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.
