Twisted-Wonderland: Our Precious Treasure (Part 2)

(158) PoD: To Make It the Perfect Day She's Always Dreamed

"I purpose three things from the groom: a cake of an early spring..."

"You know, in the most morbid kind of way, this is kinda funny," Ruggie snickered as he looked at the ceiling where the sleeping ghosts were hanging. Malleus didn't share the joke, only looking at them with his head tilted to the side. Ruggie approached the counter that was still filled with unfinished catering meals. He let out a hum, feeling slightly guilty about the wasted ingredient, but Azul did say that they would let the ghost go and finish the catering according to the deal with his co-coordinator unless they want to embarrass the guest, which was something they were not aiming for.

Ruggie shook his head slightly and rolled the sleeves of his MasterChef uniform. "Alright, let's bake that cake." Opening the closest cupboard, he grabbed any available baking pan. "Is there a cookbook here? We can follow that."

Malleus was still standing on his spot, looking rather odd despite the limp chef hat that only cover one of his horns and an apron he borrowed from Sam. Ruggie was still wondering why Malleus even bother to volunteer for the cake-baking duty, but nobody could go against him. The fae prince waved one finger as green magical smoke flew through the room before reaching the furthest cupboard where a book was kept.

"Didn't you say that you joined the Masterchef class?" he asked when the book stopped in front of him and he began to flip through the pages. "Why would you still need a guide when you already learn it?" He made a face before bringing the book to Ruggie. It was a recipe for a simple Chantilly cake; fluffy and moist vanilla cakes with berry filling and Chantilly cream. He had made a cake before, so he knew the pros and cons. But to make this mostly white cake into something that is supposed to represent the spring season might be hard for Ruggie who was never the most artistic person.

Toward Malleus' question, because it would be rude not to answer a prince, Ruggie said, "Baking is different from cooking. Wrong measurement and it'll be ruined. Plus, we're not allowed to use magic in Masterchef class. That'll ruin the whole purpose of it." But considering the limited time they had, they would need them.

Malleus nodded. "Ah, I see. If it doesn't fit the princess' standard, you'll be on the guillotine."

Ruggie choked, nearly dropping the book. "Guillotine?! Do they still have those in Briar Valley?"

Malleus tilted his head slightly. "Don't they have those if your place?"

"No?! We usually don't just throw food away! Even if it's too salty, we'll still eat it."

"Why? That's not good for your health."

"Who cares? Better that than starve."

If anything he looked slightly more confused. "Do you have trouble financially?"

Sometimes Ruggie wondered if when they say 'eat the rich' also means Malleus Draconia. He let out a huff but restrained himself for not turning around to avoid Malleus. A word from Leona back during his first year: never turn your back on an Outsider. Guess that also included other dorms. "When you're living in the slum, you don't get the luxury of a full fridge if you even have one. NRC is great for giving me leftover food, I can send them back home and grandma will share it with the neighbors."

Malleus frowned. "And Kingscholar doesn't do anything about it?"

"He's not the one in charge. But I doubt the government would make us the top priority." Ruggie shrugged. "It has been that way, why would you change?"

"If Kingscholar never does anything for you, why do you even want to join in and risk the princess' wrath?"

Ruggie scoffed. "I can ask the same question to you." Warmth blossomed in his chest. "Jonah and Leona saved my life back then. I wouldn't be here without those two, so it's only natural to pay them back."