Her Majesty’s Secret Service

022. A Fortunate Find.

Royal chef Marco was savoring the air of his homeland. Breathing in the air of his hometown, memories of old times surfaced.

As a child, having lost his parents and unsure of how to survive, it was the family of his relative George that provided him a way to live.

Without their help back then, there would be no Royal Chef Marco today. Always remembering their kindness, Marco felt truly satisfied that he could now be of help to George.

—

Marco slipped away from the procession heading to the lord’s manor to meet his cousin George. Of course, he had permission from his superiors.

George’s house was situated quite a distance from the lord’s manor, near the outskirts of the city walls. Once outside the walls, fields stretched out, where the common farmers lived.

“Marco! How long has it been!”

Upon arrival, a joyful voice welcomed Marco. With a smile brimming on his face, Marco returned the greeting.

“It’s been a while, George. What, six years? Since I went to London, I haven’t seen you…”

“Heh. I’ve missed your cooking in the meantime. Who would have thought that you, once a chef for the estate manager, would be called to be a royal chef.”

Usually, the royal kitchen was reserved for descendants of chefs who had served the royal family for generations.

However, with a recommendation from one of the king’s confidants, an outsider like Logan could exceptionally enter the royal kitchen.

Six years ago, Marco caught the eye of the Dartford estate manager and was chosen to be King Edward’s chef.

“That? Let’s talk about it later. A friend named Logan helped me. His cooking skills are extraordinary. But George, were you at that place earlier? The earl is quite pitiable, isn’t he? To lend his name to such fools… Tsk.”

Marco felt the earl had been wronged.

Even a mere chef like himself knew that Dartford was, in effect, the king’s land. It made no sense for an earl not to know such an obvious fact. Moreover, Dartford was, at least on paper, the land managed by the earl of Kent.

“That? Ha! The earl was shameless. I still remember what those merchants said…”

But it seemed George had a different view.

“What? What exactly did they say?”

“You wouldn’t believe the atrocities they committed when they were seizing my land. They boasted about their connection with the earl as if everyone should know.”

“What? With the earl?”

“Yes, that the earl was in close ties with their fathers.”

“Did they really say that?”

“So, I gave up my land willingly. I thought I was just caught in the squabbles of the higher-ups.”

It was when George and Marco were exchanging stories.

“Are you George, the one who was recently robbed of his land?”

Richard, mounted on his horse, looked down upon George and Marco.

* * *

Before lunch was even ready, a command came from the Queen.

She requested a simple snack. Naturally, there were cooks here, already preparing the Queen’s lunch.

I intended to make stew as usual, but the cooks were already busy preparing the meal. Besides, I was instructed to make a ‘snack,’ so stew was out of the question.

‘What ingredients are left…’

I cautiously entered the kitchen to check what ingredients remained. There should be flour, a few eggs, and a bit of butter. There was also some bread left.

In the kitchen, Anne had apparently given the word, for no one objected as I rummaged through the ingredients.

“Excuse me, do you have any bacon here?”

One of the cooks looked surprised at my question. My different appearance and fluent English seemed to startle them.

“Uh… the bacon is over there…”

Hesitantly pointing out where the bacon was, I thanked them and went to fetch it.

I sliced a few thin pieces of the chunky bacon and placed a pan over the hearth.

First, I melted a little butter in the heated pan and fried the eggs. Then I cooked the bacon and finally, buttered the bread and toasted it until crisp, placing it on a plate. I was determined to make toast with the remaining ingredients.

It would have been better with ketchup or mayonnaise, but I didn’t know how to make ketchup, and mayonnaise would take too long.

I thought about spreading honey on one side of the toasted bread, but there was only a little sugar in the kitchen. So, I had no choice but to make syrup by simmering water and sugar in a pan.

I spread the syrup on the bread, topped it with the egg and bacon, and covered it with another piece of syrup-spread bread. Then I cut it into four pieces to make bite-sized portions.

‘Well… this is quite a hearty snack, isn’t it?’

Such thoughts crossed my mind, but if it tastes good, that’s all that matters. This combination couldn’t possibly be tasteless.

Holding the finished toast, I made my way to the queen’s room. Thanks to Anne’s hint, I knew exactly where to find her.

I was just about to ascend the stairs from the kitchen on the first floor to the queen’s room on the second.

“Logan! Logan!”

Marco’s call came from behind me. Carefully turning so as not to disturb the toast on the plate, I looked towards the source of the voice.

“Marco? Oh, did you visit your relatives well? No, why are you panting like that?”

His face was flushed red, and a slight sweat was visible on his forehead. He was breathing heavily, as if he had just run a distance.

“Count Kent… he hasn’t arrived yet, has he?”

Count Kent was undoubtedly the old man who had arrived here and immediately knelt before the queen to confess his sins.

“Yes, he hasn’t arrived yet. But why do you ask?”

“Good, we’re not too late. Are you on your way to Her Majesty the Queen?”

“Yes, she asked me to prepare a snack. But wasn’t today supposed to be a day off?”

“Something more important has come up. Hurry along. You must confess to Her Majesty the Queen urgently.”

Marco’s panting words seemed quite serious.

“What’s so serious that you’re making such a face?”

“It’s about the count. You know those merchants he said he would bring? They’re in cahoots with the count. George told me. They’ve been boasting about their close ties with the count…”

It seems wherever people live, it’s much the same. Somehow, I had suspected the count was too willing to confess his sins.

“Come with me. The Queen is on the second floor.”

With that, I headed to the queen’s room with Marco, who wore a grave expression.

* * *

Mary frowned. She had ordered a snack, yet a meal was brought instead.

Though she slightly frowned at Logan and Marco for bringing such a lavish snack, she couldn’t scold them as it tasted quite good.

“Well… the taste is fairly decent. Did you make this, Logan? It should have been a bit lighter…”

She was certain Logan had made it.

It was an unconventional dish. At first glance, anyone could think of it. Yet, it was a dish no one had managed to create.

Such an innovative dish could only be made by Logan.

“I apologize, Your Majesty.”

“Well, it tasted fine, so it’s alright. The Earl seems to be arriving soon, so you two may leave now.”

She thought he would be arriving shortly since he said he would come soon.

She wasn’t sure if it was because she was full or because of the sweets, but her mind seemed clearer.

She was about to dismiss these two men and focus on uncovering the Earl’s true intentions.

“Umm… Your Majesty, I have something urgent to tell you.”

Despite being ordered to leave, Marco was still standing there.

“Hm? Why haven’t you left… Ah, right. Don’t worry, Marco. If it’s about your relative’s issue, I will resolve it well, so don’t fret. Didn’t you see the Earl admitting his guilt?”

She had forgotten over the past few days, but Marco’s relative had been the catalyst for this incident. She guessed he was anxious about whether his relative’s matter would be resolved well.

However, Marco’s following words were slightly different from what Mary had thought.

“How could I doubt you, Your Majesty. It’s not that, I’ve brought a message from Sir Richard.”

“You have? A message from Richard?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Why are you bringing a message from Richard? I had given him a separate order.”

“That is….”

At the queen’s inquiry, Marco began to explain why he had brought Richard’s message.

After a brief explanation, Marco started to relay Richard’s message to the queen.

“Sir Richard says, taking half of one’s property on mere suspicion is too perilous an act; he suggests only a quarter be taken…”

Hearing Marco relay Richard’s message, the queen raised her voice.

Overwhelmed by the queen’s presence, Marco found himself unable to continue.

“What did you just say? A deceiver, trying to trick me. Not content with taking all, but what? A quarter!”

“But… he said it would lead to rebellion. Sir Richard asked to wait until he brings more concrete evidence…”

With newfound courage, Marco barely managed to voice the message Richard had entrusted him to deliver. But the queen only grew angrier.

“So Richard is too cowardly to speak directly and uses you to reveal his intentions. Very well. I shall handle this matter as I see fit. You may leave now!”

A menacing atmosphere lingered in the room. Whether the queen was upset because the earl had made a mockery of her, or because Richard opposed her views, was unclear, but her displeasure was evident to all.

“Your Majesty, the queen…”

It was Logan who cautiously broke the silence. As Logan spoke, the queen shot him a sharp glance.

“Do you also oppose my words? No matter how much…”

“It’s not that. If you grant me time, I believe I can resolve your concerns. May we first discuss the earl?”

Amidst the tense atmosphere, Logan’s confident voice tickled the queen’s ear.

* * *

The Earl of Kent was heading to the lord’s manor with two merchants. The slightly stinging sunlight announced it was noon.

“You haven’t forgotten what I said, have you?”

“Of course not. It was our presumption, and we shall humbly beg for forgiveness for the mistakes of us lowly ones, as you instructed.”

“And then?”

“We have no acquaintance with the Count.”

“Very well, just do that. Just that. Then you won’t have to worry about losing your heads.”

“Of course!”

The two merchant brothers replied spiritedly.

Count Kent was left feeling uneasy, wondering if he had missed something.

Eventually, he arrived at the manor where the Queen was staying. Judging by the stronger sunlight, it was clear that it was high noon.

“Where is Her Majesty staying?”

Asking the soldier guarding the manor about the Queen’s whereabouts, he was told she was on the second floor.

Hearing this, Count Kent opened the door and moved towards the room where the Queen was staying. The two merchant brothers followed behind him.

Upon reaching the Queen’s room, Count Kent announced his arrival with proper decorum.

After being granted permission, he entered the room and immediately knelt on one knee before the Queen, speaking in the most respectful tone possible. The two brothers awkwardly followed suit behind him.

“You’ve had a long journey. Henry Grey, do you know how long I’ve waited for you? So, are those two standing behind you the ones who tarnished your honor?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I am merely sorry. With the coronation so near and you having come all this way, how worried you must be. Did you have a chance to look at the documents I offered earlier? I have selected a few of the most fertile estates in Kent.”

It was a subtle warning to the Queen.

The King, yet to be crowned, should not meddle but simply take what is given and leave quietly—a silent warning.

As soon as the Count finished speaking, the Queen let out a derisive snort.

Taken aback by the Queen’s sudden behavior, the Count was inwardly flustered but did not show it outwardly.

“How would you like to be an actor in a theater troupe?”

“Excuse me…?”

The queen, having spoken, rose from her seat and approached the earl, who was kneeling on one knee.

“Are you not in close ties with those two merchants? It has been long exposed. Now tell me, what is the price of your neck? At the very least, should you not surrender half of what you possess?”

Hearing the queen’s voice, the Earl of Kent’s body stiffened.

At this moment, he could not comprehend what the queen was saying.

Turning his head, he saw a radiant smile on the queen’s face.