Upstart Pastry Chef ~Territory Management of a Genius Pâtisserie~ - Chapter 37

Chapter 37: Croquembouche Reflecting the Heart

Finally, the day of the engagement announcement arrived.

A grand party was held in the garden of Count Fernande’s mansion.

It was said that Farne would return just in time and appear directly at the party.

Count Fernande asked me to step up on stage during the party and introduce myself. I asked if I could also make a sweet treat, thinking it would better convey who I am as a person. So, I prepared a certain pastry yesterday.

A masterpiece crafted over six hours.

A pastry perfect for the party. I’m sure everyone will be surprised.

“Kurt-sama, it suits you very well!”

“Thank you, it’s a bit embarrassing.”

Tina and I were in the room we were loaned.

I was dressed in a fine tuxedo.

Although I had the best tailored formal wear Arnoldt owned, it seems it wasn’t up to par for Count Fernande’s party.

Count Fernande had provided me with clothes.

Upon inquiring, I learned that they were clothes he wore in his younger days, altered by the servants.

He apparently doesn’t usually do this, and the servants said there was special significance to it.

“I hope I’m not outshining the clothes. It’s a bit embarrassing to wear such nice clothes.”

“Not at all! You’re wearing them perfectly!”

Tina’s words weren’t flattery; her excitement was evident.

Tina, too, was wearing Fernande’s servant attire.

It had a maid-like quality to it, bringing out Tina’s cuteness.

“Tina, you’re adorable too. Should I ask if you can have those clothes?”

“Oh, no, that’s too much…”

“If I ask, he might just give them to you. That’s the kind of person he is.”

Let’s try asking on a whim.

To continue enjoying the adorable Tina in the future.

◇

As the party began, I made my way to the venue.

There was an incredibly luxurious crowd gathered.

Viscounts, counts, and other prominent figures were present.

Normally, I wouldn’t dare to approach, let alone attend the same party as them.

Certainly, among them were sons of age, thinking of marrying Farne to their sons to strengthen their ties with Count Fernande.

I wouldn’t be surprised if any of them were plotting to kill me.

Our engagement with Farne was that abnormal.

“Kurt-sama, thank you so much for coming!”

Farne appeared with a servant in tow.

Surrounding him were the entourage of noble sons and daughters.

But they didn’t speak to Farne.

It’s taboo for those below to speak to those above at such parties.

Everyone was waiting for Farne to address them.

“No, not at all. I’m sorry for intruding.”

“It’s not a problem at all! My father is so unfair! He ate all the rose cookies you made, except for the ones meant for the duke. He didn’t even save any for me! Yet he brags about how amazing they were! Don’t you think that’s awful?!”

Farne puffed up her cheeks in anger, and I couldn’t help but smile wryly at her.

“It seems you were looking forward to my sweets. Well then, before you leave, I’ll make them again for you. I still have the ingredients.”

As I said this, Farne smiled happily and then looked embarrassed.

“I-I’m really happy about that, but I didn’t mean to pressure you. I’m not that kind of pushy woman, you know?”

“Yes, I understand. I want to make them for you. It brings me great joy to make sweets for a wonderful woman like you. As a pastry chef, there’s no greater pleasure.”

This time, Farne blushed deeply.

The noble men around Farne glared at me, while the noblewomen blushed and giggled at our exchange.

It’s a bit exhausting. I’m not used to the atmosphere of this kind of event.

◇

After chatting for a while, Farne and I went around greeting people together.

We had to greet the influential figures properly.

I left it to Farne to decide who to talk to. After all, I’m just the son of a viscount. There aren’t many people here I can approach on my own.

The nobles who talked to me fell into three categories. Some praised me to curry favor with Farne, others made subtle jabs, and some were surprised and interested in me as the descendant of Arnoldt, renowned as a master of the spear.

It was all as I expected.

With a break in the conversation, I finally had a chance to look around.

This party was indeed magnificent, fitting for Count Fernande’s hosting.

What we have here pales in comparison to what’s done in my domain.

Delicious food and exquisite wine, they make even the most discerning nobles hum in approval as they disappear one after another.

As the party neared its end, Count Fernande, the host, finally made an appearance.

“I thank you all for attending my daughter Farne’s engagement party today. I poured my heart into making this party enjoyable for everyone. I hope you’re all having a good time?”

Of course, being nobles, no one would cheer or shout at an event like this. But the smiles on their faces spoke volumes about the quality of Count Fernande’s party.

“I’m glad to see you all enjoying yourselves. Now, it’s time to introduce the guests of honor. Would you both come up to the stage, Kurt and Farne?”

Farne and I made our way to Count Fernande.

The crowd that had gathered around us parted.

“Allow me to introduce him first. He is Kurt Arnoldt, the heir of the Arnoldt Viscountcy.”

All eyes turned to me at once.

“Kurt is an exceptionally talented young man who has established a village at his age. But that’s not all. Kurt is the strongest Arnoldt in history.”

The strongest Arnoldt.

That means the strongest spear user, someone who wields only a spear without using magic.

“And he possesses extraordinary magical power. Despite being an Arnoldt, he has formidable magical abilities.”

The way people looked at me suddenly changed.

Being proficient with a specific weapon is remarkable enough, but possessing magical abilities as well adds immeasurable value. Many began to understand why Count Fernande might consider marrying off his daughter to me.

“An outstanding lord, a master of the spear, and a wielder of magic. That concludes my introduction of Kurt. But there’s one more aspect of him that sets him apart. No, that’s not quite right. That’s Kurt’s greatest charm.”

Murmurs began to escape from the nobles.

Is there still something more? Surprised, fearful, and expectant gazes converge.

And then, after raising the tension to its limit and setting the bar as high as possible, Count Fernande looks in my direction.

He’s basically telling me to introduce myself.

This is insane.

But I have no choice but to go through with it.

“I appreciate the introduction. I am Kurt Arnoldt. Thank you all for gathering here to celebrate my engagement with Farne-sama.”

First, express gratitude.

“Let me speak about my greatest charm, as Count Fernande was about to mention. It’s my skill in making sweets.”

At that moment, the nobles’ anticipation turned into disappointment.

They look at me with doubt, wondering what I’m talking about.

Count Fernande, still grinning, seems thoroughly enjoying himself. What a mischievous man.

“I believe actions speak louder than words, especially when it comes to sweets. That’s why I’d like to introduce myself with a sweet treat. This is the confection I’ve created for this special occasion.”

With that, Count Fernande’s servants bring over a table.

On the table sits a large tree.

Yes, a tree. A towering croquembouche, made by sticking choux pastry cream puffs together with caramel, taller than me. Also known as a croquembouche.

It’s a classic celebratory dessert on Earth.

The audience is captivated by the sheer size of the dessert. The croquembouche tree stops in front of the stage.

“I apologize for surprising you. This type of confection is likely unfamiliar to you. And this dessert is not yet complete. I will finish it now.”

As I said that, Tina came over with a pot.

Inside was melted sugar.

And a specialized tool.

“Watch closely. Let’s make it rain golden snow.”

From the stage, I raise the tool I made for caramelizing.

The melted sugar turns into golden threads, cascading onto the tower of choux pastry cream puffs.

Layer upon layer of golden threads envelop the tower of choux pastry cream puffs. It’s what you call sugar art.

“How beautiful.”

It was someone’s amazed whisper.

The glittering layers of golden threads beautifully adorn the tower of choux pastry cream puffs, adding a festive touch.

“With this, it’s complete. Please, everyone, enjoy my confection. This confection is my introduction.”

And with that, my introduction comes to an end.

Some of the nobles, unable to resist their curiosity, approach the tower of choux pastry cream puffs. And then, they pluck one and put it in their mouths.

“Is this bread? No, it’s different. It’s crispier, oh, and the inside is so fluffy, and there’s plenty of cream inside… Interesting, this texture is new to me. The light and airy cream, it’s like the wind. What a refreshing sensation, I could eat this endlessly.”

What he ate was a choux pastry filled with whipped cream, whipped to extreme lightness. Sweetened with the gentle sweetness of honey. For freshness, a hint of lemon juice is added so subtly that it’s barely noticeable.

“Oh, what a rich flavor. This is irresistible. The taste of eggs in the cream, and is that alcohol? Despite its small size, what a splendid taste.”

What he ate was a choux pastry filled with custard cream layered with richness upon richness. Sweetened with brown sugar that matches the strength of the custard. Furthermore, rum is carefully mixed into the custard cream to enhance its richness.

“The richness you speak of, what are you saying? After tasting this refreshing aftertaste.”

“And what about you? To express such a wonderful confection with such words, when it’s filled with such profound richness of flavor.”

“Wait, are there two kinds?”

The two of them once again start to try another cream puff each.

As one person starts, others gather around one after another.

Knowing there are two flavors, everyone tries to sample both by taking several cream puffs from the tree.

A clever idea to prevent boredom with a collaboration of rich and refreshing cream puffs, similar to the concept of black and white roses.

The tower, which was so large, disappeared in no time.

Naturally, all of it ended up in everyone’s stomachs.

Cream adorns the refined nobles’ mouths.

Everyone looks at each other, checking their own mouths and smiling.

It seems they became so engrossed in the sweets that they forgot themselves.

“Now then, did you enjoy my confection? This is who I am. Despite being made from common ingredients, it has a deep and light duality. That is who I am as a person.”

I bow my head.

In response, pleasant laughter and applause fill the air.

I’m glad they enjoyed it.

With a glance, I signal to Farne that it’s her turn now.

Upon that, Farne steps forward.

She wears a smile, but for some reason, it’s unsettling.

“Everyone, I am honored that you have taken a liking to my fiancé, Kurt-sama. I too am proud to have him as my fiancé.”

Her voice doesn’t sound like she’s laughing.

“Kurt-sama is a wonderful person. My father is absolutely right about that. However, there is one thing that I simply cannot forgive.”

I break into a cold sweat. What could have upset her so much?

“He won’t let me taste his amazing sweets! Despite making those lovely rose cookies before, he only let my father taste them. And now, he’s made these wonderful cream pastries, but he only lets everyone else taste them. Isn’t he just terrible? Don’t you all agree?”

With a mischievous smile on her face.

As soon as she finishes speaking, the nobles burst into laughter.

Honestly, what is she going on about?

I make eye contact with Farne.

Farne also bursts into laughter. And, as if pulled in by their laughter, I join in the hearty laughter.

There couldn’t have been a more smile-filled engagement party. With great success, the engagement party comes to an end.