My Lady Chef
Chapter 68: Volunteer Work

Ely's POV:

"Is that so?" I was preparing this month's expenditure report after adding all the other reports from the duke's other estates.

"Yes, Your Grace. The cafe has been doing so well these past 4 months; Many of our workers who are assigned to the second district are clamoring for us to open another cafe there. As you well know the third district is a bit far from the second hence the high demand for another place close to them."

"I do not think it is wise. The current sales might be strong now but I want to check the statistics after a year to make plans for the cafe to function properly even without me. Opening another cafe is not a wise move for now." I finished the reports and sealed them before giving it to Milford who was waiting beside me.

"I ensure that the duke has ordered me to assist you in your endeavor. He has been pleased with the profits the new cafe was generating. Are you saying you want to maintain the first cafe for now?" I nodded and he seems satisfied with my decision.

"Pierce. Take a survey poll amongst the workers in the second district for a week. I will see what can be done after I review the results. I want you to tailor the questionnaire specifically on what food the customers like at the cafe." I told him. "I will come up with another idea to provide more profits other than opening another cafe depending on the result."

"A very wise choice, Your Grace." He seems pleased and after a few more discussions. He left with Milford.

I stretched across the desk where I was writing and looked around the culinary house.

A lot has changed in a few months. What used to be my room was now a private study and the rooms were renovated and outfitted into areas that helped me with my food research.

The rooms below were turned into a library that contains books on food and cooking while the other two were turned into an herb and greens nursery so that we can grow our own spices and vegetables; there was even an entire shelf where I store Exotic Land spices and seasonings that are similar to soy sauce, Chinese five-spice and vinegar among others.

There was also a cool storage room for tea and coffee. I have bought every foreign and unique kind of tea and coffee from the merchants in the exotic lands.

The upper rooms were used as my study and an entertainment parlor where I can receive guests.

It was my small slice of heaven.

"Milady, you have a visitor." Linda came in and bowed while she told me this. "Lady Baristani has come to call."

I perked up. Among the ladies that I have met during the events.

Lady Baristani was one of the more refreshing women I have ever met.

We became friends and kept in touch through letters since she went back to finishing school for ladies months ago.

However, I have heard from her recent letter that she decided to leave the school for good much to the dismay of her father. For her to see me as soon as she got back to the city; I was intrigued and curious. Linda led me back to the main house where I stopped when I saw Mrs. Yates leaving the main parlor with a sour face. Her eyes then went to me and I could feel the simmering hate from her every time we cross paths.

I refused to back down and solemnly glared at her as I stood in her way.

"Bring tea to the main parlor, Mrs. Yates."

"Yes, milady." Her voice was respectful but I could feel a hint of contempt.

"I am Your Grace to you, Head Maid," I stressed out my title. "Unless I allow you to, never call me Milady again."

The older woman looked at me in surprise. My tone was not harsh but rather it was firm. It had no emotion behind it and it baffles her.

She has made it clear that she would never acknowledge me and that is fine. As long as she does her job and never stirs trouble, we can go on tolerating each other.

At least until I can talk to my husband about her and the reason for her behavior.

II

Very well, Your Grace." she bowed once again before shuffling past us towards the kitchen.

"I still do not have an idea why she hates you milady," Linda whispered to me. "I have been watching her closely for months and she has been quietly performing her duties without complaint."

"I see. Thank you Linda, for now; keep watching her but there will come a time when I will have to contend with her one of these days. Let us go. Lady Baristani is waiting."

"Volunteer work for the soldiers of the ongoing siege at Guthrie?" I sipped my tea as I thought of my husband.

"Yes. My father has been supporting the army by supplying medicine and a team of doctors to help but I often hand out rations that are used for their food. But the thing is...all I have been buying does not seem to be well received by the camp even when I give them the best meat, potatoes, and bread rolls most people give out. I heard that Cafe Terra is a great success so who better to ask for advice?"

I thought long and hard.

"You can give them mushrooms."

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"Yes. They are fungi that are very rich in antioxidants and rich in fiber. They also contain Vitamin B and can be dried to concentrate their flavor and it can be dried and preserved for soups and stews." Lady Baristani's eyes were wide and she took out a small notebook from her purse and scribbled it down.

"Okay. Anything else?"

"We can give them herbs. They give meat and soups more punch and some dried broth cubes that contain flavor and seasonings needed for soup and meat. Nuts are another option and canned fruit/vegetables don't spoil easily..."

We talked through the list. Narrowed it down to what is available and I even promised to help her by writing down some new recipes.

"Do we have rice?" I asked her out of the blue.

"Rice? You those grain things that we use to feed chickens and livestock? We have a lot of those in our storage house." Last Baristani looked at me strangely. "I have heard people from the land of Silang and Ryu eat them but they taste odd and are bland."

I brightened. No wonder I could not find any at the market; they must have been labeled as animal feed instead of food.

"Can you give me a sack and come back tomorrow? I will show you what you can do with it."I

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