Chapter 60

Continuation of the Stew Episode.

I hesitated to release this story because it might drastically lower Yumiera's popularity. But then I thought, it's okay since Elenora's reputation will skyrocket.

Patrick, who nearly died after eating Yumiera's stew, finally managed to pull through. However, he is still not fully recovered and is resting in bed today.

It's entirely my fault that he fell ill. As I sit at the dining table, feeling down about having cooked something terrible, Elenora tries to cheer me up.

"It's alright, Lord Patrick will surely get better."

"But..."

"Are you feeling responsible, Yumiera?"

"Yes, I used the spoiled ingredients."

That disaster was caused by the spoiled ingredients. I had assumed that the food sold in stores was safe, based on my previous life's experience.

In this world, where hygiene is lacking and there's no concept of expiration dates, even items that are about to rot are sold regularly. I should have noticed this and tried to change the situation, but I failed.

The pure noble lady, who is unaware of these circumstances, asks curiously.

"Ingredients...?"

"Yes, the reason Patrick is still bedridden is because of the ingredients."

Elenora stares at me with wide eyes. She seems shocked by the idea that food can spoil.

"Are you serious? Was there a problem with Yumiera's cooking?"

"Yes, it's true. There was nothing wrong with my cooking, so it must have been the spoiled ingredients."

Elenora remains frozen in shock for a moment. When she finally recovers, she looks as if she has grasped the truth of the world.

"That explains a lot."

"Yes, spoilage is terrifying."

However, improving the hygiene in the Dorkness territory can wait. Right now, we need to focus on Patrick's recovery. Even at his worst, when he couldn't eat anything, he has now recovered to the point where he can eat regular food. I should prepare something to bring him.

"What's a good gift for a sick person?"

"I think fruits or sweets would be safe choices."

"Sweets! ... Maybe I should make them myself to wish for his recovery."

"Oh! I've made a mistake! Flowers! I think a bouquet would be best for Lord Patrick!"

Flowers? I wouldn't be happy receiving such a thing. They can't be eaten.

"Then, Elenora, you can bring flowers. I'll bring homemade sweets."

"Lord Patrick will die! Yumiera, you've never made sweets before, right? It's better not to."

"I'm fine. I've made sweets that require kneading before."

In addition to kneading sweets, I've also made cotton candy at a barbecue. My skills are on par with a professional pastry chef. For some reason, Elenora tries to stop me, even to the point of tearing up.

"You said before that nobles shouldn't make sweets, right?"

"I might have said that, but the situation is different now."

◆ ◆ ◆

Making sweets is similar to a chemistry experiment. Unlike home cooking, there's no room for estimation. It's all about following the recipe precisely. It requires meticulous accuracy.

"...It's still too much. Let's remove three grains of sugar."

"That's not necessary, is it?"

"Be quiet... Ah! Now it's too little. Let's add one grain..."

An hour into making cookies with Elenora, who insisted on helping, I was still struggling with the scale.

Huh? It's heavier than before I removed three grains of sugar.

"The moisture and oil from your hands have added weight. It's better not to include that in the measurement."

"Do you know what 'error' means?"

Yes, I do. I'm concerned about it because it can lead to major incidents.

After mixing eggs, butter, flour, and sugar, the dough is ready. Elenora is also making her own batch, but she seems to be doing it more roughly, so I'm worried about how her cookies will turn out.

Alright, now for the secret ingredients. I rummage through the kitchen's pantry, and Elenora grabs my arm.

"What are you holding, Yumiera?"

"Some kind of spice, I don't know the name."

Spices promote metabolism and are good for health. They would be perfect as a secret ingredient for the weak Patrick. However, spices can also be hard on the stomach. I should add something good for the stomach too... root vegetables? How about diced carrots? Carrots are definitely good for you. And garlic is also good for you, the only exception to the rule that delicious things are bad for you. I'll add some minced garlic.

I had already shaken off Elenora's grip. Don't underestimate the level difference.

"Oh, I give up. I'm powerless..."

This seems good enough. I've added plenty of secret ingredients. I'm not good with measuring, but since they're good for you, it shouldn't be a problem if I add too much.

I start cutting out the cookies with heart-shaped molds. Of course, they're heart-shaped. Hehe.

"Hey, Elenora, are yours heart-shaped too?"

"Yes, they match!"

"Ah, you seem to like matching things."

"This is my only hope."

I don't particularly like the tendency of girls to match everything, but it doesn't matter much. Once they're in the stomach, they're all the same.

All that's left is to bake them. The cook has already preheated the oven, so it's a simple task. I put my batch on the left side and Elenora's on the right. I'll remember which is which.

"I'm on the left."

"Huh? Yumiera's batch is on the right, right?"

"No, I'm on the left. I double-checked."

I won't mix up the sides. I'm definitely on the left.

Alright, just keep an eye on the oven. Since there's nothing to do while the cookies bake, I'll take the lookout.

"I'll keep an eye on them. Elenora, you can come back when they're done."

"...Huh! I'll watch them! I love watching cookies bake! Yumiera, don't you have work to do?"

"Ah, you're strange. I'll leave it to you, then."

Liking to watch cookies bake, Elenora is indeed strange. I'm a bit worried leaving her alone, but the cook is also in the kitchen preparing other dishes. I'll take this opportunity to catch up on some work.

◆ ◆ ◆

A few minutes later, I return to the kitchen, and the cookies are just done. Elenora is waiting for me, fidgeting nervously. She must have been really excited.

She's even wearing thick oven mitts. Did she get impatient?

"You're all prepared with the mitts."

"Ah! I just put them on now!"

She's wearing the oversized mitts and says this hurriedly. Hmm, she must have put them on a while ago.

"Let's take them out."

"Yes, Yumiera's batch is on the left."

I won't mix up the sides. I'm definitely on the left.

I open the oven and grab the metal tray with my bare hands. Elenora lets out a scream.

"Ouch! You'll burn yourself, let go quickly!"

"I'm fine. Ah, Elenora, don't touch them with your bare hands. They're quite hot."

I place the tray on the table and check the cookies. Most of the heart-shaped cookies are a nice beige color. Some at the edges are a bit black, probably due to uneven heat in the oven. They're not charred, so they should be edible. A few are cracked, so I'll eat those and the slightly burnt ones.

I pop a hot, freshly baked cookie into my mouth. The right amount of sweetness and the crispy texture. I like them cold too, but they're delicious this way.

As I nod in satisfaction, Elenora places her tray on the table.

"What's that?"

"...I failed."

Elenora's cookies are pitch-black, mysterious objects. How did they turn out like this when we baked them for the same amount of time? They also have a spicy smell and other strange odors. If it weren't for the heart shape, I wouldn't have recognized them as cookies.

"I'll try one."

"Ah! No!"

Ignoring Elenora's protests, I eat one of her cookies. ...It's so spicy! The unpleasant smell fills my mouth, making me feel sick. What is this?

"...Everyone makes mistakes."

"Will your stomach hurt? Will you collapse like Patrick?"

The person who made the terrible cookies is more concerned about my health than feeling guilty. This is a terrorist-level creation.

Wait, I remember eating her cookies during our school days. They weren't great, but they were edible. Why is this so different? ...Oh well, it's fine. Pursuing the cause here would only hurt Elenora.

"I'm fine."

"Poisonous bugs don't die from their own poison!"

Huh? What does that mean?

...Anyway, let's focus on the cookies. I'll take them to Patrick.

I don't bother with fancy packaging, just arrange the cookies on a plate and take them to Patrick's room with Elenora. I knock and enter.

"Patrick, are you okay?"

"Yes... I'm feeling better. I can eat regular food now."

"That's great! I baked cookies for you!"

I hold out the plate of cookies, and Patrick jumps up, trying to run away. He's moving surprisingly fast for a sick person. Of course, I grab his arm to stop him. Hey! A sick person shouldn't be running around!

Patrick, now back in bed, looks at me with dead eyes. Does stomach pain affect your vision too?

"Here! Eat them!"

Patrick, faced with the homemade cookies from his lover, remains frozen. Is he moved?

Just as I'm about to force the cookie into his mouth, Elenora speaks up.

"Lord Patrick, we switched."

"Huh?"

"I made the same cookies as Yumiera... but I failed. Mine were poisonous. Yumiera's are fine, so please eat them."

I have no idea what she's trying to say. She didn't need to reveal her cooking skills.

But Patrick's eyes regain their life, and he starts eating the cookies with tears in his eyes.

"Thank you, thank you."

Patrick keeps saying thank you as he eats the cookies. But for some reason, I don't feel like he's thanking me.

...The goal of getting Patrick to eat homemade sweets is achieved, so it's fine.

The next day, Patrick fully recovered.

"For now, Yumiera is banned from the kitchen."