Shopping in the Central District

"Lucien, where would be the most efficient place to go shopping?"

"Hmm... The Townsend ducal family has a trading company it always uses for cooking utensils, so we should go there. As for the ingredients, wouldn't it be fastest to go to the market?"

"Thanks! Then should we start with the trading company?"

"Yes. It's very close, so we should go there first."

Lucien promptly told the coachman where we were going. After about five minutes of riding in the carriage, we arrived at the trading company.

When we got out of the carriage and entered the building, the employee near the entrance took care of us, while another employee at the back went through to the rear.

Did they go to call someone?

"Lucien Townsend-sama, it is an honor to have you visit us. I apologize, but could you introduce your companion?"

"Yes, this is Leon, a guest of my family. I'm accompanying him today while he shops."

Amazing. They can recognize Lucien just by his face. He hasn't even been living in the royal capital very long. Since there are no photographs, do they memorize people's faces from portraits? Or do they happen to meet them in advance for discreet introductions?

"Thank you. Leon-sama, it is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Luca, of the Shuzeagle Trading Company."

"My name is Leon, and I am in the care of the Townsend ducal family. It is a pleasure to meet you."

Once we'd finished our greetings, the employee who had gone to the back returned with a middle-aged man. He looked kind, but also seemed to have a stern side.

"Lucien-sama, it is an honor that you have visited our store. Leon-sama, it is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Gislain, president of the Shuzeagle Trading Company."

When did he hear my name? Had he been listening to our conversation earlier?

Besides, the whole process after we entered the store was so smooth and cool. I was envious—they seemed like the very picture of capable employees and a company president.

I had planned to become a salaryman in Japan and work hard at my job, but I couldn't even find employment... It makes me sad to think about.

"My name is Leon, and I am in the care of the Townsend ducal family. It is a pleasure to meet you."

"The pleasure is ours. What can we do for you today?"

"Yes. I'm planning to start a food stall, and I'd like to buy cooking utensils for it."

"Certainly. We have a wide selection of cooking utensils. This way, please. Will you be looking as well, Lucien-sama? We can show you to the reception room if you'd prefer..."

"I will look with him."

"Certainly. Then this way, Lucien-sama."

They led us to a section at the back of the store. Amazing! There was an incredible amount of cooking equipment. This is exciting.

"Have you decided what kind of cooking utensils you'd like?"

"Yes. I'd like a griddle, a frying pan, a ladle, a spatula, several bowls, a cutting board, a knife, a whisk, and a spoon."

"Certainly. First, our griddles come in three sizes..."

After that, carefully examining and choosing all the cooking utensils I needed took quite a while. It may have taken more than thirty minutes... But I got some good ones!

I chose a griddle large enough to cook two crepes. Once I got used to it, I could cook two at once, or use one to warm up a cooked crepe wrapper. The whisk was a different shape from what I knew, but I found something close enough. For everything else, I chose items that looked easy to use and sturdy. I made an amazing purchase.

"Thank you very much for your business today. Please come again."

"Yes. If I need more cooking utensils, I'll be sure to consult you."

"We look forward to serving you again."

I paid and returned to the carriage with Lucien. Whew... I'm a little tired. The carriage was packed with all the cooking utensils I'd bought.

"Lucien, I'm sorry it took so long."

"I had fun too, so don't worry."

"I'm glad to hear that."

I was relieved, and a smile spread across my face. Partway through, I'd started feeling bad about making Lucien wait.

Wait, now that I think about it, I can't leave these cooking utensils at the stall, so I'll have to carry them there every time, won't I? Then we'd need a cart! And we'd have to bring the ingredients too.

I could have the cooking utensils taken to Ronnie's house by cart, then have Ronnie go home after school, take the cart, and head to the stall. He could buy the ingredients at the market along the way. That would be perfect.

For that, we'd need to buy a cart.

"Lucien, where can we buy a cart?"

"Why do you suddenly need a cart?"

"Because I have to transport these cooking utensils to the stall every time."

"Now that you mention it, that's true... There should be a spare cart at the estate. We can use it."

"Really!? Is that all right?"

"Yes. It's not particularly expensive, so it should be fine."

"Thank you!"

Great! I was happy to save even a little money. Things were costing more than I'd expected.

"We're going to the market next, right?"

"Yes!"

After riding in the carriage for a little while longer, we reached the market. It was a market in the central district, so it sold expensive goods and had many attractive shops.

Besides, ordinary markets often aren't large enough for carriages to enter, but this one was spacious enough. I was opening the carriage window and looking over the shops.

"Oh, could you stop the carriage here?"

I said this to the coachman because I'd spotted a shop selling flour and another that looked like it sold seasonings.

For safety reasons, Lucien couldn't get out at the market, so I was going alone. We'd come straight from school today, and Jack-san wasn't with us. I'd previously asked whether we would be all right traveling there and back without an escort, and apparently the coachman was strong enough to serve as our guard, so there was no problem.

"Then I'll go."

"Yes, be careful."

I got out of the carriage and looked in the flour shop first. Hmm... There really was only one kind of flour. Japan had cake flour and bread flour, if I remember correctly...

Well, even if there were several kinds here, I wouldn't know the difference, so it wouldn't make any difference to me.

"Excuse me, I'd like one bag of flour."

"Sure thing. One copper coin."

"Here you go."

"Thank you very much."

Next was the seasoning shop. Oh! They had oil, salt, vinegar, and even honey! This was a lucky find.

"Excuse me. I'd like one bottle each of oil, vinegar, and honey, and one bag each of salt and sugar."

"Just a moment, please."

"All right."

"Let's see... One bottle each of oil, vinegar, and honey, and one bag each of sugar and salt... That will be nine copper coins."

"Here you are. Would it be all right if I paid with a silver coin?"

"That's fine."

"Then I'll pay with this."

"Yes. Here's one copper coin in change. Thank you."

Wow... These are incredibly heavy...

I somehow managed to lift everything and make it back to the carriage.

"Whew... That was heavy."

"That's what you get for buying so much."

"But... They were all being sold together, so I thought I might as well buy them."

Lucien was looking at me with exasperation. I'm not that much of a fool! It was just a little mistake!

"Let's go! Coachman-san, please get us moving!"

"Certainly."

After that, I bought eggs, butter, pork, and vegetables. I wanted lettuce, but apparently it wasn't in season yet, so I settled for cabbage. I could just buy whatever was in season.

"Have we bought everything?"

"I think this should be enough for now!"

"I see. Then let's head back to the estate."

"Yes! Thanks for coming along."

I was a little tired, but I had to make a test batch when I got home. There were only about two hours left until dinner, so I had to hurry!