THE ROYAL ENGAGEMENT
Chapter 2
Author's Note: I have been meaning to post this for a while but between going back and forth to the hospital and then desperately catching up to my school works, Ionly finished it today. I just hope that it turned out well.
Disclaimer: I don't own Shokugeki no Soma and any of its characters.
By the fourth day, Soma had already memorized her schedule. Or at least, he had it figured out. It wasn't so hard since it was all just about routine. It was all about patterns and given that he spent most of his time at the kitchen, it was only a matter of time before he incorporated her meals as the intervals for her three-part schedule.
First, she eats her breakfast at her room.
At dawn, the kitchen would already be bustling with preparing breakfast for the royal family and also for the servants. Hers should be delivered at exactly seven in the morning and her bath should be ready by the time she finished her meal.
She wouldn't be seen for the remainder of the morning since she would either be at the Audience Chamber doing her God's tongue business, or else somewhere doing something of equal importance.
Secondly, her lunch signals the end of her morning appointments.
It should be served at exactly twelve noon so that she can dismiss everyone who have come to seek her expertise on food. She would be done for the day and retreat to the Royal Library for her studies and wouldn't be done until after four.
And lastly, she would have dinner with the King and any other member of the Royal Family before going to bed.
Though, it became a little complicated after he came. The King insisted that he also join them for dinner (in which the princess wasn't so happy about, it seemed). To top it off, the King very happily suggested that Soma should escort her to her room—an alone time "that would help them warm up to each other". And while Soma doesn't mind, the glare that he received hinted that the princess was not very happy about these new arrangements.
So with this schedule, it was expected that Soma would rarely see the princess save for their walks to her room. On the occasion that they do meet on the morning, she would always make it a point to glare at his direction. He still hadn't figured out what that glare was for so he just smiled at her like usual.
The blonde would then flip her hair and walk in the other direction without giving him another glance, or even a greeting.
So on these days, Prince Soma busied himself with familiarizing the places within the palace—each corner, passage ways and shortcuts. He doesn't want to be late again to any appointment with the king just because he turned to the wrong corner or entered the wrong room (that was embarrassing even if the King just laughed it off).
These also gave him a chance to converse with the guards and other servants. They were hesitant at first but they were very fun to talk with once they overcame their awkwardness towards him. The palace guards often gave him insights about the castle's security as well as some gossips about other kingdoms. The servants, on the other hand, always had very entertaining stories to tell. They told him stories about their time at the palace. They also told him all about Princess Erina. It seemed that even though the princess can be quite harsh, she was loved by her maids. They spoke about her with such fondness and adoration as if she were still their sweet little girl.
But within the massive castle, his favorite place would always be the Royal Kitchen. The chaos inside didn't bother him at all and the sounds in the kitchen—like the clicking of the stove, a fish having contact with a heated oil, and the sound of a knife cutting through a meat—have a strange effect of calming him down. That's why on most days, the red haired prince can be found in there.
"Hey, Julio. You're sure I can use this oven, right?" Soma asked as he stood in front the oven at the very end corner of the kitchen.
"Yes, Prince Soma. There are many oven here at the kitchen so lending you one isn't a problem at all."
"Thanks! And for the last time, drop the 'Prince'." He called on his back as he headed towards the changing room.
"Forgive me, but I can't do that Your Highness." Julio said followed by a low chuckle.
Soma just sighed. He never liked the tittles that were always attached to his name. People called him 'Prince Soma' yet he never really wanted to be a prince. People called him 'Your Highness' yet he doesn't feel like he's any higher that anyone else. For him, tittles were so pretentious, especially now considering his current status.
He closed the door behind him and went to retrieve the clothes that he had set aside earlier.
He unbuttoned his vest and then undressed the garment before putting on a dark blue chef's outfit that his mother gave him before he left. He rolled up his sleeves all the way to his elbow then went to retrieve his discarded clothing, placing it neatly in the newly vacated cabinet.
Once he was satisfied with his clothing, he exited the room and went to the storage area.
Today he decided that he would be baking.
What to bake? He still had no idea. He was aiming for something simple and sweet — something that he can serve for snack.
His eyes roamed the rack of vegetables and ingredients. He needed something light for the stomach. His hands were on his hips and he was tapping his foot when an idea finally popped on his mind. He always wanted to recreate one of those so what better place than to try making it here?
He asked Julio if they have a recipe for what he had in mind and the head chef pointed him towards the drawer where they kept their records of recipes.
"M, m, m, m, m," Soma murmured as he went through the cards. When he finally found the recipe, he closed the drawer, briefly scanned the instruction and then went back to the storage room to get the ingredients.
He grabbed some flour, eggs, sugar, and salt. On a split decision, he also grabbed some black sesame seeds and food coloring. Then he went to get his equipment like the rolling pin, bowl, measuring cups and spoon. When he was done bringing all what he needed to the long table that the palace cooks have so graciously lent to him, he clapped then rubbed his hand together in excitement.
He started by roasting the black sesame seeds in the heavy-base pan over low-medium heat until they were aromatic and then grounded it until they were finely ground. He liked black sesame seeds because of its intense flavor and aroma. Moreover, the seed is full of calcium, iron, copper, magnesium and phosphorous, which help support healthy bones, muscles, blood and nervous system, which he had learned from the chefs back at home.
After finishing the prepping for the sesame seeds, he proceeded in preparing the other ingredients like sifting the flour and separating the egg whites from the yolks. He glanced at the recipe from time to time as he started mixing the ingredients, wanting to avoid errors as much as he can especially with the measurements.
The prepping cost him half an hour before he can put anything in the oven. When the trays were inside, he started making the ganache, mixing white chocolate with the sesame seeds.
When the oven dinged, Soma, wearing oven mitts over his hands, opened the oven and retrieved the tray of fresh and hot macaron shells. The aroma of the freshly baked goods filled the kitchen causing Julio and some of the cooks to stop and look at his direction.
"That looks delicious, Price Soma," Julio praised as he neared his area.
"And it smells delicious, too." One of the chefs agreed as they also went to check on the prince's work.
Soma used the cloth that was tied on his wrist to wipe the sweat running on his forehead as he beamed at his spectators.
"Thanks! Though I still had to cool it down before I can add the ganache. I was hoping to have you taste it in time before lunch, but I guess I still have to get it chilled and will probably be ready for this afternoon's snack."
"I would advise to chill it overnight, my prince." Julio suggested as he inspected the trays. "That way you could maximize its deliciousness."
Soma lit up with this information.
So when the macaron shells were cool enough, he added the ganache, put them in a capped container, and then stored it in the freezer.
Having nothing else to do, Soma changed back into his vest and went outside for some fresh air. He walked aimlessly, returning the greetings that the passing guards were throwing his way, before he rounder the corner towards the gardens.
He stopped short when he saw her.
His mother always said that she's worried about him since it looks like the only thing he cared about was food. And he knew that he can be oblivious at times, all right, but he wasn't blind.
Seeing Princess Erina perched beside the fountain, a book on one hand and a wine glass on the other, he couldn't help but admit that she was indeed beautiful. Her honey blonde hair complements her fair complexion and the sideburns that framed her face added to her appeal. Her long eyelashes emphasizes those rare purple eyes that you could easily get lost to, but could also make someone stop cold due to its intimidating gaze.
Despite his dislike on name titles, seeing the princess with the wind softly blowing on her hair and the sunshine caressing her face, he couldn't help but associate her to a princess. The way she looks, the way she moves, and the way she carry herself—she was a princess through and through.
He watched her from his spot, leaning his body on the wall and tucking his hands on his pocket. He briefly wondered why she was outside. As far as he knew, it was still a few hours before lunch time. He doubted that she was running away from her appointments but it was still a possibility. She was well hidden from anyone coming from inside the palace but Soma could clearly see her from where he is.
Just then, he heard a commotion coming from the other side. He could hear the multiple and hurried footsteps of the guards, coupled with indistinctive shouting and commands they threw towards each other.
He looked over the fountain but it seemed like the princess was oblivious to anything other than the book on her lap. He wondered what she was reading that got her so focused. He was so used with her frown that he was almost caught off guard with this serene exterior. She would sip from her wine glass from time to time as she flipped a page, her face relaxed.
But in a split second, her expression changed from relaxed to shock as a fluffy brown dog bounded in front of her and put its paws on her gown.
Soma winced. He knew what was about to happen. He do not want to be that dog right now.
But then again, Princess Erina surprised him for the second time that day.
Instead of an icy glare that he had expected, her purple eyes lit up with excitement and her lips curved into a full on smile.
"Hello," he heard her say. She was about to caress the dog's fur but the shout from the palace guards interrupted her.
"There it is!"
"Catch it! Catch it before it gets away!"
"Take it away from the princess!"
Three guards came running towards her and one of them collared the dog.
"I'm terribly sorry, Your Highness! This thing came running inside the palace gate under our watch." One of the guards said, bowing his head on Princess Erina's direction while the other two was reigning in the runaway animal.
"Oh, I don't mind," the princess said distractedly. Her gaze was still fixated at the dog but the glint on her eyes were gone.
For a moment, the guard seemed to soften their expression and a flash of pity seemed to pass through their eyes. But it disappeared too quickly that Soma wasn't sure if it were really there.
"Forgive us again, Your Highness. We don't know where this thing came from so it's not safe for you to get your hands on him. I'll fetch a maid to help you clean and change."
With this, she looked up and composed herself as she seemed to realize the situation.
"I can call them myself. I was done here anyways. Please make sure that this doesn't happen again." She said in her usual tone.
"Yes, Princess Erina." The guards bowed down and left with the dog. Meanwhile, Princess Erina gathered her things and, throwing a last look at their direction, flipped her hair as she went inside the castle.
Soma waited until the princess disappeared inside before following her wake.
"Hello, Princess!" He said enthusiastically when he caught up on her side. "Fancy seeing you here."
The only indication that she had heard him was slight falter of her pace and the side-eye that he received from her.
Soma hastened his pace and walk in front of the blonde. Then, putting his hands back on his pocket, he turned to face the princess without halting his steps.
"So," he drawled in which he received no response. He cleared his throat before continuing.
"I cooked something today. Want to taste it?" He smirked when purple eyes briefly darted his way.
"Though, it wouldn't be ready until tomorrow." He informed her. Princess Erina didn't slow down and continued walking as if Soma wasn't there at all.
"I haven't tasted it myself but I had high hopes that—aw!—whoa—ugh!"
Soma wasn't watching where he was going so he also didn't see the flag that hit the back of his head, causing him to crouch and also sending him backwards towards a tangle of ropes that finally made him loose his balance and fall to the ground.
"Ouch," he muttered as he rubbed his neck. He looked up to Princess Erina who was towering over him with her arms crossed against her chest.
"If I wasn't being clear last time, let me spell it out to you this time. I'm not interested in eating any more of your creations, Yukihira. That once was enough." And then she flipped her hair and turned to the corner, leaving him gaping and confused with her behavior.
;
"Well, that was something." He said to himself as he attempted to untangle the rope from his feet.
"She could've at least helped me stand." He grumbled.
"Well would you look at this," a cheerful voice said. He looked up to find the smiling face of Satoshi Isshiki, the butler that he had befriended.
"We don't usually find our royals spoiled on the floor." The butler joked.
"Oh, Satoshi! Help me out here, would you?"
Once he was upright, Soma patted his pants and dusted his head and shoulders.
"Had another encounter with the princess?"
Soma chuckled. Satoshi seemed to know everything without needing Soma to tell him anything.
"I don't understand her," he started. "She keeps on giving me this glare like I did something wrong. I almost thought that she was only capable of frowning when she finally smiled to a dog. To a dog Satoshi. And here I thought she was finally in a good mood to taste my cooking." Satoshi only chucked as he listened to the prince's whines.
"Just give her time. The princess isn't that bad once you get to know her. You'll figure it out eventually." Satoshi said sending him a wink.
He doesn't want to deal with anything that he doesn't have any answers to so Soma temporarily put the matter at the back of his mind and turned to the butler hoping that he had something to put his mind elsewhere.
"Doing anything today, Satoshi?"
"About that." The butler said as he clapped his hands in front of him. "I asked the King earlier if I could bring you along to town—maybe show you around the kingdom."
"And?" Soma probed, the prospect of going outside making him excited.
"He doesn't have a problem with it as long as you're interested."
"Of course I am."
"Perfect! I'll grab our lunch and meet you at the stables."
;
It was late by the time Soma got back from the castle. After eating the meal that the cooks have set aside for him, he figured that he ought to check up on his fiancé before going to bed. He figured that he owed it to her after missing diner and failing to accompany her to her room. He also didn't want to disappoint the King. He wanted this—whatever this is—to work out with his granddaughter and the least Soma could do was to try making it work. At least the Princess Erina was cooperating by tolerating his presence.
He knocked trice when he reached her door and waited for a verbal permission to enter her room.
The door opened—much to his surprise—and instead of seeing the purple eyed princess, he was met by a stranger whose eyes twinkled with mischief the moment it landed on him.
"My, my. And who do we have here?"
;;;
End Note: Please note that I have no idea when it came to cooking (even though I you can always find me watching cooking shows like Master Chef, Cupcake Wars, Worst Chef, and SnS), so therefore I also had no idea on how accurate those info's that I researched about French macarons (Yes, it was French macarons that Soma baked xD). I apologize for any mistakes that I made (or will make in the future). I hope you still enjoyed it!
Thank you for the feedbacks! Those were always appreciated! :)
;
.thatgirl.
