Chapter 14 : This Is…
Chapter 14: This Is…
【Remaining Time: 00:10:47】
Lilia did not dare think any further. From a nearby shelf, she found a silver tray polished to a brilliant shine.
Carefully, she placed the plate onto the tray, then found a cup and poured half a cup of warm “Unicorn Goat Milk.” Finally, she located a set of knife and fork and placed them neatly on the tray.
Taking a deep breath, Lilia carried the tray and walked out.
The bedchamber outside remained just as it was—vast, silent, and cold.
Hera reclined lazily on the throne, her golden eyes half-open, as if resting.
But Lilia’s 【Absolute Senses】 clearly told her that all of Hera’s attention was on her.
Lilia’s heart leapt to her throat once again.
She took small, careful steps, doing her best to keep the tray steady as she approached the lofty throne.
Finally, she arrived before it.
Lilia’s knees gave way, and she knelt once more on the cold obsidian floor.
She raised the silver tray high above her head, lowered her gaze, her voice trembling slightly from nervousness.
“Master… your, your breakfast.”
She could even hear the frantic pounding of her own heart.
After what felt like an eternity—
Hera finally moved.
She straightened slightly, her golden eyes falling upon the tray Lilia held up.
Her gaze swept over the unfamiliar food.
A golden round cake.
A golden, slightly flowing liquid.
Dark red meat slices with charred edges.
A trace of “confusion” appeared on her face.
“What is this?”
Her cold voice carried a faint, almost imperceptible curiosity.
Here it comes!
Lilia’s heart tightened. She immediately followed the explanation she had prepared, replying respectfully:
“This is a pancake, this is… no, no—”
“Replying to Master, this is… this is… this is ‘Golden Round Cake,’ this is ‘Molten Fried Egg,’ and this is ‘Flame-Breath Grilled Meat.’”
She hastily gave these ordinary foods some grand-sounding names.
Hopefully… it would fool her.
Hera did not speak.
She simply extended her hand.
Understanding immediately, Lilia raised the tray even more carefully.
Hera did not take the entire tray. Instead, she picked up the fork from it.
Using the tip of the fork, she gently and tentatively poked the yolk of the “Molten Heart Egg.”
Pop.
With a soft sound, the thick golden yolk slowly flowed out, soaking into the “Golden Round Cake” beneath it.
A flicker of something unusual passed through Hera’s eyes.
Liquid?
She picked up the knife and cut off a small piece of pancake soaked in yolk.
Lilia held her breath.
Success or failure—this was the moment!
Under Lilia’s nearly stopped heartbeat, Hera brought the piece of food to her mouth.
Time seemed to slow infinitely at that instant.
Lilia could clearly see Hera’s red lips part slightly as she took the food in. Her cheek moved almost imperceptibly.
Then… nothing.
She showed no expression.
No praise, no disgust.
As if she had just eaten a tasteless stone.
It’s over…
Lilia’s heart sank instantly to the bottom.
As expected… she had failed?
Food from another world simply didn’t suit the Demon Queen’s taste…
That plate of insect feast seemed to come alive before her eyes—those human-faced bugs silently grinning at her.
Just as Lilia fell into despair, bracing herself for the System’s punishment—
Hera moved again.
She cut another piece of pancake, this time from a part untouched by yolk.
Into her mouth.
Then, she picked up a slice of the crispy “Flame-Breath Grilled Meat.”
Still no expression.
But she ate quickly.
No—perhaps not quickly.
Rather… without pause.
One piece after another.
Pancake, grilled meat, yolk-soaked pancake…
Finally, she even picked up the cup and drank the warm goat milk in one go.
Lilia knelt on the ground, completely stunned.
Th-this… what was happening?
【Ding!】
At that moment, the heavenly System notification finally rang in Lilia’s mind!
【Main Mission: The Queen’s Breakfast Completed!】
【Evaluation: S (The creativity of another world combined with flawless execution successfully aroused the master’s curiosity. An “interesting” breakfast is far more valuable than a merely “delicious” one.)】
【Mission Reward: D-Rank Life Skill · Culinary Mastery has been granted.】
【Special Reward: “Queen’s Recipe” function unlocked. You can now record all dishes that receive a “Satisfied” rating from the master.】
【Feminization Index +2 (Current: 7), Loyalty +3 (Current: 6)】
Success!
S-rank evaluation!!!
An overwhelming surge of joy instantly washed away all of Lilia’s fear and anxiety!
She almost couldn’t help but cheer out loud!
Just as Lilia was immersed in her joy, a massive stream of information flooded into her mind.
Countless details about ingredient processing, cooking techniques, and heat control engraved themselves deeply into her memory.
Every ingredient stored in the Demon King’s Castle kitchen—their properties, preparation methods, optimal pairings—Lilia now understood them all perfectly.
This was… D-Rank Culinary Mastery!
Though only D-rank, for Lilia right now, it was practically a divine skill!
Hera set down the knife and fork. The bone utensils clinked against the silver tray with a crisp sound.
Lilia jolted and immediately snapped out of her excitement, lowering her head even further.
“Raise your head.”
The cold voice came from above.
Lilia dared not disobey. She slowly lifted her head, meeting Hera’s probing golden gaze.
“The texture… is very novel.”
Hera commented indifferently.
Lilia’s heart jumped.
This was… praise?
She hurriedly replied respectfully, “To satisfy Master is Lilia’s honor.”
Hera looked at her in silence for a moment.
Then, she stood up from the throne.
Her tall figure cast a massive shadow, completely enveloping the kneeling Lilia.
Hera’s voice carried no emotion whatsoever.
“From now on, all my meals will be handled by you.”
A surge of joy rose in Lilia’s heart—this was within her expectations.
With 【Culinary Mastery】, this was practically a gift of a task!
However, Hera’s next sentence drained all the color from Lilia’s face in an instant.
“Within one month, I do not wish to eat the same dish twice.”