I guess they were very moved by her sweet gesture. I have to say I was very moved myself and felt it quite difficult these days as I didn't like to have any advantage over my subordinates so lunch time was becoming unbearable. I'm really relieved we have a new person in charge. And somehow... I'm even more relieved since that person turned out to be her. Not only relief, I feel a little... happy.

-Lily-chaaaan you're the best!! This is so goood!! I swear my home's cooking wouldn't even come close to this heavenly taste!

Robert couldn't wait anymore. While everyone was starting in amazement at the plates in front of them, he already took a seat and started his meal. Seeing him enjoy it so much, all the men followed his example and hurriedly started greedily engulfing their food.

Ah, really. I hope nobody ever sees the imperial knights' crying and eating like this…

-You praise me too much, I'm glad it is to your liking.

-Ray! Quickly taste this wonderful salad! Anh so refreshing, I can only feel the crunchiness of the lettuce and the potatoes are tender and delicious! Also, this bread is so thin but tastes amazing and goes well with the salad! I actually taste the meat in the dumplings! And this juice is sooo cold and delightful it feels like heaven in this hot weather! And ... Dear lord! Is this desert? Am I dreaming? I have to quickly finish and savor it!

-Robert, eat slowly and chew your food. I agree everything is extremely delicious, and Lily-san's skill has far surpassed any chef I've ever met, but your table manners are shameful you're actually disgracing the food she made with great effort.

-Ugh! I'm sorry Lily-chan it's just so good! And it's been such a long time we had any decent lunch here! I'll eat properly starting tomorrow, I promise! Today I just want to enjoy this blessing! O heavens thank you for sending us such an angel to make our meals!

The dishes were indeed tasty and refreshing, the meal was enjoyed by everybody and the troop's moral skyrocketed. I've never seen them training with that much energy in the afternoon before, moreover everybody has a big smile on their face and is bursting with joy. I suspect they're in such state not only because of the meal they just had but also thinking about dinner later and all the meals to come.

Well, I actually feel a little jealous myself as I usually have breakfast and dinner at my private residence in the capital, about half an hour away from the royal palace. I guess it's time to deepen my bonds with my subordinates and take all three meals with them.

Lily-san also seems to be very appreciated and respected by them. They were unusually carefull not to offend her and even helped clear the tables after the meal. I wonder if I heard wrong, some were calling her goddess-sama?

-Nee... Lily! I didn't know you'd be the new one in charge! Does it mean I'll see you more often? I'm so happy! (Chris)

-I'm also very happy about that. I'm a little sad you won't call me nee-chan anymore though ...

-Ugh. I'll… I'll still call you that when we're alone!

-Chris, how can you make your beautiful sis so sad! Just call her as she likes!

-Yeah! Seriously! As if you weren't lucky enough, don't you dare make her sad or we'll beat you up!

-Goddess-sama's word is absolute! Just do as she says!

-Al… alright. Onee-chan, I'll address you as usual then.

-Really? Onee-chan is very happy then. Everyone, I'm very moved by your warm welcome, but please don't pay me too much attention and just focus on your training. I haven't introduced myself properly yet, my name is Liliana. No need to be too formal, you ay refer to me as you like.

-Ah! Goddess-sama is so merciful!

-Goddess-sama, please take care of us as well! *all knights heavily bow*

At night, the dinner was as expected just as enjoyable as lunch. But the bigger surprise was when the young recruits got to their rooms and barely recognized them if not for the number plates on the doors.

Every room was sparkling clean and smelled incredibly nice. A few flowers decorated every bedside table and gave the rooms a very homely atmosphere.

The men couldn't help but feel comfortable, and they all fell asleep the moment they laid on their beds as if they had fainted, whereas they would usually drink and play around while making much noise until very late before going to sleep.

That night, the knights' barracks were so quiet people actually thought they were all out on a mission or training in the mountains.