My Lady Chef
Chapter 75: A Chance Meeting - Part 1

Kain's POV:

"Keep them away from the wagons! Keep the rations and guests safe!" The leader of the mercenaries bellowed as they engaged thieves for the second time.

I swiftly dealt with those who tried to make their way to my lady's wagon. A few other guards helped protect the duchess and the other lady.

What was her name again?

Baristani. Yes..Lady Baristani.

She was another lady who was nicer than the usual snooty females from the ton. A little blunt perhaps but I prefer that over the roundabout way most ladies do when they are speaking. The skirmish between the thieves ended when Sir Merrick managed to kill their leader. I sheathed my bloody sword just as the last of the survivors ran away.

"Uhm..I-Is it safe?" Lady Baristani poked her head from the wagon, she sounded scared but she never let it show that much but from the looks of her trembling hand was evident enough. "They are gone. Milady. "I dusted off my cape as the wagons began to move once again. "Is she alright?"

"She is calm but the trip seems to be tiring her. " Lady Baristani said and opened the wagon flap, showing Lady Alaina seated quietly with her hands on her lap.

She did look tired from how she was swaying slightly. But what made me wonder was why she looked worse for the wear.

"Milady. Are you alright?"

She looked at me and nodded while she yawns.

"I am just fine. Sir Kain. These attacks are just taking a toll on me that is all. How long till we reach the camp?"

"In 6 hours, Your-I mean...Miss Elena."

My curiosity doubled when Lady Baristani closed the flap and I walked beside the wagon.

"How is the girl you are guarding young one? Is she fine?" Sir Merrick asked.

"Tired. This is the second attempt to rob us." I answered him, I cannot show my displeasure since everyone is under the impression that I was guarding the duchess' trusted protege.

So far, most of the men have kept their distance since she is with Lady Baristani but some men could not help but look at her.

My gaze turned to the female voices inside the wagon. Even in her disguised form; Lady Alaina as Miss Elena still has the looks to attract any male.

This will spell trouble but she appointed me because she is confident in my abilities and sword skills. Which is why...I will have to be careful. Watch what I say and refrain from uttering her title. To keep her safe.

Ely's POV:

I may have used too much mana to keep any more thieves from replaceing our wagons.

Somehow, the mana around here was different so I had Undine and Igneus keep tabs on anyone who would approach us.

They were now able to manifest into a bigger form about the size of my hand when they were originally just tiny sprites when they first materialized.

I asked them to waylay or scare a few of the thieves in the vicinity. If they did not do so, this wagon would have been plundered because...

This entire forest is crawling with more than two groups of thieves! Thank God my mana reserves are longer now because I have been continuously cooking for more than a few months.

If Lorelei gave any indication that she was aware of what I am doing; I would have to make an excuse as well but thankfully she did not notice anything.

Thank God the two spirits reported that the area is safe and clear from here on out.

Your mana is astounding. If you do not make it as a chef. A healer would be welcomed in any city. Undine hovered and sat on my lap

But I would rather you stay as a chef. Your mana-enriched meals are the best! Igneus chuckled as he made himself comfortable on my shoulder.

I smiled as I leaned back as the wagon ambled peacefully. My body was beginning to ache as I am not really used to long wagon rides.

But seeing how the guards and mercenaries are working hard; I cannot complain so I endured every shake and every time the wagon hits a rough patch. I grit my teeth and so did Lorelei since she was also feeling the discomfort.

Until there was a thundering sound that made me grip the seat of the wagon as Undine and Igneus floated out the window to check out who stopped us.

When they came back, They smiled at me and then they vanished with a popping sound.

Who could it be?

The wagon flap opened and Sir Merrick along with my knight came to us.

"Milady. It seems like another ration team has also been assigned to take food to the Duke's Army." The burly man said as Lorelei stood up. "The Lady Lorax is the one managing it. She claims that she also got permission from the Royal Palace and is demanding that you hand over your wagons to her."

I looked at my friend whose hands trembled before she calmly went down the wagon. I followed suit since I do want her to be alone with that woman.

"Ala-I mean...Elena, are you sure? You look pale. Stay in the wagon. This is not the first time I have had a discussion with Lady Margaret."

"I won't speak. I just want to be there for moral support." I held her hand and she sighed before pulling me towards the front.

The wagons that blocked ours were too luxurious to not encounter any bandits but I guess with my mana spirits driving them away; Lady Maragaret's team did not encounter too many attacks.

The said lady stood there with a lacy parasol to cover her pale skin, her clothes were made as if she was attending a hunting party from how expensive the silk skirt, boots, and leather corset were.

"Ah good. Let's dispense with pleasantries shall we Lady Baristani? Since I have the superior manpower and bigger wagons. I think you just leave the food distribution to me." She flipped her fan to keep her cool as she looked at Lorelei with a condescending smile.

My friend looked exasperated with all this because we have gone through a lot of attacks for the past 2 days and now this woman was acting like a class A-hole.

"Lady Margaret. Do you have any idea how many grains and how many bags of flour we have?"

"No." she sniffed as if the very idea was beneath her. "I have an assistant to do inventory and counting for me."

"And if you take over, do you have a chef to introduce the new food plan our team has?" Lorelei pressed through.

"No. I only brought high-class ingredients fit for the noble officers and senior knights. Why do think I am commandeering your sorry wagons and men? So that I have extra food for those lowborn soldiers, of course." her nose wrinkled at the thought of even seeing low-cost food.

"Then you cannot take my team. My father gave us the responsibility to distribute and make sure every soldier and knight gets a good meal during this war."

I smiled at my friend's determination as Lady Lorelei snapped her fingers and suddenly our men faced the knights of House Lorax, their weapons raised as both sides stood at ready, the slightest hint of movement could cost an all-out skirmish.

Kain shielded us as Lady Lorax gave us an arrogant grin because she could see that her well-equipped men outnumber ours.

"I will tell you one last time. Give your wagons to me, you stupid girl."

"If you try to pick a fight in the middle of a war zone; Imagine the numerous bandit groups that could descend on us and kill us all." Lorelei looked ready to knock out Lady Margaret herself from the looks of her clenched fists.

This is not good maybe it was time I step up.

As I was about to wing it and pay for the consequences later. Another thundering sound made everyone stop as a unit of knights on horseback suddenly appeared from the other road. The banners of Aisenburg and the Illios Kingdom flew rampant across the ranks of warriors that appeared weary and exhausted from the battle.

"What is going on here?"

I froze as a huge black Emyu bird squawked and pounded the ground with its talons as it walked up to our group. The voice made my heart waver because it has been 6 months since I saw him.

My husband is here and he looked like he had just come out of a grueling battle and I smelled blood on him from the splattered dark edges of his cloak to his stained gauntlets and chainmail. His face looked cold and menacing as his frigid red eyes caused every one of us to stiffen from its intensity.

This was an Ezran I have never seen at home. The one they call the Blade of the Kingdom and the Duke of Tartarus. The Warrior and Terror of the battlefield.

The sudden chill that I felt seems to have spread throughout the entire group. I felt Lorelei's hand reach out to mine and squeezed.

I hid behind my friend, wondering if he would recognize me in my disguise.