Chapter 211 - The Big One! The Last One!
King Ophire had been waiting for his child to rush over to his side which was something she always did.
'Why do strange things keep happening today?' He wondered when he did not find any figure rushing over to his side.
Being a healthy man still in his youthful days and also a Rosenhyde at that, his physical fitness was better than other men his age.
He had this confidence in his health as he was able to catch sight of two figures who were standing at the entrance of the Rose Palace.
'Is Felly upset about something? What could it be?' He wondered and hastened his steps causing his steward to hurry along to keep up with him.
When the two men reached the Palace doors, they found Princess Felicia and her maid standing in wait.
"Greetings, Father. Thank you for taking time to have a meal with me." Princess Felicia curtsied as she spoke with poise and elegance.
Amused at his daughter's strange yet adorable antics, King Ophire nodded as he received her greetings.
Being the hostess today, she followed the perfect etiquettes she was taught as she led her father to the dining room of her Rose Palace.
Though it was smaller in size when compared to the Rosenhyde Palace, it was nowhere else inferior to the other Palaces.
The place was decorated according to the Princess's preferences and she could change it at any time she felt to do so.
King Ophire followed her as they entered the dining room of the Palace.
Unlike the one in Rosenhyde Palace, the table here was homely and could only seat six people at a time.
Being the man, King Ophire pulled the chair for his child at his right and then took the main seat at the table.
He was provided with the warm water he had asked for in order to wash his hands which he made his daughter do as well.
Soon, the staff brought over the food for their lunch keeping in mind that the meal was according to the liking of the King and the Princess.
"No dessert if you do not eat your lunch." The father warned his daughter when he saw her making a funny face while scanning the items placed on the table.
This made Princess Felicia's eyes sparkle in excitement after hearing his words.
"The dessert is here!" She exclaimed while making sure that she was not too loud.
The maid's words had struck a chord with her making her conscious of her actions in order to not anger her father or make him disappointed in her.
King Ophire then watched how she quietened down on her own even when he had not opened his mouth to yell at her for her unladylike actions.
'I seeā¦' He shook his head upon realizing the reason for her obedient behavior.
The desire to have the dessert was much stronger than doing as she pleased.
Therefore, she did not waste any time and began eating the food that was now on her plate.
As a father, he was impressed and applauded her willpower and the efforts she was putting in and it was all for a piece of the dessert.
But at the same time, he was unhappy that she was learning too quickly.
Though he would chide and lecture her, he enjoyed seeing her face as she threw a tantrum to get what she wanted.
However, it seemed that she was learning to behave like the proper young lady of the prestigious lineage that she descended from.
A part of his mind knew that she was growing up sooner than other kids due to the responsibilities on her shoulders that a Princess must carry.
'She is working too hard and needs to be rewarded likewise.' He decided and was sure to make this come true.
In silence, their meal came to an end as Felicia did not want to speak while eating.
The table was cleared and the servants' movements were quick as they brought over a plate for each of the Royal family members sitting at the table.
The empty plates were placed before them as another servant brought out a decorative tray and placed it between the two.
King Ophire and Princess Felicia stared at the six pieces of desserts neatly arranged on the tray.
Felicia's eyes sparkled as she was finally able to set her eyes on the dessert that she had heard great things and high praises from her close friend, Glennise Brodie.
Tiny cup-shaped cakes topped with fragrant fresh cream and garnished with fresh and juicy strawberries.
The visual appeal of the dessert had even tempted King Ophire who scrutinized the dish placed before him.
'It is pleasing to the eye and has a delectable aroma that is wafting into my nose but will it be able to withstand the palate test?' He smirked at the treat on the tray.
He was still not convinced that someone other than the Palace chefs could win him over.
Hence, he continued to remain skeptical about the great words that Glennise had spoken in its favor.
The King picked up the first piece and just as he was about to place it on his daughter's plate, the little girl moved her plate away.
"The big one!" She pointed at the cupcake with the highest peak of cream.
Finally catching a glimpse of the childish behavior that had been missing all this while, King Ophire did not refuse her request as he placed the cupcake with the highest peak of cream on it.
He then placed the piece shunned by his child onto his plate as he did not care which one he ate.
'The result will be the same either way so it doesn't matter which one I have.' He shrugged his shoulders and picked up his fork and knife.
Princess Felicia smiled ear to ear as she followed her father's actions and picked hers as well.
They did not bite into the cupcake like someone from Yvonne's previous world usually would, instead they cut it into pieces before forking them into their mouths.
The fluffiness of the cake coupled with the light and subtle hint of strawberries in the fresh cream which ended with the tiny juicy chunks of the fruit.
This was what they tasted in the first bite of the cupcake, a new dish they had never had before.
To say that Princess Felicia was smitten would be an understatement.
The first bite was soon followed by the second and in no time, she had eaten the entire cupcake.
King Ophire had a similar experience as he did not realize when the cupcake on his plate had vanished and was now inside his belly.
He glanced at his child who was staring at him with twinkling eyes, wanting to eat more of the desserts that remained on the tray.
"The last one!" He reminded her and placed the second piece on her plate only after seeing the ardent nod of acceptance from her.
While she had begun eating, he sneaked another piece onto his plate and enjoyed the taste which was novel and delightful at the same time.
He was surprised that someone had managed to win his approval and that someone was not a Royal chef like he had expected it to be.
Having been proved wrong, he did not have any doubts that this chef would be a bad choice for the celebration he was planning for his child.
'That child has done a good job.' He also complimented the little girl from the St. Claire family who had aided in the creation of this dish.