The Princess in the Kitchen

Lexzandra turns towards her with a playful glint in her eyes, a mischievous smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Why, I'm here to teach the chef a lesson," she replies lightly, her tone teasing.

The head maid's brow furrows in confusion, clearly puzzled by Lexzandra's cryptic response. However, before she can inquire further, Lexzandra's attention is drawn back to the chef.

She watches as the chef returns with the requested ingredients in hand, her mind already racing with culinary ideas.

She looks at the array of fresh produce and spices laid out before her, a small smile playing on her lips. "Thank you," she says, taking a moment to appreciate the chef's efficiency.

"Now, let's get started," she announces, her tone decisive. "Could you please light the stove?"

The chef hesitates, clearly confused but complies, reaching out to ignite the gas burner. Lexzandra pulls her hair into a neat ponytail, a gesture that seems to catch everyone off guard.

"Elara, could you fetch me an apron?" she asks, her eyes never leaving the ingredients.

Elara, who has been watching the proceedings with increasing concern, rushes to find an apron. As she hands it over, Lexzandra ties it around her waist with practiced ease.

"What are you doing, Your Highness?" the head maid finally speaks up, her voice a mixture of worry and disbelief. "Surely, you're not planning to cook?"

"Yes, I am," Lexzandra replies, her hands already moving to sort the ingredients.

"But... the princess doesn't cook," Maria protests, her face pale.

Lexzandra pauses to look at her, a reassuring smile on her face. "Don't worry, I'll be fine. I know what I'm doing."

Even Elara seems unconvinced, her eyes wide with concern. But Lexzandra's confidence is unshakable. She turns back to the chef. "Could you start by beating some eggs? Whisk them until they're frothy."

In her mind, Lexzandra is already picturing the dish she plans to make – a stuffed omelette, Korean style, a favorite from her past life.

As the chef begins whisking the eggs, Lexzandra starts preparing the vegetables, her hands moving with swift precision. She chops onions, bell peppers, and scallions, her knife skills leaving the staff watching in silent awe.

More and more staff members gather in the kitchen, curious to see the princess in action. Lexzandra remains focused, her movements smooth and practiced. She heats a pan and adds a bit of oil, waiting for it to shimmer before adding the vegetables. They sizzle on contact, filling the kitchen with a mouthwatering aroma.

"Soy sauce," Lexzandra murmurs to herself, looking around. The chef shakes his head apologetically, clearly having no idea what she's talking about.

"It's a sauce, black in color," she explains, trying to jog his memory. "It's used to add depth and umami to dishes."

The chef remains clueless, his brows furrowing in confusion. He looks around the kitchen, as if the mysterious black sauce might magically appear on one of the shelves.

Lexzandra sighs, a bit frustrated but mostly resigned. "I suppose soy sauce hasn't been developed at this time," she mutters under her breath. She quickly shifts gears, her mind working on an alternative solution. "Alright then, let's work with what we have."

She turns back to the ingredients. "I'll make a substitute," she says more to herself than anyone else. "We'll use salt, sugar, and a bit of vinegar. It won't be the same, but it should add some of the depth I'm looking for."

The chef watches her, still a bit skeptical but also curious, as Lexzandra mixes the ingredients with a sure hand. She adds a splash of homemade soy sauce to the vegetables, followed by a sprinkle of sugar and a dash of vinegar.

The aroma intensifies, drawing even more staff to the kitchen. They watch in awe as Lexzandra pours the beaten eggs into the pan, swirling them around to form a thin, even layer. Once the eggs are set, she adds the sautéed vegetables, folding the omelette neatly over the filling.

Finally, she slides the finished dish onto a plate, garnishing it with finely chopped scallions and a drizzle of the makeshift soy sauce. The result is a beautifully presented stuffed omelette, its golden exterior glistening with a slight sheen.

The staff is silent, their eyes wide with astonishment. Lexzandra takes a step back, admiring her work. "There," she says with a satisfied smile. "It's ready."

The chef's eyes are wide as he stares at the beautifully prepared dish before him. "Your Highness, I must admit, I didn't expect this. It looks... delicious."

Lexzandra smiles, pleased with the chef's reaction. "Why don't you have the first bite?" she suggests, gesturing toward the dish.

With a mix of curiosity and hesitation, the chef takes a small portion and brings it to his mouth. As soon as the food touches his tongue, his eyes widen even further. "It's... astonishing! The flavors are dancing on my taste buds," he exclaims, clearly delighted and surprised by how good it tastes.

Encouraged by the chef's reaction, Lexzandra turns to the other staff, who have been watching the entire process with a mix of fascination and disbelief. "Come on, everyone. Don't be shy. Have a bite," she insists warmly.

At first, the other staff members hesitate, unsure if they should partake in the dish made by the princess herself. But Lexzandra's encouraging smile and the chef's enthusiastic nod finally convince them.

One by one, they step forward, each taking a small portion.

As they taste the food, their expressions shift from skepticism to sheer amazement.

Murmurs of appreciation and delight ripple through the group. "It's incredible," one of the maids says. "I've never tasted anything like this before."

'This is the simplest dish I can think of and they are wooing over it,' she ponders, smiling to herself.

Elara, encouraged by the positive responses, also steps forward and takes a bite. Her eyes light up with delight. "It's fantastic, Your Highness! I never knew you had such a talent for cooking."

The head maid, who has been watching everything with a mix of concern and curiosity, finally steps forward. "How do you know how to cook like this, Your Highness?" she asks, her tone both respectful and probing.

Lexzandra is momentarily caught off guard by the question. She had been so focused on the cooking that she hadn't prepared an explanation for her knowledge.

Thinking quickly, she smiles and replies, "I've read a lot of books on cooking. Sometimes, you pick up a thing or two from reading."

The head maid raises an eyebrow but nods, seemingly accepting the explanation. "I see. Well, it's quite impressive, Your Highness. We were all surprised, to say the least."

As everyone finishes tasting the omelette, Lexzandra notices that the dish is almost completely gone. She chuckles inwardly at the sight of the nearly empty plate. The chef, realizing that the princess hasn't had a chance to enjoy her creation, looks visibly guilty. "Your Highness, I am so sorry. We all got carried away. There's hardly anything left for you," he says, his voice filled with remorse.

The other staff members, too, murmur their apologies, feeling embarrassed that they've indulged themselves without leaving enough for the princess.

Lexzandra waves off their concerns with a warm smile. "It's fine, really. I'm glad you all enjoyed it. That's what matters."

The chef, still looking guilty, quickly offers, "Please, Your Highness, allow me to prepare something for you. I'll make sure it's to your liking."

Lexzandra nods, a playful glint in her eye. "Alright, Chef. But remember, it had better taste delicious," she teases lightly.

The chef chuckles, visibly relieved by her forgiving nature. "I'll do my best, Your Highness."