This is a warm, luxuriant-smelling kitchen, made of red brick that is cool to the touch on the perimeter. In the center of the room stands a grand fire-burning stove, which is stoked with crackling logs and white-hot flames. The perimeter of the room is lined with stone shelves, filled to bursting with pots and pans and other kitchen implements, the light of the fire shining in their reflection.
castle kitchen, Inside Castle
royal chef
cat
I am tired all the time. If I didn't have to eat or do the necessities, I wouldn't. I love being a bushy calico.
Ah, don't be bothering me, human, I'm far too tired for your hysterics.  Or else I'll let those mice there have a go at the dinner before you humans get a taste of it. The King would have both of our heads! They may not be no mice droppins or no cat hair in ye majestys food. Understood? Alright, alright.  No need to get so testy! I am but the kings chef and I be enjoying the job that I do. I don't need no feline ruinin it okay? This feline comes from a long and noble line.  We were once even mistakenly worshipped as an incarnation of a divine being.  I will have some respect in that tone. I unlike you, came from a humble beginning. I worked my way to such high stature! Now lets get along so you don't end up in the fire burning stove over there, ay? What do ya say, friends? I actually had a purpose in coming over here, if you would but take a breath from your constant scurrying about the kitchen. Alright alright, I am sorry your royal cat. What was your purpose? That's better.  I have been speaking with the mice, and I think we can, between all of us, come to an arrangement that would suit us all quite well. Hm, go ahead what do you want? Firstly, to be kept on as I am accustomed to, with the occasional bowl of cream, to keep the mice from breaking their end of the bargain.  And second, the mice promise to stay confined to the refuse pile where the food the nobles eat goes, provided that every fortnight a small wheel of cheese is left to them.  They also well send any of their offspring to other places, so there's no fear of them running amok.  Ah, I guess that sounds like a pretty good bargain, Need not no little mice or kitty in the kings soup. You got a deal cat.