Chapter 145
"Carolyn, you're right. Stacey's happiness is more important. I've decided to stop researching sweets. Ah, but Leon-kun, didn't you have something to discuss about sweets research?"
That's right. But if the Daligard household stops researching sweets, I might be able to recruit the cook who was conducting the research without much trouble.
The timing might be perfect.
"Yes. Perhaps we can resolve the sweets research issue."
"Really? Tell me more."
"I run a crepe stall, and I'd like to turn it into a shop and open a specialty sweets shop. I'm currently coming up with recipes for the sweets I plan to serve there, so I'm looking for a cook who would be willing to experiment with me. When I told Richard-sama about it, he put me in touch with Pierre-sama. If you don't mind, may I hire the cook who has been researching sweets? They could continue that research at my shop as well."
When I said that, Pierre-sama looked extremely surprised, then broke into a delighted smile. He really did love sweets.
"That's a truly generous offer, Leon-kun. Thank you. I'm also surprised to learn that the crepes came from your stall."
"Have you eaten them?"
"I've eaten them many times. I heard rumors about a new sweet and went to buy one right away, but I was truly amazed when I tasted it. It was incredibly delicious, so I've been buying them frequently."
"Thank you. I'm very happy to hear that."
"That flavor would certainly sell in a shop. But why make it a specialty sweets shop rather than a crepe shop?"
"I like sweet things, so I hope sweets will develop further. I want my shop to become a pioneer in that development."
When I said that, Pierre-sama and Carolyn-sama sprang to their feet and leaned toward me, their eyes sparkling.
"Leon-kun, you're wonderful!"
"Indeed! You're thinking about advancing the world of sweets!"
"Th-thank you very much."
They really did love sweets. If I worked hard to make delicious sweets, I absolutely had to let them try them.
"You should meet him first. He's a cook who loves researching sweets, and I can guarantee his enthusiasm."
"I'd love to meet him. Pierre-sama, thank you so much."
"That's my line. Once Leon-kun's shop is open, I'm looking forward to going there to eat."
Pierre-sama said that and smiled gently at me. What a wonderful person... I'd always thought Richard-sama was a truly good person too, but I suppose good people really do attract one another.
I was almost afraid of being surrounded by so many good people.
"Then I'll go fetch the cook right away."
Pierre-sama said that and left the room. Was he really going to fetch the cook himself instead of having a servant do it? I hadn't realized there were nobles like that...
As I stared in surprise, Carolyn-sama spoke to me with a wry smile.
"I'm sorry for his lack of decorum. He always ends up doing things himself. Even though I tell him to ask a servant whenever we have guests..."
"I don't mind, but I was surprised because I've never seen anyone like that before."
"It's not exactly proper behavior for a noble."
Even as Carolyn-sama said that, she smiled fondly at the door Pierre-sama had gone through. She must really like Pierre-sama that way.
I finally understood what Roger meant when he called Pierre-sama an outlier among nobles. But I really liked this household.
"Since I'm a commoner, please don't worry about it. I'm not used to the noble practice of leaving everything to servants, either."
"Oh, is that so? Then I'll do things as usual today."
Carolyn-sama said that with a smile.
"Please do."
"First, I need to prepare another serving of tea. Leon-kun, you chat with Stacey."
Carolyn-sama said that and left the room. Only Roger, Stacey-sama, her attendant, and I remained.
It felt strange to visit a noble's residence, only for the people of the household to disappear. As I began to feel a little uncomfortable, Stacey-sama spoke to me.
"Thanks to you, it looks like I'll be able to open my shop. Thank you."
"You don't have to thank me. I only gave you a little advice."
"May I consult you if anything comes up? You're going to run a shop too, right, Leon?"
"Yes. I plan to run a specialty sweets shop."
"Then, since we're both starting shops, let's get along."
"I look forward to working with you."
Stacey-sama could be strange in some ways, but fundamentally, she was actually quite a sensible person... Why had she turned out like that?
Well, thinking about it wouldn't get me anywhere. I gave up on the matter almost immediately and looked at the planter on the table in front of Stacey-sama. Beautiful white flowers were blooming in it.
"Stacey-sama, is that... the one? Or, um, person... you're introducing me to?"
"Yes! This one's the cutest of all my flower friends. I think you can be friends too."
"I-I see..."
"This one's name is Yuki. Please introduce yourself."
Introduce myself? To a flower? Just imagining it was too funny. But Stacey-sama was serious, so I couldn't laugh. Absolutely not! I told myself that and gave a serious self-introduction.
"Nice to meet you. My name is Leon. Um, I'm Stacey-sama's friend. I hope we get along."
"Yuki seems very happy!"
Stacey-sama said that with a radiant smile. Something about this was beginning to scare me.
Happy...? Could she really understand what plants were feeling, or something like that...? No, surely not... But this was another world, and magic existed here...
"Um, Stacey-sama?"
"Yes?"
"You said she was happy just now, but how did you know...?"
"How did I know? You can tell just by looking. See? Doesn't it look happy? Its petals are shinier than before."
"Y-you think so? Maybe they are? Um, you can't hear Yuki-chan's voice or anything, can you...?"
"A voice? I can't hear one."
"I thought not. Then that's good."
Phew... So she didn't have some special ability that let her talk to plants or anything. That's good. Is it? But being able to understand what plants were feeling would definitely be painful, wouldn't it? I'm glad she didn't have an ability like that.
As I sighed in relief, Pierre-sama and Carolyn-sama returned to the room, bringing with them a large, intimidating-looking man. Could he be the cook who researched sweets?
Somehow... he looked more suited to being a soldier than a cook.
"Leon-kun, this is the cook who has been researching sweets, and..."
"Grandfather, please wait."
Just as Pierre-sama began introducing the cook, Stacey-sama cut him off. I wondered what was wrong.
"Stacey, what is it?"
"Grandfather, since I've introduced my friend to Leon as well, I'd like to take my leave first. I want to consult the cook about the shop we discussed earlier right away. Since the head chef prepares my meals every day, we may be able to use those recipes!"
"That's true... He always experiments to make sure Stacey can eat delicious meals."
I see. The head chef had been experimenting every day while making vegetable-only dishes for Stacey's meals. That know-how would definitely be useful. It would be a waste to let it remain confined to the household.
"That's right. Then I'll go see the head chef!"
Stacey-sama said that and immediately left the room. Maybe she was so free-spirited because she was at home, but she was incredibly carefree. Still, she seemed to be having fun, which was nice.
As I watched Stacey-sama, I felt a natural smile spread across my face.