Nothing Is What It Seems

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Once again, the Castle in an uproar. The King was back. He wasn't having the servants working on preparing everything for a ball; even though he had announced he was going to have one in a few week. No, it seemed he was preparing this ball himself. Well, everything except for the food. The Cook wasn't happy. He was being forced to learn new recipes. Recipes he wasn't sure were actually any good.

Sarah was returning from the gardens with oddly her favorite vegetables. He was planning something. Something that had to do with her. She highly doubted she would be going to this ball. He had to know she was here and was doing this to draw her out. Yes, she had things she wanted to know, and he was really the only person who could answer them. Not that she would be able to ask him

She glanced at the recipes the Cook was trying to make. What was he doing? Her favorite foods, or what had been her favorite foods when she had lived in her old world.

She glanced over at the frustrated Cook, "if you need some help, I know how to make these."

The Cook raised one of his eyebrows as he turned to face her, "can you, Jenna? I have never even seen any of these foods."

"Well, I have, and I'm willing to help."

The Cook sighed and gestured towards the stove like area next to him, "all right, I have no idea why his Majesty would have me making something from the Mortal World."

Sarah moved closer to the pile of recipes. The top one almost made her laugh. It was one of the most simplest things to make. "Why don't I make them, and you watch and take notes? Unless you want me to make them for the ball?"

The Cook shook his head, "no, just show me. At least, for now, Jenna."

Sarah nodded, "okay. I'll make them slow. Some of these don't take long to make."

The Cook nodded, "good. I hate wasting time doing this."

Sarah turned back to the recipes, "let's get started. Hopefully, this won't take long."

XOXOX

Jareth rarely came down to the Kitchens, but he had to be sure the Cook could do as he asked. He would had just conjured up the food if he had known how to properly made the dishes.

The heat of the Kitchens was almost unbearable to him. He slowly made his way through the few workers, looking for the Head Cook. He finally noticed him standing next to that cat-goblin he had seen with the gardener. The Cook was watching her as she seemed to be doing something.

He moved closer to them. It seemed she was showing him how to make something, something that looked like one of the recipes he had given the Cook that very morning.

"Now after the butter melts into the oil you throw in the chopped onions, diced garlic, and chicken into the pan," she seemed to toss some things into the pan, causing the oil to sizzle. "Once the chicken's white, toss in the rest of the vegetable we've already prepared.". She put more things into the pan.

The Cook nodded, "really? It's that simple?"

The cat-goblin nodded, "that simple, since you already know how to make the pasta."

He stood just out of sight. How did she know how to make the dish? There wasn't any dish in the Underground like the dish she was making, even though it smelled wonderful. There seemed to be more to her than he had though? He would need to look at her employment documents.

He cleared his throat, causing the two goblins to turn to face him.

The Cook gave a slight bow, "your majesty."

The cat-goblin tried to curtsy, while stirring the items in the pan before her.

"Care to explain what's going on here?"

The Cook took a moment to gather himself, "Jenna, here, was showing me how to prepare those recipes you gave me this morning."

Jareth looked at her, "really? I was unaware of any Felesians living with much less visiting the mortals."

She looked from the pan slightly, "someone else taught me, Your Majesty. I've never been to the Mortal World."

He had a feeling she wasn't telling him a complete lie. It wasn't like there was a law that made travel to the Mortal World a crime. She always seemed to be afraid of him. Yes, he was king, but there was no need to be this fearful of him.

Jareth nodded, "so you have it well in hand then?"

The Cook nodded, "of course, your Majesty. Once I watch Jenna do them at least once, I should have them."

"If you need have her make the meals, but you still have about a week to learn them."

"Of course, your Majesty."

Jareth took one last look at the scene before him. Yes, he would look at her employment papers. There was something odd about her. "I'll leave you to your lessons."

He gave them a last nodded before walking out of the the Kitchens.