Chapter 3: Cleaning house

Lynn arrived early in the morning to help me get up and dressed. I asked him several questions as he helped me get ready for the day. Once he was finished, he excused himself to go fetch my breakfast. What even is this world?! all positions of power are held by women and men are raising children and working as maids. It's true that I prefer to live in a world where women are not treated as lesser beings but that doesn't mean I wanted to live where men were persecuted instead! It hasn't even been a full day since I left my sick bed and I'm already confused.

Lynn announced himself and walked in with a tray. He placed it on the table and pulled out my chair. I sat down at the table and looked down at what was supposed to be breakfast. It's just a bowl of soup with rice, some bread and an apple which had obviously gone soft... I doubt this is Lynn's doing. Normally there is only one person allowed to prepare food for royals. I'm sure since this girl was the daughter of a lowly commoner, everyone treated her like she was beneath them and Kaimera would not have be able to do anything about it because she had no power or influence of her own. I reach my hand out to touch the rice to see if it is at least cooked properly and as I expected, it's warm but stiff... This cheff is about to have a very bad day. "Lynn, what is this supposed to be?" Lynn jumped at my sudden stern tone. "it... its the breakfast the kitchen prepared for you, your highness" He looks visibly startled. "Lynn, If I'm not mistaken, even commoners know how to cook rice. I will not be eating this trash." The chair skids as I stand up and pick up the bowl. "Take me to the kitchen. I would like to meet this chef who's skills can't even stand against a commoner." "Y...your highness, you have only just recovered. If you would like something else, I can go speak with the kitchen and let them..." Before he could finish, I cut him off. I get that he is probably looking out for me because he doesn't want the lady he serves to be bullied but I am not the same Kaimera as before. I am Kai and I don't have time for bullshit. "I said take me to the kitchen. That was not a request." Lynn nodded nervously and lead me out the door towards the kitchens.

I can easily guess how the people here feel about Kaimera. I don't particularly care about people's opinions but if it effects the way I live I will do something about it. there is no excuse for a princess to eat half cooked rice for breakfast... Last night I opened up my spiritual sense briefly to see how many cultivators im dealing with here but oddly there were only three people inside the Imperial city that even know how to access spiritual energy and none of them were particularly impressive. This means I should be able to use my spiritual energy rather easily... I find it odd though. The spiritual energy in this world is so thick you can practically feel it with your own hands yet no one in the Imperial palace seems to be above the body refinement realm. Maybe this is one of those worlds where those who know how to cultivate are not allowed to do so freely unless they join a sect. I've been in a couple of worlds like that so it's not out of the question.

We stop in front of yet another shabby building. This place needs some work if I'm going to have to stay here for an extended period of time... I may have been around a long time but I still have standards. Like not living with rats, spiders and roaches. Lynn holds the door open for me and I walk in to see a grumpy looking female chef and a male assistant chef. though, he looks like he is scared to even look at the chef. I clear my throat, still holding the bowl of rice in my hand. The chef turned to look at me then glanced at the bowl with a sly smirk. "Is there a problem with the food your highness?" (Wow. this bitch is bold.) "Obviously. I wouldn't waist my time coming all the way here if it were edible. I assume you are the chef that cooked this trash?" The chef seemed to go through an array of emotions in just a moment (it was funny) Shock, confusion, irritation then anger. "This is the same thing I always make. Why does your highness suddenly have a problem with it now? Perhaps your highness doesn't realize how lucky you are to have someone else fixing all of your meals. Perhaps you would like to cook for yourself?" I was thinking about giving her a chance if she at least showed basic respect but it's easier this way I guess. I put on a soft smile, still looking the chef in the eye. "That's a wonderful idea. I wish I had thought of it sooner... Since I will be taking care of my own meals, your services are no longer required. Perhaps you should take this opportunity to venture into other manners of employment. Cooking is obviously not for you." With a smile still on my face I turn around and look at the cooking assistant. "Do you know how to properly make rice?" I could see the chefs blood pressure going up out of the corner of my eye as I'm looking at the cooking assistant. The poor boy looked too scared to speak. "Who do you think you are to fire me?!" (OH, here we go...) "Do you have any idea who appointed me to this position?! I have worked in the Palace for fifteen years! You should feel honored to have such an accomplished Chef cooking your meals!" ( keep digging.... ) "You're just the daughter of a whore! The only reason you're even lucky enough to live within these walls is because the Empress is your mother!" I let her keep going until she ran out of breath. The more she said, the better for me. Now that she was finally losing steam, I took the opportunity to speak before she started repeating herself.

I let out a loud sigh, maintaining my posture and put my smile back on. "I will start by answering your first question... Yes, I do have a problem with the food. Firstly, a princess being served half cooked rice, soup and bread for any meal is disrespect to a member of the Imperial family. Secondly, even I know rice must firs be soaked and cleaned, then boiled in a covered pot in clean water with salt for at least 20 minutes without stirring. Even the daughter of a whore could do that." I sharpen my eyes and take a couple steps closer. She looks annoyed... but we're just getting started.

"Now, your next question... Who do I think I am to fire you?" I think she is starting to realize she is in trouble. her face is starting to shift from annoyance to nervousness. "It is true that my father was a commoner and is now still just a concubine... However, my mother is the Empress of this empire. So I THINK I'm the fifth princess of the Klain Empire. Which, correct me if I'm wrong... Would put me in a high enough position to fire a simple kitchen worker." The room was silent once again. Lynn was just staring at me with his mouth hanging open and the assistant seemed to be in utter disbelief. " The fist princess appointed me herself! Even if you did try to fire me, it would only serve to make you look like a fool. Everyone knows you're a useless princess who only has time for indulgences." I still don't realy know what kind of person the fifth princess was so I can't realy say if she is right or wrong. If what she is saying is true then I can see why no one likes or respects her. .. I really need to do some recon on this Kaimera girl but for now, I need to leave the strongest impression possible.

"You don't seem to understand the situation you are in." My smile is gone now. It's important to hide your true intentions from your enemies but there are times that call for you to express your intent. I have not had a chance to see my reflection yet so I have no idea what I look like but I don't have to look imposing to be feared. Maintaining my poise, I narrow my eyes and look down my nose at the bitc...Chef... "You seem to be under the impression that the first princess can protect you from me... But you are missing one vital detail.... *Deep voice* You don't work for the first princess."