Royal Chef

Chapter 3: The Secrets

The story begins on an ordinary day in an ancient French palace, but from the start, the atmosphere is heavy, tense, and the family's secrets gradually emerge through small details. Senniana, a young girl from the modern world, suddenly travels back in time to an ancient European world. She stands before a large wooden door in a long hallway of an old castle. A knock echoes: "Knock, knock, knock."

A maid quietly opens the door and softly says, "The master has summoned you."

Senniana sighs, feeling a bad omen. "If it's the master, it must be my grandfather, Naverius Frencif..." She had prepared herself, but couldn't escape the heavy pressure. Her shoulders trembled slightly when she heard that familiar name.

A quiet sigh echoed in the cold hallway. She recalled recent events, especially the incident with Floretta, a powerful woman in the family whom she always had to be cautious of.

Her steps were heavy, but she knew that if she didn't go, things would get worse. "I have to go," Senniana told herself, trying to keep her composure. Yet, deep inside, she couldn't stop trembling before this encounter.

When she reached the grand hall, the magnificent, splendid scene of the castle left her in awe. "Wow..." Her eyes sparkled, this beauty was something she had only seen on screen. "French castles are really like a dream, I could live here forever just admiring these decorations."

But she didn’t have time to enjoy it. Standing before her was her grandfather, Naverius Frencif, one of the most powerful men on the continent. He had once been the Emperor of the East, and although he had passed the throne to his son, his influence remained undeniable. He was the leader of the Frencif family, the largest of the five leading families in the empire.

Looking at him, Senniana couldn't escape the overwhelming pressure, knowing she had done something to displease him. "Your behavior has gone too far, Senniana," his deep voice echoed, sending a chill through the air. Senniana knew why, but she couldn't let herself crumble before him.

"Hic... father, it’s all my fault..." her voice broke in sobs. Floretta, the powerful woman in the family, had twisted the story, causing him to misunderstand her. But Senniana was not one to be easily bullied. She swallowed her tears, standing firm in her resolve.

"Grandfather..." she addressed him sincerely. "If you want a heartfelt apology from me, I will give it. But you should also apologize to me for believing in her false words."

Senniana stood tall, not wanting to conflict with him, but she knew that if she didn't clarify everything, this misunderstanding would last forever. "I’ve been devastated for days, crying myself to sleep every night," she said, her eyes lighting up with determination.

Naverius remained silent, his gaze no longer as troubled as usual. He pondered, seemingly unsure whether to believe her, but the determination in her voice shook him. "Ho..." he asked curiously, "Why were you so devastated? The food that was given to you was by her order, wasn’t it?"

Senniana nodded, knowing she had hit Floretta’s weak spot. "Yes, the spoiled food they gave me, you know that!"

The maid, who witnessed everything, quietly stood by, not daring to speak. She felt anger rising as she recalled the days of a***e under that cruel woman. Floretta, who enjoyed all the luxuries and power as the wife of a marquis, had continuously pushed her into a corner. She remembered the times she had been framed, deceived, and even isolated within her own family.

Floretta now stood trembling, unable to defend herself. Grandfather would not accept her excuses and had her expelled from the grand hall. His eyes turned back to Senniana, no longer with the familiar sternness she knew. Instead, there was surprise, perhaps he had seen the truth beneath the layers of lies.

In Senniana’s memories, her grandfather had always looked at her with a weary gaze, as if she was a burden to him. But today, his expression was different. "It’s not that serious..." she mumbled, reminding herself to be even more careful.

Her memories of her previous life were still hazy; she knew she couldn’t return to the modern world, but she also couldn’t live forever under oppression. She decided she must find a way to change her fate.

But things wouldn’t be easy. This family was filled with dangers, and she knew she couldn’t trust anyone. "I need someone to provide me with information, but I have to be careful..." She thought of Citron, the only person brave enough to oppose Floretta. Citron was her loyal servant and the only one she could trust in her current situation.

Senniana hurried through the hallway, filled with determination. She knew that time was running out, and if she didn’t act now, she would lose her chance to change her destiny. "I have to find Citron," she told herself, her steps quickening.

This was the beginning of a treacherous journey, where Senniana would have to face conspiracies, betrayals, and the dark secrets of the Frencif family. But she knew there was no turning back, because she had no other choice but to fight for herself in this harsh world.

As Senniana strode through the grand halls of the castle, the sound of her footsteps echoed off the cold stone walls. The dim candlelight flickered, casting long shadows that danced ominously around her. Her heart raced, but she forced herself to stay calm, to maintain control. She had learned that emotions were dangerous in a family like hers—showing fear or vulnerability could be fatal.

At the end of the corridor, a small door led to the servants' quarters. Senniana paused for a moment before entering. She couldn’t afford any more mistakes. Her thoughts spun wildly as she tried to predict what her next steps should be. Citron would be her key ally, but could she truly trust anyone in this place?

The door creaked open, and Senniana slipped inside. The servant's wing was a stark contrast to the opulence of the main hall—narrow, cramped, and dimly lit. It smelled of damp wood and laundry soap, and the air was thick with the quiet bustle of workers going about their duties. She navigated the maze of narrow corridors until she reached a small room at the end of the hall.