Chapter 42 - Cheese (1/2)

Marcy led us to the room that was used as a cooler of sorts—I had no idea how they got any form of refrigeration to work here—and showed us to the cheeses.

I was amazed how much food it took to feed the royal family alone. So much of it probably got wasted.

Did the kitchen staff or any other servants eat our leftovers? What happened to all that extra food?

Al, who sauntered behind us leisurely with his hands in his pockets looking like he didn't have a care in the world, was less impressed.

”What kind of cheese do you need?”

”A white one?” I said hesitantly before biting my lip.

I would have to taste all the white ones to see if any were like mozzarella. But what if they did something different here that changed the color? It might be better to try all of them to be safe.

His eyes brimmed with hidden laughter as he turned towards me.

”Are you sure you know what you're doing? Have you ever made this before?”

”I have, I just don't recognize the ingredients here.”

”Why don't I order some from the countryside then? We could do this another day.”

I shook my head sadly. If they didn't have something like mozzarella in the capital the certainly wouldn't in the country.

”That won't work. I'll figure something out.”

Marcy eyed me curiously. ”Do you intend to sample all of these cheeses to find the one you're looking for?”

Squaring my shoulders, I answered with a strong 'yes' and began my task. The cheeses here were unlike anything I had ever tasted.

Well, that wasn't entirely true. When I was thirteen, my family went on a discounted cruise to Mexico. Every night there were different menu options in the fancy onboard restaurant and one night none of the dessert options looked good to me.

I saw one called 'assorted cheeses' and was curious how cheese could be considered dessert so I ordered it. Those cheeses were the most pungent I ever had the misfortune of tasting. One bite of each and I was done, making the most horrible face.

Abby teased me about it for years afterward. Cheese in Annalaias kind of reminded me of that.

In the end I chose the mildest cheese there was and one of the kitchen staff got to grating it per my instructions.

I had never made pizza sauce before because it was easier to buy it at the store so I had no idea what to do for the next part. I imagined the kitchen staff knew how to stew tomatoes down but which spices should I use?

”Can you show me your spice selection?”

”It's right here,” Marcy said cheerfully as she gestured to a bunch of small pots with different labels on them.

None of these names were familiar to me. I would have to smell them all to see if I could find any oregano, garlic, or basil.

Al peered over my shoulder curiously as I worked. To be honest, it was a bit annoying. I was trying to concentrate!

”Al, you need to take two steps back,” I warned. I couldn't focus when he was in my space.

”But what you're doing is so interesting.”

I gave him a disbelieving look. ”How is picking out spices interesting?”

”It just is.”

Had he hovered over Marcy like this when she worked in the book? I couldn't remember. How could she even stand him sometimes?