Red Riding Hood - Chapter 66
***
[Dear Angel,
How have you been?
I’ve been doing well.
I’m in a place called Kalasca now.
Not long ago, I had an official wedding with Ylfus, together with his family. It was a truly magnificent ceremony.
Everyone here is so kind and treats me warmly…]
The place Cinq stepped into was a small and charming kitchen.
Although it was called a kitchen, there were no bustling chefs or sweaty workers preparing ingredients.
Instead, standing firmly in the room was the lord of Kalasca, Lantimos Gracian.
If one wondered whom Ylfus resembled, all they needed to do was look at Lantimos.
Lantimos was a large man, resembling a grizzly bear, with a rugged face framed by a neatly maintained beard that stretched from his temples and covered his cheeks and chin.
But now, he stood at the copper pot with a linen apron tied over his shirt.
Lantimos Gracian called out to her in his booming voice.
“Cinq, little one! You’re late. The jam’s already started cooking.”
Cinq tied a linen apron over her dress and hurried over.
“I’m sorry, Father. Have you been waiting long?”
Lantimos Gracian looked down at his delicate daughter-in-law, whose entire body seemed smaller than one of his arms.
He didn’t need to ask why this sweet and diligent girl was late. It was obvious—Ylfus hadn’t let her go.
Lantimos thought to himself, My son might as well be a legendary thief.
Without a word, he handed her a silver spoon.
“Here. Check the consistency for me. This is always tricky. If it’s undercooked, it’s too runny—if it’s overcooked, it hardens.”
Cinq accepted the spoon with a sweet smile and used it to scoop up some jam, letting it drip to check its thickness.
“I think it just needs to cook a little longer.”
“I see.”
After checking the consistency, Cinq popped the jam-covered spoon into her mouth.
Lantimos was horrified.
“Cinq! My dear, it’s still hot!”
He panicked at the thought of his squirrel-sized daughter-in-law burning her tongue.
If she burns her tongue, she won’t be able to eat. She barely eats as it is, with that small stomach of hers. If she can’t even eat a handful, then…!
As Lantimos froze in shock like a bear-shaped statue, Cinq spoke up.
“It’s cooled down, so it’s fine. Father, the blueberries are fresh and plump, so the jam is really delicious.”
“Is that so? That’s a relief.”
“I was thinking of adding a bit of spice to it.”
This small, lovely kitchen was a gift from Ylfus, who knew how much Cinq enjoyed cooking.
However, for some reason, Lantimos had taken an interest in cooking as well, and lately, Cinq had found herself teaching her father-in-law how to cook in this kitchen.
“Father, let’s make some biscuits to go with the jam.”
“Oh, that sounds wonderful.”
“Mother will be delighted too.”
“Do you think so?”
“Of course.”
When Lantimos saw Cinq taking a large buttermilk jar from the pantry, he was startled once again.
“Cinq! Little one, that’s dangerous! Let me handle something that heavy!”
***
The Lady of Kalasca, Marianne Gracian, was busy preparing for the banquet to be held at the lord’s castle the next day.
Tall, towering over most women, with black hair elegantly pinned up, the dignified lady directed the maids like extensions of her own hands as she oversaw the banquet preparations.
“Guests will start arriving in the morning. Have the guest rooms been properly prepared?”
“Yes, Madam. Fresh linens have been laid in every room, and fragrant candles have been burned to remove any musty smells.”
“Well done. Keep the hearths boiling water at all times tomorrow evening, so guests can request hot water whenever they need it. Once you fall behind, it’s impossible to catch up.”
“Yes, Madam.”
“Prepare plenty of peppermint sherbet…”
As she inspected the banquet hall alongside the maids, Marianne declared,
“Tomorrow is the day my daughter-in-law makes her debut in high society. Everything must be perfect. Do you understand?”
The castle staff responded in unison.
“Yes, Madam!”
Marianne Gracian’s face was solemn, but internally, she was filled with concern.
‘Though the details of Cinquerus’s origins aren’t widely known, it’s obvious to everyone that her status is low. Of course, none of the invited guests would be foolish enough to openly torment the future lady of Kalasca… but still, I must ensure nothing can be used against her.’
