The Abandoned Duchess Seems to Want a Peaceful Life - Chapter 63

Chapter 63: Liver Pâté and Eating Together

I took out the chicken livers, soaked thoroughly in fresh milk, and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Beside me, Ed was quickly sautéing onions and garlic in butter.

“The most important things for improving anemia are good food and sleep. It takes about three months to completely cure anemia, but if you’re careful, you should see dramatic effects within the first month.”

While it generally takes about three to four months for red blood cells to be completely replaced in the body, the young Serleine is likely to recover a bit faster.

As for how his unique constitution, which has excessive magical power, will affect this, we’ll have to monitor the situation and handle it as it comes.

I added the cut chicken livers to the sautéed onions and garlic, and heated it on very low heat.

“Ed, it’s better to cook the meat slowly if you have time. That way, it becomes tender and free of strong flavors. So, if you have time, take it slow and cook it thoroughly.”

“Yes, Lady Melfina!”

Once the liver was cooked through, I added fresh cream and let it simmer. After seasoning with salt and ensuring it was thoroughly cooked, I took a spoonful of the creamy mixture for a taste test.

“Mm, good flavor.”

“Just the smell alone makes it seem delicious.”

I offered a spoonful to Ed, who looked enchanted. He paused for a moment before taking it into his mouth.

“…It’s really, really good.”

“See? Some think that offal isn’t food for nobles, but if you cook it while it’s fresh, it tastes great and is very nutritious.”

Since the cream tends to burn easily, I removed it from the heat, being careful not to let it reduce too much.

“Now, we’ll put it into a bowl and knead it until it becomes a paste.”

“I’ll do it. I’m used to brewing medicinal herbs.”

“Then please, make sure to knead it until it’s smooth.”

Simon, who had offered to help, took over the task, allowing Melfina to start slicing the roast beef.

They had served roast beef before, and even the picky eater Serleine had taken a liking to it. Beef, especially lean cuts, is rich in iron. If Serleine enjoys beef, there are plenty of other ways to prepare it.

Foods rich in iron, particularly the easily absorbed heme iron, include lean fish, shellfish, and seaweed, which are mostly caught at sea. Although there are ports in the northern region, it wasn’t practical to source fish during this winter season.

—I wonder if things like dried bonito or wakame seaweed are available in this world. Miso or soy sauce would be ideal, too.

Thinking about how futile it was to long for things that didn’t exist here, she sighed inwardly, recalling how often she had thought this since regaining her memories.

White, glossy, freshly steamed rice was something she would likely never taste in this lifetime.

In her previous life, she could easily enjoy meticulously prepared food at a low cost. Although she had memories of delicious cakes from pastry shops and meals from expensive restaurants, what she nostalgically remembered were the simple, less appealing foods from her childhood: overly sour pickled plums made by her grandmother and napa cabbage pickled with yuzu from their home garden.

“Lady Melfina, the bread is ready.”

Marie’s voice brought her back to the present. As she opened the oven door, the warm, fragrant aroma of freshly baked bread filled the kitchen.

“No matter how many times I smell it, the scent of your freshly baked bread is always amazing, Lady Melfina.”

“It’s because of the butter and the yeast that makes it rise. It’s tricky to get the heat just right, though.”

“Ed has become quite proficient. With his skills, any noble household would be eager to hire him.”

Marie’s compliment made the person in question look up, startled.

“I-I really enjoy cooking for you, Lady Melfina, and everyone at the manor, so I’m not going anywhere!”

“I’m happy if you stay with us, Ed.”

Everyone in the kitchen shared a gentle laugh together.

“Lady Melfina, how does the liver look now?”

“Oh, it’s looking good. Now, add some more butter and knead it a bit further. Then, mix in the chopped dried Ricca fruit, let it rest for a while, and it will be ready. Ed, could you stick to making white bread for a while? Bread with bran isn’t ideal for anemia.”

“Is whole wheat bread bad for you?”

“No, it’s actually very nutritious and has many useful components. However, when you’re feeling weak, white bread is better.”

Foods high in dietary fiber can facilitate the excretion of iron from the body. While it’s not about avoiding them completely, it’s better to limit their intake if possible.

Today’s lunch included roast beef with a side of stewed beans, white bread with liver pâté and cream cheese, and a turnip and leek soup.

They prepared a generous amount of corn tea to drink and carried the two servings to Serleine’s room.

The maid at the door smiled and promptly announced them to Serleine. She then quickly set up the table and arranged the two meals on it.

“How are you feeling today, Prince Serleine?”

“I’m feeling much better today. I barely felt dizzy when I got up.”

“That’s great to hear.”

It had been about ten days since Melfina decided to actively engage with Serleine, and some changes had occurred.

Melfina, with Simon’s assistance, prepared Serleine’s meals and had started having lunch together with her. Except when she was away on business for the lord, Melfina used these meals as an opportunity to check on Serleine’s condition. Eating together seemed to make the meals feel less like an obligation, and even the picky Serleine began to eat a bit more.

“I used to have liver pâté occasionally in the palace, but the one from the Enkar region is delicious. There’s no smell, and it has a rich, creamy texture.”

“Soaking it in milk and mixing it with butter and cream makes all the difference.”

“Oh, in the Kingdom of Luxen, milk and cream are considered luxury items. Speaking of which, you serve cheese with meals here too. Does the Enkar region have a lot of cattle?”

“Not that many, but most of the cattle are owned by me, so we can use them quite abundantly at the manor.”

In the Kingdom of Luxen, located north of the Kingdom of Francesca, it must be challenging to obtain rich pasture.

“In the last month of the year, we shave off and eat a large cheese made from reindeer milk over the course of a month. I find it quite salty, but my father and uncles love it, especially with ale.”

“Reindeer cheese? I’d love to try that someday.”

“If I can return to my homeland, I’ll send you one, Lady Melfina. It’s truly large, and I hope everyone at the manor will enjoy it.”

The words “if I can return” caused a slight pang in Melfina’s chest.

Because of his magical excess condition, his growth was stunted, making him look much younger than his actual age, and he didn’t seem to hold much hope for his future.

“Well, until then, I’ll work on making round cheeses that can be preserved. The ones we have now are young and don’t keep well, but if I can process them properly, they should be durable enough for transport. How about we exchange them every year during the last month?”

“That sounds delightful. The cheese here at the manor has a mild flavor and scent, making it very easy for me to eat.”

Serleine took a bite of the white bread topped generously with cream cheese and liver pâté, chewing happily.

“Really, the food here is incredibly delicious.”

Melfina couldn’t help but smile as she noticed a slight blush on Serleine’s cheeks.

As they finished the meal, Serleine seemed to become sleepy, her eyelids drooping. Melfina considered leaving early, but then the boy suddenly remembered something.

“Um, Lady Melfina. If it’s okay, I’d like to go outside for a bit.”

“A walk? But it’s quite cold outside.”

“Right, I wouldn’t want to suddenly feel unwell outside and trouble anyone. If it’s not too much, I was hoping to walk around the manor a bit, and perhaps, if it doesn’t interfere with your work, we could talk outside of mealtimes as well.”

Hearing this, Melfina thought for a moment.

Serleine was twelve years old, an age when boys are usually quite active, yet he spent most of his day in bed.

When he was resting, even the maids would leave the room, meaning he spent most of his time alone.

It must be boring for him, and living far from his homeland, surrounded by strangers, he probably felt lonely.

And being idle often leads to brooding over negative thoughts.

“Then, why don’t you spend time in the drawing room when you’re feeling well, Prince Serleine? With winter here, the lord’s duties have decreased considerably, so I spend a lot of time in the drawing room too.”

“I would love that.”

Seeing his face light up instantly, Melfina realized that perhaps he had been enduring boredom for a long time without saying anything, and she felt a bit of remorse.

In this world, there weren’t many options for passing the time. Few people had the luxury of free time, and books were incredibly expensive, often chained to prevent theft.

Music was performed by specialists and wasn’t typically considered a personal form of entertainment.

“It’s mostly just my secretary and me chatting while doing some sewing, but the presence of others might be comforting. You’re welcome to join us if you like.”

“Yes! Oh, and… if it’s not too much to ask, could you call me Serleine, instead of Prince Serleine?”

“Oh…”

This request left Melfina in a bit of a quandary.

This world had a strict social hierarchy. Being allowed to call him by his given name was already a special privilege granted to Melfina due to her unique position.

“Being with you, Lady Melfina, reminds me of my mother, and I find it comforting. I know it might be difficult in official settings, but at least while I’m here in the Enkar region…”

After a moment’s hesitation, Melfina considered that the Enkar region had always been somewhat informal regarding social status. Even Cedric had started calling her by name, and most people here, regardless of their rank, referred to Melfina by her given name.

“Well, if it’s just while you’re in the Enkar region.”

“Thank you. And, um… I’d like to call you Sister Melfina, if that’s okay.”

Serleine’s expression was so earnest, adding that it would be just while he was here, that it reminded Melfina of her own younger brother, Rudolf, stirring her sisterly instincts.

“Alright, then, just while you’re here.”

—He must be truly lonely…

Being called sister by the crown prince of a neighboring kingdom felt both endearing and a bit daunting, but if it could provide some comfort to the motherless, sisterless Serleine, Melfina was willing to oblige.

From that day on, Serleine began to venture out of his room more frequently.

He mostly spent his time in the drawing room, playing with his beloved dog, Felice, or dozing lightly. Accompanying Melfina and Marie for tea and light snacks, his strength gradually began to return at a quicker pace.