Chapter 37

In the end, besides buying and tasting the small bottles of honey, I felt like I had more things to do, and I returned to the Marquis's mansion as I pleased. Mettabon was muttering to himself, "If I combine this with that... No, that would ruin the fragrance..." It seemed his mind was already on cooking. Regina didn't seem to notice his state, or perhaps she was used to it.

Noticing my gaze, she softened her determined expression and smiled, gently placing her index finger on her lips. Indeed, she seemed used to it. I envy you, Mettabon, for having such a good girlfriend!

I wonder if I'll ever have a day where I think about someone like that... Recently, Lady Primera was worried about my coming of age, but to be honest, I'm not anxious about it, and I don't have any compulsive thoughts about getting married. I have a skill and I'm fulfilled, so it's inevitable. It's not that I don't want to fall in love; it's just that I don't have the opportunity...

In this world, there are so many handsome men that I can't even look them in the eye, which puts me a step or two behind other women... I'm aware of that... But what can I do? They're just so dazzling!

In my past life, I lived aimlessly, got a job without much thought, and lived a rather disappointing life if I were to summarize it. I wasn't completely indifferent to my parents from my past life. My childhood was filled with thoughts of how disobedient I was, and even though my teenage years were gloomy (because I was depressed), I had to accept it. I must have caused my parents in this life a lot of worry.

Wait, did I cause my parents a lot of worry in both my past and present lives?

...Anyway, let's put that aside.

In any case, deciding to live this life properly after reflecting on my past life and getting a job that I find fulfilling is quite an improvement, isn't it?! Now, falling in love and getting married... That sounds difficult. Well, arranged marriages might be fine, and as a viscount's daughter, that might be the norm... But the problem is that being the head maid to Lady Primera means I have connections to the royal family. Hmm.

If I asked for introductions, the Prime Minister, the Prince, or the Dowager Empress might introduce me, but that's scary... And the presidents of the Rizil Company and the Jenda Company are also scary in their own ways... Wow, my love life is quite difficult, isn't it? Even in this world of otome games?

Ah, I'm not the heroine, so I don't get special treatment. I get it. I'm just a nobody!

Feeling a bit down, I wanted to eat something sweet to change my mood! As I was whipping the cream, Dan, who was standing next to me, looked a bit surprised and asked, "Y, Yuria-sama, is something wrong...?"

I feel bad.

After shopping, we were in the kitchen of the Nashanda Marquis's mansion, making a trial batch of bavarois.

Mettabon was watching my every move with a scrutinizing look, trying to remember everything, but it was a bit scary. I don't need to do anything that complicated!

Fortunately, Dan, who didn't have to look at such a scary face, was watching my hands with a boyish curiosity, and I must have surprised him. I feel bad.

"Nothing's wrong, Dan. By the way, did you have any problems with the shopping?"

"Yes! I asked the head chef which store to go to, so I didn't get lost. The store was very kind! It's run by local farmers as a side business... Of course, it's a proper place registered with the Commercial Guild!"

"You don't need to rush. Since the head chef introduced you, they must be reliable. We might ask you to do more shopping, so is that okay?"

"Of course!! ...By the way, what are you going to do with the whipped cream...?"

"I had them warm up some sugar and milk earlier. It should be cooled down now, so bring it over."

"Yes!"

"Mettabon, how about the agar?"

"It's ready."

Since we're using agar, it will be an agar bavarois, and it won't be as soft as gelatin.

But from my experience with agar dieting, I remember that whipping the cream lightly made it quite delicious! Still, I want that softness, so I might ask Mettabon to try with gelatin as well. I want to make marshmallows too...

With agar, I can still make various desserts like yokan.

I mixed the egg mixture and the whipped cream, confirmed the consistency, and poured it into the borrowed glasses, then activated my magic. The glasses and their contents cooled down with a chill from my magic. Keeping them cool without freezing them, the contents jiggled slightly.

Ideally, I would have molds for bavarois, but this is just a trial. If everyone likes it, we can consider making molds... The problem is the cooling method.

I'm glad I used smaller glasses, but considering the range and effect of my magic, it's quite inefficient to cool them one by one... What can I do? Larger ones would be more difficult and take more time...

Maybe I could ask someone who can use ice magic to make several ice panels to surround them. Something like an early Showa-era ice box? Putting ice on the top shelf and cooling things with the falling cold air... I've only seen it in museums, but that's the principle.

Hmm, there's a lot to think about!

For now, I've made one, so let's get a plate from Dan.

"Here."

Leaving a small gap to let in some air and flipping it over, the agar bavarois, true to its nature, slid out with a plop.

Everyone was captivated by my bavarois.

I picked up the next glass and looked around.

"Well, Mettabon, why don't you try it first?"

"O, okay! Just like the jelly, it's so wobbly..."

"I made a custard bavarois this time, but a fruit bavarois would be good too. I want to try a strawberry one."

"Can you make that?!"

Dan's eyes sparkled.

That's right, sweets have a magical way of making everyone smile!

Smiling, I returned his question, and Dan was eagerly looking at the glass in my hand. I'll give the next one to Dan.

Regina seemed interested too, but she was going to let Dan have it. She smiled when our eyes met.

She's such a good woman... I think Mettabon is very lucky.

"How is it, Mettabon?"

"Delicious... It's delicious! It's different from other sweets... It's creamier than jelly."

I'm very satisfied with Mettabon's reaction.

When I gave one to Dan, he was looking at it from all angles, even though it was clearly on a plate... He's so cute.

As I was making one for Regina, she watched me with a thoughtful expression.

"That's amazing. I thought sweets were just something you bake with sugar and eat... I never imagined a dessert that comes out in the shape of a glass. I was surprised when Mettabon brought cute cakes too... The rumor that the Prime Minister is enchanted by Yuria-sama's sweets isn't unfounded."

"Really, there's such a rumor?"

"Yes, it's not just the Prime Minister. There are rumors that the Prince and the royal family appointed a viscount's daughter as the head maid because of her baking skills. Did you know about this?"

"No, I didn't... What a strange rumor. I think Mettabon is far more valuable than me."

It's a strange rumor. Well, rumors tend to grow and become exaggerated... But it's troublesome! I can make unique sweets because of my knowledge from my past life, but it's not my originality. I don't want to be monopolized; I want to consult with Mettabon and spread the word so that professionals can make and enjoy them.

In fact, Mettabon, who evolves what he sees and hears, is many times more impressive.

Well, I did discover Mettabon! Me! Of course, I won't boast about it... It was just a coincidence.

But thinking about it, my past life was one of abundance.

If I had more knowledge and skills, I could have made milk chocolate... So far, I've successfully made hot chocolate, but with just cocoa powder, I can only make cookies or add it to whipped cream... Oh, but maybe I can make ice cream...

By the way, I can also make castella.

Yes, my dessert situation will be richer!

Next, I'll make rose jam, but I'll talk to the Marquis about that later.

The agar bavarois I made had a nostalgic taste.

Yes, next time I'll make a strawberry one, decorate it cutely, and serve it to Lady Primera.