Upstart Pastry Chef - Chapter 103

 Chapter 103: Magical Time with Duke Lenaril

The Durian Doughnuts I made as sweets for the nobles we would visit during our greetings were a huge success.

If put inside the custom-made refrigerator packed with ice made by Tina, they would keep for a while.

When handing them over, so long as I asked them to eat them by the following day, there should be no problem.

During my free time, I was endlessly pondering the recipe for the cake to make for the Royal Family.

The base for the cake to be served to the Royal Family had already been decided; I was planning a cake combining chocolate mousse with truffle butter made from truffles, the king of mushrooms.

However, I felt a conflict over whether serving the current recipe as-is was truly the right choice.

Because this was a sweet I used to make in my original world, its degree of perfection was already high. It was also a fact that I couldn't spot any room for improvement.

Even so, I have grown during the time I've spent as Kurt Arnoldt.

My pride would not allow me to fail to give shape to that growth.

In the end, time slipped away without anything coming to mind.

"It's a bad habit of mine."

When thinking of sweet recipes, I lose track of time.

While there are times this works out well, this time ended up just being a waste of time.

I need some kind of trigger.

I'll turn everything I encounter in the Royal Capital into my strength. Firmly resolving that, I left the kitchen.

The appointed time arrived.

Tina and Chloe had been taken away by Duke Lenaril’s servants quite a while ago.

Since it was a high-end establishment, proper attire was mandatory.

When we were invited to Duke Lenaril’s estate, Border Baron Fernande had arranged fine servant uniforms, but we couldn't use those this time.

Therefore, arrangements had been made for Duke Lenaril to lend them dresses.

I felt a bit shameless, but I took her up on her kind offer.

Because adjustments to their sizes were needed, it seemed to be taking some time.

Incidentally, clothes had been arranged for me as well. Mysteriously, the size fit perfectly, so unlike the two of them, it didn't take up any time.

"Kurt-sama, we're back. These clothes are hard to move in. It's so tight in all sorts of places..."

"My waist is squeezed so tightly it's painful... Like this, I won't be able to eat a lot!"

Voices called out from behind me. It seemed the two had returned, looking strangely exhausted.

They appeared to be struggling with wearing dresses for the first time.

Turning around, my eyes widened unconsciously.

"Both of you look so beautiful. You look just like princesses."

With just that single sentence, the fatigue seemed to blow right off their exhausted faces.

The dresses they were supposed to dislike were now bringing them joy.

"Oh, no... a princess... that's embarrassing."

"Kurt, you're slow to notice my charm. But, well, thanks."

Both of them were blushing.

That wasn't flattery just now.

Tina's pure white dress suited her silver hair and fox tail exceptionally well. It was a lovely dress that brought out Tina's cuteness nicely.

Chloe, on the other hand, wore a light green dress. A sleek dress overall, it drew out Chloe's refreshing and glamorous qualities.

It was my first time seeing the two properly dressed up. Until now, even in places requiring formal attire, what they wore were servant uniforms, so seeing them in dresses was a first.

Since both were exceptionally gorgeous girls to begin with, once dressed up, they were as beautiful as princesses out of a storybook.

"Being able to walk outside with two girls this cute makes me a lucky guy."

"Kurt-sama is extra handsome today, too. It's... like a prince!"

Blushing bright red, Tina praised me.

Her hard effort was heartwarming.

"Right? Escort us properly, Prince."

Even Chloe, acting tough like that, was embarrassed. Since seeing Chloe embarrassed isn't something you get to see often, it felt like a bonus.

The two held out their hands, so I took them.

Today, I shall escort the two properly.

The only lucky man in the world who gets to escort Tina and Chloe is me.

"Of course, my princesses. Today, I shall escort you with all my heart."

It was a bit too suave. Finding that amusing, the three of us burst out laughing.

As we were doing so, there came a knock at the door, so I opened it.

"Kurt-sama, and your companions. The carriage is ready. Please come this way."

Duke Lenaril’s servant had come to call us.

I had heard that Duke Lenaril herself had other business outside and would head straight to the restaurant.

Taking the two princesses by their hands, I boarded the carriage.

The two were fidgety and adorable all the way until we reached the restaurant.

Once we return to Arnoldt and have financial leeway, I'll occasionally dress them up like this and take them to delicious places.

After all, it would be a waste for such a lovely appearance to end with just this one time.

Besides, spending time properly dressed up will likely be a good breather for these girls, too.

Those were the thoughts occupying my mind.

Upon arriving at the restaurant, I parted ways with the two.

I headed to the private room where Duke Lenaril was waiting, while the two went to a room with a etiquette instructor.

It was a shame we couldn't dine together, but in the first place, those two were grateful just to be treated to a meal as well.

The place I was guided to was a private room, one that could be recognized at a single glance as a special chamber.

Despite being a private room, a spacious environment spread out, yet only a single table was set. The furnishings were arranged with excellent taste, serving the finest meal in the finest room. That passion was clearly visible.

"Thank you for inviting me today, Duke Lenaril."

"I am the one grateful to you for making time in your busy schedule. There are hardly any people with whom I can enjoy dining together, after all."

She smiled softly at me as I took my seat.

She was in a dress. She wore a black, elegant, and stylish dress.

As always, Duke Lenaril is a beautiful and dashing woman.

Duke Lenaril rang a small bell.

Then, a waiter entered the room.

The waiter stood on standby in front of the door at all times, ready to come immediately upon the ringing of the bell.

From the perspective of someone who once intended to own his own shop, reserving such a spacious room and keeping a person stationed at all times—unconsciously, I began calculating how much money would need to be charged to make such a thing viable, turning pale in the process.

As expected of a Duke's house.

"You, please begin the course soon. I will leave everything to your discretion, so bring the finest."

"Understood. We shall serve you with all our heart and soul."

The waiter bowed.

Passing him as he departed, a sommelier arrived.

When Duke Lenaril requested a light red, the sommelier nodded, pulled a single bottle of wine from a box filled with wine, and pulled the cork.

An indescribably wonderful fragrance drifted into the surroundings.

It was a mellowed scent. This was something a young wine could never produce.

"It is a thirty-year-old Grand Eschrout."

So it really is a vintage wine.

Wine gains depth as it ages. And it is only the finest wine that gains depth as it ages. A half-baked wine cannot overcome the weight of years, and its flavor becomes blurred.

"Next Baronet of Arnoldt, let us make a toast. To the future prosperity of both the Lenaril and Arnoldt houses, and to our friendship."

"Yes, to the prosperity and friendship of both houses."

We smiled at each other, raised our glasses, and...

""Cheers.""

The two of us clinked our glasses together.

I put my lips to the wine.

In the finest atmosphere, with the finest wine, and the finest woman right before my eyes.

I was drunk not only on alcohol, but on various other things as well.

Course dishes were brought out one after another, and the final dessert was served.

The dessert was an assortment of fruit.

Moreover, every single piece was of the highest quality, gathered from all over the country.

Rather than a clumsily elaborate sweet, this was even more delightful.

"How was it? Did you thoroughly enjoy the cuisine of the Royal Capital?"

"Yes, it was a wonderful meal."

While there were no unknown techniques in the cooking methods, the ingredients were relentlessly fine.

Sparing no expense—this must be what that means.

In particular, the main dish featuring beef was fantastic.

It was simply roast beef drizzled with a special sauce, but precisely because of that, it brought out the natural flavor of the ingredients extremely well.

It was a high-end product raised under painstakingly managed breeding.

"The chef here is mindful, which earns my favor. They don't over-process the ingredients in order to cherish their natural taste. Yet they pay meticulous attention to drawing out the umami."

"I'm glad you understand. The person I brought along last time complained that it lacked flashiness and that a bolder taste would be better, getting angry in the process."

"To not understand this deliciousness—what a tragic person."

"Fufu, I think so too."

That person surely has an unrefined palate.

Eating only visual extravagance and heavy seasonings that erase everything else has numbed their tongue.

"As expected, the beef in the main dish was incredible. I'd love to try wrestling with that ingredient. Also, the yellow fruit served for dessert—if I use that, I can make an interesting sweet."

The tender meat, with just the right amount of marbling, was immensely delicious. It was my first time in this world encountering beef I found delicious.

I had eaten beef a few times before, but they were all cattle that had broken down from farm work, so they were old and the meat was tough.

The taste of the beef I ate today made me feel so nostalgic I could almost cry.

And then, the fruit assortment served for dessert. Among them was a fruit resembling a mango.

Furthermore, it possessed a quality rivaling the highest-grade fully ripened mangoes that could rarely be eaten even in Japan.

An ingredient that delivers overwhelming emotion just eaten raw. I want to transform this into an even more wonderful sweet.

Without thinking, I ended up passionately sharing those thoughts.

Without growing bored, Duke Lenaril listened to my talk with interest, nodding here and there in agreement.

"To be this delighted, I'm glad I brought you along. It seems you received plenty of inspiration as a pastry chef as well."

"Yes, it was a great learning experience."

The post-meal tea was brought out.

Taking a sip of it, the atmosphere settled down.

Duke Lenaril seemed on the verge of saying something.

I opened my mouth to prompt her.

It was likely true that Duke Lenaril wanted to dine alone with me, whom she considered a friend.

However, that wasn't the only reason she chose this restaurant with private rooms.

There was something that couldn't be discussed anywhere else.

"Duke Lenaril, there's a reason we are dining here today, isn't there?"

"...Yes. I wish to discuss something I don't want anyone to overhear. This room has been used for secret meetings since my father's generation. It's convenient when talking about things you don't want anyone to hear."

Duke Lenaril’s eyes turned sharp.

"Regarding the matter of serving sweets to the Royal Family this time, I looked into it. It was a rampage by Third Prince Granta, but the one who pulled the strings behind him was Duke Heltring, one of the Four Great Dukes. It seems he whispered about you into Third Prince Granta's ear and egged him on."

I had suspected it vaguely, but so it really was that man.

Under the moonlight, the face of the man with a cruel smile on his handsome features drifted into my mind.

"I had a feeling that might be the case. But I don't understand the reason."

"If you fail to satisfy Third Prince Granta, you are finished. In that situation, the only one who could save you is Duke Heltring. Even I wouldn't be able to help... That man will try to get his hands on anything he wants by hook or by crook. He has definitely set a trap to make you fail."

With a expression full of certainty, Duke Lenaril declared it.

Interference with cooking, slipping in poison, stealing ingredients.

There were plenty of ways to go about it.

"Phew... I love making delicious sweets, but being dragged into that kind of conspiracy... is tough. However, I won't lose. Fortunately, I have some resistance to such things."

If I can't run, I have no choice but to face it.

Besides, I have plenty of experience being sabotaged.

Being talented, I was envied and suffered sabotage many times in competitions and the like.

Especially after crossing over overseas, being treated as a cheeky monkey from the countryside, I suffered even harsher harassment.

Even so, I won and made them acknowledge me. I can pretty much imagine the methods used by these types of people. It's a sad skill.

"How reliable. I will support you from the shadows as well."

"I apologize for causing you trouble."

"It's fine. I've taken a liking to you. Besides, I've already been saved by you before."

The two of us gazed at each other.

A gentle air flowed between us.

"Fufu... I ended up thinking something strange. I found myself thinking I didn't want to leave this room. I wanted to keep talking with just the two of us forever."

"...That is..."

"It's a joke. However, though it's late now, I would like to state my name. Theresia Lenaril. That is my name. Before inheriting the Duke's house, those close to me called me Theresa. Someday, I would like you to call me that as well. This is the first time I've said such a thing since becoming Duke Lenaril. Strange, isn't it? I just felt an overwhelming urge to say it to you."

Theresa.

I engraved that name into my heart.

"Right now, I am still too awestruck to call you by that name. However, when that time comes, I shall call you by that name with affection. Allow me to state my name as well. I am Kurt Arnoldt. My hobby and special skill is sweet-making. I am learning domain management and the like."

"Fufu, how mean of you not to call me that. In that case, shall I at least be the only one to call you by your name? ...Kurt. Strange, just calling your name made my heart skip a beat."

Blushing faintly, Duke Lenaril traced her lips with a finger.

That gesture felt strangely enchanting.

Fascinated, I was rendered speechless.

To such a me, Duke Lenaril smiled gently.

"Now then, let's head back. Is it about time those girls grow tired of waiting?"

Most likely, both Tina and Chloe had finished eating long ago.

Those girls surely enjoyed today's dinner as well.

Standing up and walking ahead, Duke Lenaril did not look back even once until we reached the carriage. As if what happened inside that room was a complete illusion.

However, I won't forget today.

Someday, the day I call her Theresa—I somehow felt certain that day would come.