Rose Dumplings

The girls lowered their heads all so suddenly, their attention was absorbed back by the task at hand. Poplar's shaky fingers tried to shape the round wrapper into submission, but it tore the side instead.

She tried again and again but the skin was now mangled into a jumbled state that couldn't even cover anything. The filling fell down to the plate with a plop sound, distracting Chiaki from her attention to the incoming lord.

Having received a glance from Chiaki, Poplar became more nervous and scared. Her fingers became wobblier and her movement jagged. She wanted to cry at the feeling of being useless in front of her lady and the lord.

But Lance Hua didn't go to the kitchen. He saw the three women there and walked to the living room.

Chiaki moved swiftly with her technique and her hands were ready to receive the coat Lance had shed. 

"If my lord has time for lunch with me, I make some dumplings. Some are in the steamer already. Would you wait?"