A favor.
Driven out of the Traveler's Room due to "adult matters," we found the weather agreeable and decided to have tea in the gazebo within the garden.
I asked a maid present there to prepare tea as we moved. And naturally, I intended for Miria to make the tea, as she brews it just the way I like it!
Walking leisurely toward the gazebo along a path flanked by a vibrant garden in full bloom, I updated Mariel-chan on what had transpired since my return to the mansion.
“Wait, chocolate!? You made that in this world!?”
“Well, yes, though it falls far short of the quality we knew, I managed to make something resembling it.”
In my previous life, fans of various cultures often attempted to recreate ancient foods like fermented cheese or tried making chocolate from cacao around Valentine’s Day. Thanks to watching videos and reading posts about it, I had a fair idea of the steps. I did manage to create something chocolate-like, but I honestly doubt I could perfect it. Oh, how I wish I had the technology from my past life…
“That sounds amazing! But… doesn’t it have powerful effects? So maybe it’s not safe for me to try any?”
Since I’d also mentioned that chocolate could potentially have a potent effect, like an aphrodisiac, due to its strong magic power-replenishing properties, Mariel-chan commented with a look of reluctant acceptance.
“Well, you’ve recently gained a lot more magic power, so you could probably handle a small amount…”
But knowing how delicious chocolate can be in our previous world, trying it here might just lead to disappointment, so I couldn’t quite urge her to try it.
“No, I’ll pass. I used to love chocolate, and if I couldn’t stop at just a piece, things could get out of hand. I’ll just leave it to my imagination.”
“… Your imagination?”
“It’s a great source of inspiration for my writing.”
“… I see.”
As her smile beamed with enthusiasm, I decided to let it go and quietly looked away.
“By the way, Cristea-san, how did the taste-testing go?”
Sipping her green tea, Mariel-chan inquired, her hand reaching for a piece of yokan (sweet bean jelly).
“It went well. Otousama and the others liked it. I left the basic spice blend and recipes with the head chef, so I think they’ll be able to pull it off at the banquet.”
I’d also handed over other recipes they could try making, so I figured the head chef or Shin would prepare them if needed. I was relieved, feeling that my role was done.
“Are you going to supervise the banquet?”
“No, no. I asked that my name as the recipe’s creator remain undisclosed if it ever came up.”
If someone suddenly shouted, “Who made this dish!?” during the banquet, that’d be troublesome. The royal family ought to take full responsibility for those situations.
They probably wouldn’t want to say that a young duke’s daughter, not even of age, handled the spice blends and developed the recipes all by herself—that would reflect poorly on the royal reputation.
In exchange, I’ll be provided with priority access to spices, which is really my main reward. And if there’s additional compensation on top of that, all the better. Oh, ho, ho.
“If you’re keeping your identity as the recipe provider secret… does that mean our company will be the one representing everything spice-related?”
…Oh, she figured it out.
“Mariel-chan… we’re best friends for life, right?”
“Huh? Um, yes, I’d say so… we’ll always be best friends, right?”
Excellent, got her word on it.
“Don’t worry. If anything happens, the Ellisfeed family will protect you!”
“Wha—! So you planned this from the start?! Well, I knew, but still!”
Haha! Looking forward to our continued partnership!
“Argh… fine, I can live with that. Even if the Mayor Company faces challenges, Duke Ellisfeed’s protection will clarify the source of the goods.”
“Ugh, well… you’re not wrong…”
Indeed, even if I kept the recipe creator anonymous, if the Mayor Company started selling rare culinary spices and recipes, any noble with a bit of insight would easily guess that the Ellisfeed family or I had a hand in it.
We’d initially kept my role in creating the shortbread recipe a secret, selling it through the Mayor Company, only to reveal the truth later, shocking the aristocrats who’d belittled my cooking. So people who know me would know the story.
But I doubt the rival nobles, who mocked me as “the enemy” would share information that would benefit me with the Samonar Kingdom, so I’m not too worried.
As we continued talking about upcoming school credits and Mariel-chan’s etiquette training, a maid appeared to inform us that Otousama’s meeting with Baron Mayor had concluded, signaling the end of our little tea time in the gazebo.
I promised to pick up Mariel-chan tomorrow when returning to the academy, and then watched the Mayor Company carriage depart.
The chefs intended to use the spices and recipes I’d given them for tonight’s dinner, so I didn’t need to head to the kitchen. Perhaps I’ll spend the time until dinner brushing Kurogane and Mashiro.
While I mused on this, I heard a voice say, “Ojou! … Ahem, sama.”
“Oh, Shin, what is it?”
It seemed Shin had added “-sama” at the end as Miria shot him a stern glare from behind me.
He was clearly “uh-oh” level worried about her.
Miria was determined to ensure Shin spoke and acted with proper manners toward me, especially to prevent any bias toward him as a favored servant who had risen from the commoner class. Out of concern, I’d refrained from interfering.
“Well, I, um… have a request for you.”
“A request? What is it?”
It was rare for Shin to ask for something. Maybe he needed clarification on one of the recipes?
“Uh… could you come with me to the street stall where I got the spices?”
“Huh?”
To that stall? But… why?
What do you think about this chapter?
