# Chapter 38
Chapter 38
“What is the occasion here?
Vera bit her lip hard.
“Looks like you need to tell us some things.
The man led Vera to the kitchen.
Olivia, who had been asking for kitchen training as a distraction, seemed to be in despair.
His face fell.
“There is.
Did you come to spy on the central kitchen?
“I didn't come to do such a thing.
“So what's with this situation?
Catching our attention in front while you sneak up behind?
He walked menacingly towards the court ladies.
“You dare to mess up my kitchen like that.
Vera felt anxious as if her insides were burning.
Her mistakes caused Olivia to suffer this indignity.
“Do you have anything to say about yourself?
Huh?
The situation was very unfavorable for the ladies.
If everything had gone as planned, it would be the head chef, not her, who would be shaken now.
“I can't let this incident go!
You can't just target our hard-working kitchen people because you belong to the princess's palace!
"What do you mean I'm targeting you?" The deputy chief tried to force himself on a defenseless woman with his authority!
“That's a lie!
— The deputy chief promptly denied it.
“I only followed her because she seemed suspicious.
And see how things turned out.
I caught this indirect court intrigue!
“Indirect court intrigue…
Vera was stunned.
The chef snapped them violently, as if he was trying to drive them out of the kitchen.
“In any case, it appears you were trying to sabotage the central kitchen.
Let's call the maid.
Don't you know we've just entertained you so far?
It was then.
“I went too far.
I didn't even realize you were amusing me.
Cayena appeared in the central kitchen, escorted by some knights.
When the chef saw the princess, his face twisted a little and he bowed.
“I respectfully greet Your Majesty, the Princess.
Cayena looked at the chef.
She just witnessed him threatening Vera and Olivia outright.
“This lady was following my orders to look into the kitchen matters.
But your attitude seems a bit rude.
The chef realized that Cayena was lying to cover up for her lady-in-waiting.
“If you want to report her to the maid, go ahead.
Cayena tilted her head.
With a cold look, she said, “You're complaining because you're sure there's nothing wrong in the central kitchen.
Correct?
“Naturally, Your Highness.
The central kitchen is the most strictly managed of all departments.
The pride of my life is in this work,” said the chef with politeness and dignity.
To all eyes, he truly looked like an honorable person.
Cayena smiled mischievously.
“So, let's check.
“… sorry?
“I must examine how the central kitchen is managed, as it is the model for all departments.
I will confirm your hard work and reward you.
The chef's face wrinkled.
He didn't expect the princess to behave this way.
However, he was unable to stop her and show his guilty conscience.
“But what will the princess know even if she looks around?”
She had just taken control of internal affairs.
What could she know?
The chef led Cayena to the kitchen.
Vera was confident there was a problem with the central kitchen.
However, when the situation continued to spiral without revealing anything, she became nervous.
Cayena seemed very controlled.
She already knew that the imperial family's house was a disaster.
“Bring the account book.
The kitchen staff looked at each other warily, but they brought the account book because they were unable to refuse.
They were a little nervous because the princess suddenly asked to see the management, but inwardly they felt at ease.
Some of them even despised the princess, who had not yet reached the age of majority.
“Hmm.
You keep good records.
You're right to be proud of that.
“I'm simply grateful that you recognized it as such.
The chef started to feel relieved until Cayena spoke again.
“However, the rate of discarded food materials is more than 80%.
A discard rate above 30% was enough to go over budget.
However, it was not 30%, not even 50%, but 80%.
In other words, most of the food was beingdiscarded.
The chef's expression hardened.
He thought he could get away with using clever words.
“The condition of Your Majesty the Emperor is now extremely serious, so materials must be carefully selected…
Cayena threw the account book on the floor.
“I was eager to inspect the central kitchen, as its management was considered strict.
But are you saying that the empire's coffers are being wasted like this?
“Your Highness.
“It seems that you don't know that if waste exceeds 40%, the person responsible will be punished by law.
The head chef now realized that the princess had no intention of ignoring this incident.
His face tightened.
The reason the central kitchen's discard rate was high was that they claimed to buy more food than they actually did.
Since they have been embezzling money this way for a long time, he has forgotten the law a little.
“How did Princess Cayena know this, when even Prince Rezef didn’t know.”
The head chef tried to persuade Cayena with a gentle voice.
“Of course, that is what the law states, Your Highness.
However, it cannot be denied that the law often differs from the situation on the ground.
This is especially true in the central kitchen, which manages the food for Her Majesty, Your Highness and the Prince.
Food for the imperial family must, of course, be of excellent quality.
There could be no flaws in the dishes.
Given this kind of logic, the spendthrift nobles usually didn't even blink.
The chef thought he would easily be able to deceive the young woman.
But Cayena had less expression, to the point that he couldn't read any thoughts on her face.
But the chef continued, telling himself he was overthinking things.
“In this place, we must always use the best products.
If there is anything suspicious or wrong with your delivery, the ingredient will be immediately discarded.
“I see,” Cayena said without enthusiasm.
“But tell me this…
The head chef unconsciously swallowed.
“…where is the trash?
“… forgiveness?
“If you discarded them, where are the discarded items?
The account book records that just this morning, a lot of food was discarded.
He didn't think she would ask where the discarded items were.
He couldn't think of an immediate answer and hesitated.
Then, he smiled again.
“We have already thrown them away, Your Highness.
“Then go and find them.
“Huh?
“I'll check the items against the account book, then go and bring the leftovers here.
Her attitude seemed to ask why he still wasn't moving.
There was no way he was going to find him.
They had already written in the account book that they paid for the materials and disposed of them according to the ingredient supplier.
But they did this without actually receiving the material.
“This is the first time anyone in the imperial family has asked about the trash!”
He finally realized how dire the situation was.
The chef wanted to vent his anger on everyone around him.
But Cayena's cold expression trapped him, and he was unable to move.
He swallowed the curses in his mouth.
“Who is responsible for the elimination?
Again, there was no way there would be anyone in charge of the leftovers.
He had to save himself with a suitable sacrifice.
The chef grabbed and pushed a lowly servant.
“It's that punk, Your Highness.
Roche, tell His Highness what you did with the leftovers.
The youngest servant, Roche, realized that he had been chosen to take on the responsibility.
He lightly bit his lips.
It was evident that he would be severely punished if he took the blame here.
But what would happen if he told the truth?
“Everyone, including the chef, knows where my family lives.”
The company that delivered the purchases was not a mere business group.
They also had gangsters under their control.
It was said that they did not mind beating a person to death.
Honestly, anyone who crossed paths with the chef couldn't even get up and go to work the next day.
“I, I am the only one responsible for this, Your Highness.
Princess Cayena was a member of the imperial family.
The family despised commoners as if they were insects; there was no way she could protect him.
“Ah, so you're responsible?
His tone was very soft.
Roche's hands shook, but he raised his head as if spellbound by her calm voice.
“What did you do with the leftover food?to today?
While Roche hesitated, the chef silently urged him on.
— Roche.
Tell her the whole truth.
“That’s…
He closed his eyes and fell to the ground.
“I committed a sin worthy of death, Your Highness!
“A sin worthy of death?
I don't know what you mean.
“I dared to steal things because my family is going through a difficult time… — he stuttered.
The chef's face flushed and then quickly hardened.
“You impertinent idiot!
How dare you steal from the holy imperial family?
He grabbed Roche by the collar.
It was then that Cayena raised her hand.
“Stop.
She affectionately addressed Roche, who was shaking again.
“Did you say your name was Roche?
I really like people who take responsibility.
There is no one more trustworthy than someone who takes care of their family like that,” Cayena said, smiling.
Roche suspected that the princess had no intention of executing him.
The chef felt the strange atmosphere and appealed to Cayena.
“Your Highness, you must punish this bastard who dared to touch the imperial family’s funds!
“What kind of punishment would be appropriate?
“That is, according to the law…
“Are you saying I should confiscate all your property and titles and flog every member of your family?
The chef closed his mouth.
A cold sweat ran down his back.
"I have to stay calm.
There is no proof.
She will never attribute this to me!"
In the tense air, a servant came from outside the kitchen and said carefully, “The afternoon shipment has arrived, sir.
Should we bring it?
The chef's heart sank.
“His Highness is here now.
How can we allow a humble merchant to enter the palace in her presence?
Get him out of here!
— He couldn't let Cayena find the supplier.
As usual, the receipt would contain a large number of non-existent items.
“There is no need for that.
Cayena got up from her seat.
“Let's together encourage the suppliers who worked so hard to deliver the supplies.
The chef's expression turned completely gloomy.