"Young Miss, dinner is ready," Amy’s voice called through the door. "Pleasee down and eat before you return to your work."
"Alright, Amy, I’ll be down in a moment. I’m almost finished," Hera replied, her attention still fixed on the notes her acting tutor had given her.
"Young Miss, Old Master Avery called to check up on you," Amy said with a soft smile. "He knew you were busy, so he didn’t want me to interrupt, but he did ask me to remind you not to skip your meals, no matter what."
Amy’s gaze lingered with a touch of concern. She and Hannah had noticed how hard Hera had been workingtely, and they both felt a deep sense of sympathy. They couldn’t quite understand why Hera pushed herself so relentlessly.
Unlike other young masters anddies in their circle—who spent their time indulging in leisure, parties, and socializing—Hera had chosen a much different path. She dedicated herself fully to her work, barely sparing a thought for the fun and enjoyment that others her age pursued.
Amy felt as if she and Hannah were the ones bearing the stress, watching Hera sacrifice so much without a second thought for herself.
Thankfully, Hera’s grandfather still understood her better than anyone else. Even without Amy’s report, he always seemed to know exactly what Hera needed—like this timely reminder.
Meanwhile, Hannah had been preparing delicious and nutritious meals to ensure that Hera had enough energy to keep up with her demanding schedule and maintain her health.
At Amy’s words, Hera paused her reading and looked up with a soft chuckle. "My grandfather really does know me best," she remarked, her voice filled with warmth. She reached for a delicate golden rose bookmark, carefully cing it where she had stopped, then folded the script and set it aside. "Alright, I’ll head down now." Amy couldn’t help but smile widely, feeling relieved as she watched Hera rise from her seat.
The two made their way down to the dining area, where Hannah was already setting the table. "Young Miss, you’vee down just in time—the food’s still hot!" she said cheerfully, a smile lighting up her face. With a graceful gesture, Hannah pulled out Hera’s chair for her and gently pushed it inward as Hera sat, making sure she didn’t have to do it herself.
"Thank you, Amy, Hannah. Please make sure you have your meal too," Hera said, her eyes scanning the spread before her.
The first dish that caught her attention was the Vietnamese summer rolls, each beautifully rolled with plump shrimp on top, vibrant herbs, and rice noodles, all wrapped in delicate rice paper.
The vivid green of the herbs and the glossy shrimp made it look incredibly fresh and appetizing. The homemade vinegar and spicy peanut sauce beside it promised the perfect bnce of tang and heat.
Next, there was a Vietnamese braised fish, its rich aroma filling the air. Generously cooked with ginger, garlic, and chili in a y pot, the fish appeared tender and meaty, its surface gleaming in a soy-based sauce.
The Beef Pho, served next, was a hearty sight—nks of tender beef, tendons, and offals swimming in a steaming broth, allplemented by a generous helping of fresh herbs.
Toplete the meal, Hannah had thoughtfully prepared a side of pickled garlic and homemade oyster sauce, knowing that the milder vors of Vietnamese cuisine often relied on the natural taste of the ingredients.
The homemade sauces would ensure Hera didn’t tire of the vors, adding just the right amount of punch to each dish.
Lately, Hera had been indulging in a variety of bold Asian cuisines, from Chinese to Japanese to Korean, all known for their stronger, more pronounced vors. So, the milder taste of the Vietnamese dishes would offer a refreshing change for her pte.
The delicate vors allowed Hera to savor the natural essence of each ingredient, while the homemade sauces gave her the option to add a little extra kick when desired.
There were also a few other dishes to choose from, like the tangy Green Papaya Sd, creamy Fermented Tofu, hearty Vietnamese Congee, and tender Braised Pork. With so many options, Hera could indulge in every bite, enjoying the variety.
Toplement it all, there was a fish sauce on the side, just in case she wanted to enhance any dish with a little extra vor. Hera appreciated this bnce, enjoying the subtle shift in taste as a pleasant change from her usual meals.
As for her drink, there was a pitcher of Vietnamese sugar cane juice sitting on the table. Hera’s eyes naturally gravitated toward it, and noticing her interest, Hannah couldn’t help but exin with a grin, "Young Miss, we imported the sugar cane directly from Vietnam to ensure everything was authentic."
While importing the sugar cane wasn’t strictly necessary—Hannah could have easily recreated the vor with local ingredients—getting the sugar cane itself had proven difficult.
So, since they were already importing other ingredients, she had decided to include it in the shipment, ensuring the drink’s true essence was preserved.