[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-lunar-curse-a-second-chance-with-alpha-drave":3,"chapter-the-lunar-curse-a-second-chance-with-alpha-drave-the-lunar-curse-a-second-chance-with-alpha-drave-chapter-543":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Lunar Curse: A Second Chance With Alpha Draven",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},924361,1212,"Chapter 543: Let the Flavour Speak","the-lunar-curse-a-second-chance-with-alpha-drave-chapter-543",543,"\u003Cp>[Meredith].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I moved to the mortar at the centre of the table and selected the first batch of dried leaves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azul stepped forward at once, handing me the cloth-lined bowl. \"Luna.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you,\" I murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then I slowly, deliberately crushed the leaves. The pestle moved in a steady rhythm, grinding until the herbs released their deep, grounding, faintly sweet scent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the fragrance rose, something in my chest eased. This was familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Deidra,\" I said without looking up, \"heat the oil in a low flame only.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Luna.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soft hiss of fire followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kira, strain the second batch. Arya, check the beeswax. There should be no impurities. Cora, prepare the binding bowls.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They moved immediately, coordinating properly. Once the oil was warm, I added the crushed herbs, stirring clockwise with the wooden paddle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My wrist ached, but I welcomed it. Healing demanded patience, and the mixture thickened slowly, darkening into a rich green sheen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It smells good,\" Arya said quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It should,\" I replied. \"If it doesn’t, we have already failed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint smile crossed her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the infusion was ready, Kira brought the fine cloth. Together, we strained it—her hands steady, mine firm as I pressed every last drop free, leaving nothing to waste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next came the beeswax. Arya melted it carefully, watching for bubbles, while Cora held the bowl steady. I poured slowly, stirring continuously until the mixture resisted the paddle just slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There,\" I said. \"That’s the consistency.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azul nodded. \"It’s perfect.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next, the small, clean jars, warm from rising, were brought forward. I filled each one myself, pouring carefully to ensure even levels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deidra capped them, pressing each lid tight. Kira wiped the rims clean. Arya labelled them neatly while Cora placed them onto the shelves in precise rows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time the last jar was set on the shelf, I stepped back with my hands resting on the table’s edge as my chest rose and fell. \"Well done,\" I said quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They bowed with smiles on their faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tomorrow,\" I said, picking up a clean cloth and wiping my hands on it, \"we begin packaging the teas into small teabags. We will separate them by purpose: headache, heartburn, and digestion. Make sure the labels are clear. The event is in four days.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Luna,\" they answered in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded in satisfaction. But just then, a soft knock sounded on the double doors. \"Enter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A servant in uniform stepped in, bowing deeply. \"Luna, the first batch of children’s candy is ready. The cooks request your presence for tasting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I straightened slightly. \"Very well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning back to my maidservants, I instructed, \"Clean up the workstation and secure the balms. Then, you can rest for today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They bowed, and I followed the servant out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As we walked toward the kitchen, I asked, \"Have the candies cooled?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Luna.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment I stepped into the large kitchen—a place I rarely visited—the activity halted. Servants and cooks bowed deeply, the air heavy with sweetness. The smell hit me at once: burnt sugar, cloying and sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two cooks stepped forward, gesturing toward a tray placed carefully on the counter. \"Please, Luna. Kindly taste them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My gaze followed their hands to the flat, round, lifeless, plain orange candies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Disappointment stirred immediately, but I kept my expression neutral. I picked one up, turned it once between my fingers, then placed it in my mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The candy was too sweet. Plus, there was no depth, no flavour. Just hardened sugar. I swallowed and set the candy down as silence fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t bother masking my displeasure. \"This,\" I said calmly, \"is not acceptable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cooks bowed their heads at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I exhaled slowly. \"Lift your heads.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They obeyed. Then I spoke clearly and firmly, without any touch of cruelty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"First mistake: this is pure sugar. Children don’t need more sweetness—they need balance. Milk candies would have been better. Cream softens sugar. It gives body.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They nodded quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Second,\" I continued, \"if you insist on making sugar candies, then you must add real flavour. Fruit pulp. Natural extracts. Not empty sweetness.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then I gestured toward the tray. \"Third: colour and shape. Children eat with their eyes first. These look dull. Where are the bright colours? The fun shapes? Stars. Animals. Moons.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their eyes widened with understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Use real fruits,\" I added. \"Strain the pulp. Let the flavour speak for itself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The kitchen staff bowed deeply, murmuring their thanks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the cooks spoke carefully. \"Luna... thank you for your guidance. It makes perfect sense.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good,\" I replied. \"Fix it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They bowed again. \"We will prepare a new batch immediately and bring the samples this evening.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded. \"I will be waiting. And I hope I won’t be disappointed this time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without another word, I turned and left the kitchen, the scent of sugar fading behind me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mistakes could be forgiven, but carelessness could not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You handled that well.\"Valmora suddenly stirred, her quiet presence unfurling at the back of my mind, like a shadow stretching after sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I slowed my steps.\"That was just common sense,\"I replied inwardly.\"Children deserve better than tasteless sugar.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a soft huff, almost a scoff. \"I’m only appreciating the fact that you didn’t scold them. Instead, you taught them,\"Valmora said. \"Power doesn’t always need teeth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I frowned slightly. \"Is that praise I hear?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t get used to it,\"She indirectly admitted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was something approving beneath her words, something warm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are thinking beyond yourself now,\"she continued. \"You’re thinking of the small ones. The vulnerable. That instinct suits you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t answer right away; instead, I remained calm and enjoyed more of her praises.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later in the evening, Dennis lay sprawled comfortably on one of the couches, one arm draped over the backrest like he owned the place. While Draven and I were sitting across from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had barely finished deciding if there should be a song playing in the background during the event or not, when two gentle knocks sounded at the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the two cooks entered, carrying a wide wooden tray between them. Behind them, a young servant followed with her head lowered and her hands folded neatly in front of her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All three stopped a few steps inside the room and bowed deeply. \"Luna. Alpha. Sir.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1044,"2026-06-03T06:41:20.201Z","2026-06-03T06:41:21.983Z",1,"novelbin.me","f55be2afa1873b168f1894a7f6f19ef4231d388cd1007b8b2af2f7d09dbd056c","the-lunar-curse-a-second-chance-with-alpha-drave-chapter-597","the-lunar-curse-a-second-chance-with-alpha-drave-chapter-596",685,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-lunar-curse-a-second-chance-with-alpha-drave-cover.jpg"]