“Ah, you mean this,” Tii followed Su Ling’s gaze and saw the busy backs of cook Amane and several other chefs.
She explained, “The formal ceremony of the ritual is about to begin soon. Lord Seban told us earlier that we have to prepare the sacrificial ingredients ourselves, so everyone is busy with this right now.”
“The Castle Pastry Chef isn’t allowed to make human food, and there aren’t enough ordinary chefs, so us maids have to help with baking too. Look, everyone’s gotten busy! Sigh.”
Su Ling nodded thoughtfully, then looked toward the kitchen.
There, steam swirled in the air mixed with the sweet aroma of freshly made pastries. The maids bustled back and forth, sweat shining on their faces.
A few lower-ranking chefs stood in the open space by the stove, teaching the maids how to bake desserts.
Because the ingredients are difficult to prepare, and they need to finish everything in time for the ritual, everyone has been squeezing in extra hours, studying hard after regular work.
“You first do this, then this, then this, and finally like this. See? It’s not that hard!”
A gaunt-faced male chef gestured animatedly, while across from him, Karsanna’s face was twisted into a bitter scowl.
“Hey! Who can understand you talking like that?” Karsanna’s hands, clenched into fists at her waist, were ready to strike at any moment.
“I’m telling you, first do this, then that, and it’ll be fine.”
“Like this? Forget it, I’ll just do it myself!”
Finally losing patience, she threw her hands aside and went to the small workbench, preparing to start on the puff pastry desserts.
However, the dough in her hands never seemed quite right either too dry or too wet and no matter what she did, it wouldn’t reach the ideal state.
Her brows furrowed tightly, the corners of her mouth twitching slightly; her usually carefree nature showed a rare hint of helplessness.
Seeing this, Duli couldn’t help but cover her mouth to stifle a laugh, deliberately elongating her tone: “Karsanna, didn’t you say you wanted to learn yourself? Seems like it’s taking quite a while, huh?”
Karsanna’s cheeks flushed at the remark; she glanced at Duli and complained, “Hmph, don’t mock me! If you’re so capable, why don’t you try?”
“Of course I know how to do it. I’m not as free as the Head Maid, I help out in the kitchen too.”
Duli was still grinning when suddenly Karsanna grabbed her hand and plastered a big white patch of flour on her face.
“Don’t fight, everyone, don’t fight…”
Bohm squirmed and babbled, trying to separate the two.
Just as she grew flustered and her face turned red, a pair of gentle hands lightly patted her back.
“Tii,” the soft voice said as the owner stepped forward, “No fighting in the kitchen, please. Little Su Ling just came by. How about we take over the puff pastry desserts, and everyone else can focus on other things?”
Tii smiled warmly, meeting Karsanna and Duli face to face, wiping her hands with a cloth before moving to the workbench.
“Huh? You two?”
Karsanna’s heart blossomed with joy at those words, though she still put on a commanding air.
“All right, then, I’ll leave it to you two. It’s about time Su Ling got a good workout! Hey, Su Ling, hurry over!”
Su Ling, who had been quietly watching from the side, heard her name and hurried over.
And so, Karsanna and Duli happily ran off to the other side, leaving Bohm standing alone, lingering and gazing after Tii with reluctant affection.
“Tii, Miss, if you want— I can help…”
“You’ve worked hard too, Bohm! Leave this to me, it’s no trouble at all.”
Before Bohm could finish, Tii gave a slight roll of her eyes and gently pushed her back.
With no other choice, Bohm left reluctantly, throwing a jealous glance at Su Ling as she went.
“Am I just supposed to stay silent?” Su Ling looked confused.
“All right, all right, little Su Ling,” a hand reached out and took hers.
She looked up to meet Tii’s smiling emerald eyes.
“Now it’s just the two of us. Let’s work hard and learn together.”
“Ah, okay,” Su Ling lowered her head, glancing helplessly at the pile of flour that Karsanna had flung on her.
“But Tii, I don’t really know how to make this.”
“That’s fine, I know how. You just watch, and keep me company.”
Tii pulled her somewhat messy red hair into a high ponytail and rolled up her sleeves.
Just like that, before Su Ling could say a word, Tii took over her work without hesitation, not minding the extra effort.
Somehow, Tii had always been overly attentive toward her.
Su Ling knew she couldn’t refuse Tii’s insistence, so she quietly stood to the side.
After the dough was kneaded, Tii picked up a lump gently, her eyes focused and brows furrowed in thought.
Her fingertips pressed skillfully, occasionally using a small wooden stick to draw graceful lines.
Soon, one by one, fist-sized round dough pieces were lined up neatly on the table.
“Tii’s hands are really skilled,” Su Ling couldn’t help but admire.
“I used to do detailed work often, it’s nothing big,” Tii said modestly.
“But what are these?” Su Ling asked, eyeing the strangely shaped dough pieces curiously.
Their bottoms were somewhat pointed, and the tops had strange little tubes—there was a faint feeling of familiarity, but she couldn’t place exactly what they were.
“Look closer,” Tii said with a mischievous smile, “Don’t they look like hearts?”
“Ah… hearts?” Su Ling suddenly realized.
“Hearts,”
“Eyes,”
“Lips.”
“These three are the main elements for the dessert decorations at the Blood Moon Festival.”
“That sounds kind of scary…” Su Ling felt a chill run down her spine.
“Of course, this is the Last Supper,” Tii said.
The Last Supper?
Suddenly, Su Ling recalled that some time ago, Phil had said the same thing to her.
But at that time, she hadn’t received a detailed explanation, and Phil was no longer around.
Thinking of Phil made her heart heavy and uneasy.
It had been so long with no news. She didn’t know how Phil was doing.
If not for the strict rules of the Palace, Su Ling would have gone back to the streets of that day many times to ask about Phil’s whereabouts.
“Because it’s the Last Supper, everyone dares not slack off,” Tii continued beside her, “To ensure every offering is perfect, the Blood Clan’s lords have very strict demands, not only on appearance but also on flavor. There can be no flaws.”
“So, these things are meant to be used in the ritual,”
“Right?” Tii suddenly paused, looking at Su Ling with some surprise, “Don’t you know, Su Ling?”
Su Ling shook her head.
“I see…”
Tii’s face flashed with a trace of bitterness, seeming to struggle a moment before continuing,
“These things are meant for humans.”
“Humans?” Su Ling tilted her head.
“Yes, as offerings of humans.” Tii’s voice was calm.
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