Chapter 42: The Art of War in the Kitchen

This morning, Seweina said she wanted to help with the chores.

Rex thought she’d pick something like chopping wood or carrying rocks, but instead she chose cooking.

“Are you sure?”

Rex leaned against the kitchen doorway, watching her tie on an apron.

“I’m sure. I’ve already tasted your cooking. Now let me show you mine. I can’t cook for thousands, but a few people is no problem.”

Hilda stood silently by the stove, yielding her position and stepping back to assist.

Once Seweina took over, the entire kitchen changed.

Her chopping rhythm sounded like marching drumbeats.

The way she flipped the wok was even more exaggerated than Rex’s, with oil splattering everywhere.

But every dish’s heat was perfectly controlled.

She didn’t use any fancy spices—just salt and black pepper.

Rex took a small bite and nodded.

“How is it?”

Seweina’s voice carried a hint of pride.

“Let’s just say it’s better than Hilda’s first attempt.”

“My Lord, you told me my cooking was ‘just a little burnt’ back then.”

“That was me being polite back then.”

“Seweina, who taught you to cook like that?”

Rex looked at the platter of perfectly cooked dishes on the table, thinking at least they were more edible than Hilda’s first try.

“No one taught me. I figured it out myself after spending so much time in the military. Conditions on the border were harsh, and the mess hall food was terrible. If you didn’t want to starve out in the field, you had to do it yourself.”

“Then how come your ditch-digging skills are so bad?”

A trace of embarrassment flickered across Seweina’s face at that.

“…Those are two different things.”

After the meal, Rex said he wanted to go check the waterwheel.

Hilda followed him out the door.

They walked along the riverbank for a while.

Once Rex was sure Seweina couldn’t hear them, he spoke.

“Why did you agree to it?”

“What do you mean, My Lord?”

“The duel. You accepted it for me. You’ve never made decisions for me before.”

Hilda didn’t deny it.

She stood calmly by the river, watching the water.

“Because she was testing you.”

“I know. So what?”

“If you refused, she wouldn’t leave. She would find other ways to keep testing you until she got the answer she wanted. It’s better to have her in plain sight than lurking in the shadows.”

For a moment, Rex felt Hilda’s logic was flawless.

But he still had one question.

“One more thing. Your attitude toward her… it’s different.”

Hilda turned to look at him.

“How is it different?”

“You’re not resistant to her. When Li Ya first arrived, you never said anything, but your eyes were always scrutinizing her. But with Seweina, you don’t have that feeling at all.”

Hilda’s gaze wavered.

“Because she’s not a threat.”

“What kind of threat?”

“A threat to you. President Li Ya is a merchant. Merchants are skilled at scheming. She approached you out of curiosity and profit at first. But Seweina isn’t like that. She’s a soldier. Soldiers only trust what their eyes see. She came with prejudice, but she’s willing to verify with her own eyes.”

“So that’s why you don’t resist her?”

“My Lord, there’s only one kind of person I don’t resist. Those who will genuinely treat you well.”

Rex stopped in his tracks at those words.

“How do you know she’s genuine?”

“Because when she lost, she made no excuses and didn’t lash out in anger. She was simply unwilling to accept defeat. And people who are unwilling won’t deceive.”

Rex looked at Hilda’s profile and suddenly felt he had never truly seen through her.

“When did you become so good at reading people?”

“Mr. Victor taught me.”

That evening, Seweina sat on the steps of the ancient castle, polishing her sword.

When the two returned, she stood up and asked Rex what he planned to do tomorrow.

“You don’t have to work tomorrow.”

Seweina slid her sword back into its sheath and stood up.

“Why?”

“You’re the North Territory Governor. What would it look like for you to be digging ditches and cooking for an exiled duke?”

“I’m doing it because I want to. Besides, I have orders. Prime Minister Victoria asked me to report on your situation, and I haven’t finished my investigation yet.”

“And what have you learned about me so far?”

Seweina thought for a moment.

“Your cooking is good. You’re patient. You have a maid who doesn’t act like a maid. And you’re nothing like the ‘good-for-nothing’ the Imperial Capital claims you are.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s it. But it’s enough.”

Rex looked at her and saw that her expression was completely frank—just a soldier stating the facts she had observed.

“So when are you planning to leave?”

“When I feel like it.”

“Sigh…”

Rex shook his head and pushed open the door to go inside.

Seweina stood at the entrance, watching his figure disappear into the hall.

She turned to Hilda.

“Has he always been like this?”

Hilda nodded.

“Like this with everyone?”

“My Lord treats everyone the same.”

Seweina let out a hearty laugh.

“Interesting.”