"Here." Othen said softly as he placed Biechta's hands back on the countertop. "Hold on for just one moment."

She turned when she heard metal scraping from behind her. He lifted a chair and brought it to where she was, placing it beside the counter. Here you go. He reached up and gently placed his hands back on her arms, guiding her into the chair.

"Take a breather for a minute and I'll get started. You can just watch, if you'd like?"

Not knowing what to say, she nodded weakly. She watched as he pulled out a flat, wooden board and a sharp knife. Then he pulled out a large bowl full of holes. She bit her lip to hold back more tears as she realized she didn't know what any of these things were either. She was the huge disappointment her uncle always thought she would be. He never said those words, but they were clear to her nonetheless.

She watched in silence as he used the large bowl with holes to wash off the vegetables and herbs in the sink and then returned, sitting them on a towel to dry.

"I thought poultry sounded like a nice light early lunch." He said as he took a whole, small bird out of its wrappings. "Are you familiar with anti? I'm not sure if they have those birds in your province."

She nodded her head, feeling relieved she'd heard of that particular bird before.

"Cooking a bird whole offers the most flavor while also keeping the meat moist. But it takes a long time to cook a whole bird so I'm going to split it up so it will cook faster."

She nodded again, watching as he used a knife to expertly cut the bird into sections.

"The breast offers the most meat and is the most versatile to use in almost any dish. But it's also the least flavorful and easiest to dry out. The legs, thighs, and wings on the other hand..." he spoke as he worked, explaining to her as he went. "Offer the most flavor and tend to not dry out as easily. It's the bones in them that cause this."

"Really?!" She asked in surprise.

"Mm hmm." He nodded.

"We never waste anything that we can use. So any of these pieces that aren't necessarily pleasing to eat on their own go into a pot with water and herbs." He spoke as he tossed the discarded pieces into a pot as he worked through the bird. "That will cook for a while, which extracts the flavor and juices from those pieces. When it's finished, it will go through a straining process so we're only left with the liquid. That can be used in soups, stews, anything where you want to add more flavor than just using plain water."

"I had no idea so much thought went into the preparation and cooking." Biechta said in amazement.

"Exactly. And this is the simple stuff that anyone can learn."

"You have taken the classes here?"

He nodded. "Yes, even though I wouldn't be a chef for my profession I chose to go through the classes just like anyone else would. Simply because I wanted to learn how. It can actually be a wonderful stress reliever when you need to do something to clear your mind."

"Fascinating." She said softly as she watched him.

He placed all the pieces of meat into a bowl with some seasonings and sat the bowl to the side before dumping the board and knife in the sink and then washing his hands.

"Now. Onto the fun part."

He brought out a new, clean board and knife. "Your turn."

"Oh. I think I should just watch." She said as panic filled her anew.

"I know you can do this, Biechta." Othen said gently. "And I'll be right here with you the entire time."

"I might mess it up. I... I don't know what to do."

"I'll show you, and it's just vegetables. Whether you cut them smaller or larger it doesn't matter. We can still eat them just fine."

"Oh... . If you're sure."

An hour later, they were sitting beside each other at the Cook station, having just finished eating their meal.

"This is delicious. I can't believe I helped make this!" Biechta's eyes were big and happy as she took her last bites.

"I knew you could do it."

"Thank you." Biechta looked down at her plate in deep thought before looking back up at earthen. "You have been entirely too kind and patient with me."

"Think nothing of it." He tried to brush it off like it wasn't a big deal

"Of course I think of it. I think everything of it. I don't think you understand how much everything you have shown me...the encouragement you've given me...". She turned in her stool to fully face him. "Othen, you have changed my life. You have changed me."

He opened his mouth slightly but no words came out as he stared at her. He slowly shook his head. "Biechta...I don't want to change you."

Biechta couldn't begin to form a response. He was so kind. Her brow muscles furrowed as she just stared back at him in confusion. "Why?" She whispered.

"Why?"

"I don't understand. I'm nothing special. Why are you doing all of this for me?"

He didn't respond immediately. Slowly, he turned to fully face her as well and raised his hand to gently caress her cheek. "Of course you are special." He whispered.

Again, she couldn't respond. All she could focus on was the feel of his hand on her cheek. He was so close.

He swiftly removed his hand from her and turned to face his empty plate, not making eye contact with her. "I apologize, I-""

Before he could finish, the door to the kitchen burst open and a male walked in. "Othen! I was just told you were in here. You've been here over an hour and you didn't come tell me!"

The male's eyes landed on Biechta as he got closer. "Oh, hello my lady." The male glanced at Othen with a smirk. "Othen aren't you going to introduce me to your companion?"

Othen stood. "Lord Vessen, this is Lady Biechta, niece of Lord Teth."

"Lord Teth of the eastern province?"

Yes." Biechta nodded as she stood. "Greetings Lord Vessen."

"Greetings, my lady." He nodded. "What brings such a lovely lady all the way here from the eastern province?"

"She was invited by my mother." Othen offered.

"Ah. Well then we must be sure to thank the queen." Vessen smirked.

"Yes, it was very gracious of her." Biechta agreed.

"Yes." Othen stood straight and began cleaning up the station, gathering dirty dishes and utensils into an empty basin.

"What brings you to the kitchens? You didn't make this meal yourself did you?" Vessen asked while looking directly at Biechta.

"I... um... Lord Othen was kind enough to allow me to help him."

"Was he now?" He asked without looking toward Othen. "Perhaps you would like to join me for a lesson sometime? I am, after all, a professional."

"That is a very kind offer, my lord." Biechta replied politely as she began helping Othen gather the dirty supplies to be washed.

"Othen, surely you don't expect such beauty to clean up this mess." He barely glanced at Othen before bringing his eyes back to Biechta. "I'll have someone come clean it for you, my lady."

"Oh, that's... kind. However, I'm sure..."

"No worries at all. Have you had a tour of the kitchen?" He asked as he took a step back and motioned toward the door, obviously wanting to escort her out of the room.

"I did see it, my lord. When we came through earlier." She said as she stood there glancing between Othen and Vessen.

"But you must have an actual tour! This is my pride and joy, after all."

"Vessen, you-" Othen started but Vessen cut him off.

"Shall we, my lady."

"That is a gracious offer, my lord. Howev-"

"We will start with the prep stations and work our way through the entire process. So you can see how the real magic happens."

"Vessen." Othen said in a warning tone as he deposited the bin full of dirty dishes into the sink across the room.

"I'm sure Lord Othen has business to attend to." Vessen said to Biechta. "I will take good care of her, Othen. Don't worry about the mess." Vessen said as he practically drug Biechta through the door. Biechta was again overwhelmed by the loud noises and commotion within the busy kitchen.

She flinched when a nearby female yelled to another several feet away. "Prala, where are my mushrooms?! Keep up!"

"She's new, she'll get there." Vessen assured her. "Here is where the team does prep work. Cutting vegetables, herbs, butchering meat." Biechta looked in astonishment at all the movement and wondered how anyone could concentrate in such an environment.

"Here is one thing I'm particularly proud of. A station entirely devoted to creating marinades, sauces, and dressings. This hand picked team specializes in these."

"Oh..." Biechta said in astonishment. She could hardly understand anything he was saying over the loud noises and commotion, not to mention her fast beating heart.

"Biechta." She heard a more gentle voice come from her other side. She turned to find Othen looking at her in concern. "Are you alright?"

"Of course she's alright." She heard Vessen scoff from behind her. "We've barely begun the tour."

"Do you wish to remain here?" Othen asked her without acknowledging Vessen.

She glanced at Vessen who huffed. "Honestly Othen, you act as if I'm incapable of escorting a lady." He said as if he was offended.

Othen simply held his gaze on Biechta. "Would you like to return to the music room? Or perhaps retire to your dwelling for a rest?"

Biechta looked up at him with pleading eyes. She didn't wish to offend Lord Vessen but this entire environment, paired with the emotions she'd been battered with all morning, was simply too much for her.

"Right." Othen said to her before turning to the other male. "Vessen, thank you for the hospitality. However, Lady Biechta and I actually have an appointment. Perhaps another time?"

"But we just got started..." he began to protest.

Othen leaned in toward Vessen to speak more privately. "Lady Biechta was invited here by my mother to spend time with my eldest brother."

Vessen quickly turned his gaze back to Biechta. Realizing her potential future position, he straightened his posture and nodded. "I apologize for keeping you from your appointment, my lady. It was a pleasure meeting you."

She simply nodded in return and let Othen take her hand again to lead her through and out of the bustling kitchen. Once they went down the hall and turned a corner, Othen stopped, released her hand, and looked at her. "Are you alright?"

"I am now. I think perhaps a time of rest in my dwelling is a splendid idea. Thank you." She said honestly.

"Of course. Allow me to escort you." He nodded before turning to continue down the hallway, more slowly this time.