I surely won't disappoint

" Oh, be careful, milady." Wendy freaked as I jumped out of the carriage in a hurry because I wanted to rush to the kitchen. I was on the mission to make a meal that would lift my spirits.

When I entered the kitchen, the staff immediately greeted me, though there was still a hint of coldness in their treatment. Bit, I did not care too much about it, " Where is the head chef?" I asked

" Here, milady. Is there something I can assist with? perhaps a change in the menu?" he asked as he gave a small bow.

" Mm, there is." I nodded

" Please name it, and we will arrange for the changes right away." the head chef said

" Well, I want to change everything." I said, and the whole kitchen fell silent. Not a single knife chopping or dicing could be heard. All the assistants stop working and froze.

" Milady, W-what do you mean?" The head chef asked though it was clear he was slightly offended.

" What I meant was, I want to make today's meal by myself. I will make the meal. Everyone here can go home early today." I said

" Milady, we wouldn't dare. We can not allow the lady of the house to prepare food. It is such a - " The head chef started, but someone interjected

" It is an unlady like task, your duchess. I hope you can reconsider your decision." I heard someone say. Her voice was very pleasant to the ear and sounded very dignified. Turning around, I got shocked when I saw that the owner of the voice looked to be just around my age. She was a brunette with very fair pale skin that glistened in the sunlight.

" Who are you?" I asked

" I am your newly appointed aide, milady." She said with a bow.

" My aide? I never requested for anyone to be my aide." I responded

" Well, your duchess, I was appointed as your aide by the Duke. If there is anything, please take it up with him. My name is Hazel, by the way." She said with a bow.

Looking at her incredulous, I said, " The Duke? He asked you to be my aide? When was this?" I asked suspiciously because I knew that Ryan did not have the time, and even if he did, why would he care about me behind the scenes and choose to blatantly ignore me when we met?

Miss Hazel saw my face and said, " My family, owed the Duke a favor and to repay it, I volunteered to be your aide." She maintained her respectful pose throughout

" Alright, miss Hazel, correct? I am not changing my mind, I want to make a meal for my family and if my behavior isn't up to your standards then I suppose finding another to be her aide won't be a bad choice for you." I responded politely though my words were not.

However, to my surprise, Miss Hazel chuckled and then said with her deep, melodious voice, " I knew it when I first saw you that you were not like the other ladies in this kingdom. I like it."

" P-Pardon?" Did I hear her correctly?

Suddenly, realizing her blunder, she quickly corrected herself and said, " I meant milady, please allow me to be your aide....I surely won't disappoint." What confidence! How could she say that with such a straight face? She wasn't pleading for me to take her in as my aide. Rather, she was telling me to do it, or I would regret it later for not choosing a perfect candidate like her? Wow!

Hiding my shock behind a poker face, I said, " Mm, if you don't mind getting dirty while preparing dinner with me, you may join me in the kitchen then."