Chapter 89

We finished the intense second day.

When I was about to go to the bath with Amelia, a hesitant voice called out from behind.

"Um, Mel, can I join you in the bath?"

"Huh? You too, Leiszlotte?"

Leiszlotte, blushing, asked. She probably wanted to join Amelia.

"Is it not okay?"

"No, it's fine. I'll join too."

"Thank you."

This was the third time Leiszlotte and I had gone to the bath together, including the hot spring. The first time, I thought she was a strict older sister, but now she's become a beast-fanatic older sister.

Just to be safe, Leiszlotte asked Amelia if it was okay for her to join.

"Amelia, is it okay?"

"Quack~"

It seemed there was no problem for Amelia either.

We all moved to the bath together, but—

"Everyone, getting along in the bath is great~"

For some reason, Album also tried to join us.

Leiszlotte didn't miss this.

"No way!!"

"Ah~!!"

"He's a boy, right?"

"Ah, um, well, yeah."

"Then, no way!!"

Leiszlotte said with a fierce expression and flicked Album out into the hallway.

The maid closed the door with a snap.

Leiszlotte's smile quickly returned.

"Hehe, sorry."

"Ah, it's okay."

"Quack~..."

I thought to myself, it's best not to go against Leiszlotte.

As we were about to take off our clothes, I saw a surprising scene.

Leiszlotte was having her clothes taken off by the maid.

This is what it means to be a lady.

She accepted it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Of course."

"Quack~"

I quickly took off my clothes and untied Amelia's ribbon.

I went in first.

As always, it was spacious. It was definitely wider than the second squad's break room.

Today, rose petals were floating in the bath. The air was filled with a rich fragrance.

"Wow, this is amazing."

"Quack quack~"

Amelia was wagging her tail happily. She seemed to really like it.

Leiszlotte, wrapped in a towel, came in.

"Amelia, I'll wash your body today."

"Quack?"

"Is that okay?"

"Yes. The maid will help too, okay?"

Following Leiszlotte, the maids, also wrapped in towels, came in.

Amelia was surrounded and washed carefully with a special beast wash.

"Hehe, Amelia, it feels good, doesn't it?"

"Quack~"

It looked like she was having a lot of fun.

I washed my body with the good-smelling soap from the marquis's house and soaked in the bath.

The effects of the roses were real— the scent had a high calming effect, and the flowers had antibacterial and strengthening properties. Plus, they were good for the skin.

The scent was wonderful, and it made me feel elegant. The rose bath was the best!

After that, we enjoyed a delicious meal, tea, and rested in Leiszlotte's room.

"Ah, um~"

Albus was waiting in front of Leiszlotte's room, holding a small pillow.

"Can Albus sleep with you too?"

I didn't mind. I didn't mind, but Leiszlotte...

I glanced at Leiszlotte standing next to me. She had her arms crossed and a scary look on her face.

I had seen this face before—it was exactly like the marquis. No wonder, they were family.

"Leiszlotte, is it okay?"

"If Mel is okay with it."

"Ah, thank you."

Leiszlotte was generous. Her face was scary, though.

We prepared a small basket for Albus to sleep in, filled with fluffy cotton.

"Yay, so fluffy."

"Where does Albus usually sleep?"

"With the marquis."

"Huh?"

"In the marquis's room, on the floor."

"Is that so?"

It seemed that a restriction spell was placed on him so he couldn't leave the marquis's side at night.

Since I was taking care of him, the spell was lifted.

"Sometimes, the marquis would come to check if Albus was sleeping like an adult... His face was scary... I pretended to be asleep with all my might."

It was a bit pitiful.

But, I wondered if the marquis was just checking on him out of concern.

The basket for Albus was placed on a round table near the bed.

We all lay down with Amelia in the center.

The maid turned off the lights.

We had worked hard today. Good night.

◇◇◇

The next day, we started making sweets in the morning.

"Albus will help too!"

"Quack~"

Albus offered to help, but before I could refuse, Amelia took him away with her beak.

Honestly, his help yesterday was more of a hindrance, so it was a relief.

Today, we were making a tart with giant winter strawberries picked from the forest.

We were allowed to use any ingredients in the kitchen. It was exciting.

First, we made the tart crust.

We mixed butter and sugar until smooth, then added egg yolks and mixed well. We added flour and powdered nuts and mixed again. When the dough became crumbly and started to come together, we shaped it into a ball and let it rest for an hour.

We rolled out the dough and placed it in a buttered tart pan, shaping it. We poked holes in the dough with a fork and placed weights on top to prevent it from rising, then baked it in the oven. The crust was done.

While the crust was baking, we made the custard cream.

First, we heated milk in a pot until it started to bubble.

In a separate bowl, we mixed flour and egg yolks, then added the warm milk and strained it.

We mixed the ingredients over a double boiler.

Finally, we added butter and—

"Albus, please bring me that thing."

"Sure."

The final addition to the custard cream was snowdrop berries.

The moment Albus dropped them into the bowl, they dissolved with a hiss.

We didn't add sugar to the custard because of the snowdrop berries.

"Wow, it looks delicious."

"Please wait a bit. It will be ready soon."

"Ah, is there a piece for Albus too?"

"Yes."

"Yay~!!"

Albus went to tell the marquis the good news and left the kitchen.

I remembered that the marquis liked sweets. Would he have a piece?

No, he probably had a refined palate from eating high-quality sweets every day. My tart probably wouldn't impress him. But, I thought it might be nice to show my appreciation and have it delivered. He would understand the sentiment.

The crust and custard were left to cool for a while.

Two hours later.

First, we thinly sliced the winter strawberries. They were quite large, so we couldn't just place them on the tart as is.

Next, we poured the custard into the crust, arranged the strawberries neatly, and sprinkled powdered sugar on top. The tart was complete.

Titled: "Winter Strawberry Tart ~ Infused with Snowdrop Berries ~"!

I announced it proudly, but Leiszlotte pointed out a flaw.

"Mel, 'infused' sounds a bit off."

"It doesn't sound very appetizing. How about—"

"Winter Strawberry Tart ~ Packed with Snowdrop Berries ~."

"It's even worse."

"Maybe I have no talent for naming things."

Leiszlotte came up with a better title: "Winter Strawberry Tart ~ A Snowdrop Berry Falls ~."

"That's much better."

"I'm glad you like it."

The powdered sugar looked like snow and was very pretty, she complimented.

"Leiszlotte, would you like to try it?"

"Is it okay?"

"Yes. In return, can you share it with the marquis?"

"Sure, I can."

Leiszlotte went to invite the marquis for tea. In the meantime, the maid came to make the tea.

We cut the tart into six pieces with a knife.

Two pieces for Zara, one each for Albus, Leiszlotte, and the marquis. The last piece was for me to taste-test. I sat in a chair in the corner of the kitchen and enjoyed it.

The tart crust was crispy and had a fragrant buttery flavor. The winter strawberries were sweet and tangy, and the custard cream was rich and smooth. The snowdrop berries really made a difference. It was delicious!

The fatigue recovery effect was immediate. The tiredness from the day's work was completely gone. Amazing!

Since it turned out so well, I could confidently share it with everyone.

I wrapped Zara's portion and asked the maid to deliver the others.

I mounted Amelia and headed to Zara's house.