Chapter 21 Adoption (1/2)
James moved quickly to fullfil his Madam's orders. He grabbed Roderick then Charles before rushing off to the stables. ”Mom what's going on?” Ariana asked but the Countess was the first to look at her then looked at the maid remaining at the main door. ”Leigh, go find suitable closes for everyone to travel in, and I mean everyone.”
The maid bowed then swiftly moved up the stairs. ”Zula, I need you to go wake up your cousin, we are going to need all the help we can get. I will go wake Tillie and Roland, see if we can get food, supplies and the adoption done for you.” Lady Zula just nodded and then hesitated for a bit. The Countess pinched the bridge of her nose and let a deep breath out. ”Garnet wing, third door on the left. If you can't find him just start yelling out his name, he will rush out.” Lady Zula rushed up the stairs without saying a word.
The Countess looked at Ariana again, she wasn't hostile but there was something wrong with the look in her eyes. Cayden, narrowed his gaze and brought a protective arm up. ”Sorry... my thinking face scares people easily. Ariana take your friend to the kitchen, he needs stamina for the travel back and... I have a plan. I will protect you and your mother, I promise you so please trust in me.” Before Ariana could says anything the Countess pointed to the direction of the kitchen before rushing down the hall.
Cayden tried to stand but found he barely had any strength left. Ariana wrapped his arm around her shoulders and half dragged him towards the direction the Countess had pointed.It wasn't very far from where they were but with Cayden's inability to properly walk, it took them longer to get to their destination.After she turned on the lights, she helped Cayden sit down into a chair and looked around the kitchen. Her breathe was taken away.
The tiles on the floor were a light tan colour but polished to the point it shined. All the pantries and cabinets were white, framed with embossed trim that has ivy vines etched into it and silver handles. The countertops were all black, Ariana placed her hand on top of one and it felt cool and hard. She could only think that they were made of marble.
The appliances were all made of a polished steel and the backsplash behind the double sink was done in small white tiles except for a small strip that went from one end to the other, right down the middle. It was brown with small streaks of gold framing alternating grey, tan and white tiles.Right in the center of the backsplash was a mosaic tile of the kingdom's emblem.
She gulped as she spun one last time at the kitchen. She placed her hands together in front on her face, as if she was ready to pray and shut her eyes tight. ”I'm sorry, I'm going to be using this beautiful kitchen!” She shouted then opened her eyes and started to go through pantries then fridge. She pulled out all the necessary ingredients she needed and paced them on the countertop. Then she moved towards the cabinets and tried looking for a pan, a bowl and a pot.
She quickly got to work cooking the brown rice she found. She then started to flake some smoked salmon and placed it in a bowl. She grabbed the pan and buttered it up. She sauteed some diced mushrooms, onions, tomatoes and cooked ham she found in the fridge. Then poured the beaten egg mixture over top. She went to grab a plate, a flipper and a fork then ran back to the stovetop. She flipped the omelette, sprinkled some cheese on top and plated it. She then placed it in front on Cayden then rushed back to stove.
She checked on her rice and was relieved it wasn't close to being done. She grabbed another bowl and cracked two eggs. She poured some white vinegar, white whine, salt and pepper then went looking for whisk. Her eyes sparkled when she found one and rushed back to her bowl. She started to whisk the ingredients together pausing every so often to add a drop of extra virgin olive oil. By the time she was done, her arm was ready to fall off, her rice was done and Cayden was starting to feeling better.
She quickly drained the rice, fluffed it up with a fork and set it aside. She grabbed the salmon and the newly made mayonnaise and combined the two. She grabbed another bowl and filled it with water when suddenly Cayden moved so fast fast that he was now standing in front of her, blocking her view. ”What do you think you are doing?” A gruff voice said as footsteps echoed in the room. Ariana peaked over Cayden's shoulder and saw a grumpy looking man moving closer towards them. ”I'm sorry the Countess said I could get some food for my friend to get his stamina back.”
”That's why she woke me up! I was sleeping quite wonderfully with my lovely wife until that brute disturbed my dreams!” The man shouted as he waved his hands in the air. ”I'm sorry sir but there is a sense of emergency and I will not wait for someone to make a simple meal for my friend, especially if I can do it myself!” The older looking man instantly changed his facial expression and was now beaming with pride as he stopped a foot away from the two. ”The words of a true chef!” He yelled. Cayden moved aside so Ariana could see the man properly.
His eyes were very stern looking, he had thin, pink lips and a slightly crooked nose. He had crows feet and laugh lines on his face, salt and pepper hair but his brown eyes sparkled with amusement. ”What are you making young Miss? It smells different to what I'm used to.” Ariana closed the gap between them and presented the bowl. ”I made mayonnaise, I believe this is what smells different.” The older man brought his finger to the side of the bowl and tasted the white sauce. His eyes grew wide as he looked into the bowl.
”I also added some smoked salmon and I will be combining it to the rice so I can make some rice balls for our trip back.” The older man nodded his head and rolled up his sleeves. ”Young Miss, I won't disrupt what your doing but I plan to get the recipe from you.” He said as he made his way to the pantry. ”I'm Roland. I have been with your grandmother from the very beginning.” He said as he placed a lined basket beside her.
”Ariana and this is Cayden.” She said as she handed him the first rice ball. ”It tastes the best just made. You don't want to refrigerate them or they taste gross.” Roland accepted the ball and took a bite. His eyes widen and he took back the basket. ”If these are ment to stay warm I will give you something better to store them in.” Roland popped the rest of the rice ball into his mouth and went to one of the cabinets. He pulled out a black box with a strange curvy symbol on it. ”It's an enchanted lunch box. Your grandmother doesn't like cold meals either so I will give you one to commemorate our first meeting.”
Ariana graciously took the box and hugged it against her chest as she smiled brightly. ”Thank you, I promise once I mastered this dish I will bring you some.” The two went back to work as Cayden ate apple slices. Shortly after they were done Leigh came rushing in and dragged the men out so Ariana could change. She came out of the kitchen wearing black riding pants, a white, long sleeved, ruffled blouse and a burgundy, sleeveless ridding coat with gold trim everywhere.
Leigh had given Cayden a black ridding cloak and a double, crossed belt with short daggers hanging on either side of him. ”Where is my weapon?” Ariana asked as she stared at Leigh with anticipation. ”Nope.” She answered with a deadpan expression but Roland quickly wrapped his arm around her shoulders. ”Don't be like that Leigh. If you don't explain or express yourself more then how is the young Miss to know you are worried about her getting hurt? Or are you feeling shy now since the Madam has recognized her as her own?”