My Lady Chef
Chapter 20: A Tense First Meeting

Ely's POV:

"Milady. You have a few invitations for this week." Linda came to me carrying a tray that had a few invites in it.

"Thank you. Can you please bring the snacks I have prepared for us?"

"Right away Milady." she bowed as I read through a few invites.

A few days ago, word of my marriage to the duke was published in the local newspaper and it seems like the invitations for various summer parties and soirees have started pouring in.

Just yesterday, I walked in on my husband telling Milford to burn all the invitations sent to me.

Apparently, Linda must have taken them before the head butler could see it.

The heat was more bearable today because of the breeze so I decided to read by the shaded pavilion by the back garden where there is more shade.

I was very interested in how one's mana element can affect a person's mana growth and it seems to highlight a certain flavor profile.

According to the latest book I have read. Fire mana boosts food with spicy and salty flavors while Water boosts sweet and creamy flavors

Wind deals with sour and sweet flavors and Earth deals with rich, umami, and bitter flavors.

The rule of thumb in mana cooking is to use only one mana to heighten one flavor profile only but from my experience as a chef; dishes that have at least two different flavor contrasts and added texture usually teases the palate more.

The purpose of this method was used to heighten one's mana for a short time and it also delivers an indescribable rush to one's taste buds since mana greatly increases the deliciousness of food.

But my method of infusing a small stream of mana into every preparation was so subtle but I noticed that Linda and the other culinary house servants who were recipients of my cooking are unusually more energetic and healthy.

Could it be that my way of using mana was more of a long term effect than just the momentary increase of mana in one's body?

Maybe it is still not a mainstream idea yet judging from the food I have tasted in the last months that I lived here.

After finishing and marking the book with a magick book seal, I opened the three invitations which were three pretty colored paper.

One was a small garden party by Lady Grant. The dress code is blue and I could even bring one servant I trust with me.

The second was a picnic from the third Princess Ophelia who was a very beloved songstress in the capital.

The last one is from Lady Lorax, whose husband died last year so her father took over the title on the condition that she retains her title as the lady of the house.

I remembered our first meeting yesterday when she came to visit me for the first time.

The servants knew her but for some reason, they remain uncomfortable and won't tell me more details about the so-called "Belle of the Ton."

That particular visit left a sour taste on my tongue as I remembered it.

(Flashback)

"Uhmm...Lady Alaina. The Lady Margaret Lorax is here for her visit."

One of the maids came to the culinary house to report this while I was making a new batch of broth cubes. My last batch is mostly well-received and even the new chef has begun using them to cut his cooking time by half.

"Very well. Serve her some tea. Tell Chef Raime to give her some of the new desserts. I'll be there after I clean up."

"Yes, Your Grace." The maid left immediately as I powered off the stove.

After a few minutes. Linda helped me by washing my hair and she used the mana-powered hairdryer and made sure my hair was done up in a simple but pretty updo.

Thank God, I kept some gowns in my old room so dressing up for receiving a visitor was accessible.

"Milady, this emerald green would look beautiful on you." Linda helped me into the soft velvety dress. "Oh! And a nice pair of flower-shaped necklace and earrings."

"A simple choker and flower hair clips would do." I countered her. "Why are you acting strange? It is not like am receiving a royal."

My maid squirmed and sighed before telling me the truth and whispers amongst the maids.

And it concerns my husband. Lady Lorax was known to be the last woman to share his bed before me...

The maids speculated that she came to visit to take my measure since according to the rumors, this lady was pressing for marriage and has been spreading rumors that my husband was supposed to wed her.

Until he met me.

Oddly, Jealousy did not rear its ugly head at the thought of my husband's lover coming to visit me.

But only a mild curiosity prevailed as we left to walk towards the main house and one of the manservants guided us to the guest drawing room which was opened by the men standing beside the doors as one of them announced me in.

The woman that was elegantly sipping tea with her pinky sticking out was gorgeous. Her oval-shaped face displayed a cute button nose, feline eyes that look vibrant due to the subtle hint of eye paint on her eyelids, and lush rosy lips.

When our gazes met. I thought I saw a flash of hostility before she blinked and just sat there like a queen.

Who has already judged me before I even uttered a word.

She expected me to break under her impressive figure but I have faced scarier men in their business suits, Investors who were hungry for a chance to take a piece of my lucrative food business, and cutthroat chefs who thought to stoop to dirty tricks to bring me down.

So I held her gaze coolly and calmed the sudden urge to kick her legs.

Her haughty demeanor finally broke after a moment and she hastily stood up and curtsied to me before she cut through the chase and presented an invite to me personally.

"I will prepare a special table in your honor, Your Grace." her cultured voice was well-modulated as she smiled at me after we finished our tea. "How is his Grace doing these days?"

I know that I said I am still thinking about what I wanted in marriage but...

"He is doing very well. Thank you for asking." I replied. "Are you and Ezran well acquainted?"

"Oh my. The Duke and I have been paired during social gatherings since I am the Belle of the ton and he is...er..was an eligible partner." she tried to be humble but she was doing a poor job of hiding her intent. "But we are still good friends."

"I see. That is nice to hear." I smiled serenely. "I would hate that thought of my husband avoiding all his female friends just because he is married."

My answer clearly scandalized her and she viewed me suspiciously from her long lashes.

Because I know that in Illios Society, friendship between the opposite sex is usually frowned upon...unless...

Both man and woman are lovers or childhood friends.

And I know for a fact that Lady Margaret is not the latter. I basically told her that I am confident in my position as the duchess and I do not care if my husband sees her on the side.

Because that is all she will ever be is a mistress since marriages are sacred and difficult to break.

"How....delightfully enlightened you are. Your Grace." Her hand shook slightly as we finished our tea. The way her smile turned even more wooden and artificial as we said our goodbyes cemented my first impression of my husband's paramour.

She's a good example of a two-faced bitch and we will not get along.☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐