Cooking and crafting

"It's a room spelled with magic so that nobody can steal the treasures within." Oh, so it's like a vault.

"Has the room already been spelled?" I asked curiously.

"No, not yet milady. I will send for a magician to spell it tomorrow."

"Oh no, don't worry about sending for a mage, I will do it." I jumped at the chance to use magic again. I would use an Algorithmic spell to make sure that nobody broke into the room.

"Oh yes, that's right! Milady is a magician and can use dark magic." Said Mellie, who was starting to get all excited again.

"Please show me the way." I urged, I loved using magic, and I hadn't been able to since the tournament yesterday, so I was itching at the chance.

Agnes lead me out of my room and down the hall. It was a very long walk because of how huge the house was, but I enjoyed it because I got to peer in at all the rooms I hadn't seen during my tour.

Every room that was decorated, was done so beautifully. I saw a few more drawing rooms and a bedroom that I thought would be nice for Alice to stay in when she got the chance to come and visit.

Then we came to the very last room at the edge of the house on the third floor. The doors were made of a very solid-looking dark brown wood.

"This is the room milady." Said Agnes. She opened the heavy doors slowly and showed me inside. I noticed that this room was much darker than the rest of the house, instead of the light and pastel paints that I had seen around the rest of the house, this room was made of dark a coloured wood, and the marble on the floor was grey. The room was a cylindrical shape and had a staircase that wound around the walls and lead up to a second story. This room had a different aura compared to the rest of the house, but I liked it, nonetheless.

"Alright let's do this!" I was so ready to do some magic. I concentrated my dark magic in my hands and let the black mist flow out of me and into the walls of this room.

"Algorithmic Magic." I called out, "Only myself, Mrs Agnes and Mr Bard can enter and leave this room freely. Anyone else will be blocked from this room with my dark magic shield and if some people manage to enter this room, they will be blocked from leaving with my divine-level dark magic shield and my black mist will seep from the walls and make them falls asleep."

Algorithmic magic was practically the same as coding and computer programming, which was what I was studying at university. All you had to do was think of logical commands and channel your powers correctly and you could cast a variety of amazing spells.

Once I was finished chanting, I smiled brightly, feeling very proud of myself. Now, nobody besides us three would be able to enter this room, but if they had special magic negating device and managed to get inside, my divine level dark magic shield would stop them from coming out. Thus, I would have trapped the thieves within the room. Furthermore, to stop them from finding a way out, my black sleeping mist (a spell I learned from Lord Umfrey that would make whoever breathed it, fall asleep) would render them unconscious. Therefore, my room was completely foolproof.

"Your Ladyship is a master of dark magic! It's no wonder that the king rewarded you so well for winning the tournament." She said to me and I blushed a little bit at the compliment. "Is there anything else milady would like to do today?" She asked.

"Yes, I need to go and speak with the cook," I said, I would not be eating another bowl of stew for as long as I lived.

"Certainly, I will take you to the first-floor kitchen. Augustus will surely be in there setting up with Ilsa." She said and then lead me back down to the first floor.

The kitchen was so cool, there were two long wooden tables in the middle and the walls were decorated with lines of copper pots and pans, and there were old stone ovens and washbasins. I was really glad that I got reincarnated into such an awesome fantasy world.

"Greetings my Lady!" Called out my cook, Augustus, as he did a very magnificent and flamboyant bow."

then the young girl, his assistant named Ilsa, curtseyed to me very sweetly. I shocked again to see how young she was, she should have been in school, studying.

"Greetings my lady." She said smiling at me. She could only be thirteen years old.

"What gives us the pleasure of your ladyship's presence?" He asked. I noticed that the purple hair on his head did a little wiggle and I wondered if he was wearing a wig.

"Well, I hope you don't mind me giving you a few of my favourite recipes..." I said, hoping he wouldn't take it as an insult.

"Of course! It would be my pleasure. Whatever your ladyship wants, I will make it!" He proclaimed, finishing his announcement with a flamboyant hand gesture.

I laughed in response. "Thank you very much, Mr Augustus."

Then I took out my phone and went onto Pinterest, where I saved all my favourite recipes. "Agnes, could you go and fetch me a blank book from the library?" I asked.

She left, as I scrolled down the screen thinking, looking at all the things I could have him make. She returned very quickly with a blank book that was bound in leather. This book would become my new recipe book. Using my Algorithmic dark magic, I created a sequence of commands that would allow me to copy the recipes from my phone onto the pieces of paper when I said the word 'print'. I really loved algorithmic magic - it was basically the same thing as computer programming, all you had to do was come up with a string of commands that were logical, and if you had enough magic, you could create some really great spells.

I 'printed' so many recipes and instructions so that Augustus would be able to make the food without my help. When I was done, I had already used up a third of the book. I printed down chicken schnitzel, beef wellington, brownies, ice cream, cheesecake and a variety of other types of cake, macaroni and cheese, pizza, chicken pie, eggs benedict, pancakes, chocolate chip cookies and some different pasta dishes. By the end of it, my mouth was starting to water.

"These look very interesting. I have never seen any of these before." He said as he curiously flipped through the pages. he stopped when his eyes landed on the recipes and pictures, I had printed for ice cream. "Today I will make this one!" He exclaimed. pointing at the vanilla ice cream. My stomach grumbled; I didn't realise how much I missed earth food.

"Brilliant!" I was so enthused. "Well, I'll leave it to you!" I said as Agnes and I exited.

"What a strange artefact..." She said as she looked curiously at my phone.  I slid it back into my dress pocket, not wanting to draw too much attention to it.

"Agnes, I am going back to my room to study some magic. If you need me, I'll be in there." I said. the last thing on my list of things to do today was to check out the book the King had given me, the tenebris intellexerent, I couldn't wait to delve into all the magic that it had to offer. Agnes curtseyed to me, and I skipped up the stairs to my room on the third floor.

"Lady Riley, do not skip up the stairs!" She called out after me.

<—————-<<<

Agnes stood there at the bottom of the stairs and watched her young mistress skip very improperly up the stairs. This one was so young and free... she thought. Alissa had told her that Lady Riley would be a very free-spirited and a kind lady, but Agnes hadn't quite believed Alissa until she met Lady Riley.

She was so young to be the lady of the house, yet she seemed quite mature for her age, quite independent as well, which were very good qualities to have as a noble. Moreover, she was truly a kind girl. At Agnes's last post as the Head maid in another noble home, where she had worked for twenty years, the nobles in that house had never even bothered to learn her name, but Lady Riley had learned it immediately and had even requested for Agnes to call her by her first name! The thought made Agnes smile. She was very pleased that she would get to serve this new Lady.  Not to mention that Lady Riley was very beautiful and extremely talented in the magical arts... She hoped that Lady Riley would become a very successful noble in the future. Agnes would be sure to support her in every way possible. Agnes was determined that Lady Riley wouldn't end up like the last nobles she had served: They had gotten lost in greed and ended up spending all their money, they were then downgraded to the status of commoners and could no longer afford to pay her. Thus, she ended up working for lady Riley, when the opportunity arose. She was determined to see her new Lady succeed.

Agnes then walked back to the kitchen to see how the food was coming along. in truth she was very excited to try some of the recipes her Lady had 'printed' into the book. They looked very delicious.

Mellie and Edna were in the library dusting off some cupboards and polishing the display cabinets.

"Isn't our Lady beautiful." Cooed Mellie, as she recalled when Lady Riley first stepped out of the carriage in her white dress and she had seen her extraordinary black hair.

"Yes, she is very pretty." Replied Edna, who was the more sensible and calmer of the two girls. "It seems Alissa told us the truth about her being very kind to servants. If you were still working for the Smithson family, you would have been whipped for bursting into the library like that." Remarked Edna. "However, lady Riley just forgave you."

Mellie frowned and tentatively touched her back, the wounds she had gotten from being whipped at the previous house she worked at suddenly stung, she had always been a forgetful an excitable girl and that had often landed her in trouble, thus she had quite a few scars on her back from being beaten. But her motto in life was always to be grateful for what she had, and now she was uber grateful for being able to work for such a kind Lady. "I don't think Lady Riley would whip me though, she doesn't seem like the type to do that." Said Mellie happily.

"Well, you never know, so you should always mind your manners around her." Warned Edna sternly. Although Edna sounded stern, she was actually quite hopeful that Lady Riley would always be kind and generous with them. Edna had previously worked at the Von Esterheim Mansion - they were a truly strict family - and did not tolerate mistakes of any kind. She had worked there for two years as a maid and she had been in close proximity to all the Von Esterheim family, none of whom she had ever formed any bonds with or even spoken to because of the strict way they ran their house. She hoped Lady Riley would be different.

Auberon and Rudyard were in the greenhouse pulling all the weeds and overgrown plants from their beds.

"So, what do you think of our new lady?" Asked Auberon. Rudyard stopped weeding for a moment to answer him.

"She is very beautiful... " He said thinking about her. "And she is very powerful, I went to go and watch the tournament, and she was really impressive." Replied Rudyard.

"I also went to go and watch the tournament," said Auberon, "I couldn't believe my eyes! triple users are just amazing." He remembered seeing Lady Riley create the magnificent water dragon, he had gone wild just like the rest of the crowd. Auberon was also a water magic user and was so inspired by her performance at the tournament that he volunteered to come and work for her when the opportunity had been presented. Auberon had previously worked at the royal castle, and when they had asked for volunteers to go and work for the new noble, he gladly put up his hand.

Rudyard, on the other hand, was a mystery to him. most of the servants who worked for the nobles knew each other, it was like a long network of friends and acquaintances. However, he had never seen or heard of Rudyard before. "Where did you work before this?" Auberon asked curiously.

"I haven't worked before; this is my first job as a butler." Replied Rudyard.

"Oh, it's no wonder that I have never seen you before." Nodded Auberon. "Well don't worry, I've been in service for a long time, so I can teach you how everything is done." He smiled.

"Thank you." Rudyard smiled back at him.

Rudyard had never worked as a servant before; he had never actually worked a normal job before. He had been scouted many years ago by the royal family because of his talent for fighting and martial arts. He had been working as a spy and assassin for the royal family for years, so he had been a bit perplexed when they had ordered him to take up the position as a butler in a noble's house. He was told that all he needed to do was watch Lady Riley and report back to them every week about her activities. He wasn't actually here to do butlers work, but he would have to do it so that they wouldn't suspect him.

Bard the butler, had just finished purchasing all the plants and seeds his Lady had asked him to purchase, he and also bought a few 'midnight blossoms'  - one of his favourite flowers - a type of flower that produced beautiful large dark grey petals and gave off a light citrus fragrance. He also purchased a few pale pink and white blossoms that he thought looked pretty. Bard blushed at the thought of his kind and generous Lady. She was unexpectedly sweet and intelligent; he was very much looking forward to being her butler. He rode back to the mansion with his crate of plants secured into the horses rear, all the while he hummed a jolly tune.

By the time he got back, the sun was setting, and dinner was about to be served.

<——————<<<<

I walked into the dining room at 7 pm, to find the dinner table beautifully set up and laid with dishes of my favourite foods: there were schnitzel and wellington and baked potatoes. I was overjoyed at the sight of Earth food.

"My dear Lady, dinner is served!" announced Augustus wish a flourish of his hand and he flipped his purple hair.

"Augustus!" I exclaimed and ran to the table. My stomach growled eagerly, and I was about to dish up when Agnes stopped me.

"No, no, milady! Augustus will dish up for you!" She called from the other side of the room. I pouted but let Augustus dish up for me. He placed a perfect slice of wellington on my plate and adorned it with baked potatoes and vegetables. He also poured me a glass of wine.

After he had finished decorating my plate with food, Agnes did a small prayer to thank the six gods of magic for blessing me with lots of power, which made me smile. I was about to tuck into my food when I realised that I was the only one eating, while Augustus and Agnes just watched me.

"Aren't you going to have some?" I asked.

"We will milady. After you have finished your meal."

"No way, the food will have gotten cold by then. Grab a plate from the kitchen and come and eat with me." I said not wanting them to miss this glorious moment.

"Milady, it isn't proper..." she began, but then Augustus promptly grabbed a plate from a cabinet and helped himself to the food. Agnes looked annoyed at him but didn't say anything.

"I'll go and call the others to come and eat, but only this one time!" She said sternly as she went to go and call the others. Soon they all funnelled in and took a seat at the dining table. After everyone had dished up food onto their plates, we began to eat.

"This is delicious!" Cried out, Mellie.

"Superb!" exclaimed Augustus as he ate the wellington.

I looked over to see Auberon and Rudyard devouring the food quickly, not even wanting to waste time on complimenting it.

"Scrumptious!" Called out Ilsa, as she stuffed her mouth with a baked potato.

"It is indeed very good!" said Agnes as she slowly chewed on the food savouring it.

"Truly excellent..." commented Bard.

"Your ladyship's recipes are truly divine!" commented Augustus as we all finished our meals. "do not forget dessert!" He called out as he scurried into the kitchen. He brought back a large bowl of vanilla ice cream, with chocolate sauce dribbled over it. I was about to foodgasm. It had felt like ages since I had eaten ice cream. "This is Lady Riley's divine creation! Iced cream!" He announced, flipping his hair again. I was going to correct him on the way he said 'iced cream' but I just let it go and enjoyed the cold desert.

I watched as they all put their spoons in their mouths, and laughed at their different reactions: Agnes's eyes went wide and gasped, while Mellie and Edna giggled at the sensation of the ice cream melting in their mouths, the others moaned passionately at the taste and complimented me on my recipes.

I smiled, content and full.

After we had finished dinner, I asked Auberon and Rudyard to carry the trunk of gold, the trunk of silver and the gemstones infused equipment to the safe room. After that, Edna helped me to get changed out of my clothes and helped me into the bath that I had in my bathroom in my that joined to my bedroom. After a long soak, I put on my nightgown and sleepily crawled into my lavish bed. Edna said goodnight to me and blew out the candles.

I drifted off to sleep with a smile on my face. Today had been a great day.

<————————<<<<<<

They watched from the forest as the last candle in the house was blown out. Finally, the house had gone to sleep, and it was time for them to make their move.

They stealthily made their way out of the trees and the shrubbery into the mansion through a window that had been left ajar on the first floor. They soundlessly crept up the stairs to the third floor and made their way to the safe room. The three men were all dressed in black robes that covered everything except their eyes.

One of them drew a small magical-negation artefact out from his pocket and pressed it against the door. The artefact lit up and seemed to struggle with the magic that had been placed on the door, but after a while, the door opened, and the three men slithered inside. The men saw what they had come for lying on the floor. They went to go and pick up the trunks of gold and jewels, but then the door to the room suddenly sealed shut, and a thick black mist started seeping out from the walls. One by one the men fell unconscious onto the floor, trapped inside the room.