Chapter 5: If I Could (5)
Ahcehera smiled, leaving the ingredients in the kitchen as she began planning the dessert she would create the next day.
I wonder what kind of plants I'll find in this galaxy...
And those plants with beastly features, how do they really look?
There's so much to explore in this world.
The excitement of discovery lingered in her mind as she made her way to her bedroom.
After a warm bath, she changed into her nightwear, her thoughts shifting to the progress of her clothing designs.
Some pieces were already half-finished, and the shop had notified her earlier that they would deliver the completed outfits tomorrow.
She smiled, relief evident on her face. "Finally, I won't have to wear these heavy clothes anymore!"
When all the lights in her room dimmed, Ahcehera closed her eyes, her body sinking into the soft mattress. Exhaustion quickly claimed her, and she fell into a deep sleep.
Unbeknownst to her, as dawn approached, a small, warm presence slipped under her blanket.
Half-asleep, she felt the faintest disturbance but was too drowsy to give it much thought.
When morning light filtered into the room, Ahcehera stretched lazily before glancing beside her and froze.
Curled up against her was the juvenile wolf, its fur rising and falling with each peaceful breath.
Its petite form looked far less menacing now, nestled as if it had found the safest place in the galaxy.
Her heart skipped a beat as realization dawned.
Werewolves... they're supposed to be extinct in the Andromeda Galaxy. Captured for their supernatural powers or forced into alliances through marriage, their rarity has made them legendary.
From her memories, the only family known to have a surviving werewolf bloodline was the Mors family of the North. A military family that had produced a succession of generals on the battlefield.
Guardians of the Northern Territory and the Sirius border, they were renowned for their strength, and also for Major General Richmond Mors, the hero whose fur was said to gleam like pristine snow.
Ahcehera stared at the small wolf in wonder. Its fur was soft and dark, a stark contrast to the hero's legendary white coat.
At this juvenile stage, it was impossible to tell whether it was an ordinary animal, a hybrid, or something far more extraordinary.
"It looks so cute and harmless," she murmured, her voice filled with affection.
She slipped out of bed carefully, not wanting to wake it, and sat beside the wolf. Gently, she reached out and ran her fingers through its fur. The softness brought a giggle to her lips.
I hope it's just a normal animal...
So I can adopt it without any complications.
The little wolf stirred slightly at her touch but stayed asleep, its trust in her evident. Ahcehera smiled warmly, the tiny creature tugging at her heartstrings even more.
-
Today, Ahcehera decided to take on a culinary challenge, creating an ube cake with coconut toppings.
First, she focused on crafting the ube jam. With no access to sugar, she ingeniously extracted glucose from ripened coconuts. The process was tedious but rewarding.
Once the jam was ready, fragrant, and perfectly textured, she moved on to preparing the cake batter.
Using flour and other substitutes available in her kitchen, she carefully measured and mixed the ingredients.
Without a traditional oven in the kitchen, Ahcehera improvised, using alternative tools to bake the cake.
The result was a perfectly golden sponge, soft and airy. Once cooled, she sliced the cake into layers and generously spread the freshly made ube jam between them.
Next came the most challenging part, creating icing and whipped cream. Despite the limitations of her ingredients and tools, she managed to achieve the impossible.
With precision and creativity, she coated the cake in smooth icing and adorned it with intricate, cute designs that showcased her artistic flair.
As she worked, the kitchen robots quietly recorded her every move, documenting the innovative process.
This ensured her techniques could later be studied and replicated by chefs across the palace.
When the cake was finally complete, the staff gathered around, marveling at the masterpiece.
"Princess, they look so adorable. We're afraid to ruin it by cutting into it," one of them hesitated, their admiration evident.
Ahcehera chuckled. "I didn't bake this to be a mere decoration. It's meant to be tasted. Go ahead, but don't forget to check the toxicity levels first. Safety comes first, always."
Reluctantly, the staff began slicing and serving the cake. Their expressions shifted from curiosity to astonishment as they took their first bites.
"Princess, this is incredible! The taste is beyond anything we could have imagined!"
Another staff member added eyes wide with amazement, "And the toxicity level is miraculously zero! None of the ingredients are affected by radiation!"
Ahcehera smiled, satisfaction blooming within her.
Who would have thought such simple ingredients, dismissed as animal feed, could become something this delightful?
Her success wasn't just a testament to her creativity but a reminder of the galaxy's untapped culinary potential. As the staff enjoyed the cake, Ahcehera's mind buzzed with new ideas for future recipes.
This is only the beginning.
If the animal feed sold in the market consists of plants with minimal or no toxicity, it could revolutionize the way we live, Ahcehera thought with excitement.
Not only would it eliminate the need for medicines to counter radiation, but it could also resolve the kingdom's pressing food supply issues within the interstellar community.
The idea sparked a new ambition within her.
A food shop!
It could provide safe, delicious alternatives to those dreaded nutrient solutions.
If we could market this effectively, it might alleviate so many problems for the people, offering them real food instead of tasteless substitutes.
With this plan brewing in her mind, Ahcehera carefully packed slices of the ube cake into exquisite boxes, each adorned with elegant designs befitting a royal gift.
"Emil," she called, her voice steady with purpose, "help me deliver these to my family members."
Emil, her S3 intelligent robot, nodded. "As you wish, Princess. Where shall I begin?"
Ahcehera paused to think, mentally listing her extensive family.
Both sets of grandparents were still alive.
Her mother, Queen Tereza, had three brothers and no sisters, while her father, King Dan, had five sisters and two brothers.
On top of that, Ahcehera had seven brothers of her own, making her the cherished youngest of the royal lineage.
"Start with my parents. The king and queen should have the first taste of this new delicacy," she instructed with a smile.