Now, this is a written story, so I can't do a pop music montage like you see in movies, series or anime when you're illustrating the passage of time and the character preparing for something, set in a place, or simply decide what to wear.

In Leo's case, he had very few things to wear, namely two, namely the chef's suit and pajamas, so what would be illustrated in this hypothetical musical montage with time passage would simply be a succession of denied sleep, cold, cooking, lessons with Persian, cooking, menu planning (in mind or with drawings because he theoretically couldn't write), cooking, tea with the princess, cooking and lastly being bullied by the royal guards.

Usually, in a written product the passage of time is illustrated by going directly to the next chapter, but I certainly could not publish a chapter that short, and I felt like writing the dinner with the king and queen as soon as possible so as to quickly go to a more interesting part of the story.

But premise aside, imagine that what has been illustrated so far is a sound montage with a very catchy song in the background, something like “Trouble” by Imagine Dragons (I want no troubles, I want not troubles, I WANT NO TROUBLE!!) or Run Boy Run (This world is not made for you, run, boy, RUN!!)…

Hey, I never said the music would be uplifting or full of hope.

Because Leo was anything but uplifted and hopeful.

And on the afternoon of the fateful dinner, first in the kitchen without having slept (but that was the norm by now, he was getting used to it) and anxious all day, he learned that all his anxiety had been completely useless.

“Wait, wait, wait... in what sense ‘give us directions on what to cook’?! Don't I have to cook by myself?” he asked open-mouthed, shocked, after Mildred's gruff statement.

“First of all address me politely, rookie. And what did you think? That we'd let you prepare a feast all by yourself?! Who do you think you are?!” the cook was indignant, and Leo couldn't help himself from embracing her with maximum relief.

“Oh, what immense luck! I was doomed! Thanks to Jahlee you are there to help me too!” he exclaimed enthusiastically.

Mildred stiffened, but didn't move away, at least not immediately. Surely she was too shocked to have a prepared reaction.

But Leo couldn't be blamed too much. He had just discovered, after five days of total anxiety, that he didn't have to face a Masterchef final, but a simple team challenge with him as captain.

It was a thousand times easier to manage all the preparations he had in mind with a team much more experienced than him to help.

“Let me go immediately” Mildred finally broke free, and pushed Leo away with violence and a ladle on the head.

Leo was too happy to complain.

“I’m sorry, Madame Mildred, I was too happy! I am too happy! So basically I just have to tell you what I think about cooking and going around the kitchen?” he asked hopefully.

“Too easy like that. One of the proposed dishes will be your complete and total responsibility” Mildred explained, glaring at him.

“I’ll choose dessert!” he booked himself immediately, before being suggested otherwise.

“Of course you choose that” Mildred sighed. Despite her gruff attitude she was starting to become attached and get used to the boy.

And deep down she was hoping he would stay in the palace.

“Leo! Ready to cook?! Today will be an important day! I'm ready to do anything!” Anna was the second cook to enter after Leo —Mildred practically lived there, she didn't count— and immediately made herself available, closely followed by Mary and Jane.

Leo, who had planned to do everything himself, now found himself with an extremely easy task. Because thinking only about dessert meant having time to make the most important and tastiest dessert of his life!

He knew he couldn't afford to make himself comfortable, because it was still a difficult test, but he faced the culinary preparation with much more optimism and determination.

So the inevitable kitchen cooking montage this time has more songs like “What baking can do” from the musical Waitress (I'll bake me a door to help me get through) or “Stay With Us” from Beauty and the Beast (needless to say words we all know this song).

More encouraging tunes with a more cheerful melody.

And at the end of the preparation, Leo was satisfied.

The other cooks were amazing, and his super elaborate dessert came out exactly the way he had wanted it.

A mixture of a lot of preparations, including cake base, various creams, crepes and sugar and chocolate toppings.

He just hoped he hadn't overdone it, but the result didn't seem like a mess.

Finally, it was time for tastings.

And to finally meet the king and queen.