Under the Oak Tree

Chapter 90 – Lessons on Defensive Sorcery (1)

The head cook was kneading bread in front of a long table when he noticed someone pushing the door open. His eyes widened in surprise when he realized it was none other than Madam Max who had entered the kitchen.

Max smiled awkwardly at the head cook as she moved to the fireplace while rubbing her palms against her shoulders.

“madam, what could be wrong at this early hour that you are here?” The head cook asked Max, the former’s face was full of concern and Max shook her head faintly before replying.

“Well there is no-nothing wrong. I just woke up su-suddenly. I did not want to di-disturb the lord while he re-rested, so I came out qu-quietly...Can I stay here for a mo-moment? Will it be o-okay?” Max asked.

The cook was caught off-guard when he heard the lady ask for his permission to stay in the kitchens.

He fervently nodded his head in response. His actions were so abrupt and stront that he feared his skull would crack due to the force.

“Of...of course! I have prepared freshly baked bread and rabbit soup just now. Would you like to have a taste?” The cook offered Max and she smiled at him in turn.

“Well, ma-maybe just a li-little bit. I will eat some. But, be-before that...I want to wash my face...Could you bring me wa-water and a to-towel?” Max asked.

“Yes of course! Please wait one moment, madam.”

The head cook immediately grabbed a clean basin off the shelves and poured hot and cold water in it in order to get the right temperature that would suit the lady of the castle. When he was done he quickly handed Max a crisp, clean cloth along with the lukewarm water.

Max received them gratefully and then proceeded to sit at the table in front of the fireplace to wash her face more easily.

She carefully dipped her fingers in the water and then ran her wet palms through her tangled locks. After she did this, soon a maid entered the kitchen premises and began helping the cook to set the table. It was also this same maid who brought and served her hot thick soup, as well as steaming fresh and white bread.

Max moved the basin to one side, and then grabbed the warm loaf, and split it in half. The golden crust crackled as she pulled at it. White steam also rose from its soft, creamy, white flesh and carried its warm scent.

Max then proceeded to spread a small dollop of butter, on it and then took a bite. The sweetness of freshly baked bread melted in her mouth, and its heat also slightly burned her tongue. It went deliciously well with the salty rabbit soup and her palate was soothed by the glass of goat’s milk with honey that was also provided for her.

Max enjoyed filling her stomach with the delicious meal in front of a roaring fire, and she felt quite satisfied. When she was finished with her meal she started to leave the kitchen feeling drowsy.

“What’s the matter this morning?” Max asked herself as she debated whether to crawl back into bed, or start her day early since she was already awake.

However, before she could decide on what to do she heard a familiar voice behind her call her name. Max spotted Ruth walking at the hallways that led to the kitchen; his face was clouded with frustration.

He approached her swiftly and blocked her way.

“You must have been enjoying your early breakfast. That is a relief. Unfortunately, since I was carrying out important work for the lord, never mind breakfast, I haven’t eaten since the day before yesterday.” Ruth complained sarcastically at Max.

Max’s mouth stiffened at his speech

“Ye-yesterday, I was bu-busy...” she began to explain to him, but she was cut off when Ruth started talking again.

“Yes, I heard that Lord Calypse bought a tremendous number of gifts for you. You must have been busy opening presents all day long, correct?” Ruth told her bitingly and Max furrowed her brows at his words.

“No! The work that I had in the ca-castle kept me o-occupied...it was more than I tho-thought!” Max tried to explain to him.

Certainly, it was true that she did spend quite a bit of time opening gifts, but Max was obstinate of mentioning that.

Ruth however kept on glaring at her with his sunken eyes full of dismay. Max did not want to show in front of the servants how flustered and pitiful she was because of this man. With his high-handed attitude, he always made her feel like a bad child being scolded by their teacher.

“Of course, you must have much work to do. However, as the Lady, you have to prioritize the safety of the house above all else. What could be more important than setting up the magical equipment defenses around the castle wall to keep out intruders? The only person who can help me is you Lady Calypse since you are proficient at math.” Ruth whispered to her.

Max squinted her eyes at the implication of his words. She would have bet her life that the wizard did not think she was talented at math and he was only nitpicking on her.

“Of course, sa-safety is im-important. But...it is no less im-important to pre-prepare for the wi-winter. As soon as I’m fi-finished with my work...” Max began to reason out but Ruth spoke again.

“To Lord Calypse, the safety of his residents is more important than anything else. As his wife, if you help me finish the task quickly, the lord will also feel more at ease.” Ruth snapped at her.

Ruth’s words were testing Max’ patience but it also piqued her interest.

“Re-really? Do you re-really think that?” Max looked up to the wizard in curiosity.

“Absolutely.” Ruth told her, his voice was full of confidence.

Max was so consumed with the thought that Riftan would consider her a capable person if she did manage to protect his people, that she did not detect Ruth’s coercive way of speaking towards her.

She secretly glanced at the servants, who were pretending to work and enjoying eavesdropping on their conversation and let out an unavoidably lengthy sigh.

“Al-alright. I will make he-helping you my full pri-priority. Are you sa-satisfied n-now?” Max told Ruth.

“It would be more satisfying if you could lend me your hand immediately.” He replied.

Max could see that his lean face was weary from exhaustion.

“There is a mountain of formulas that must be organized. Originally, there are supposed to be two or three assistants to take care of this, so it’s too much for me to do alone.” He told her as they began to walk towards the kitchen once more.

“O-okay, I u-understand. For now, you should eat.” Max answered as she led him to a table and asked a kitchen maid for food to be served.

“This is enough.” Ruth said dismissively, waving his hand at the kitchen maid, implying that the latter did not have to do Max’ bidding. He instead picked up a piece of bread that was placed on the table and had just come out of the oven and took a rather large bite from it.

He also walked over to a sack placed in the corner of the kitchen and took out one apple from it, and then deposited it into the pocket of his robe. He turned back to face Max, as if telling her to follow him while he chewed on his bread and Max gave him a nod.

When Ruth began to leave, Max told the maid to find her in the library if there was any urgent business for her to attend to. After doing this, she followed Ruth’s footsteps and left the kitchen area.