Chapter 68
After the main course was a success, I stood in front of the dessert prep station.
Today's meal had been going smoothly.
Lilia was smiling at ease, and Elysia was carrying on a natural conversation with her old friend.
The four men were outwardly maintaining their manners, but they had already begun emptying their wallets for the sake of their pride.
That was after they had all confirmed that their rivals were wealthy and more than willing to spend that wealth.
The four bottles of wine sold very well, and all four accompaniments added to the main course had been charged as extras.
We could have ended there.
But when business is going well, you have to push it one step further.
I spoke the moment Elysia entered the kitchen.
“My lady, just let it slip that there’s a basic dessert and optional extras.”
Elysia immediately narrowed her eyes.
“What kind of extras?”
“I’ve prepared some flavors Lady Lilia might like separately. But rather than serving them as one, I divided them into four: fruit, milk cream, warm bread, and a chilled, fragrant treat. Lady Lilia’s portion is free, and if her companions want, let them order the same things as extras.”
“An extra charge for all four?”
“Yes.”
Elysia fell silent for a brief moment, then smiled.
“You’re really wicked.”
“Your friend’s portion is free.”
“Then does that make you kind?”
“Money isn’t something that can be called good or bad.”
She nodded with satisfaction at that.
“Good. I’ll go tell them.”
Elysia returned to the drawing room.
I checked the dessert plates.
The basic dessert for Lilia was a gentle one. I reduced grape juice to add a sweet-and-tart flavor, then topped it with a very light layer of Western milk cream.
I added small pieces of fruit from the Monbel garden.
It was a small, bookended presentation reminiscent of an amuse-bouche.
It wasn’t flashy, but it felt like a dessert a friend had remembered and prepared.
The four additional desserts were a little different.
The first was a warm little bun surrounding cold milk cream.
The second was a grape-sauce pearl that burst in the mouth.
The third was fruit jelly with its aroma trapped inside.
The fourth was chilled raspberry ice.
I would let Lilia taste a little of each.
But if the men wanted the same things, there would be an extra charge.
Naturally.
Love may be free, but dessert isn’t.
Elysia’s voice drifted over from the drawing room.
“I prepared the dessert while thinking of the flavors Lilia used to like. All five of you will receive the basic dessert. I plan to provide Lilia with all of it as part of the basic course, but if her companions would also like to taste the flavors she likes, there are four small additional desserts. Each one was prepared in a different way, so you’re welcome to share a little of all four.”
There was a brief silence.
Then the merchant heir smiled and said,
“If they’re flavors Miss Lilia likes, I’m curious too. I’ll have all four, please.”
The young noble immediately followed suit.
“I’ll have the same. Given how today’s meal has gone, I wouldn’t want to miss the finale.”
The northern knight thought for a moment, then said in a low voice,
“I don’t usually care for sweets, but if they were prepared for Miss Lilia, I’ll try them.”
The young mage already looked curious about the desserts’ structure.
“If all four use different preparation methods, comparing them would be worthwhile. I’ll have all four as well.”
Marie smiled broadly.
“Did we sell them all?”
“All of them.”
“They’re really good customers.”
“Yeah. Excellent ones.”
Everyone in the kitchen was openly laughing now.
After the cash bonus was announced, everyone’s hands moved even faster.
Thomas timed the bread’s baking perfectly, while Nina checked the temperature of the fruit jelly.
Estelle adjusted the membrane strength of the grape-sauce pearls, and Marie rehearsed the dessert explanation one more time.
The desserts went out.
Lilia’s eyes widened when she saw the small plates arranged before her.
“Elysia, did you make this because you remembered those preserved grapes I used to like at the academy?”
Elysia smiled a little shyly.
“Yes. It isn’t exactly the same, but I told Kyle about the sweet-and-tart flavor you used to like.”
Lilia took her first spoonful and smiled brightly.
That smile was worth more than any of the extra orders we’d gotten today.
Of course, the extra orders were worth a lot too.
Both were important.
The four men began eating their desserts almost simultaneously when they saw Lilia smile.
When they cut open the warm bread, cold milk cream emerged; the grape-sauce pearls burst in their mouths, and the fruit jelly released its aroma at a spoon’s touch.
The raspberry ice brought the meal to a cool, clean close.
The merchant heir ate the grape-sauce pearl and immediately said,
“Couldn’t you make this as a gift item?”
I heard him from the kitchen and shook my head.
‘Even if we sell that, I’ll be the one selling it, punk.’
The young noble was briefly speechless at the cold cream inside the warm bread, while the northern knight raised his eyebrows after eating the raspberry ice.
The young mage tried to figure out Estelle’s magical processing method, but Marie cut off her explanation at exactly the right point.
Today’s service had gone smoothly too.
When the meal ended, the pile of money was beautiful.
The extra charges were greater than the basic course price.
With four main-course accompaniments, four bottles of wine, and four additional dessert orders, the extra revenue from today’s meal exceeded the original basic charge.
Even after Elysia covered Lilia’s share, a great deal remained.
“This is art.”
Marie asked from beside me,
“The food?”
“The money.”
“You’re such a materialist.”
“Don’t you want your bonus?”
“The food is art too.”
That was a quick change of heart.
When it was time for the guests to leave, Elysia escorted Lilia to the door.
Before getting into the carriage, Lilia hugged Elysia tightly.
“Thank you so much for today. I thought I was just coming to a famous restaurant, but I never imagined you still remembered me like this.”
Elysia froze for a moment, then carefully hugged Lilia back.
“I’m glad you came too.”
“Let’s see each other again next time. It doesn’t have to be as elaborate as this. I’d be happy just to have tea, and if you’re busy, I’ll wait for you.”
“Yes. Let’s definitely do that next time.”
The two of them stood like that for a while.
I watched them from the kitchen.
Elysia looked more at ease than I had ever seen her.
That was a better sight than the money we’d made today.
Of course, making money had been wonderful too.
The four men each took their leave with the proper courtesies.
Their expressions were hard to read.
They were satisfied because Lilia had been happy, but at the same time, they were probably calculating how much the others had spent.
There was a good chance that an even subtler competition would unfold next time.
Which meant there was a good chance they would come back.
Lilia got into the carriage, and Elysia waved.
After the carriage disappeared into the distance, Elysia returned to the kitchen.
She looked a little tired, but her expression was bright.
“Lilia liked it.”
“I saw.”
“Thank you.”
“I merely cooked.”
“That’s the most important part.”
I didn’t answer; I held out the money we’d made.
Elysia stopped for a moment when she saw it.
“This is…”
“The final profit from today’s meal.”
She slowly blinked.
“The extras came to more than the base price?”
“Yes.”
Elysia looked at the money pouch for a while.
Then she smiled brightly.
“Lilia liked it, and we made money too.”
“It was a perfect meal.”
“Yeah.”
Marie spoke from beside us,
“A meal where you feed your friend and empty the men’s wallets.”
Elysia thought for a moment, then nodded.
“That’s not wrong.”
I looked around the kitchen.
Everyone was tired, but they were smiling.
“As promised, we’re paying today’s bonus. Everyone who worked today, including the serving staff. My lady will decide the amount. My lady, how much should we give them?”
“I’ll give everyone half a month’s salary.”
A huge cheer erupted.
It was rare for such open laughter to break out in the Maison Monbel kitchen.
But today deserved it. The cooking had succeeded, the guests were satisfied, and the money we received was beautiful.
They were really good suck—no, customers.
I hope they bring Lady Lilia along again next time too.
“Men always get stupid when they fall in love.”
When I chuckled, Marie asked,
“You’re a man too.”
“That’s why I’m always smart.”
Marie crossed her arms and stared at me as though she couldn’t believe me.
“You get stupid when your pride gets hurt, don’t you?”
“Ah, that… I’ll admit it.”
Elysia stared at me for a long while, then tossed out a remark and disappeared.
“Sometimes, I wish you’d be a little more stupid.”
“Huh?”