My Lady Chef
Chapter 16: Salad Trio

Nile's POV:

I have served as Captain of Duke Ezran's Knights for more than 7 years.

He has never been one to show any softer emotions, deeming them unnecessary for a man of his title.

This is why I was shocked to see him hovering over his new wife protectively as he helped her walk slowly to the huge tree as the maid set up the covered cart.

I was informed that the duke had planned a small thank you for the knight's hard work. I guess it must involve the new duchess.

This was my first time seeing her and I could hardly believe how beautiful she was. Like a fairy queen that has descended upon us mortals.

But what intrigued everyone was how at ease she was with the duke. He was known to intimidate females with weaker defenses except for some people but the sweet girl was actually shaking her lovely head at how the duke insisted that she sit on the bench with his cloak folded on top as a cushion.

I saw a few of my knights exchanged knowing glances at the implications and I cleared my throat to shut them up but I am sure there will be some ribald comments later when they are alone.

The knights all bowed to their lady after she was seated and so did I as she spoke, her dulcet voice was as clear as the freshwater from a brook.

"My husband has always told me about the bravery and hardworking ethics of his knight order. On behalf of him, My maid and I prepared some special snacks and drinks for you all. Please enjoy." The maid covered the cart and I saw pitchers of colorful drinks and down below are three big bowls of salad that can feed 20 knights.

The maid first served the lord and his lady. The duke seems to like the paler drink with some kind of fruits floating with the ice. So I asked for that as well since I was the first in line followed by my knights according to ranks.

Once everyone sat down to eat. I took a sip of the cold drink and a light fresh aroma tickled my nose that tasted oddly like peach and the pop of fruit added an extra fun texture. This is a well thought out beverage that was not too heavy on the stomach and yet it is simply refreshing and delicious.

After enjoying the drink, I sat back and stared at the colorful trio of salads before me. The duchess used a hand-sized bowl with three separators to be able to fill three salads in one bowl.

Ingenious.

But I wonder... Is this even a salad? The first one had greens but it also had small bits of bacon, toasted bread, and bits of boiled eggs, the second one seems to small cubed chicken and has odd ribbon-like pasta with a tomato-based sauce and some parsley with baby spinach and some grated cheese.

But the third one baffled me. It was bits of fruits with cheese cubes and cream.

I have had salads before. But I never enjoyed eating them since they do not have the richness of meat nor the taste of malt beer.

But this?

"Wow! The first salad is so good. The egg and bacon really compliment the crisp cold cut lettuce and cool sour-salty sauce!"

"Try the second one! The tomato and pasta taste so fresh with the greens and...Mmmmm so good!"

"The third salad is the best. cold, creamy, and the fruits really go well with it!"

I heard different knights digging into their food like they were offered a feast from a Royal Chef.

I quickly started eating as well and was mesmerized by the salads as I tried them one after the other.

The first salad utilized the cold to crisp up the greens which went well with the contrasting taste of salty bacon, sour dressing, and soft boiled eggs

The second was a hybrid of pasta but the parsley's freshness mixed with the fresh herbs, the moist chicken, and parmesan crumbles was held together in harmony with the cold tomato dressing.

The last one was a light cream concoction with fresh-cut fruits which would have been too sweet had it not been for the small burst of saltiness from the cheese cubes.

Before I realized it. I had finished the whole bowl and wondered to myself if I can get a second helping but unfortunately, the bowls were all but empty.

"Milady! What do call these delicious salads?" One knight asked.

"The first one is called a Bacon Ranch Salad followed by a Cold Tomato Pasta Salad and Fruit Salad," she answered. "I had a lot of salad recipes to choose from but these were the fastest to make on such short notice."

I was surprised along with the rest of the other knights. The duchess made these salads and not the new chef?

"You made this for us Milady?" one of the younger knights could not hold back his admiration.

The duchess blushed prettily and I swore that a few of the knights fell in love with her at that very second.

"Yes, but I had help from my hand maid. I do hope this small show of appreciation will motivate you in your job as knights. My husband thinks that you are the best of the best and that you will continue to be Knights of Aisenburg."

"Hear hear! Three cheers for our Lady Duchess!" One of the older knights raised his glass of iced tea and the rest followed.

I also followed suit and as the knights finished the last speck of food on their bowl, I approached my lady who looked at me from her bench.

"Greetings to you Lady Alaina. I am Captain Niles who manages the Order of Knights here. I want to thank you for the delicious salads you prepared; It was a surprise we will never forget."

"Rise Captain. I am pleased to meet you. I am glad that you love it." She smiled serenely at me. " I plan on making this a monthly reward for the services of the knights once I can plan for it and if I can convince my husband to implement it."

I dumbstruck at such a show of generosity. The Salad Trio is something no man would tire of eating because of the variety and we get to eat such a delicious treat every month?

"Of course. The type of food will change every season since our taste will change to suit the climate. I hope I can look forward to your approval on this little project of mine, Captain."

No words came out of my mouth. I stared at my lord and liege who was equally surprised by her ideas.

Not only was she a raving beauty but she knows her food well and her warm and generous spirit knows no bounds.

Where in Dranvelle did he ever replace such a rare gem?☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐