Upstart Pastry Chef ~Territory Management of a Genius Pâtisserie~ - Chapter 21

Chapter 21: Father’s and Son’s Feelings

Tina, who had been clinging to me, stopped crying and moved away.

“Kurt-sama, I’m sorry for getting so upset.”

Tina said with a tearful voice, her face flushed with embarrassment.

“No, it’s okay. I’m glad you care about me and reacted like that.”

I replied casually. Tina seemed even more embarrassed. I absentmindedly patted her head before turning to Count Fernande.

Tina hid behind me. She’s a bit shy, and I guess she didn’t want to show her tear-stained face to strangers.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Count Fernande.”

I said, bowing my head.

Count Fernande is a decent man. Normally, a nobleman would get angry if the servants weren’t dismissed promptly and the greetings were directed to them.

“No, it’s fine. I couldn’t bear to see the tears of such a lovely young lady.”

Count Fernande replied with a charming smile. Tina, who had been hiding behind me, peeked out with a bit less wariness.

“Congratulations, by the way. I mean, I’m surprised. To actually win… You might even surpass Arnoldt Viscount, don’t you think?”

He continued.

“No, I still can’t match my father’s spear.”

I replied. My father and I have both reached skill level III. The difference in skill determines the outcome. As far as I can tell, my father has a slight edge in skill. However, if I can leverage the advantages of the naginata, I might find some opportunity to win.

“Humility is fine, but I’ve heard you can use magic. To wield such power without magic is impressive. I wonder how much stronger you would be if you combined it with magic. It’s quite frightening. There are plenty of paths you could take to utilize that power, don’t you think?”

Count Fernande suggested.

Indeed, with the use of magic, even battles might become trivial.

My father can use magic to some extent, but it’s nothing remarkable. By combining the amplified power from skills with magic, one can wield a power beyond human comprehension. However, individuals capable of utilizing both skills and magic are extremely rare.

“Still, my dream is to become the world’s greatest pastry chef. I’ll achieve great things on that path as well.”

I said.

“That’s something to look forward to. But, let’s set that aside for now.”

Count Fernande said, glancing meaningfully at Farne.

Farne, with a similarly meaningful expression, smiled and spoke up.

“Kurt-sama, congratulations. Your skill was truly impressive. We have no one in our domain with the level of skill you displayed.”

Farne praised.

“Thank you.”

I replied.

“To be honest, I was captivated. Kurt-sama, you excel in intellect, confectionery, and martial arts. You’re truly an admirable individual.”

Farne continued.

“It’s an honor. When such beautiful ladies as yourself compliment me, I can’t help but be elated.”

I responded, feeling a slight discomfort in my back.

Tina pouted slightly, gripping the hem of my clothes with force. It was a cute display of jealousy, even though it was just a compliment.

“Count Fernande, Sir Farne, please look forward to the special confectionery I’ll present at the evening festival, using the eggs given by Count Fernande.”

I announced.

“There’s no need to say it. I’ve been looking forward to it for a while now.”

Count Fernande replied.

“Me too! I came today just to have Kurt-sama’s sweets!”

Farne added enthusiastically.

It seems they are looking forward to it more than I anticipated. This adds pressure.

“What do you plan to make?”

Farne inquired.

“I’ll be serving golden confections, maximizing the flavor of the eggs to 100%.”

I explained.

“Hmm, that sounds intriguing.”

Count Fernande narrowed his eyes.

“Well then, I must excuse myself to greet my father and start cooking.”

I said, realizing I had to prepare food for 200 people in two hours. I needed to hurry.

“No need to linger. Off you go.”

Count Fernande said.

“We’ll catch up later, Kurt-sama.”

Farne added.

I nodded to Count Fernande and Farne before leaving the scene.
◇

Upon entering my father’s office, I found him already there.

“I’m sorry for being late, Father.”

I apologized.

“No, it’s fine. I’m glad you’re here, Kurt.”

My father replied, looking somewhat tired.

“Firstly, let me apologize. I’ve been terrible to you. I was planning to drive you out of this domain.”

My father confessed without any excuses.

“I’ve already heard about your intentions from Count Fernande just the other day. I’ve had time to sort out my feelings. There’s no need to apologize.”

I reassured him.

My father looked surprised at my words, then muttered softly to himself.

“I see…”

“Kurt, rather than spend your life as the lord of the small village of the Arnoldt family… No, even more than inheriting the title of Baron Arnoldt, I believed you could achieve greater things under Count Fernande’s wing. I saw that potential in you.”

My father confessed.

His voice was filled with bitterness.

“On the other hand, my younger brother, Jorg… He likely wouldn’t be able to survive anywhere else but in this domain. He does have his own talents, but they pale in comparison to Kurt’s. And because of that, his character has been twisted. Or perhaps it was us who twisted it. As long as you’re around, Kurt, it seems there’s no solution to this problem.”

My father lamented, revealing his anguish and regret.

I could sense my father’s turmoil and remorse in his words.

“I couldn’t guide Jorg properly… But even so, I believed that with you gone, Kurt, he could rethink his life and perhaps defend the Arnoldt barony, ensuring its future. I wanted both of you to be happy in your own ways.”

My father confessed.

“So, Father, you wanted Kurt to achieve great things outside, while hoping Jorg would dutifully protect this domain?”

I sought clarification.

“Yes, I wanted Kurt to make a name for himself elsewhere and Jorg to secure our lands.”

My father replied before falling silent.

I understood my father’s feelings. He had tried to ensure our happiness in the best way he knew how. But if he had just communicated with us, maybe we could have helped him find a better solution.

“I have something to say, Father. What you did was arrogant. You didn’t consider our feelings, and you imposed your will on us. If you had felt that way, you should have at least discussed it with us. We might have been able to offer some wisdom.”

I expressed.

I appreciated that my father wanted us to be happy, but I wished he had communicated his intentions. If he had, maybe we could have intervened before Jorg became so twisted.

“I couldn’t even see Jorg properly myself. He told me once, ‘You’re not interested in me, brother.’ And he was right. I didn’t care about Jorg, despite being his older brother.”

I admitted.

Perhaps if I had spent more time with Jorg, things wouldn’t have turned out this way. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of guilt about it.

Being compared to me, someone with the experiences and knowledge of a past life, must have been unbearable for Jorg. And his lack of talent with the spear only added to his misfortune.

Striving but never being rewarded, while others are praised without even trying… Experiencing both extremes can surely lead to distortion, I thought.

So, I wanted to lend him a hand, at least a little.

“As for Jorg, I think it’s best to let him go for now. He needs to experience the outside world. Only then will he realize how trivial his current problems are. Let’s ask Baron Fernande for help. He doesn’t need to be treated generously; in fact, it’s better if he faces some hardships. He should become a servant to some noble and make his own way in the world. I believe that’s what’s best for him. After that, whether he finds his place outside or returns to this domain, it should be up to him to decide.”

I suggested.

As long as he stays here, Jorg won’t change.

He needs to explore the outside world and grow. After that, he can decide his own path.

“I can’t do that… I can’t take in someone so incompetent.”

My father objected.

“No, you can. I’ll owe a favor to Baron Fernande. I’ll use that favor for Jorg’s sake,” I assured.

The promise to make sweets for the duke. I’ll use that favor for Jorg.

It’s my first and last act of kindness towards my neglected brother.

“Kurt, I’m sorry, and thank you.”

My father bowed.

He looked so small, unlike himself.

“Father, will you be attending the festival?”

I asked.

“I’m not in the mood for it.”

He replied.

“I’m sorry, but could you please attend? I’ll be serving a piece of my sweets there. I’ll depict the future of the Arnoldt domain in that sweet.”

I requested.

With those words as my last, I left the room.

I headed for the kitchen.

I can’t make half-hearted sweets. I need to convince the people of the domain of my dream. Depending on the quality of my sweets, Baron Fernande might reconsider using them as a gift to the duke.

However, there is no fear in that.

Rather, I am filled with determination.

From here on out, it’s the battle of my life as a pastry chef.