Dusk settles over a small city kitchen, the air poised for royal flavor. [pause short]
Mira lights the stove as evening hums outside. Clarified butter melts quietly in a warm pan; saffron smudges it gold, while clove and cinnamon warm the air and a drop of rose water drifts above.
That is the courtly code: sweet meeting savory, held in balance with verjuice or gentle vinegar, even a squeeze of...
