Winning the Warrior (Taekook ff)

Chapter 12

Jngguk woke up earlier than usual the next morning, even before his training time. In a few minutes he was done with his morning routine and found himself standing in the doorway of the stove rooms. The thralls and cooks did double takes when they saw him lingering there but didn't dare to approach him. Jarl Jngguk was intimidating, and all attempted to stay as far away from his wrath as they could. After several minutes of working under his gaze, the oldest cook made her way over to him.

"Jarl...Are you looking for a thrall...? Or have orders for us?"

Jngguk felt the others giving him surreptitious looks but directed his attention towards the cook.

"Do we have any fresh catch from the river today?"

"Yes Jarl. We get catch every morning. It is cleaned and put away for the afternoon and nightly meal."

Jngguk nodded absentmindedly as he examined the huge room again. It was half the size of the hall and further divided with wooden stations on one side and stoves made of clay with burning wood on the other, the smoke wafting out of the windows.

"Can you clear one?"

"I do not understand, Jarl. Would you like a fish to be cleaned for some..."

"No. Can you clear out a smaller stove?"

The cook cast a glance behind her at the wall of burning stoves. "The morning meal is cooking but two or three stoves will be cleared in half an hour once the water is done boiling for the vegetables." She looked at Jngguk with a hooded gaze, as if reading him. Clearing his throat and warding off the uncomfortable feeling, Jngguk turned. "I will be back in half an hour then. Have one small and farthest as possible stove cleared."

"Jarl!" The cook's face held a mixture of puzzlement and amusement. "You do not intend to be here in the kitchens! Tell us if you need anything and we will prepare it."

"Just have a stove cleared. That is all I want for now."

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Jngguk had been anticipating the knock on his door ever since he had made his way upstairs. He had busied himself with tidying up his room, pretending he wasn't waiting but as soon as the knock sounded, he dropped all pretence. He took two breaths and pulle open the door. A very sleepy and mussed Taeh met his sight.

Jngguk marvelled at his rosy cheeks and glistening skin which looked damp.

"What couldn't wait for a lighter hour? I can still see the stars Jngguk...By Odin, if this is not worth it as you claimed last night..."

Jngguk looked him over and content that he was dressed warmly, he stepped out into the hall, making Taeh stumble as he moved back.

"How sleepy are you right now?"

"Not a lot." A yawn escaped his mouth. Jngguk chuckled, "You really don't like early mornings."

"It's not morning yet." Taeh grumbled, then in a louder voice, "Where are we off to?"

"You'll see. Also, how are you feeling today? Anything wrong with your stomach?"

"Not so far. I was careful with my last meal."

Jngguk hummed as they made their way downstairs, "Eating so little is not going to be good for you."

"I can manage until... Jngguk? Why are we at the kitchens?" He shuddered as they stopped in the hall. The memories of the disaster his visit to the big room had caused swam at the forefront of his mind.