He was always a man of few words, never wasting a single one.
Hearing this, Ryan Osborne stepped aside. Aaron took over the wheelchair and pushed Yuri Sinclair toward the study.
"Butler Osborne, does His Highness always hold meetings in the middle of the day? The timing seems a bit off," Ashley Bowen asked, ever the inquisitive one.
Ryan Osborne instructed someone to clear Yuri Sinclair's plate, a slightly smug smile on his face. "Imperial Concubine, this is something you wouldn't understand. His Highness's video conferences are all international. Today, he has a meeting with clients from Jahara. There's a three-hour time difference between Vardos and Jadenberg."
Ashley Bowen drew out a long "Ohhh." She had zero interest in the topic of "time zones," so she turned to a nearby maid and asked, "Do you have any Lao Gan Ma chili crisp here?"
"Lao Gan Ma?" The maid's jaw nearly hit the floor. In such a luxurious villa, with such a lavish lunch, hearing a name like "Lao Gan Ma" felt completely out of place.
"Well, you must have vinegar and chili sauce, right?" Ashley Bowen rolled her eyes in exasperation. 'This steamed fish with no oil or salt is completely inedible.'
"We have vinegar, but no chili sauce. His Highness never eats spicy food. Would seafood sauce or cheese sauce be acceptable?" the maid asked, trembling with apprehension.
'Are you kidding me? Dipping fish in cheese sauce? It's not a burger or a pizza! As for the seafood sauce... I guess that could work.'
"Forget it, the seafood sauce will do," Ashley Bowen finally conceded. 'Might as well make do. Who was it that used to say the wealthy ate gourmet delicacies and feasts of meat and fish every day?'
'Yes, it really is a feast of meat and fish,' she thought, 'but the flavor is nothing to write home about.'
A moment later, the maid brought over an exquisite jar of seafood sauce and scooped some onto a small dish.
Ashley Bowen eyed its fancy packaging, then began dipping all her food in the seafood sauce, smacking her lips as she ate.
"Imperial Concubine, when you are eating, please refrain from making such shameful noises." Ryan Osborne's punchable voice chimed in again.
Ashley Bowen rolled her eyes and continued to eat with relish. "Haven't you seen how the Koryoese eat? All those slurping sounds. The louder the noise, the more delicious the food is supposed to be. That's what brings in more customers."
"But His Highness dislikes such sounds," Ryan Osborne persisted.
"How would His Highness ever know, unless you go tattle on me? If he finds out, it'll definitely be because you snitched!" Ashley Bowen said as she speared a piece of steamed duck, dipped it in the sauce, and brought it to her mouth.
Ryan Osborne was so angry he was speechless for a long moment.
Hearing someone nearby snickering, Ryan Osborne quickly snapped, "What are you laughing at? Get back to your duties, all of you!"
'This stone-faced guy must not be very popular with the other servants,' Ashley Bowen thought. She was reminded of Grace Sullivan's arrogant, domineering expression—it was exactly the same as Ryan Osborne's.
By the railing on the second floor, Yuri Sinclair had Aaron stop. He had overheard the entire exchange between Ashley Bowen and Ryan Osborne. And between his cold, stern brows, there was now the faint hint of a smile.
After lunch, Ryan Osborne did indeed procure a bicycle for Ashley Bowen.
Ashley Bowen twisted the handlebars and tested the bike, finally nodding in satisfaction. "This is a nice bike. Thanks for your trouble, Butler Osborne. Well, I'm off!"
Two rows of servants stood respectfully, all bowing at a perfect forty-five-degree angle.
Ashley Bowen scratched her head, embarrassed, then pedaled away on the bicycle.