The Lord of the Rings: Lords of Middle-earth.

Chapter 203 So-called Foodies

"Your Highness, I apologize for keeping you waiting..." Nia said to Roland with a slight apology, clapping her hands lightly. Immediately, a young centaur girl came forward carrying an exquisite wooden tray.

"Your Highnesses, please try the centaur's special cuisine. I hope you will find it to your liking." Niya sat down gracefully, her tall stature and centaur-like body giving no sense of incongruity.

"Thank you for your trouble." Roland and Nyx nodded in acknowledgment, their eyes filled with amazement.

As expected, the centaur's culinary skills lived up to expectations! A simple honey-glazed rib dish was enough to win over Nyx's heart.

The large wild boar ribs were cleaned of blood and then roasted over fruitwood charcoal. When they were slightly charred, they were brushed with pure honey and sprinkled with Centaur-style seasonings. When served, the aroma was irresistible, and the sweet and salty flavor was very palatable to the two of them.

"How is it? Is it alright?" Nia asked with a smile after seeing the satisfied expressions on their faces.

"Hmm! It's really good! This must be a secret recipe of your centaur tribe, right?" Roland actually tasted the same sweet and sour pork tenderloin in this honey-glazed ribs, which made him feel like crying.

"It's not exactly a secret recipe, it's just that the seasonings are unique to our centaur tribe! But because we keep migrating, there aren't many seasonings left," Niya said sadly.

“The most important part of this herb-based seasoning, the herb, needs to be cultivated by humans. We often migrate for various reasons, so we don’t have many days when we can successfully harvest them.” Niya cut off a piece of rib and put it in her mouth, chewing it carefully.

“If you wish to stay here permanently, as long as you abide by the laws of the kingdom and fulfill your obligations, your safety will be guaranteed by the kingdom,” Roland said amiably.

“Of course, it would be wonderful if you would be willing to shelter us! On behalf of my husband and all the centaur people, I thank you.” Nia said, moved. She knew that as a king, his promises, once made, were inviolable.

“If the kingdom is going to war… we can provide 50 horse-drawn knights!” Nia said to Roland through gritted teeth.

"Hmm?" Roland was startled. The price for this reciprocation was a bit too high. After all, these 50 centaurs had taken almost half of the centaurs' able-bodied men.

"Forget it, there's no need to send troops. Your people are already struggling to defend themselves. Sending 50 centaur knights... that's too much to ask of you." Roland shook his head and refused her offer. Roland didn't want to exhaust the resources. Even if he never needed a centaur army in his lifetime, at least one day his descendants would be able to. When hundreds or thousands of centaurs charged towards the enemy with their shared destiny, Roland believed his descendants would be grateful for his decision.

"Thank you for your kindness... We are the ones who can't help you much." Nia was touched, but also felt a little ashamed.

"It's alright, oh! By the Dragon God! My dear, you're such a little glutton!" Roland was saying when he suddenly turned his head to look at the table, and was immediately stunned by Nyx's eating habits!
It's hard to imagine that Nyx, such a ladylike noblewoman, would actually pick up a piece of rib and eat it with gusto, her face covered in thick honey sauce.

"Mmm...good...smells so good! It's so much better than what the cooks in the castle make!" Nyx hummed happily as she stuffed food into her mouth.

"Hehe...please excuse my poor performance..." Roland smiled awkwardly at Niya, his eyes full of doting and helplessness.

"Your Highness, you can try this leaf dew! It's very refreshing and helps cut through any greasiness." Niya smiled and gently pushed a ceramic jar over, from which the faint sound of liquid sloshing out could be heard.

"Thank you for your trouble." Roland took the jar and carefully poured Nyx a glass of Centaur-themed leaf dew.

"Hmm? Centaur Yelu?" Nyx curiously raised his cup and took a small sip. The moment Yelu entered his throat, Nyx's big eyes widened in surprise.

"Mmm...delicious!" Nyx leaned happily against Roland's shoulder. "Oh! My...clothes." Roland looked helplessly at his shoulder, which was covered in honey.

"Girl! You did this on purpose, didn't you? Using my clothes as a napkin?" Roland helplessly took the wet wipe from the waiter, tapped Nyx's head, and said exasperatedly, "The worst part is, not only that, but you even rubbed it against my clothes!"

"Hey! I didn't mean it!" Nyx said, trying to get away with it by acting cute and charming.

"Hey...you win! Next time I'll wear plate armor!" Roland said, feigning anger.

"Okay, don't be angry anymore, try this cookie?" Nyx coaxed Roland like a child, offering him the cookie in her hand.

"Sigh..." Roland sighed.

"Try this! This fried pheasant is really good!" Nyx pointed to several golden and crispy chickens in front of Roland with her bulging little mouth. These carefully selected full-term chickens were different from the artificially raised chickens in her previous life. The meat was quite tender and delicious.

……

After a whirlwind feast, Roland finally understood the girls' incredible appetite! They were all true foodies, and Roland even felt that Nyx had eaten more than him!
“Your Highness’s guest room is ready. Would you like to take a nap with His Highness?” Nia asked.

“Okay…” Before Roland could finish speaking, Nyx popped out.

"No need! I want to go fishing in the nearby stream with Roland. He always forbids me from playing in the Swift River, saying the water is too deep and there are monsters or something!" Nyx pouted and complained.

“Of course, Your Highness. In fact, there’s a stream right outside the village, and the fish in it are plump and delicious! I think you’ll love it,” Nia said, pointing in a direction to Nyx.

“Thank you for your guidance! My dear, let’s go.” Nyx’s last sentence was addressed to Roland.

"Oh! By the Dragon God!" Roland wanted to show that he was a grown man now and no longer at the age to slack off.

"What? You think it's beneath the dignity of a king? Don't you always say that a man is a boy until he dies?" Nyx winked at Roland.

"Alright, I give up, you little brat." Roland could only follow with a wry smile.

This was a real hardship for the accompanying knights and centaurs. They searched the entire area around the stream layer by layer, diligently checking every clump of grass for the sake of the two princes' happiness.

"Splash!" Nyx happily splashed a ball of water. The stream in late spring was still a little cool, but it didn't bother Roland and Nyx, who were professionals. After all, they had extraordinary physiques, and Nyx, as a water mage, was a master of water control.

"Bang!" A huge water ball flew down and smashed directly on Roland's head. Fortunately, Roland reacted quickly, and under the protection of the scorching holy battle aura, the water ball was able to touch Roland in the slightest.

(End of this chapter)