Chapter 31 Half an hour later . Bella returned with a cart overflowing with ingredients . She was over the moon after her shopping spree , savoring for the first time the joys of splashing out like a big spender . 355 vict With such a long list , the merchants were scrambling to sell to her . Once the deals were done , they fretted she couldn't lug it all home . so they piled everything onto carts and delivered it straight to her doorstep . Bella chattered excitedly about her market escapades , her face lit up with delight . Lorrayne listened with an amused smile and shook her head . Those merchants were shrewd operators . In a town where only a few families could afford meat , snagging a whale of a customer like her -they'd jump at the chance , wouldn't they ? Meat didn't keep well back then , after all . Salt and spices cost a fortune , jerky wasn't economical , and if it lingered too long , it'd spoil . The hit to their profits would be brutal . The poor couldn't buy meat , and merchants couldn't shift it all . When Bella began carting the ingredients into the kitchen , Roman and Tom noticed and lent a hand . The boys hoisted the hefty milk buckets inside , grimacing and grunting with the strain . Once everything was in place , Lorrayne slipped on a clean apron and joined Bella in the kitchen . " Ms. Lorrayne , are you ... are you really going to cook yourself ? " Bella gaped in astonishment . Lorrayne nodded . " Come here - I'll show you how to make bread . This is a secret recipe from the royal court . " Bella was so thrilled she was all fidgety , hands and feet flailing . She thought , ' A court secret ? And I am going to learn it ? " Lorrayne had her light the fire first , then add the spices to a clay pot according to the brine recipe , cover it , and let it simmer . Only after that did she demonstrate how to fetch the milk and start churning butter . Bread without butter was soulless - it just wouldn't release that luscious milky scent , They made cream at the same time , since the steps overlapped anyway . Lacking a high - speed mixer , they had to whip the eggs and milk by hand . Lorrayne had Bella summon the two servants tending to the Knights , and with Roman and Tom pitching in , the six of them churned away for a full two hours until it finally whipped up properly . Without white sugar or gelatin available , Lorrayne improvised with almond sugar and fish glue for the cake's cream filling . She wasn't sure how it would turn out taste - wise . She took charge of the mini cakes while talking Bella through the small loaves . The dough needed time to rise , and the butter had to settle and separate , leaving Bella shifting restlessly from foot to foot . She thought , ' How do court chefs turn something basic like bread into such a hassle ? Could they even serve their masters on schedule ? ' As the sun sank low , the sky bloomed with evening glow . Lorrayne popped the cake bases into the bread oven , then got to work refining the salt . The rough , yellowish sea salt crystals carried a bitter tang that would spoil the brine's true flavor if added straight in . It had to be purified first to strip out the impurities . The almond sugar was riddled with contaminants too , and nowhere near sweet enough . Lorrayne sighed at the extra effort and began purifying the sugar . " Bella , grab a sack of wheat tomorrow , will you ? I'll teach you how to make malt sugar ." Her goal was to mold Bella into a professional chef - to finally give some relief to her long - suffering stomach in this unforgiving world . " Understood , Ms. Lorrayne " Bella's expression flickered between tears and grins , firing herself up one second and slumping the next , twisted in knots until she wanted to tear her hair out . Her hands were sull quivering from an afternoon of nonstop churning . All of a sudden , she wondered if this court secret was really worth mastering . 183 P Chapter 31 But one look at Lorrayne - who'd just grumbled about the salt's bitterness and was now fussing over the sugar's lack of sweetness - and Bella heaved a deep sigh . What choice did she have ? She'd landed herself a master who was both refined and finicky - no matter the bother , she'd have to step up . She couldn't very well leave her gracious , lovely master to fend for herself , could she ? A true maid's duty was to shoulder her master's worries . Resolve reignited , Bella snatched the almond sugar right out of Lorrayne's grasp and declared indignantly , " How can you be doing this yourself ?" She snatched up the iron hammer and bashed the almond sugar with loud , resounding cracks . " This sort of rough job isn't meant for your delicate hands . Please , let me take care of it ! " Lorrayne watched Bella swing the hammer like a fierce guardian blocking a mountain pass against hordes of invaders , and she couldn't help but chuckle . " Bella , you're just adorable ." Coming to this world and crossing paths with so many charming people - it really was her good fortune . Bella blushed at the praise and hammered ven more vigorously . ' Lorrayne's voice has to be enchanted , ' she mused , ' perhaps like a siren's song , bewitching the soul . How else could a few words fill me with boundless energy ? ' As evening fell , Lilian came back . From the window , Lorrayne spotted her clutching a wooden box and rushing into the Knights ' room . Inside . " Robert , Vincent - wake up . " Lilian stepped to their bedsides and called out gently . The two Knights roused groggily , their bodies burning with fever and their insides throbbing in agony . Even so , up to bow to her . " Your Highness ! " " Stay put - lie back down " Lilian eased them back gently . " Your wounds are serious ; forget the courtesies . " They settled back , their flushed , feverish faces tinged with an unsettling ashy gray they hauled themselves Lilian placed the wooden box down , drew a wand from her sleeve , and swiftly cast two spells . " Forbid spying ! Forbid eavesdropping ! " Only then did she open the box , pulling out two crystal vials - each the size of a chicken egg , with slender necks and bulbous bases . " These are healing potions I pleaded for from the dean . One each . " She pressed the vials into their palms . " Drink them right away . " " Your Highness , we've failed you - how can we possibly merit such kindness ? " The Knights ' eyes welled up with grateful tears . Healing potions were elite magical remedies , priceless and rarely available for purchase . For Lilian to go out of her way to obtain them for a pair of humble Knights - how could they not be profoundly touched ? Lilian shook her head in mild rebuke " Loyalty like yours is beyond value . You're my closest confidants , hurt in my defense . I refuse to betray that trust . " Go on , drink them , my valiant Knights . I can't bear to lose your guardianship and companionship ." Robert and Vincent dissolved into tears . They thought , ' Lilian is so merciful and valuing of her people - she is bound to become a benevolent sovereign ! The Knights gulped down the potions swiftly . The elixir's mighty power knit their ravaged organs back together , and in mere moments , their faces regained a healthier hue . 2/3 P Chapter 31 EZ 45 Witnessing the transformation eased Lilian's worried mind at last . " Thank goodness - the potions are taking effect . With some rest . you'll be good as new soon . " But mid - sentence , the Knights abruptly swung out of bed , clenching their teeth against the pain as they seized their longswords and knelt on one knee before her . " What on earth ? Get back in those beds ! " Lilian backed away in surprise . " No , Your Highness - accept our vow ! " they chorused firmly , their determination rock - solid . Moved , Lilian composed herself , standing tall with her hands folded at her midriff . " My Knights , speak your oath . " " I pledge my life to you in absolute loyalty . Sacrificing for you is my greatest honor ; serving you is my sacred belief . My blade shall defend you to my dying breath . This promise endures until the end ! " Robert and Vincent finished , dipping their heads respectfully and lifting their swords . " I receive your oath and grant you glory in return , " Lilian declared gravely , reaching out her right hand to bless each crown in sequence The fealty bond was forged , and the Knights stood once more . This marked their second vow - the first given when the king had knighted them . Lilian eyed the two steadfast young men with quiet contentment . Two potions for two unwavering allies - her gamble had yielded rich rewards . 373 Title: ReelTalk EP 40 - Contract Lovers & Heartbreak CrushReel's ongoing romance series, Miss You After Goodbye, continues to captivate on the latest ReelTalk episode. Haley Lohrli dives into her daring new character, while Ben and Josh share insights into their own memorable roles, promising a blend of laughter and heartwarming moments. Exploring themes of love, loss, and unexpected connections, this episode delves deep into the intricate relationships that drive the narrative forward. As the stars reveal their on-screen chemistry and off-screen camaraderie, viewers are in for a treat with each unfolding scene. What sets this episode apart is its ability to balance humor with poignant storytelling, offering a refreshing take on modern romance dynamics. Dive into the world of Contract Lovers & Heartbreak, available to read at CrushReel for a journey that promises both entertainment and emotional resonance.