Chapter 5: The Aftermath (And a Sudden Promotion)The kitchen was a wreck. There was food everywhere, Celeste’s robes were singed, and Yulie was coated in at least three different sauces. But the Fridge Horror was gone. As Celeste surveyed the mess, she gave Yulie a thoughtful look.

  “…Yulie.”

  “Yeah?”

  “You just prevented a culinary disaster.”

  Yulie groaned.

  “Are you gonna make me clean all this up?”

  “No.”

  Celeste smiled—a rare, genuine smile.

  “…You’re being promoted.”

  Yulie blinked.

  “…To what? Executive Dishwasher?”

  Celeste pced a hand over her ample, corset-cd chest.

  “To Apprentice Preservationist.”

  Yulie sat up so fast she almost fell over.

  “Wait, WHAT?” Celeste simply nodded.

  “You saved the Larder, you learned the power of spice, and, “she gestured vaguely at Yulie’s sauce-covered apron, “you now look like every chef’s first disaster. You have the makings of greatness.”

  Yulie gawked.

  “…You want me to study magical food preservation?”

  Celeste grinned. “I want you to make sure this NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN.”

  Yulie, still panting, wiped gravy off her forehead and managed a dazed nod. From deep within the vault walls, past the rows of salted meats and enchanted preserves, there was a faint, distant rumble. Celeste’s smile faded just slightly.

  “Because this,” she said under her breath, “was only the refrigerator.”

  Her eyes flickered toward the heavy, chained stone door at the end of the hall.

  "The Freezer Vaults remain sealed… for now."

  TO BE CONTINUED… ??????