Side Story 14.1
–
Tarkan kissed Aristine’s cheek and grumbled.
“There was definitely a lot of meddling when you were pregnant with Sion, but this time, it’s even worse.”
Back then, at least Hamill and Yenikarina weren’t constantly hovering around.
In fact, it wasn’t just the two of them.
Although Paellamien had been playing the strict leader just seconds ago, she would show up three or four times a day, chatting about nonsense before leaving.
And there were others.
Marquis Issara and Count Tallistan sent word the other day that they would be making the long journey to the capital.
Not to mention the nobles living in the capital…
“The only saving grace is that I can at least reject the nobles’ requests for an audience.”
“I bet they’ll be really disappointed.”
“Hah, let them be disappointed. I said it’s all for the safety of the Emperor and the imperial heir, so what can they do.”
“What a good excuse.”
“I honestly don’t want to host a banquet either, but it’s better to show them all at once and be done with it.”
Aristine looked at her husband’s slightly sullen face and laughed silently.
“But isn’t it great?”
“…?”
“This time, you won’t have to be separated from me like when I was pregnant with Sion.”
At that, the sharpness in Tarkan’s eyes softened.
“…That’s true.”
When Aristine was pregnant with Actsion, even the news of her pregnancy had come from someone else.
Back them, Aristine had left to return to her home country.
To the very home country where the father who tried to kill her resided.
After many twists and turns, they finally reunited and, returned to their home together.
‘And then, Launelian had an issue. Because a curse was cast on him by none other than his own father.’
After seeing his wife cry and begging him to save her brother, he had no choice but to leave her side again.
And so, he saved Launelian.
‘But then I almost lost you.’
Just thinking about it made him feel like all the blood was draining from his body.
“This time, I will never leave your side.”
“I know.”
“No matter what happens, never.”
“I know, I know.”
“A husband should always be by his wife’s side, especially when she’s pregnant.”
Aristine chuckled at his repeated emphasis on staying by her side.
Her husband certainly had a cute side to him.
Who knew how he interpreted that laughter because Tarkan muttered with slight dissatisfaction.
“They say the best prenatal care is for the mother and father to spend happy times together.”
It seemed like he thought only he wanted to spend time alone together.
Aristine reached out and wrapped her arms around her husband’s neck.
“Hm, then I guess we’re really doing a great job with prenatal care.”
“…!”
“Just being together like this, not doing anything else, makes me so happy.”
Tarkan’s cheeks turned red.
Seeing her husband’s bashful expression, Aristine’s smile deepened.
Tarkan whispered.
“…Your words are too provocative.”
“I don’t think I said anything provocative.”
“To me, they’re seriously provocative.”
With a sigh, Tarkan lightly rested his forehead against hers.
“There’s just one thing. If only you could eat well, that would be great.”
As if the pregnancy wasn’t tough enough, his small wife seemed to be growing thinner.
“Isn’t there anything you want to eat?”
“Not particularly right now. I’ll probably feel slightly better after a while.”
“Slightly? It’s already been over a week since you’ve eaten properly.”
Tarkan acted as if the world would end unless he could get something into Aristine’s mouth right now.
“Anything is fine, even if it’s something we don’t have, like last time.”
At his constant insistence, Aristine pondered.
“Umm, actually, there is something I want to eat.”
“What is it?”
“Well…”
Once he heard his wife’s description, Tarkan’s expression turned grave.
Chicken was at least familiar as a fried dish, but this… this was something he had never heard of before.
* * *
All of the chefs in the palace had been summoned and lined up together.
It wasn’t just the chefs of each palace. The head cooks were called, the regular chefs working under them, even the rookie who only did the dishes was called.
Every person involved in food preparation had been summoned.
“W-What in the world is going on?”
Everybody was nervous.
It was rare for chefs to meet the Emperor in person. Even more unheard of was for the lowest-ranking kitchen staff, who might never see even the shadow of the Emperor in their entire life, to be summoned like this.
“Isn’t this bad?”
“Did something go wrong with the food today?”
“D-Don’t tell me… poison?!”
The worst scenario a chef could imagine: poison in the food! And now, with the Emperor pregnant with an heir, it was an even more sensitive time!
“N-No way, it can’t be…”
“I can’t die like this! I promised Amy I’d become the top chef, recognized by His Majesty, and then propose to her…!”
“Hic… My sick mother is counting on me…”
The kitchen was in chaos.
“Everyone, be quiet!”
The chief steward shouted in a loud voice.
“His Majesty will be here shortly to personally ask you questions. You simply need to answer truthfully whatever he asks. If you do that, there will be no problems. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Count.”
The chefs bowed their heads in unison, though their anxiety was palpable. If anything, they grew more nervous.
‘This…it’s one of those things…’
‘His Majesty is going to conduct a personal investigation!’
‘This can’t be just any small matter if the Emperor himself is involved!’
The thought of a poisoning attempt seemed even more plausible now, especially targeting someone as noble as…
‘Emperor Aristine!’
History was littered with countless plots targeting the mother of a royal heir.
‘Who would dare?!’
‘What wicked villain would try to harm someone so kind and gentle?!’
The chefs’ eyes, once filled with fear, now gleamed with determination. Emperor Aristine was deeply loved by the people, but she held a special place in the hearts of the palace chefs.
‘Our Emperor always finishes her meals without leaving a single bite behind!’
‘She always compliments the food so kindly!’
Unlike the haughty nobles or royalty, Aristine truly enjoyed her meals, and the chefs took pride in knowing how happy she was with their cooking.
They dreamed of the day they might present their dishes directly to her, training day and night for the opportunity.
And now, someone dared to try and poison her?!
‘Is Her Majesty alright? What about her baby?!’
‘Remember every single detail!’
‘Yes, if we put our minds together, we can surely find the culprit!’
‘We will track down and punish the poisonous traitor!’
The chefs whispered amongst themselves, solidifying their resolve. It was at that moment.
“His Majesty, Emperor Tarkan, is arriving!”
With the chief steward’s announcement, Tarkan entered.
The chefs immediately bowed their heads.
“Raise your heads,” Tarkan commanded sternly. “I’ve gathered you all here because I have questions that need answers.”
“…”
“No matter how small the detail, you must answer truthfully. This is a matter that will determine the fate of this country.”
“Yes, Your Majesty! We will stake our humble lives on answering with the truth!”
The chefs’ voices were just as serious as Tarkan’s, and he nodded in approval before asking,
“Has anyone heard of the dish ‘tteokbokki’?”
“…?”
The chefs, who had been gravely serious, suddenly had blank expressions.
Hah?
What-bokki?
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