Royally Delicious

molten lava cake

Louis' POV

The flight to New York is grueling. I've been in and out of the country in a matter of days, but that's okay, I sleep when I'm in a moving vehicle such as the plane, and the limo.

We arrived Manhattan and searched for the restaurant, and trust me, we were lost a couple of times, even used Waze to detect the location, because if there's one thing the girl warned Seth that was true, it must be a restaurant tucked in somewhere, out from the public.

Then it must be commendable if by those circumstances, people still book for a seat days in advance.

"I never thought New York would be so..."

"Busy? Noisy? Loud?"

"I was thinking more of... colorful."

It's true though, this side of Manhattan, or where we're going to, is a lot older-looking. The buildings and other architecture are made with bricks, while some, stones with chipping paint. I spotted the restaurant from miles away, as it is beside the town market, and it seems as if a crowd is already forming outside.

"Dear god, don't tell me..."

"Blast! I'm sure we weren't followed, your highness!"

"I can't believe how fast news travel. The paparazzi are here again. Damn." And I thought we lost them when we arrived LAX earlier.

"What do we do, your highness? You can't show yourself! And you don't want to either."

I pondered about this for a moment, and came up with an idea. Although, I'm not sure my butler will be too happy about it.

"Why don't you go? Just ask them to wrap it up. I'll wait in the car."

Seth pointed to himself, and his face went pale. As our official butler since I was born, Seth lived his life inside the manors, and rarely have interactions from the outside world, unless he has to come with us during conferences.

"Moi? But..."

"No buts. Now, go on, chop chop. The faster you go, the faster we can fly back to Monaco."

I clapped my hands to encourage him and he looked... forlorn. Unfortunately, he had no choice, so reluctantly, he got out of the car, swarmed by the paparazzi, and gracefully turned them down.

Something I can never ever do - which is why I am perfectly hidden from everyone else. Surely, they will judge how I am, from head to toe, if they knew how I interact with others, and how casual I am.

Truth be told, I don't even want to be a prince. I studied International Politics in Oxford because I had to, but secretly, without my parents knowing, I also took extra courses in business management. Yes, I wanted to be a businessman. Although connections is not a problem as the crown prince, I want to be able to establish my own business with my own hardwork. Another one of the reasons why I hide my identity from other people.

I waited in the car, checked my e-mails, played Mobile Legends for a bit... what? I'm still a guy who likes his games.

Seth appeared after a good fifteen minutes, slamming the door to the limo, his face flushed. Is it hot in there or what? I look at the porch and see an old woman, around Seth's age, looking back at the limo. There are two more people with her in front of the restaurant, but the crowd does not permit me to see anything else.

"Are you okay, Seth? You look flushed?"

"I'm okay, your majesty. It's just really warm outside." He replied curtly, adjusting his necktie.

"Oh? Are you sure it does not concern the beautiful Latina grandma you have encountered?"

His eyes went big as saucers, and I had to contain my laughter, as Seth went from red to fifty shades darker.

"Of course not. How could she possibly be concerned, why, she is a stranger, no more no less?"

"Sure. Give me the food, will you? I'm hungry."

Seth gave me the plastic bag, and the smell wafted in the car. Lemon meringue tarts, mac and cheese, molten lava cake. Hmm, looks pretty ordinary. But still better than the food in the palace, though.

I opened the plastic container and the paprika spice hint my nostrils almost immediately. My mouth watered at the sight of the gooey cheese and pasta. It looks simple, but when you smell it again, there's something different to it. Something special.

I took a bite, and wow. If I was impressed with the smell, I am more impressed now. It's not your classic mac and cheese, alright. I took one more bite, savoring the flavors and determining each one. They used cottage cheese and sour cream to make the mac and cheese creamier. The texture is just right, not too saucy, not too dry. The paprika is a nice touch, and the coconut oil, I can taste a hint of it. They must've used it instead of butter, and it works! It works wonderfully.

I moaned in pleasure, garnering a look from Seth.

"It's just mac and cheese, your highness. Common people food. I don't see why you take a liking to it." He quipped, wondering why I'm so engrossed with the pasta I'm eating.

"Oh, trust me, your girlfriend can cook, alright."

With the mention of "girlfriend," Seth's face turned redder.

"Monsieur Louis! Don't say such scandalous things!"

"Yeah yeah, I'm just teasing you. Seriously though, you have to try this."

I'm already giving him the spoon but he seems hesitant to take it.

"Pardón, your highness, I am okay-"

"I'm not asking you, Seth. This is an order."

He stared at the spoon strangely then to me, and hastily shoved it inside his mouth. At first, he was chewing carefully, but after some time, his eyes widened, and he turned to look at me and the mac and cheese.

"Tasty, huh?" I snickered, and he seems to be at a loss for words, and nodded his head in response.

"It's rather interesting. The flavors are... explosive."

"Exactly! Not bland! Real flavors. Can't you see the difference?" I sighed in contentment, as I popped in one of the lemon meringue tarts in my mouth. Ah, this is refreshing!

"Looks like we have our new chef." I announced to him. "Mr. Sebastian?"

"Oui?"

"Please prepare the formal arrangements. Call the restaurant, make contracts, and arrange for the flight schedules as soon as possible. We don't have time to dilly dally, as the banquet is in a week's time."

"D'accord, monsieur. Rest assured, the contract shall be sealed tonight."

Perfect. I opened the plastic container of what seemed like molten lava cake, and pierced through the center. Seeing the chocolate flow out slowly, as if it's seducing me, made my heart flutter. Tasting the cake and the chocolate, my heart is fulfilled.

The cake itself tastes like a harmony of chocolate and coffee, whereas the center steers cleer from the usual dark chocolate ganache, it is dark chocolate, but there's something there. Something else. A hint of raspberry sauce, and it complements the ganache so well. I can see Seth watching me from the rear view mirror, as I finish my food with gustó.

Food excites me, and meeting the person who concocted such extraordinary flavors, excites me even more.