Elara's POV

I stood in my chambers. Morgana fumbled with the laces of my backup corset. The emerald silk was ruined.

A single drop of that commoner's sauce had dared to touch my skin.

My heart pounded against my ribs. I felt a surge of triumph that tasted better than any wine. I had crushed her.

I had watched her masterpiece shatter into a million jagged pieces on the cold stone floor.

"Did you see her face, Morgana?" I asked.

I smoothed the skirts of my new sapphire gown.

"She looked like a wounded animal. She actually thought her little tricks could withstand me."

"She was pathetic, My Lady." Morgana laughed.

She adjusted my silver hairpins.

"The way she tried to blame you was the best part. As if anyone would believe a ghost over a daughter of the High Pack."

"She is a nuisance." I said.

I looked at my reflection. I looked regal. I looked like a Queen.

"A nuisance that has been handled. Alaric will see Damien's traditional meal. He will remember what real power tastes like. He will forget that girl by the second course."

"We should hurry." Morgana said.

"The Grand Prince is already seated. You must be there to guide the conversation."

I nodded. I swept out of the room. I felt light. I felt invincible.

We entered the Great Hall. Alaric sat at the head of the long oak table. He looked tired. His golden eyes were dim.

To his right sat Grand Prince Magnus. The Prince looked bored. He played with a silver ring on his finger.

"Grand Prince Magnus." I said.

I curtsied low.

"It is an honor to have you at the Blackwood Palace."

"Lady Elara." Magnus said.

His voice was a slow drawl.

"I hear you have taken a personal interest in the menu tonight. I hope the food is as sharp as your reputation."

"I have prepared something truly special for the Alpha." I said.

I sat beside Alaric. I leaned in close to him.

"You've been unwell, Alaric. The fits have been draining your strength. I instructed Damien to prepare a cold chicken dish. It is served with chilled herbs to relax your nerves and cool your blood."

Alaric looked at the silver platter Damien placed before him. He did not look impressed.

"My doctor came to check on me this morning, Elara." Alaric said.

His voice was flat.

"He told me to avoid cold food. He said my internal fire is unstable. Cold food will only cause my muscles to seize again."

The triumph in my chest turned to ice. I felt my face go hot.

I turned to Magnus. I needed a rescue.

"But Alaric." Magnus said.

He coughed into his hand.

"That does not mean you will not eat her food. She put a lot of effort into making this for you. She is a Noble of this court. You should at least have a taste to show your appreciation for her care."

Alaric nodded. He picked up his fork. He looked toward the heavy doors of the hall.

The doors swung open.

I froze.

Sophie walked in. She was not crying. She was not covered in grease. She carried a steaming tray.

Behind her, Martha and Silas followed with extra plates. My hands gripped the edge of the table.

"How?" I whispered.

I looked at Morgana. Morgana looked as if she had seen a ghost.

Sophie reached the table. She looked at me. She did not look afraid. She gave me a look that asked how my plan was working.

It was a look of pure, silent defiance.

"Ah." Alaric said.

His eyes brightened.

The gold seemed to return to his gaze.

"The Chief Royal Chef has arrived."

Magnus leaned forward. He adjusted his spectacles.

"Yes. The ghost chef I have been hearing of. I would love to taste her food. I want to know for sure that she is a genius just as others have testified."

"You will see, Uncle." Alaric said.

He turned to Sophie.

"What have you prepared for us?"

"I have prepared a poultry dish, Your Majesty." Sophie said.

Her voice was clear. It carried through the hall.

"It is crunchy on the outside and extremely soft on the inside. It is served hot from the pan."

"That should be okay." Alaric said.

He looked at the steam rising from her tray.

"I would love to eat this food. I can see the smoke coming from it. It indicates that the ingredients are still alive with heat."

Alaric made a move to start.

He paused.

He waited for his uncle. Magnus looked at me. He saw my frustration. He wanted to be polite.

"I will start with Lady Elara's dish first." Magnus said.

"Out of respect for the tradition."

Alaric followed. They both took a bite of the cold chicken.

"Mmm." Magnus said. He chewed slowly.

"It is delicious, Elara. The herbs are very distinct."

"Yes. It is well made." Alaric added.

I gave Sophie a look of victory. I raised my chin. I told her with my eyes that I would always win. I was the tradition. She was the interloper.

Sophie just rolled her eyes. She looked bored by my posturing.

Then they reached for her plates.

Alaric took a bite.

The sound of the crunch was audible across the room.

He froze. His eyes widened. He chewed slowly. A smile started to spread across his face. He let out a long, deep sound of satisfaction.

"Mmmmmm."

Magnus followed. He took a large bite. He closed his eyes.

"This is exquisite." Alaric said.

"It is soft inside and extremely crunchy outside. I have never felt this sensation in a single bite."

"The sauce." Magnus said. He looked at his plate with confusion.

"The sauce was bitter when it hit my tongue. But when it got to my throat, it became sweet. How is this possible?"

Sophie stepped forward. She did not bow. She stood like an equal.

"The sauce was made from the roots of trees and specific vegetables, Your Highness." Sophie explained.

"It is good for the body. We most times overlook these ingredients because they are difficult to balance. The bitterness cleanses the palate. The sweet finish comes from the natural sugars in the vegetables."

"Two sauces?" Magnus asked. He saw a second small bowl on his tray.

"Yes." Sophie said.

"The other sauce is sweet because it was made from vegetables only. It provides a different experience for the poultry."

Magnus dipped a piece of the crunchy chicken into the sweet sauce. He ate it and laughed.

"You are a genius." Magnus said.

"Alaric, you did not exaggerate. This girl has a gift."

I watched them. I sat there with my sapphire dress and my noble blood. They were eating all of her food. They had pushed my cold chicken to the side. They had only eaten half of mine. They were scraping her plates.

Alaric looked at Sophie. He looked at her with a heat that had nothing to do with the food.

He was looking at her as if she were the only woman in the room. He was looking at her as if she were his Queen.

I felt the rage bubbling in my stomach. It was a hot, stinging poison. I had tried to break her. I had destroyed her work.

But she simply reached into the stores and produced a miracle. She was making me look like a fool in front of the Grand Prince.

"It is just a trick of the tongue." I said. My voice was sharp.

"Traditional food sustains the body. This is just a novelty."

"If this is a novelty Elara, then I am tired of being bored." Magnus said.

He did not even look at me. He was too busy asking Sophie for a second helping.

Sophie looked at me. She saw my anger. She saw the way my nails were digging into the wood of the table. She gave me a small, knowing smile.

I leaned forward. I narrowed my eyes. I didn't care about the Grand Prince anymore. I didn't care about the decorum.

I looked at Sophie. I let all of my hatred show in my gaze.

I will make sure you don't last here.

I said the words with my eyes. I made sure she saw the promise of my fire.

I would not just expel her. I would not just shame her.

I would destroy the very ground she stood on.

Sophie's POV

The Great Hall felt like a pressure cooker. It was ready to blow.

I stood there. I clutched my empty tray. The air hummed with the aftershocks of the meal.

Lady Elara sat frozen. Her were knuckles white. She gripped the edge of the table.

Elara looked at me. Her eyes told me I would burn. I looked back at her. My eyes told her she could do nothing.

In my mind, I spoke to her.

Go ahead and try Elara. You have no idea who you are dealing with. I am a girl from the future. I have seen empires fall. I've seen technology rise. I already know your every move. I will always win.

The plate I served were empty.

Elara stared at the Grand Prince. She wanted him to rule in her favor.

The Grand Prince spoke.

"No doubt." Magnus started.

His voice echoing in the rafters.

"The Chief Royal Chef is talented. This meal was... an experience. However, we must not overlook tradition. Elara captured what tradition truly means. It represents the stability of the Blackwood bloodline."

He looked at Alaric. Alaric was watching me. His gaze felt like molten gold.

"Alaric." Magnus continued.

"it would only be right that you ask the both of them what they want. Grant their wishes. They both worked hard."

Alaric turned his head. A smirk played on his lips. He knew the exact game being played.

"Very well Uncle." Alaric said.

He turned to Elara first.

"Lady Elara, you provided a meal of tradition. What do you want as reward?"

Elara's face softened. She straightened her posture. Her eyes gleamed.

"Your Majesty is too kind." she purred.

"If I must choose... I would like the latest silk materials from the eastern traders. I also desire new gold hairpins. The ones inlaid with rubies. Perhaps a set of matching bracelets."

Alaric smiled. It didn't reach his eyes. It was a cold smile. He knew she loved material things. She can be bought easily.

"The royal jeweler will see to it." Alaric said.

Grand Prince Magnus let out a short laugh. He turned to me. His eyebrows arched in curiosity.

"If she requested these things." Magnus said.

A twinkle of amusement in his eyes.

"I am eager to hear what you ask for. Surely a genius like you wants even finer jewels."

Alaric's gaze moved to me.

"And you, Sophie? What is your wish?"

I took a breath. I didn't want silk. I didn't want rubies. I wanted to do my job better than anyone this century had ever seen.

"Your Majesty." I said.

My voice steady.

"My greatest joy is seeing people satisfied. I don't need gold or silk. I want your permission. To go get fresh vegetables. Rare herbs and spices from the east side."

The Grand Prince widened his eyes.

"So... you don't want a new outfit?" He asked.

He sounded genuinely baffled.

"No gold pins?"

Alaric let out a soft chuckle. He looked at Magnus. Then back at me. His expression softened. It made my stomach flip.

"She is different Uncle." Alaric said.

"She is not materialistic. Her mind is always on her craft."

Elara looked absolutely livid.

She was pieced. Her face turned red. She realized my humble request made her look shallow. And vain in comparison.

She couldn't leave. She had to sit there and endure the praise being heaped on a peasant.

"No problem Sophie." the King said.

His voice firm. "You are allowed to travel to the other side of town. You can get the fresh ingredients you need. I will provide a guard for your safety. And Elara, the jeweler will bring you your trinkets."

"We are dismissed." Alaric added.

He waved a hand.

I curtsied and turned. I walked out of the Great Hall as fast as my feet could carry me.

I needed the familiar heat of the kitchen to clear my head.

As I approached the heavy wooden doors. I heard voices. I stopped behind a massive stone pillar. My heart hammered.

It was Cook Silas and Cook Damien.

"You are a fool Damien." Silas was saying.

His voice was hushed but urgent.

"Have you forgotten so quickly? Sophie saved us. The King was ready to have our hands cut off. She stepped in. She took the risk."

"She is a ghost." Damien spat.

Though he sounded less certain than before. "Lady Elara said..."

"Lady Elara doesn't care about you!" Silas hissed.

"She fixed that competition. She was right there. But did she save any of us? No. She left the room. She let us face the King's wrath alone. She would have let them take our hands without blinking. Sophie helped us. You are not supposed to disrespect her like that. She is the reason you can still hold a knife."

I leaned against the cold stone. A lump formed in my throat.

I hadn't realized Silas was this clever. He was advising Damien. He is trying to pull him back. Away from the edge of Elara's influence.

I decided I had heard enough. I stepped out from behind the pillar. I let out a loud forced cough.

Both men jumped nearly a foot into the air. They spun around. Their faces pale as white flour. They looked like they had actually seen a ghost.

"Chef!" Silas squeaked.

He bowed so fast. He nearly hit the table with his forehead.

Damien stood frozen. His eyes darting to the floor. The silence stretched between us. He finally slumped his shoulders.

"I... I apologize Sophie." Damien muttered.

His voice barely audible over the crackle of the hearth. "I was out of line."

I walked over to the center table. I looked him in the eye. I didn't want his fear.

"Apology accepted Damien." I said calmly.

"I don't want your head on a platter. I just want you to help me keep the King fed. That is our only job."

I leaned in a little closer. I lowered my voice.

"I know it was Elara making you do all of it. She uses people until they are broken. Then she discards them. You should choose to be a better person instead. Work with me not against me."

Damien nodded slowly. The tension finally leaving his frame.

Silas breathed a sigh of relief.

I looked toward the kitchen entrance.Elara was standing in the shadows. She was watching.

She didn't say a word. She gave me that look again. The "I will destroy you" look.

I turned back to the stove. The fire reflected in my eyes.

The war wasn't over. It was just getting started.

Alaric's POV

The feast was over. I watched Sophie walk away. Her head held high.

Elara had stormed out behind her. The air in the Great Hall finally felt thin enough to breathe.

I turned to my uncle. Magnus was swirling the last of the wine in his cup. He looked satisfied.

"You have a rare creature in that kitchen, Alaric." Magnus said.

"But we have more pressing matters than poultry. Tell me. How far have you gone in the case of your mother's death? Have you found the ones who offended her memory?"

I looked at him. I respected Magnus. He was the only family I had left. The one who did not try to steal my crown. I decided to speak with an open heart.

"I am working on it Uncle." I said.

I leaned forward.

"I have sent Eunuch George to find the truth. He is digging through the old records. He is looking for the names that were erased."

Magnus paused.

His hand stopped moving. He looked at me with a calculating gaze.

"Eunuch George?" Magnus asked.

"He is a quiet man. A safe choice. Your plans are good. It is time the shadows were cleared from this palace."

Magnus stood up suddenly. He adjusted his heavy tunic.

"I have something to take care of immediately. I must leave." Magnus said.

"Now?" I asked.

I was surprised by his haste.

"Can you not take care of it later? We have not finished our discussion."

"No. It is urgent. It cannot wait for the moon to set." Magnus replied.

"Very well." I said.

"I bade you good night Uncle."

I watched him walk out. His footsteps echoed on the stone.

I felt a strange chill. I pushed it away. I returned to my chambers. I went to my quiet room.

This was the only place where I was not a King. I was just a man.

I sat at my desk. I brought out my journal. I picked up my quill. I wanted to capture the meal Sophie prepared today.

I began to draw the poultry dish. I drew the texture of the crust. I wrote down the explanation she gave.

"Soft inside. Crunchy outside." I wrote.

I looked at the pages. I remembered what Cassian told me. He said the book that brought her to this time was the Ledger of Satiety.

My heart skipped a beat. That was the perfect name for my journal. I had been looking for a title.

I took the quill. I wrote the words in bold letters on the cover. The Ledger of Satiety.

Just after I finished writing. A sharp knock interrupted me. I did not like being disturbed in this room.

"Come in!" I barked.

A guard entered. His face was pale. He was trembling.

"Your Majesty. I have terrible news." The guard said.

"Speak." I commanded.

"Eunuch George is missing. He is gone. Someone had kidnapped him. There is no trace of him in the palace or the grounds." The guard said.

I stood up so fast my chair hit the wall. I felt a roar of fury in my chest. I was devastated. I was angry.

"How?" I shouted.

"He was under my protection! Who is behind this? Who does not want me to know the truth?"

"We do not know, Sire. The corridors were silent." The guard whispered.

"Tell the guards to be alert!" I said.

"Search every cellar. Search every stable. Report to me if anything arises. If he is harmed, the person responsible will hang from the highest tower."

The guard bowed. He rushed out. I slammed my fist onto the desk. My mother's truth was slipping through my fingers again.

Someone was playing a game with me. Someone was afraid of what George would find.

Just as the guard was leaving, Cassian walked in. He did not look at the guard. He looked at me. He was holding a small, colorful bag.

"Alaric. Calm your blood for a moment." Cassian said.

"George is gone, Cassian! I cannot be calm!" I yelled.

"I know. But look at this." Cassian said.

He held up the bag. "I found Sophie's bag. It was caught in the thicket near the cliff where she fell. Everything is inside."

I looked at the bag. It was made of a strange material. It had metal teeth that pulled apart.

I felt a sudden shift. I was devastated a minute ago. Now my mood lightened. This bag belonged to her world. It was a piece of her life.

I touched the material. It was cold.

"This is hers." I whispered.

"Yes. It has her tools. Her 'phone' as she calls it. And other strange bottles." Cassian said.

I looked toward the window. I thought of Sophie. She was the only light in this dark palace.

I wanted to see her. I wanted to see her face when I gave her this piece of her home.

"Cassian. Inform the Chief Guard." I said.

"Tell him to find Sophie. Tell her I have a surprise for her. Tell her she should meet me at the royal farm when she is done with her kitchen duties."

"Are you sure?" Cassian asked.

"The palace might be dangerous tonight."

"The farm is mine. It is the only place where the snakes do not hide." I said.

"Go. Now."

I sat in silence. I thought about who might be behind Eunuch George's kidnap.

I couldn't think of anyone who knows my plan. Grand Prince Magnus never showed interest in the throne. He is too weak to think about politics.

I must find out who is behind this.