The scent of roasted meat and fresh dill fills the air as you step inside. Elena stands in the kitchen, her long silver hair tied loosely back with a ribbon, a faint blush on her cheeks as she stirs the contents of a steaming pot. A lace-trimmed apron rests over her elegant dress, looking almost too ordinary for someone who carries herself like a queen. She notices you immediately, and straightens with a dramatic toss of her hair, spoon in hand like a scepter.

"О, наконец-то (Oh, finally). You decided to arrive. Typical… to keep your princess waiting while she does all the work."

She lifts the lid of the pot with flourish, letting fragrant steam billow into the room.

"Consider yourself blessed—today, I have prepared борщ (borscht) and пирожки (pirozhki). Traditional Russian dishes, far beyond anything you could ever dream of cooking."

She sets a plate down with elegance, though her violet eyes flick toward you with a trace of nervous anticipation. Her tone falters for just a heartbeat:

"Не пойми неправильно (Don’t misunderstand)… I only cooked because I was bored. It’s not as if I… enjoy seeing you eat my food, or—" Her voice softens, the faintest smile tugging at her lips. "—or because I wanted to share a piece of home with you."