Extra: Yandere Milfs Obsessed with me!-Chapter 57: Joint Project with the Duchess (2)

"The elves of Yggdrasil will certainly be delighted, and perhaps even surprised, to eat your dishes," she commented after a long moment, placing the palm of her hand against the warm wall of one of the vats.

Kaiser simply smiled and led her to where the dough was prepared. Quickly putting on an apron and gloves, he began to prepare it, mixing the flour with other ingredients...

Dyana was truly impressed by the dexterity Kaiser displayed; he acted as if it was something he had done all his life.

"Duchess, I gave you a small demonstration of the preparation; now I would like you to taste it and give me your opinion."

While taking a small piece, he approached Dyana, gently holding it in front of her mouth.

"Kaiser...!" Dyana, confused, stopped short for a moment, looking at the young man in front of her, but after thinking, she took the dough and tasted it.

A small smile formed on Kaiser’s face; it was exactly what he wanted. He was taking a big risk by acting so shamelessly in front of Dyana, but nothing ventured, nothing gained...

Suddenly, Dyana exclaimed, visibly satisfied with what she had in her mouth.

"The texture, the consistency... You have managed to reproduce their rare vegetable dough with astonishing quality. The finesse is remarkable."

"This result is largely due to your recommendations," replied Kaiser, still with his satisfied smile. "Your letters detailing the methods of managing your own vineyards, particularly on fermentation control, proved extremely useful. I was able to transpose the principles."

She turned her head toward him, a glint of sincere surprise briefly altering her mask of perfect control. "Really? I did not think you listened to my advice with such... application. Most young nobles of your rank hear me out of politeness but do not listen. They rarely consider experience as transferable capital."

"I am not most young nobles," he affirmed, his voice softening, carrying quiet conviction.

A silence followed his statement. Dyana looked away toward the vats, but not quickly enough for him not to notice the very slight but undeniable pink tint that colored her cheeks. "I had noticed," she murmured, almost to herself, before pulling herself together.

To break the moment, Kaiser approached a work surface where the finished products were stored. He delicately took a sample of the workshop’s latest creation: a vegetarian charcuterie based on mushrooms and legume proteins.

"Now I suggest you taste the final product; I think you will sincerely like it."

He opened the small glass box protecting it and, without ceremony, Kaiser took a piece, preparing to feed Dyana again; she did not hesitate, approaching to take the food.

"Taste."

From the first seconds of tasting, her pupils dilated imperceptibly, and her eyes opened a little wider, betraying deep and immediate surprise. She chewed slowly, analyzing the texture and complexity of the flavors unfolding.

"It’s... delicious," she finally admitted, and her voice lost a bit of its usual control to reveal sincere admiration. "Much more refined and balanced than what I could imagine from the descriptions. You did not just reproduce the recipe; you clearly improved it. The roundness on the finish is remarkable."

"I allowed myself to add a few personal ingredients," confirmed Kaiser, putting away the box, a slight sign of satisfaction in his gaze. "Adjustments that, I think, better suit the local palate while preserving the essence of the original product."

Intrigued, she observed him with renewed attention. "Which ones?" she asked, her professional curiosity fully awakened. "What are these modifications?"

He slowly shook his head, a corner of his lips almost forming a sketched smile. "In this field, I prefer to show you rather than tell you. Words would not do justice to the proportions or interactions. If you wish, I can take you to the seasoning workshop where the blends are prepared. There, you will see for yourself."

The duchess followed him to a small kitchen reserved for testing. Kaiser immediately got to work. He moved with assurance. Dyana, in the background, followed the young man in front of her with interest.

"You really cook," she said after a few minutes of observation.

"It’s truly remarkable, Lord Kaiser; where did you learn, without being indiscreet?"

"I had, thanks to certain chefs of the Paragon family... some experience. But I am still far from reaching your level, Duchess."

It was obviously false; the Paragon family chefs were very skilled, yes, but not to that extent. Kaiser had actually learned cooking during summer vacations in his previous life; he was rather good, yes, but the reason for the duchess’s praise simply came from the fact that she was tasting something new.

Any guy who ran a restaurant in the old world and reincarnated here would probably have received the same praise for dishes that would have been judged as passable in their original world.

She crossed her arms. She had understood that Kaiser was not going to answer the question, and it did not bother her; everyone had their secrets.

"You may not want to answer, but your gestures betray you; they are not those of an amateur. Nor even of a simple enthusiast. You learned from professionals."

"Let’s say I had access to... different teachings," he finally replied.

She leaned against the work surface.

"The more I discover you, the more I feel you hide an entire world behind your eyes."

Kaiser did not respond. He focused on the pan, adding spices that did not yet exist in local gastronomy. The scent spread through the room.

Dyana breathed deeply.

"This aroma... I have never smelled something so... rich."

"It’s a personal creation," replied Kaiser, taking a spoon from afar. "I hope you will like it, Duchess; after all, it’s to thank you..."

She looked at him for a moment; she seemed truly captivated. Food perhaps had the ability to conquer a woman’s heart.

"You are full of surprises," Dyana finally said, pulling herself together. "I appreciate it very much, Lord Kaiser; I can’t wait to taste it."

Kaiser noticed all these changes, but he continued his work nonetheless as if nothing had happened. It was useless to rush.

After a few minutes, the meal was finally ready. He served two plates, inviting the woman to take a seat at a small table that had been specially set up for them. She sat and tasted the first bite.

She instantly closed her eyes, letting the spicy and rich taste penetrate her palate.

"It’s incredible... you could serve this at the royal table," she said, taking a second bite.

"I prefer to reserve this kind of dish for people who know how to appreciate it," retorted Kaiser, also taking a bite.

"You mean me?" she asked in a lower voice.

"You are right."

Silence fell in the small kitchen.

A charged, tense, almost stifling silence.

Kaiser gently moved his hand.

He placed it on Dyana’s; it was a bit like an accident, but Kaiser did not withdraw his hand immediately, wanting to observe her reaction.

She did not move.

Her face showed neither rejection nor resistance.

So Kaiser crossed the distance.

He leaned in, slowly.

She remained still, a bit shaken. Her breath caught.

Then their lips touched.

A soft kiss...

Dyana had a slight start.

Her eyes closed despite herself for a moment.

The table began to tremble weakly.

Then she pulled back abruptly.

"Kaiser!"

Her breath was short.

"What... I... I cannot."

He remained still, calm, without aggression. It was not the reaction he expected, but he did not panic... anyway, he had already crossed the line.

She stood up with a swift gesture, heart in disarray. She simply walked away, leaving the young man alone in the room.

’Shit, I think I screwed up,’ he murmured, watching Dyana’s ass move away.

Dyana loved her family above all; a relationship like that, moreover with a kid the same age as her son... it was not conceivable...

"... I’ll have to go about it differently..." he murmured, standing from his chair. "Fortunately, I obtained the location of the rift... because here, I think the visit just ended."

With a slow step, he left the kitchen, heading outside. Dyana, shocked, had not returned; she had probably gone back to the manor. The day was full of surprises.