That day was New Year!
The delivery of the grotto included a lot of chickens. Esmer placed an already cleaned one in front of Theanore and the rice with vegetables they had made earlier that day, crossing her hands.
"Time to earn the cooking skill, Little Highness. Start filling the chicken with the rice," she said.
Theanore looked sadly at the headless chicken.
"Won't it hurt the chicken?" Theanore asked. She looked at the spoon that was sticking out of the rice like a weapon and gulped.
"Nothing can hurt it anymore. It is dead. Start cooking it," demanded Esmer again.
Theanore grabbed the chicken and then the spoon and placed a spoonful inside the chicken. The skin was cold to the touch.
Theanore couldn't help but think of her own Colorful Egg Specters when she took the second spoonful.
When the chicken was full with so much rice it was spilling from its empty neck, Esmer gave Theanore a thread and a needle.
