Upstart Pastry Chef ~Territory Management of a Genius Pâtisserie~ - Chapter 66

Chapter 66: Duke Heltring

Amidst all the hustle and bustle, it had become the night before.

Farne and Count Fernande were busy with greetings in various places.

Count Fernande was not only recognized for his high status but also for his competence.

In such gatherings, there would be no shortage of visitors.

To calm their minds, Tina, Chloe, and I went out to the garden to feel the night breeze.

The wind was pleasant.

“Tina, Chloe, you both did great today. I really appreciate it.”

My prideful chocolate cake. A masterpiece I improved upon, known as the king of chocolate cakes.

Apart from the portion I would provide to the four dukes, I had finished preparing it today.

During that time, I had relied on their assistance.

Tina’s fire magic and Chloe’s water magic made processes like jam-making much easier with their precise control of heat.

Of course, the course preparation was flawless as well.

Except for one thing, except for what would arrive on the morning of the event.

“I’m glad I could be of help to you, Kurt-sama!”

“Well, that’s why I came here in the first place. Glad I could be useful.”

They both replied, a little bashfully.

“But it’s a shame. All of your dishes look so delicious, Kurt-sama, yet we won’t get to taste them.”

“It’s a meal for important people. It can’t be helped. It wouldn’t be right to trouble Kurt-sama.”

I chuckled wryly.

That’s the facade we were maintaining. But in reality, there was some flexibility there.

“Don’t worry. After everything’s done tomorrow, we’ve got permission to have our own private dinner.”

Duke Lenaril understood the situation. He readily gave his permission.

“Wow, I’m looking forward to it.”

“Yeah, I’m excited too. Even you can’t make such luxurious dishes once we’re back in our territory, Kurt-sama.”

That’s certainly true.

This time, without worrying about the budget, we were using only the finest ingredients money could buy.

There was definitely a part of me that enjoyed the pressure.

The three of us looked up at the moon.

A beautiful full moon. It really was a wonderful night tonight.

As we admired the moon, we heard footsteps and turned to look.

“Ugh, we’ve got company.”

A middle-aged man of robust build, dressed in luxurious yet tasteless attire, appeared and grumbled. He swaggered into the garden where we were.

Behind him, what seemed to be his servants carried baskets filled with wine and snacks. They probably came to enjoy some moon-viewing sake.

It was a splendid garden on this beautiful moonlit night. It wouldn’t be surprising for others to come besides us.

But the tranquility of this night was being disturbed.

Since complaining wouldn’t help, I signaled to Tina and Chloe that we should return to the room.

“Please don’t mind us. We’ll be heading back now.”

With those words, I turned my back to the man.

But…

“What a shabby outfit. Are you a low-ranking noble?”

I inwardly clicked my tongue.

The clothes I was wearing now weren’t the ones given to me by Count Fernande, but my own.

I hadn’t worn those clothes because they felt constricting, but it seemed like a mistake now.

“I am Kurt Arnoldt, the next Viscount.”

“Arnoldt of the Spear, huh? For a viscount like you to be invited to the duke’s mansion. Lenaril’s status seems to have dropped.”

I was starting to get a bit annoyed by the man’s attitude, but I didn’t show it outwardly.

In noble society, rank mattered. Judging from his attitude, the man was undoubtedly of a much higher status. Unless something drastic happened, picking a fight wouldn’t be wise.

“I am truly grateful to Duke Lenaril for inviting someone like me. If you’ll excuse us, we have matters to attend to.”

I bowed and attempted to leave the scene.

However, the man in front of me still had something to say.

“Well, hold on. I am Marquis Cranlitt Foredale. You’re quite interesting. If you show sincerity, I might be willing to offer some assistance.”

“Sincerity?”

“That’s right. Leave those two maids of yours behind. Even I rarely see such fine specimens. And having a fox beastfolk and an elf, now that’s interesting. I’ve always wanted to try. I wonder what sounds they’d make. I’ve heard they’re sturdier than humans. It could be fun.”

Cranlitt looked at Tina and Chloe with greedy eyes, as if examining them.

Tina bristled her fox tail, while Chloe’s elf ears trembled.

“I’m sorry, but they are like family to me. I cannot hand over my family.”

“You dare refuse the offer of a mere viscount to the likes of me, a Marquis?”

“Yes, that’s my intention.”

Indeed, as he said, a viscount wouldn’t dare to oppose a marquis.

If I were to speak ruthlessly, I had the backing of Duke Lenaril and Count Fernande. …However, unless something drastic happened, I didn’t want to cause any unnecessary trouble. But this was something drastic.

“If you show kindness, they’ll just get cocky. I won’t allow anyone to tarnish my reputation. Hey, you guys, rough up that man a bit and take the women.”

He issued menacing orders to his servants standing behind him.

But I felt no fear.

There were no experts among them. I could easily handle them alone.

I switched my mindset to combat mode. It was just then.

“You’re making quite a racket. It’s such a beautiful moonlit night. Why waste it like this?”

A beautiful young man with blue hair appeared.

He looked to be in his late twenties. He wore simple yet elegant black and luxurious clothes that suited him terrifyingly well.

“Ah, Duke Heltring, what brings you to a place like this?”

The middle-aged man suddenly became flustered and spoke in a low voice.

Duke Heltring. That name sounded familiar.

He was one of the four dukes I would be serving my dishes to. And he was the leader of the noble faction advocating for war.

“Foredale. I heard what you’re up to.”

“This man, a mere viscount, dares to insult me!”

Foredale, veins bulging, pointed at me and shouted.

“Hmm, is that so? Kurt Arnoldt, the next Viscount.”

My name being called made me momentarily flinch.

Why did Duke Heltring know my name?

Eavesdropping was out of the question. If someone were close enough to hear the conversation, I wouldn’t fail to notice them.

So, he must have known from the beginning. A duke aware of the next viscount? That’s also improbable. …No, if he thoroughly investigated Duke Lenaril’s movements, he would eventually come across me. How much does this man know?

Suppressing my agitation, I spoke up.

“Marquis Foredale forced my companions into imitating prostitutes. I refused, which seemed to upset him. He attempted to resort to force, but Duke Heltring intervened.”

“I see, Foredale. Is that your idea of insult? Unable to tolerate it, you tried to have Arnoldt, the next viscount, attacked.”

“T-That’s right! A viscount, no, not even a viscount, a mere brat like him dares to—”

“I see, Foredale. You’re lucky.”

It happened in the next instant. With a casualness akin to patting someone on the shoulder, Duke Heltring placed his hand on Foredale’s shoulder. There was a dull sound as Foredale’s shoulder bent in an unnatural direction.

That simple touch had snapped Foredale’s shoulder bone.

“Ah, my shoulder, my shoulder!”

“Quit the theatrics. It’s just a fracture. I refrained from doing worse because I didn’t want to soil Duke Lenaril’s garden. But truthfully, I wanted to chop off your arm.”

With an air of refinement yet oozing cruelty, he smiled.

“Marquis Foredale, if you had truly attacked him, this wouldn’t have sufficed. Count Fernande values him enough to consider him as a potential fiancé for his daughter. And he’s also a favorite of Duke Lenaril. Someone like you would’ve been squashed like an ant. And really, Arnold of the Spear. Picking a fight with the strongest Arnold in history, what were you thinking?”

The strongest Arnoldt in history. These words wouldn’t surface in superficial information. I expected him to be investigating me, but he knew more about me than anticipated.

Why would a duke, a figure seemingly above it all, be so concerned about me?

“Viscount Arnoldt, my subordinate caused trouble. I hope you’ll forgive us for this. We’ll also send apologies to your room later.”

“No, thanks to Duke Heltring’s intervention, there was no issue. I appreciate it.”

“I’m glad to hear that. But apologies will still be sent. It’s a matter of principle. And, you know, I’m looking forward to your cooking. Rest well tonight and take care of yourself.”

With those words, he departed.

Watching him leave, Tina spoke up.

“That man is scary. His tone is soft, but he feels cold and empty.”

“I might not like him either. The magic he exudes feels prickly.”

Both of them rejected him based on their respective senses.

Their instincts were quite sharp.

That man should be approached with caution.

We left Marquis Foredale, who was being tended to by his servants with his arm held, and returned to our room.

To serve that man with my cooking.

That thought made me a little scared.