On the fifth day after moving into the big house in the east of the village, Elena finally couldn't take it anymore.
The well water was too cold, the earthen stove wouldn't burn properly, and one bite of the coarse-flour buns sent crumbs raining down. The little bit of fine provisions she had brought from the royal capital had run out in three days.
She sat in the stone house's only decent chair, staring at the bowl of cold multigrain porridge on the table, her fingers tapping against the tabletop for a long while.
"If only Mary were here."
Mary was her personal maid at Red Leaf Manor. She was an excellent cook—her roast lamb chops were crisp outside and tender within, while her cream soup smelled fragrant enough to steal a person's soul away.
But Mary was in the royal capital, while she was in Wading Village.
Elena pushed the bowl of porridge aside, rose to her feet, and headed outside.
Her destination was the blacksmith's shop.
Not to see Su Li, but to find Saina.
Even she found the thought absurd, but the truth was that the only person in this miserable village who could cook was that village girl.
Saina was kneading dough in the kitchen. Hearing footsteps, she turned around and froze for a moment when she saw Elena standing in the doorway.
"What are you here for?"
Elena folded her arms and swept her gaze around the kitchen before it finally settled on the dough in Saina's hands.
"Teach me."
Saina thought she had misheard.
"What?"
"Teach me how to cook." Elena held her chin high, her tone carrying the air of bestowing a favor. "I live over there alone. I can't exactly gnaw on dry rations every day."
Saina stared at her for five