Serena's POV
I opened my mouth to say something, but before the words left my lips, the door to the room burst open with a force that made us both jump. We whirled around to see Cassie standing in the doorway, arms crossed and an impatient look in her eye.
“What on earth is taking you two so long?” she snapped in a sharp, business-like tone.
Lily instantly went pale, her hands fumbling with her skirt as she took a small step back. “I-I was just giving Miss Serena a little… orientation,” she stammered, her gaze flickering nervously between me and Cassie.
Cassie huffed, rolling her eyes as if this explanation was the last thing she wanted to hear. “Orientation or not, we’re short on hands this morning. It’s nearly time for breakfast, and the kitchen’s a mess. Serena, hurry up and get dressed. Lily will take you to the kitchen and show you the ropes.”
I nodded, biting back a sigh. So much for gathering more information about Amelia. I felt a sense of urgency, but at the same time, I knew there was no room to resist—especially not when Cassie looked ready to drag me by the hair down to the kitchen herself. I didn’t need that right now.
Cassie gave us both a curt nod and then left the room just as swiftly as she’d entered, the door clicking shut behind her. The moment she was gone, Lily let out a shaky breath, pressing her hand to her chest as if to calm her racing heart.
“I’m sorry, Serena,” she whispered, giving me a small, apologetic look. “I didn’t mean to keep you longer than necessary.”
I smiled, trying to reassure her. “It’s fine, Lily. I’m actually glad I got the chance to talk to you first.” I took a deep breath, mentally preparing myself for whatever chaos awaited me in the kitchen. “Alright, let me go change.”
I offered her a reassuring smile before walking toward the bathroom with one of the maid’s dresses in hand. The dress was simple—a fitted bodice and a knee-length skirt in a dull gray fabric, with a white apron and collar.
It wasn’t much, but at least it was clean, and after yesterday’s travel, the fresh fabric felt like a small blessing.
I slipped into the uniform, taking a deep breath as I glanced in the mirror. It was strange seeing myself in something so plain and modest, but I guessed I would have to get used to this life.
Once dressed, I stepped out of the bathroom. Lily was waiting with a small, encouraging smile, and I gave her a nod, signaling that I was ready.
“All right, then, let’s get going.”
We left the room together, and Lily led me through the halls of the palace. The deeper we ventured, the more servants I saw, all busy with one thing or another.
The moment Lily and I entered the kitchen, the noise hit me like a wave—pans clanging, voices overlapping, the rush of boiling water, and the crackling of flames. I barely had time to take it all in before Cassie’s sharp voice rang out.
“You two! Enough dawdling. Get in here and start helping out!” Cassie hollered, not sparing even a glance as she hurried past, her arms full of fresh herbs and spices.
Lily nudged me forward, and as we stepped fully into the kitchen, I could feel several eyes on us.
Some of the other maids and kitchen staff shot curious glances our way, while a few looked on with blank indifference, and others gave quick, assessing stares that bordered on glares.
I returned their looks with a polite nod, deciding to keep my focus on Lily and her instructions.
“Don’t worry about them; they’re just curious, that’s all,” Lily said.
“I’m not bothered at all.” I shrugged my shoulders.
Cassie was back in a flash, eyeing me with a critical look. “You,” she said, pointing at me, “come here. One of my girls had to run and fetch me more thyme. You’ll finish what she started—no excuses.”
My stomach tightened. No one told me that I would be doing actual cooking so soon! I wanted to whine in complaint, but the stern look on Cassie’s face quickly reminded me of my place.
“Yes, ma’am.” I swallowed my complaints and gave her a firm nod.
Cassie’s glare softened just slightly as she looked over at Lily. “Lily, make sure she doesn’t mess it up. Show her what to do, then get to the next station.”
Lily gave me an encouraging look, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. “You’ve got this, Serena. Just follow the recipe. I’ll be nearby if you need anything.”
Cassie pushed a handwritten recipe card into my hand before turning to bark orders at another maid. I quickly skimmed the card, and then, my lips stretched into a wide grin.
It was a recipe for a savory, slow-simmered lamb stew with root vegetables—a dish I’d prepared countless times back in my pack. I could almost smell the earthy aroma of rosemary and thyme, which made saliva drip from the corners of my mouth.
“You’re… salivating, Serena,” Lily pointed out with a giggle.
“Oh… sorry. I got carried away.” I laughed and then took a deep breath, feeling a little more confident. I knew this dish like the back of my hand. I could do this!
Gathering my ingredients, I placed a large pot on the stove, heating a generous amount of oil until it began to shimmer. I seasoned the lamb chunks with salt and pepper, then added them to the pot, letting each side sear to a golden-brown crust. The meat sizzled on contact, filling the kitchen with the unmistakable scent of searing lamb. Around me, the other maids continued with their tasks, but I felt oddly at ease, as if I were back home.
Once the lamb had browned, I removed it from the pot, setting it aside on a plate. Next, I added chopped onions, carrots, and parsnips to the pot, stirring them until they softened and began to caramelize. As the vegetables cooked down, I sprinkled in a mix of garlic, thyme, and a dash of rosemary, breathing in the fragrant scent as it mingled with the browning vegetables.
Next, I deglazed the pot by adding a splash of red wine, scraping up the flavorful bits stuck to the bottom. I added the lamb back in, along with a bay leaf, a few sprigs of thyme, and enough broth to cover the ingredients. Lowering the heat, I covered the pot, allowing it to simmer slowly, the flavors blending and deepening as it cooked.
I glanced up to see Cassie watching me from across the room, her critical gaze softening just a bit as she nodded in approval. I couldn’t help but feel a small spark of pride.
Soon, the kitchen was filled with the warm, inviting aroma of the stew, a rich, earthy scent that made even the busiest maids pause to take a deep breath. The lamb stew bubbled gently, the flavors melding together perfectly. I felt a sense of accomplishment as I stirred the pot.
Cassie glanced over, giving a slight, approving nod. “Not bad, Serena. Not bad at all.”