You Did Recommend It, Right?

Just like the rest, Kanaru's eyes were on Sierra. However, it was because he heard how this maiden was dubbed the queen candidate. She was the king's favorite among the inner court, and he could see how well she carried herself. There was no room for envy as she was definitely on a different playing field than him. He would just work diligently in the outer court.

Kanaru just walked over with a smile. Since he was already called, he couldn't ignore them anymore. "Hi, is there anything I can do for you?"

"…Rodnir said you're a pretty nice cook and that Sir Magus taught you a lot of things. He's pretty confident about the soup. May we serve it to His Majesty? Do you want to come with us, too?" Sierra answered without resting to breathe.

Everyone around them noticed the pause she did and the discreet once-over she gave to the bird prince. Kanaru was not blind to it. However, Kanaru made a loud gesture of looking at his image. It was marred with dirt and stains from today's activities. He just smiled back. "I don't think I should be so callous to show myself to His Majesty right now."

"Good. He'll just throw you out another time for letting him eat something unbefitting the king's palate." Ushka huffed, but Melaka chuckled right after. The black-haired lady added, "Or reward you for such a delectable dish. We should serve this before it grows cold."

"All right." Kanaru kept his smile. He was going to ask Natucha to deal with the portions, but the girl holding the ladle stuffed the handle into his hands. Kanaru didn't have a choice but to scoop the portions himself. It was good he cleaned his hands before approaching them.

With the last bowl filled and covered, Sierra only gazed at Kanaru again. She then smiled. "Thank you. We'll be going now."

Melaka also waved goodbye as they walked away in haste. The soup must reach the king at its optimal temperature. Kanaru and the others only watched them leave.

"Uhm, are you sure you can serve that soup to His Majesty?" Eann asked as he got to Kanaru's side. He was scared of what might happen to it without anyone watching the three inner court concubines. "They won't use that to get rid of you, right?"

"I don't know… but if Rodnir wants to eat, I don't think I should refuse. Also, if I did, the others would get suspicious." Kanaru only scrunched his face, putting good faith in Sierra and the other two.

Eann didn't like that, but the cards were already dealt. He would just hope the king wouldn't punish Kanaru for the food.

…

Headache. Fenris held onto his forehead with his fingers. He was seated at his table in the lounge area of his chamber. Next to him was Rodnir, who was merely waiting and leaning against his chair. On the king's other side was Vulcan. The adviser didn't know what was going to be served to them… or what these two were up to.

Soon, the doors opened, and the three concubines walked inside to serve the soup. With a vacant seat at the table, Melaka asked, "Rodnir, are you waiting for someone else? The soup for them might get cold."

"Not exactly. Fenris wants Sierra to join us… or either of you for that matter. After all, the soup might not suit her taste." Rodnir chuckled, and Sierra only laughed in uncertainty.

"If His Majesty wants me to partake in it, for better or worse, this is an experience to share with him." Sierra slowly moved to sit down. After all, she was not sure about this. The food was prepared by the least talented cooks in the palace. She might as well be poisoned along with the king. 

Sierra feared the innocent-looking soup, so Melaka asked for her, "You did recommend it, right, Rodnir?"

"For the king, yes." Rodnir cared little about them as he began tasting the soup Melaka and Ushka served. In just one spoonful, Rodnir stopped participating in the conversation.

Fenris glanced at the king's ward, who heartily ate the soup. As for him, he could only hold the spoon and discreetly play with the potato floating and sinking from his movements. Then again, the king's stomach felt hungry. With food in front of him, the hunger only grew.

Since the soup was safe to eat, Fenris just ate what filled the outer court's stomach. Even if he didn't like the taste, it was filling. In the end, he just cried inside and catered to his hunger.

Sierra and Vulcan ate just the same. However, they paused after a few spoonfuls. Vulcan stroked his chin. "Hmm, it does taste similar to Sir Magus's cooking, but there's something else about it. I can't tell if it's because they are prepared by an amateur or multiple hands."

"Royal adviser, I'd go with the latter." Sierra ate a few more pieces before inviting Melaka to taste it as well. "Perhaps it would be more refined if only one person prepared it. I saw a lot of women circling the cauldron, and the maiden stirring the pot isn't the one who gave the recipe."

"Does that mean you'd ask Kanaru to make it again by himself?" Rodnir heard a notion and looked up to get answers. However, all he got was Vulcan's deep frown and Sierra's thinking hum. After all, the king didn't seem to like it at all.

However, Fenris continued to eat until there was nothing left.

…

Papers rustled as Fenris turned the pages. Those were the reports concerning the concubines in solitary. The last four months seemed to have a bloom for petty crimes—not that Fenris should describe deserting and indecency as petty crimes. The concubines in solitary were even being severely punished under the laws of Middlemist.

His eyes then moved to find Melaka walking inside his study with a pile of books. She set them down on another desk as if she had her own desk in the study. With that heavy gaze on her body, Melaka brought her eyes to meet it. "Your Majesty? Do you need me to do something for you?"

"I just noticed how most male members had been going in and out of the solitary. The ones who brought them here must have told them how to properly behave in my harem court." Fenris placed the report down. "I wonder if there is something that bothers them… enough for them to repeatedly break out."

"I… can't be sure, Your Majesty." Melaka smiled nonetheless. "You divided the living spaces of the inner court and the outer court, and further when males were segregated. Perhaps, they feel like they are seen as enemies of yours, Your Majesty."

She then chuckled as if teasing the king. "Your Majesty, why don't you pay a man a visit tonight? I'm sure he would like to be graced by your presence, too."

Fenris hummed and stroked his chin. When he gazed at Melaka, he smiled dangerously. "Perhaps, I should. You did recommend it, wrong?"