Forget My Husband, I’ll Go Make Money – Side Story 16.2

Sidestory 16.2

* * *

In an ordinary pub in the Empire, a certain dish was brought out in front of patrons who were holding jugs of vodka. Seeing this dish that they had never seen before made people swallow expectantly.

“So this is the food that Her Majesty ate?”

“Yup, I heard it was the food that saved her when she was suffering from morning sickness.”

“Hmm, I can’t quite imagine what it tastes like, but—”

“Right, if Her Majesty Aristine likes it then I trust it.”

Everyone nodded their heads, their eyes full of trust.

“She is the one who sparked the chicken revolution, after all!”

The story of Aristine craving chicken during her pregnancy with Prince Actsion had already become a famous tale.

〈Fried chicken? I mean, it’s friend chicken. How good can it possibly taste?〉

The very people who used to say that were now converts of this legendary dish!

“Agreed, agreed. Her Majesty has such a good palate, her taste is refined.”

“Now, I can’t drink beer without having it with chicken.”

“I heard from the Lord Nobles that this tteokbokki thing goes well with vodka.”

“By the Gods, nobles are always so quick. Did you hear this dish is now a staple course at dinner banquets?

“Ehem, vodka is set.”

“Alright then, shall we give it a try?”

The people swallowed together and put the steaming tteokbokki into their mouth.

“…!”

“This, this is…!”

***

Similar scenes were happening all over the Empire.

“Have you tried tteokbokki? It is sweet, savory, and chewy—just perfect for my taste.”

“Personally, I’d like it a little spicier.”

“Have you tried adding cream to it?”

“Cheese! Have you tried it with cheese? Absolutely revolutionary!! You just have to try it!”

“Don’t you think it would taste great with other ingredients too? Like seafood.”

“Hmmm, I think it might taste better if you cook the broth separately. Should I try it?”

Tteokbokki was not a difficult dish to make, as long as you had the right ingredients.

Because of this, many people began adding their favorite ingredients here and there.

Or they modified it by leaving out ingredients that were hard-to-find or that they didn’t like.

Recipe modifications.

These modifications weren’t just happening among the common folk. The fact that the same dish was gaining popularity at noble banquets meant that they were competing with each other.

“Have you been to a banquet at the Roatel House? Their chef is exceptional. You should go if you have the chance.”

“I find the Besvine House far more exceptional than Roatel. Why don’t I get you an invitation to the Besvine Family dinner? What do you think?”

It was trend spanning all social classes.

Naturally, this was a golden opportunity.

The Pink Pink Nyangjelly Merchant Group did not miss out on this chance.

Every store they owned was suddenly overflowing with spices that were previously hard to come by. Not only spices, but exotic ingredients as well.

It was truly the expansion of trade.

***

Umiru removed her hands from Aristine’s body and smiled brightly.

“Both Your Majesty and the royal child are in excellent health. Your condition is very good.”

“Thank you, Umiru. It’s all thanks to your careful attention.”

“No need for thanks. It’s my greatest joy to personally care for Your Majesty’s health,” Umiru winked.

After all, she was the figure of admiration that had won over so many women’s heart.

Standing by the side, Tarkan muttered, clearly not pleased.

“It’s not because Umiru took care of you, it’s because I’ve been paying attention to all these instructions and taking care of my wife, okay?”

“Oh my? Is this jealously?”

“Yes. A lot of it.”

Aristine giggled at her husband’s bold response.

“Don’t laugh. I’m serious.”

“And how can I make it better?”

Tarkan leaned in, offering his cheek.

“A kiss.”

Umiru stared at Tarkan, a smile on her face.

Tarkan grumbled, “Umiru, watch your eyes.”

“What did I do?”

“Your eyes are digging holes.”

“No, they’re not. They’re always like this.”

“I’m the Emperor.”

“…”

You’re cheap and nasty so I’m leaving!

Umiru stood up from her chair.

Although she was even more annoyed because she knew the one thing Tarkan wanted was to get her out of the room so that he could have some alone time with Aristine.

“In any case, I don’t think attending tonight’s banquet will be any issue.”

As Umiru spoke, she drew closer to Aristine.

“I’ll see you at the banquet hall then, my Emperor.”

Umiru quickly kissed the back of Aristine’s hand and spun around.

“Umiru!”

Tarkan’s fierce voice immediately rang out behind her.

Ignoring him, Umiru hurried out of the room.

Aristine lightly patted Tarkan’s chest, telling to calm him down.

“Come off it. It’s just a kiss on the hand.”

“You know Umiru’s heart is impure.”

Aristine laughed.

‘Honestly, I think Umiru is doing this more to tease Khan.’

Although, perhaps you could call that impure intention too.

“Are you sure attending the banquet is okay?” Tarkan asked.

“Mhm. How can it not be okay when we’re announcing our second child to the world?”

Although it was already known throughout the Empire—and even to other nations—this would be her first official event since the pregnancy, making it special.

“If you start feeling unwell, let me know right away.”

“I got it.”

Aristine nodded and started to get up.

Right at that moment, a loud and cheerful voice belonging to Actsion burst into the room.

“Impewial mother! Impewial father!”

The little boy who was grown up enough to attend a banquet was cute beyond compare.

Once his son toddled over, Tarkan scooped him up and placed him next to his mother.

“What brings our little prince here?”

“Sion is escort!” Actsion announced.

“Escort?” Aristine’s eyes went wide.

Tarkan chuckled.

“Oh no, Sion. Escorting my wife is my job. I can’t give it up, not even to you.”