"Let's get some honey," Seraphina suggested, turning to Eve as they closed the doctor's door behind them. A glimmer of emotion flickered in Eve's eyes, but before she could speak, Seraphina redirected their path, striding purposefully to the left. She spotted a servant carrying a large sack of flour and fell into step behind them. "Come, we'll make a stop at the kitchen first."

Their journey to the kitchen was marked by silence, Eve trailing behind Seraphina as they followed the servant through winding corridors. The scent of freshly baked bread wafted towards them first, signaling their proximity to the bustling heart of the castle. Seraphina's pace slowed as they reached the kitchen entry, the lively chatter of the staff growing louder with each step.

Standing in the doorway, Seraphina paused, absorbing the joyful atmosphere that filled the room. The clatter of pots and pans, the rhythmic chopping of vegetables, and the laughter of the kitchen staff intertwined to create a symphony of warmth and camaraderie. For a fleeting moment, Seraphina allowed herself to be enveloped by the joyful ambiance, a memory from her youth bubbling up to the surface, something she immediately buried and focused on the scene.

"Eli, I can't have you lingering here," An older woman, admonished as she bustled around the kitchen island. In the corner, a large grill sizzled with chicken, sending savory aromas wafting through the air. Nearby, a team of prep cooks deftly minced vegetables. Meanwhile, a bubbling pot of water simmered on the stove, ready for veggies.

"But Lettie, just taste this one. Then I promise to leave," Eli, a tall man with bright red hair, pleaded as he followed Lettie around the kitchen. In his hand, he held what appeared to be an empanada, its golden crust glistening enticingly in the warm kitchen light. Seraphina’s stomach growled and she pursed her lips. 

"If I indulged in every culinary creation you thrust upon me, Eli, I'd be in a grave deeper than the lake," Lettie retorted, shooing him away with a dismissive wave of her hand. Eli, undeterred, turned his attention to the prep cooks clustered around the butcher block, brandishing the tempting morsel of food in their direction. Their laughter filled the kitchen, mingling with the grumbles of their head chef.

Suddenly a subtle shift occurred as one of the prep cooks glanced in Seraphina and Eve’s direction. Instantly, the jovial atmosphere turned somber. The cook lowered her head, nudging her companion with her elbow. The cook looked up and immediately bowed, and soon, the attention of the entire kitchen was focused on her.

"Princess Seraphina," the head cook greeted with a respectful curtsy, her expression tinged with anxiety. Seraphina felt a pang of guilt as all eyes turned to her. Stepping into the kitchen, she noticed a few servants discreetly making their exit.

"Please, there's no need for concern," Seraphina reassured them with a gentle smile, noticing how the tension in the room eased at her words. The cooks resumed their tasks, their chopping now much quieter and more controlled.

"I'm here for some honey, if you have any," she continued, motioning for Eve, who promptly disappeared through a side door to retrieve it.

"I apologize for not having it ready beforehand," the head cook interjected, stepping away from Eli, who lingered awkwardly in the background, trying to turn Seraphina’s direction to her. Out of the corner of her eye she watched as he attempted to grab a box of oranges but fumbled, causing it to slip from his grasp and scatter its contents.

"Damn it," he muttered under his breath, rubbing his foot where an orange had struck him. Lettie, the seasoned cook, rushed to his side, positioning herself between him and Seraphina.

"I'm terribly sorry, Princess. Please, pay no mind to him. I was just-" Lettie's voice trembled with anxiety, but Seraphina could sense the fear emanating from her. She bent down to retrieve an orange that had rolled a little farther away.

"It's just an accident. Is he all right?" she inquired, her tone soft and understanding, as she gestured towards Eli. Lettie turned to assess him, her expression filled with concern. Seraphina placed the orange off to the side and eyed the empanada. Her stomach still grumbled and she leaned over reaching between two chefs to pick up the piece. The cooks watched their eyes following her hands and she held up a finger winking. Neither Lettie nor Eli knew as she bit into the delicious morsel. 

The handheld piece before her boasted an aroma of chicken and mushrooms enveloped in a golden crust. Seraphina savored the warmth emanating from the center, a testament to its freshness. Despite the less-than-ideal surroundings, the taste was reminiscent of something she would have eagerly indulged in back in her own world. With a contented smile, she closed her eyes, relishing each flavorful bite. The prep cooks watched her with widened eyes, but let her polish off the entire piece.

As Eve returned with a small glass brimming with honey, Seraphina was gently reminded of her initial purpose for visiting. She straightened her posture, and Lettie repositioned herself at her side, while Eli disappeared down another corridor.

“Princess, is there anything else I can assist you with?” Lettie inquired, her tone respectful. 

Seraphina shook her head, momentarily lost in her satisfaction. Then, recalling her earlier intention, she added, “Actually, do you happen to have any clean cheesecloth available?” Immediately she disappeared back through the door Eve returned from. “Go wash your hands with soap be careful of popping the blisters,” Eve nodded and turned to a sink off to the corner. Again Seraphina noted the lack of readily available water. 

"Here, Princess," Eve returned, presenting her hands. Angry blisters adorned her index, middle, and thumb, spanning both sections, yet the maid bore the discomfort with remarkable resilience.

"I'm going to apply some honey to the blisters. It's bound to be more effective than anything that old man could concoct," Seraphina declared, seizing a small spoon and gently drizzling the golden liquid over the wounds. Eve remained composed, though Seraphina detected the subtle clenching of her jaw and she leaned in to blow gently on the treated areas. Lettie returned, bearing a pristine white cloth, which she placed down with care.

“How will this help?” Eve whispered as Seraphina began to wrap the cloth around each finger making sure it wasn’t too tight but secured well. Seraphina was surprised. Honey had been a method for wound care for ages, did she just invent something new? Her mind raced to concoct a plausible lie.

"I witnessed a guard using honey on his wounds, and he recovered remarkably well. I thought we might give it a try, perhaps it'll yield better results than the healer's methods. We'll change the bandage tomorrow. Lettie?" Seraphina’s words spilled out of her mouth, hopeful Eve wouldn’t object, prompting the cook's swift response. “Could you send this up to my room with more cheesecloth?”

"Certainly, Princess. Right away," Lettie affirmed. "But in the future, it would be more appropriate for one of the servants to handle such requests." The cook eyed her and Seraphina felt the protectiveness of the head cook. She was a danger to the others, someone else to be won over.

"Understood, Lettie. My apologies for the inconvenience," Seraphina sighed, casting a brief glance around the kitchen before bidding farewell and departing with Eve, returning to her chamber.