It was only around three in the afternoon now. It is still a bit early to start cooking for dinner but who doesn't want to eat early if you've been waiting for it the whole day. I slowly walked to the community kitchen lost in my thoughts. Technically, I already touched Lark so he's my person now though he's currently labeled as my slave. I finally rembered to check on the handbook and I was right. Taking in slaves or helping out people in need earn you points even if it was done outside the acade.
I passed by the bread shop and thought of dropping by. I saw the owner who is kind of busy packing so cooked loaves of bread. It should be part of the 50 loaves I ordered. He saw and was surprised. I then smiled and said, "Don't worry, I am not hurrying you. I just thought of placing orders in advance. I can only cook in the community kitchen during weekends so I don't know what those people will eat on weekdays." The bread shop owner looked at and gave a helpless smile. He then said, "You have to trust in them a bit. They've been doing just fine before you started helping them. They should be able to find a way to eat on those other days." I nodded in understanding and said, "But just in case soone asks for food, just give them a loaf or two. I will give so money in advance to pay for it." He still accepted the money and nodded in understanding as well. I left three silvers with him. A loaf of bread only sells for about 10 - 30 coppers so that should feed quite a few people.
I arrived at the community kitchen at around 3:30pm. It was earlier than usual but I saw so people already waiting for . Besides the seven boys I fed last ti, there were also a few n with children that are already seated in the dining area. When they saw approach, they welcod and said that they will help out in the preparation and cooking of the al. I gladly accepted their help. You shouldn't stop people who are willing to volunteer for the greater good. I brought out all the onions, tomatoes, carrots and potatoes. I asked my little volunteers to wash the ingredients and peel off their skins. I then told them that I will show them how to chop it once they are done. The volunteers gladly carried the heavy sacks of vegetables I gave them towards the water tap. As for , I brought out the pots, chopping boards and knives. I brought out the wild boar at and chopped it into smaller cubes for the stew. Since a lot of people are working together, the peeled ingredients were washed quite quickly. I showed them how each one needs to be cut and they were able to learn it quite quickly. The preparation was completed in less than an hour. I was able to start cooking at exactly 4:30 in the afternoon.
The sll of onions and tomatoes being sauteed wafted in the air within a few minutes. In one of the pots, I have already started boiling so bone broth to make the stew more delicious once I mix it in later. After the tomatoes and onions are done, I sauteed the pork in. While waiting for the pork to cook, one of the workers from the bread shop arrived with my delivery. I gave them the other half of the paynts that I owed. They dutifully packed each loaf in its own paper bag which made glad. I told them to place the boxes down on one of the tables for distributing later. The stew took about one and a half hours to cook. A few minutes before serving, I told everyone to get their bowls since it is about ti to eat. Everybody scampered back to their houses to get theirs. I couldn't help but smile at how eager they are to eat what I have prepared compared to yesterday. While nobody was looking, I poured two vials of healing potions and mixed the stew to distribute it evenly in the pot. I heard so slow footsteps approaching and when I looked up, I saw a face I did not expect to see again.
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Aurum's POV
As I made my rounds, I made sure to pass by the community kitchen and as expected there she was again, my wife. She's busy cooking and feeding the people from the slum area just like yesterday. She would definitely make a proper princess for sure but I know she would not like that. This is the reason why I gave up the crown prince position before because I did not want to put unnecessary pressure and danger to my future wife. I have not t her yet at that ti but sohow, my decisions before definitely seem to align to how she wants to live her life in this world and I can never be too glad about my previous choices. I was quite absent-minded that before I noticed, I already found myself walking towards her and it was too late to stop since I was already standing in front of her. When she looked up, she looked shocked as for I felt relief. At least, she didn't look like she despised .
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I couldn't believe that I have been eting the n I was avoiding during these last two days. First, I was entangled with Lark. Next, I was tailed by Keeran. Then, almost got stalked by a pervert and now, this guy and his minions. I don't even have energy to feel anything anymore. Besides the initial shock, I simply looked back in to the stew I was mixing and asked, "Do you need anything sir? You don't look like you live here so I know you are not after the free stew." I waited for an answer but there wasn't any even after I have doused the fire since the stew is done. When I looked up, he was simply staring at like an idiot. I then told him, "If you don't have anything to say, kindly leave. A line of hungry people will soon start on the spot you are standing on." When I told him to leave, he finally snapped back to reality and responded, "I was doing my usual rounds when I saw you here. I just got curious as to what you were cooking since it slls so nice. Is there a chance that you can give us so?" I stared at him as if asking him if he was seriously asking for free food from . He shalessly smiled at like telling , What's the big deal? I placed my open palm in front of him and said, "Two silvers for all five of you." His eyes widened but he still touched his robe pockets seemingly looking for money. He then looked back to one of his aides and asked him if he brought money. After much effort from the five of them, they hurriedly gave five silvers. I raised my brow and asked, "Why are you giving too much?" He then said, "It's for our food and also to donate towards your project of feeding the people here." I closed my palm to take the money. I conjured five dium-sized bowls and filled it with the stew. I also gave them a loaf of bread each to complete the al. I also took so for myself too. They sat on one of the nearby tables to eat as for , I stayed near the stove top and ate my fill while waiting for my custors to co back. As for these guys, they seem to be observing how I was eating and then started copying . Oh, they were nobles and the other one was a royal. They must have not tried having stew in a bowl for soup with so cheap bread.
After about ten minutes, a crowd has started to make its way to the community kitchen area. Before they were able to get in line, they stopped walking and stared at the five people eating on one of the tables. When the prince and his minions noticed it, they imdiately stood up and bid their hasty goodbyes. They even used cleanse magic before returning the bowls to .
After the noblen left, a play button seed to have been pressed and the people started falling in line in front of . The seven boys are in front of the line and I hurriedly gave everyone a bowl of the stew and a loaf of bread each. Soon enough everyone got their fills and I even gave so seconds and even thirds for the older n in the line. I also gave whole loaves of bread for the younger children. If they can't eat the whole thing, they can keep it for the next ti they were hungry.
Cleaning up was a breeze since my volunteers helped till the end. I then told them that I can only cook for them by next weekend since I have to go back to the acade over the weekdays. So of them looked sad but they nodded in understanding and still smiled as they said their goodbyes and their "See you next weekend" greetings. The seven boys are the saddest of the bunch for so reason. I understood how important it has been for them to have at least this one full al in a day. I put a hand on each of their heads and ruffled their hair. I then whispered, if you get very hungry, go to the bread shop where I bought the bread loaves a while ago and they'll give you sothing to eat. They looked up and gave their sweetest smiles.
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