Tasting the Sweets

It seemed we would be having lunch in the Daligard household's dining room. When we headed there, we found a large table covered with all kinds of dishes. It looked like we would be eating as a large group: Pierre-sama, Carolyn-sama, Stacey-sama, the two cooks, Yoan, Roger, and me.

Of course, you wouldn't normally see a scene like this in a noble household, so I was actually rather happy. Eating together with the cooks was wonderful. We could tell them directly what we thought of the food and share in its deliciousness.

Once everyone had taken their seats, the lively meal began.

"Leon-kun, how are you finding the kitchen?"

"It's very convenient. Thank you again for letting me use it."

"No, it's fine. We had the equipment installed for sweets research, so we're glad you're able to make use of it."

The Daligard household's residence was small and modest, but the kitchen alone was extremely well equipped. Anyone could tell how much they truly loved sweets just by looking at it.

"We spent too much money on the kitchen and sweets research, so the rest of the household had to be kept rather simple."

"Carolyn, we agreed not to mention that."

"I agreed that we should spend money on sweets research too, but we have far too few decorations and clothes. As a baron's household, we must at least maintain the bare minimum."

"I know. Now that Leon-kun has taken over the research, perhaps we should start by buying some new clothes."

"Yes, we should."

They had spent money on sweets research even at the expense of clothing and decorations...? Sweets really were expensive. They would use a great deal of sugar if they were researching that too, and honey wasn't cheap either. Maple syrup was sold here, but it was imported and extremely expensive. Fruit was expensive as well... When I thought about it that way, research would be impossible without money.

Fortunately, I didn't have to worry about money. I already had a considerable amount in my account, and I would continue receiving money from magic tools and technology licensing fees... In fact, if I didn't spend it, I would end up with far too much money.

Come to think of it, if I was taking over the research that Pierre-sama and the others had been conducting, shouldn't I pay them something as well?

I had even taken their cook away from them... Wasn't this basically stealing the fruits of their research?!

"Pierre-sama, since hiring Yoan means that I will also be obtaining the results of the research you have conducted so far, I would like to give you a gift or some money as thanks..."

"No, please don't worry about that. Even if you call them results, we didn't accomplish all that much."

"But I can't simply do that..."

I really should settle this properly. But he probably wouldn't accept anything...

"You truly don't need to worry about it. I will be satisfied as long as you develop delicious sweets."

I wanted to do something that would make Pierre-sama and the others happy, at the very least... Was there anything I could do? Hmm, it really had to be sweets, didn't it?

"Then I would like to send you sweets from the shop on a regular basis. It will be difficult while we're still developing them, but I promise I will once the shop opens."

"Yes, that would make me very happy."

"Indeed. I look forward to it."

Pierre-sama and Carolyn-sama smiled at me, looking extremely pleased.

"I'll send you delicious sweets, so please look forward to them."

I said that with a smile. In reality, though, I planned to have them taste some new sweets later today. Should I tell them now?

I had planned to make it a surprise, but there was quite a lot of food for lunch, and they might be too full to eat sweets afterward. Besides, we'd just started talking about sweets... Perhaps I should tell them now.

"Speaking of which, would you be willing to taste some sweets after today's lunch?"

When I said that, the two of them opened their eyes wide in obvious surprise.

"Have you already developed new sweets!?"

Pierre-sama shouted, looking extremely surprised. It made me a little happy to see him so astonished. I was just about to open my mouth to answer when Yoan's voice interrupted me.

"Pierre-sama, Leon-sama is amazing! He comes up with one new idea after another, and we've made wonderfully delicious sweets!"

"Yoan, is that true!?"

"Yes! I made them myself, so I can guarantee it!"

Before I could answer Pierre-sama, Yoan leaned forward and reported everything to him. I had told him to keep quiet so it would be a surprise, but he must have been dying to tell someone.

Yoan truly had an incredible gap between his appearance and his personality. It felt strange for me to say this, and the words might not have suited Yoan at all, but he was the cute sort. I thought that to myself and nearly burst out laughing.

Anyone who knew Yoan only by his appearance would probably think he was the exact opposite of cute. But once they saw his eyes sparkle over sweets, they would surely understand!

"Oh my, what a disaster! You should have told me sooner. I nearly ate so much lunch that I wouldn't have had room for sweets!"

"I'm sorry, Carolyn-sama. I had originally planned to make it a surprise, but I was worried that the large amount of food would leave everyone too full for sweets, so I decided to tell you at the last minute."

"I see. I'm glad you told me. Then let's have the sweets right away!"

Already? There was still quite a lot of lunch left. Was it really all right? I wondered that, but Pierre-sama also seemed eager to eat them and instructed someone to bring out the sweets. Apparently, the other servants would finish the remaining lunch, and anything that could be saved would be served again at dinner.

"Leon-kun, what kind of sweets are they?"

"Pancakes topped with whipped cream and caramel, as well as cookies."

"None of those sound familiar... I understand the term 'whipped cream,' but I can't imagine what it is actually like."

"I came up with those names myself, so I hope you'll remember them once you've seen the actual sweets."

"Yes, I'm incredibly excited. This might be the happiest moment of my life. I'm waiting for new sweets to be brought out...!"

"Indeed, dear! At last, the moment we've been waiting for has arrived!"

Amazing... Pierre-sama and Carolyn-sama's love of sweets was truly incredible. Maybe I should have waited until I had made cake before letting them taste anything. But whipped cream was probably something new in this world too, so they would surely be delighted.

As I was thinking about that, the sweets were finally brought in. The pancake had been divided into four pieces, with one piece per person. I had also prepared whipped cream drizzled with caramel for Stacey-sama.

When I asked Yoan, he told me that Stacey-sama couldn't eat eggs but could drink milk. Since this only used dairy products and sugar, she probably wouldn't hesitate to eat it.

"Leon, is there some for me too?"

"Yes. Yours is whipped cream with caramel. Since it only contains dairy products and sugar, I thought you might be comfortable eating it. I heard that you can drink milk, Stacey-sama."

"I can eat dairy products! I'm so happy!"

Stacey-sama said that with a radiant smile. I was glad she seemed pleased.

"Then, Leon-kun, may we have them right away?"

"Yes. The pancake is on that plate. The white substance on top is whipped cream, and the sauce poured over it is caramel. The cookies are on that small plate."

"So caramel is honey with a rich, toasted fragrance!"

"Yes. I named it caramel."

"That's a good name. Then I'll start with the pancake."

Pierre-sama said that, cut a bite-sized piece from the pancake, placed some caramel-covered whipped cream on top, and popped it into his mouth.

After chewing a few times, Pierre-sama's face immediately broke into a radiant smile.

"Leon-kun, this is truly delicious. It's a wonderful sweet."

"Thank you very much."

"Dear, these cookies are absolutely delicious too. It's wonderful that they're so easy to eat."

"I think they'd be perfect with tea."

"Indeed... Since it wouldn't be right to ask you for the recipe, would it be all right if we had Yoan make cookies for us from now on?"

I didn't mind teaching them the recipe, but now that I was starting a shop, perhaps I shouldn't share it indiscriminately. For now, I decided to keep it a secret.

"Of course. I'll make as many as you like while I'm borrowing this kitchen. Yoan, I'm counting on you."

"Yes! I still want to refine them through plenty of trial and error, so I would appreciate it if you would taste them for me."

"I'll look forward to it."

And so, the sweets tasting ended in complete success. It truly made me happy to see everyone enjoying them.

Besides, the pancakes with whipped cream had been absolutely delicious. At this rate, I was going to make cake too!