Kiki is entirely efficient, and with each direction, Zen follows as closely as possible. It's like Kiki's running the kitchen like a mini-estate, and Zen knows now way better than he used to just how well she'll take over after her father and just how well all of this will go.
She's a professional in a way that Zen isn't quite sure he'll be able to emulate.
"A dash of pepper." Kiki's words are almost like reading a recipe and yet there's such a gentleness to hearing it out loud as well, such a comradery.
"The black stuff?" He's making sure; in the kitchen, there are definitely more than one thing called pepper.
"Yes. Just to season it. A small amount." She's quick to explain, and gentle too, and as Zen finishes adding pepper, he stares down at the completed dish. A beautiful rice dish, with quite a bit of flavor, but relatively quick to make and handled efficiently.
"It's done, right?" Zen's a little unsure of himself as he steps just a tad to the side and lets Kiki come in, turn off the burner that he'd left on and check the rice with a well trained eye.
"Yeah, you did good." Kiki answers, "You're not bad at this."
"Thank you. You're good at giving commands." Zen admits, and when Kiki gives him a bit of a baffled look, since they are of two different positions in life and he would technically outrank her regardless.
"And you're the prince." But her lips are pulling up slightly at the corners, and Zen smiles back at her. There's an ease in which she says it, not judging but gentle and compassionate, understanding to a fault and jokingly. It's all wrapped up into one, and Zen is so grateful to have her as his friend.
"I am." Zen agrees and then points out, "And you're the best countess in the kingdom."
"They'll hear you." She teases back, "But, thank you." It's genuine, and Zen's compliment had been too.
"If they do, they'd have to agree with me." Zen shrugs, and together, they set up a little dinner for two to sit down and enjoy.
It's rare that Zen gets to spend time alone with Kiki or technically any of his dear friends; usually, there's a knight or two and other people often around regardless. Just one on one time with a friend is so rare that Zen can't remember the last time he got this much time with Kiki to just talk and relax and cook and enjoy a day together.
"They have pride, you know?" Kiki adds, and despite how infuriating dealing with nobles can be at times, there is no judgement in her voice. It's just a simple matter of fact tone, just a true statement made.
"That is true." Zen nods in agreement, and watches just as nervously as Kiki takes a bite, just to see if she'd really enjoy it after Zen helped out so much in the kitchen with it, especially since she's more of a chef out of the two of them than he is.
"It's good." And Kiki's smile is a little softer at the edges; she'd spotted his attentiveness and threw a little reassurance in.
"I'm glad." Zen spins his fork for a second idly, "Thank you."
And when he takes a bite, he has to agree with her. It is good, though he's pretty sure it's just because he had her help and guidance as they prepared the meal together.