Upstart Pastry Chef ~Territory Management of a Genius Pâtisserie~ - Chapter 31

Chapter 31: Bitter Sweetness

I managed to make some time and came to the main village. It was for the sake of visiting my brother, Jorg.

Jorg seems to be resting in his room.

I reached Jorg’s room and knocked on the door.

No response.

I knocked again.

Still no response.

“Jorg, are you in there?”

I could sense someone inside, so there was definitely someone in there. I turned the doorknob, and it turned easily. It seemed like the door wasn’t locked.

“I’m coming in, Jorg.”

With just that announcement, I entered Jorg’s room.

◇

It was my first time entering Jorg’s room.

I was surprised by what I saw inside. There was nothing but a spear hanging on the wall.

I had thought that Jorg would have a flashy and luxurious room, but it was empty.

Looking at this room, I couldn’t understand anything about what kind of person Jorg was.

It was such a hollow room.

“Jorg, I’ve come to visit you.”

I announced as I sat down on the chair next to the bed.

Jorg peeked out from under the covers, looking at me with a disdainful gaze.

“What is it, brother? Have you come to mock me?”

“Why would I need to mock you?”

“It serves you right! After all the boasting and harassment you’ve directed at me, now I’m the one who’s lost! You, the disgraceful Arnoldt, who was supposed to be the only one I could beat in spear talent, have now gained that talent and become the next lord. You must be feeling quite pleased with yourself. Thanks to that, I’m back to being just a worthless failure of a brother! I can’t win against you in anything, I’m nothing!”

Jorg’s tone grew more agitated.

Undoubtedly, his spear had been his only solace. Having it taken away must have thrown him into turmoil.

“I don’t think you’re worthless, Jorg. Objectively speaking, you’re talented in martial arts, quick-witted, and have a good memory. There’s no one in Arnoldt with your level of talent.”

Jorg, constantly compared to me, had become twisted, but he was originally a talented man, exceptional since childhood.

If I hadn’t been around, he would have been the expected next lord.

“Maybe so. But I couldn’t measure up to you in anything. Not one thing.”

With that, Jorg turned away, then after a moment, he spoke again.

“Hey, brother, what do you plan to do with me? As the next lord, you could do anything to me, couldn’t you? Kick me out with just the clothes on my back? Or get your revenge now. It doesn’t matter anymore. Do as you please.”

Jorg was completely resigned.

Was he afraid of my retaliation?

“I don’t hate you, and I have no intention of seeking revenge.”

“Lies. I’ve done plenty of awful things to you. There’s no way you don’t hate me.”

“I really don’t. And I don’t dislike you either. I used to find you troublesome, but… well, except for the incident with Tina. That I was genuinely angry about. But the current you doesn’t bother me. I won’t waste my time trying to harass you. It’s not worth it.”

Jorg trembled, speechless.

Then, with a sad twist to his face, he seemed to accept it, wearing a dry smile.

“I knew it, brother. You never even harbored any resentment toward me, did you? It was all just my one-sided struggle. I guess you really have no interest in me.”

Jorg muttered in resignation.

“…This is all about me, up to now. I wasn’t interested in you, Jorg. But I want to change that. I want to apologize to you. I’ve been selfish, only thinking about my own dreams, neglecting you. Even though we’re the only two brothers in the world.”

That was the truth. Becoming the next lord had given me the luxury to think about such things.

I realized I had been wrong, and now I wanted to make things right. Jorg and I were brothers. That fact couldn’t be changed.

So, I wanted us to be happy brothers.

“…Why now? Are you pitying me?”

“No, it’s not for your sake. It’s for mine.”

“You’re imposing that feeling on me. Who do you think you are? You never cared about me before.”

“That’s why I want to change. From now on, I’ll treat you properly as a brother.”

Jorg turned his face away, tears streaming down.

“…You’re too late, brother. I’ve always wanted you to notice me. If you had, I would have gladly handed over the lordship to you. I knew that letting you rule Arnoldt would be much better for everyone than me ruling it… I’ve always admired you.”

Jorg’s words squeezed out painfully.

I understood then that he had been lonely.

His past sins and negligence wouldn’t disappear. But even so, I realized he had his own thoughts.

“It means a lot to hear you say that… Jorg, I think we need some distance between us. As long as I’m here in this domain, you’ll only ever be seen as my brother. So, I have a suggestion.”

With that, Jorg looked at me.

“I asked Count Fernande, the borderland count, to arrange for you to serve as a retainer for some baron.”

Jorg’s distortion stemmed from being constantly compared to me. If he worked hard where only his talent and efforts were recognized, perhaps something would change. He could leverage his inherent talent.

“Well, it’s not something just anyone can do. But Count Fernande acknowledged my skill in pastry-making. And on top of that, he entrusted me with making pastries for the ducal household. If those pastries satisfy Count Fernande, he promised to arrange for you to become a retainer as a reward.”

Being a noble’s retainer wasn’t a bad position. Especially as a job for the son of a noble without a title, it was ideal.

“Brother, it’s okay. Don’t use a reward earned from such a big task for someone like me.”

“I want to do this, Jorg. I want you to succeed somewhere where Arnoldt doesn’t matter. If you’re a man, you’ll want to try. See how far your own abilities can take you.”

Jorg, distorted by inferiority complex and wanting my attention, had strayed off the path. What he needed was distance from me and an environment where his efforts were duly rewarded.

“Thank you, brother. I want to go somewhere where I’m not compared to you. Somewhere where I’m seen as Jorg, not just your brother.”

Jorg murmured wistfully.

“Hey, Jorg, there’s more to the story.”

I said, pausing for a moment.

“After testing your abilities under the baron, you’ll decide your path there. Whether you’ll work under the baron for life or return to Arnoldt.”

“Return to Arnoldt?”

“Yeah. If you’re willing and truly growing, I want to entrust you with being my aide. Like I said earlier. Jorg, you have talent. I want to borrow your strength. Of course, if you end up liking the new environment, you don’t have to come back. You have plenty of time to set out on your own journey and come to that conclusion. Within that time, you’ll choose… your own life.”

I stated firmly.

I won’t blame you for whichever you choose. It’s your life, after all.

“I’ll choose… Yeah, I’ll do that, brother. I’ll walk my own path. I won’t be tied down by you.”

Jorg said, showing me a smile.

It’s been about ten years since he had such an uncomplicated expression.

“Good luck, Jorg. Well, I’ll send letters at least, so it’d be nice if you did too. We’re brothers.”

I said.

“Brother, you’re shameless. After leaving me alone for ten years.”

He replied sharply, but there was warmth behind the words, and we laughed together.

For the first time in a long while, we truly felt like brothers.

“This is a farewell gift.”

I said, handing him a wrapped jar.

“Brother, what’s this?”

“It’s a candy I made for you. It’s called ‘Konpeito’.”

Jorg unwrapped it, revealing the jar of colorful sugar candy.

Konpeito is a small, spiky candy, packed in a jar in various colors.

“I boiled honey, added colors extracted from vegetables to create different variations.”

“It looks hard and prickly, somewhat like us, doesn’t it? But when you put it in your mouth, it becomes round and sweet over time. I want to be like that.”

Jorg said, smiling as he popped one Konpeito into his mouth.

The Konpeito melted and disappeared in Jorg’s mouth in no time.

“Brother, this is amazing. It’s sweet and crispy. Ah, this sweetness, it’s warm and comforting. It’s a great snack. I want us to be like this candy.”

Jorg said in a slightly childish tone that suited him well.

“That candy won’t spoil. It’ll last for years. Have a little when times get tough. It’s my gift to you. Your special candy. I won’t make this candy for anyone else until you come back.”

I said.

“Something special just for me. I’m so happy. Brother… thank you.”

Jorg said, tightly hugging the jar.

“But I didn’t know. Brother, you’re such a romantic.”

He continued.

“You didn’t know? Come to think of it, I don’t know much about you either. But that’s okay too. Let’s get to know each other little by little from now on.”
I replied.

After that, Jorg and I talked about each other until the sun went down.

It was just like any normal pair of close brothers.

For both my sake and Jorg’s, the sweets we gift to the Duke must be something everyone can agree on.