My Lady Chef
Chapter 25.1: Business Tour

Ely's POV:

"Are these calculations correct?" I showed Milford and Hubert my work on adding and subtracting this month's expenses.

They both looked at my neat script and the tables I drew up as well as the categories I placed each expense in.

"This is very well done milady." the head butler looked at me like a proud father. "Your handwriting is legible and the calculations were done very well."

"The tables you made up also lessened the confusion which made adding everything easier. You paid attention to my lesson very well. His Grace would be proud of you." Hubert looked impressed. "I have the best teachers." I gave them my biggest smile.

But what they do not know was that I already have the basics of accounting and managing expenses in my head in my previous life. As an owner of 5 cafes and Michelin star restaurants; I had to dabble into how my business is run so I had to study and learn how to manage them.

If I had not died so young on Earth; I might have expanded into other ventures.

"Thank you for checking this month's ledger Milady. I shall escort Sir Hubert to his horse." The head butler told me once our lessons were concluded.

"I will be back tomorrow to discuss multiplication and how to write finance receipts, Your Grace. Have a nice day." The bookkeeper smiled at me as he grabbed his coat and left briskly but not before winking at

me.

I giggled but Milford looked a bit annoyed at how informal Hubert was with me.

But I do not mind actually. As I got used to my new life here in Illios; I tend to miss the casual conversations I have with people. As a duchess, everyone spoke to me with respect and deference, and oftentimes they do not offer their own opinions or even talk to me informally.

It was sad really but Sir Hubert's candidness reminds me of the good old days on Earth.

"Milady? I was informed to get you ready for your tour at the shopping districts with Sir Pierce?" Linda came into my room.

"Ah yes. Can you prepare..."

As I changed into a set of respectable clothes of soft blue, cream, and white. I wondered excitedly what businesses does my husband run in the shopping district?

I am excited to replace out.

Speaking of the duke. After our intimate contact by the back garden; he never came to my room yesterday. I was hoping he would have at least come to check on me after that amazing lunch the chef prepared

He seems to have enjoyed it and yet he just stayed in his room that night. I found myself listening on the other side of the connecting door.

I was tempted to invite him for tea but something stopped me. He must be tired and exhausted from his business at court.

So I slept in my bed without hearing from him and when I woke up in the morning, I found out from Linda that he left very early to go back to court.

Somehow I could not help but feel down but I managed to distract myself till now.

When did I start looking for my husband? I am aware that he married me to save the old Alaina's father but I had hoped that he would tell me that we had something other than a deal based on convenience. Maybe it was just me.

And I should not ask for more.

I should concentrate on myself for now...

The dual mana inside my body pulsed until I felt hot and cool at the same time. I have been wondering this as well but mana is supposed to gather and disperse according to the person's willpower but the fire and water mana that is inside me seems sentient like they have a mind of their own.

I have been subtly working on a method on how to enrich the food with mana in my own way when I get the chance to visit my culinary house.

Maybe it will calm down when I use them again.

Hehehe...

Fufufufufufu...

A couple of giggles echoed in my mind, one belonged to a male while the other was undoubtedly female.

Am I hearing things now???☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐