Apprenticeship!?
I returned to my room, took out the necessary luggage from my inventory, entrusted the rest to Miria, and headed to the kitchen.
"Cristea-sama! I have been eagerly awaiting your arrival!"
"Hyaah!?"
As I turned the corner, the Head Chef, who had been anxiously waiting in front of the kitchen entrance, came running toward me.
"H-Head Chef, it's been a while. I'd like you to prepare the ingredients right away..."
"Leave it all to me!"
Head Chef received the memo I handed him with great reverence, then immediately turned on his heels and dashed off toward the pantry.
… Is he a dog?
As I watched his retreating figure, Shin peeked out from the kitchen doorway.
"...Yo, welcome back. No, I mean, welcome back, Ojousama?"
He corrected his tone upon noticing the other cooks, but why was it a question?
"I'm back. I'll be relying on you and the Head Chef to do your best this time, okay?"
At my words, Shin made an obvious face of disgust, exclaiming, "Ugh."
How rude.
"I’d heard something like this from the Head Chef... but it’s really happening, huh?"
"I don’t know what exactly you heard, but we’ll be using a lot of spices this time, so make sure you work hard to remember the blends, okay?"
"Ugh... I bet it's all gonna be the expensive stuff again, isn’t it? My stomach hurts..."
It’s not that bad.
Sure, Leon-sama graciously footed the bill for several gold coins’ worth of ingredients this time!
.. .I might have splurged a little too much, but since it's for a banquet, it’s essentially for the country, so it’s a necessary expense!
Of course, I didn’t tell him that the ingredients were bought with a Sacred Beast’s money, or he’d panic and say, "Using materials bought with the Sacred Beast’s money? Now there's no room for mistakes...!"
"Cristea-sama! I’ve brought the ingredients!"
The Head Chef returned, followed by several apprentices carrying the ingredients.
"Ah, thank you..."
"This was no trouble at all. You all, follow the instructions written on this memo by Cristea-sama and begin the preparations! Got it?!"
"Yes, sir!"
At the Head Chef’s signal, the apprentices quickly checked the memo and started moving in unison. Such coordination...!
"Well then, I’ll just join the apprentices too..."
As Shin tried to blend in with the apprentices, the Head Chef grabbed his collar.
"(Reluctantly) You’re Cristea-sama’s top assistant, so follow her instructions."
"... Fine."
Still held by the collar, Shin was turned toward me and hung his head in resignation.
That’s right! You’re my top assistant, so give it up already! Or something like that.
"This time, both you and the Head Chef will learn how to mix the spices."
"Huh...? Me too? Are you sure I’m allowed?"
Head Chef released Shin’s collar and turned toward me with a creaking motion.
"Yes, since there are a lot of different spices this time, I thought it would be best if you learned too."
This way, it should ease some of the pressure on Shin, right?
Besides, I'll be handing the recipe to the Royal Palace along with the spices, so there’s no problem with teaching him.
"...! Does this mean I’ve finally been recognized as your disciple, Cristea-sama?! Is that what you’re saying?!"
"Huh!? Uh, what? Huh?!"
Disciple? Recognized? … What is he talking about?!
"I’ve heard that this dish’s use of spices will determine the direction of future diplomacy. To be honored with the opportunity to assist in the crucial blending process for such an important event... It must mean I’m officially recognized as your disciple!"
"Ehh...?"
I never said anything like that!
… And I’ve never taken on any disciples either!
"I shall do my utmost!"
Oof... with those sparkling eyes, it’s hard to say no…
"Uh... okay, do your best?"
"Yes!"
"... I don’t remember becoming your disciple, though."
Shin muttered under his breath, trying to avoid looking at us.
Funny, I don’t remember taking on any disciples either...
We moved to the special room for blending, and I took out the spices that Leon-sama had so generously provided, placing them with a bang next to Head Chef, who was practically wagging his tail in excitement.
"Oh! These are the spices we’ll be using this time!"
"Yes, I picked them up on my way back."
The Head Chef, now serious, checked the contents and took a deep whiff of the aromas. He’s always so focused when it comes to ingredients...
"Oh, this is... quite a fine selection. The scent is sharp, and there’s no sign of spoilage."
"Right? I bought a lot, so I plan to use them for the banquet too."
"I see. With quality like this, it won't lose out to what the Royal Palace provides."
"Good, that’s a relief. By the way, didn’t you used to work at the Royal Palace, Chef?"
"Oh, you know about that? Yes, before I was recruited as Head Chef here, I worked as the sous-chef at the Royal Palace."
Wha!? Sous-chef!?
He was that important?!
Because of his strange behavior toward me, I didn’t realize he was such a big deal...
Now that I think about it, as the Head Chef of a Duke’s household, he must be skilled...
I gained a little more respect for the Head Chef and began explaining the spices and blending techniques we’d be using.
What do you think about this chapter?
