Let’s Go
---After lunch.
I immediately headed to the kitchen.
"Young lady~ what are you planning to make?"
Sarah asked me, brimming with curiosity.
"Um, I’m thinking cookies. They’re simple to make."
"That sounds great! I love cookies. Huh? Simple, you say... but have you made them before, Young lady?"
"Oh, w-well, I read about it in a book."
"A book? Do we even have such books here?"
"Well, it’s fine, isn’t it? Look, we’re here now. Excuse me! I’m coming in!"
Phew, that was close. I’m a five-year-old noble daughter—of course, I’ve never cooked before!
"Huh, Young lady? Is something wrong?"
Ah, Annie, the girl I met this morning, is here. How lucky!
"Well, I came here with a request. Is Mr. Abe here?"
"Um, the head chef is on break right now... but the sous-chef is here. Let me call him. Arthur~ Arthur~! Arthur~~!!"
"I hear you already! What is it, Annie...? Eh, Young lady? What brings you here? Did Annie mess something up again?"
"No, Annie hasn’t done anything wrong."
"See~ Why would you assume I did something~"
"Because it’s you. You always seem likely to."
The sous-chef’s words were harsh. Wait, even Sarah is nodding along.
Is Annie that kind of person?
"So, Young lady, why are you here?"
"Um, I have a request... I’d like to make the sweets for afternoon tea myself. I have my Father’s permission, of course."
"”Eh!!””
Well, their shock is understandable.
"So, what are you planning to make?"
"Cookies."
"Cookies, huh. Do you know what ingredients you need?"
"Yes. Flour, sugar, and butter."
"(She knows...?) Alright."
"Really? Then..."
"But there are conditions."
"Conditions?"
"Yes. First, you must tell me what you’re planning to do before you act. Second, if there’s anything you don’t understand, consult with me immediately."
Ah, proper communication and consultation. That’s essential.
"Understood. Thank you. Um, could you tell me your name?"
"Ah, I’m Arthur. I’m the sous-chef."
"Thank you, Mr. Arthur."
"Alright then. Let’s assign someone to assist you... wait, where’d he go? Hey, Ben!"
"Yeah, yeah, I’m here~ What’s up~?"
"Young lady wants to make cookies. You’ll assist her."
"The Young lady? Making cookies? Seriously?"
*Thwack.*
Oh, Mr. Arthur hit him on the head.
Annie and Sarah, don’t laugh... you’re making me want to laugh too.
"Hehehe. Yes, seriously! I want to surprise my Father and the others! Please help me... uh, Mr. Ben?"
"Ah, yes, Ben’s my name. Let’s surprise your family, Young lady. Now, to the pantry! Let’s go!"
"Ohh~!!"
“”"!!!””"
"Are you sure that Ben is not a bad influence on Young lady?"
"Don’t say that, Annie. I already regret assigning him."
"But Young lady seems happier. She’s smiling so much more than before."
Sarah had known Joan since she was one, while Sarah herself was eight. Their long relationship made it easy for Sarah to notice how lively Joan seemed as she prepared to bake cookies.
When Joan collapsed during the baptism ceremony and returned home, everyone was genuinely worried. They’d heard she was shocked by being classified as having a Null attribute. When she woke up, there were fears she might throw another tantrum.
But things were different. In fact, Sarah couldn’t quite explain it, but Young lady had changed. She ate without fuss, slept and woke early, and treated everyone with kinder words and manners. And now, she’d asked to cook of her own volition.
Even now, Joan headed toward the pantry with Ben, her joy evident even from her back.
Lord and Lady Lampail had instructed everyone to let Joan do as she pleased for now. Sarah followed those orders.
But secretly, she couldn’t help but feel excited to see what this somewhat different Joan would do next. It was a little secret she kept to herself.
What do you think about this chapter?
