Upstart Pastry Chef ~Territory Management of a Genius Pâtisserie~ - Chapter 73

Chapter 73: Moments of Peace and a Bright Future

After the interruption of the party due to the attack, it was already late at night by the time we were released after being questioned about the attackers.

I was terribly tired, and it had gotten quite late, but from here on out, enjoyable times awaited.

“Ugh, Kurt, I’m starving.”

Having finished cooking the ingredients set aside for a private meal, I entered the break room where Tina and Chloe were waiting, only to find Chloe slumped over the desk, her mouth agape.

“Chloe, that’s not very ladylike. You need to compose yourself better, or…”

Tina admonished Chloe, but her stomach growled, ruining everything.

It’s understandable. It’s already late into the night.

“Tina, you’re hungry too, right?”

“Indeed, I am hungry, but whether or not to express it outwardly is another matter. Chloe, you should also understand your role as a servant of Kurt-sama.”

“It’s more embarrassing to have your stomach growl.”

“Ugh.”

Tina retorted, her face flushed, but it lacked conviction.

Since it seemed like the meal would be further delayed if we didn’t intervene, I decided to interject.

“Both of you should have eaten something earlier.”

After finishing entertaining the dishes and the four dukes, unlike me who immediately joined the dance party after, without even having the opportunity to eat properly due to greetings and dances, both of them should have had time for a meal.

“But it would have been a waste. Since Kurt went through the trouble of using luxurious ingredients that he rarely uses to make the best dishes, I want to eat them while I’m hungry.”

“I agree. I want to savor the dishes Kurt-sama made with all his might.”

It’s heartening to hear such words. It’s a cook’s greatest honor.

As a pastry chef, calling myself a cook is odd, but I felt that way at that moment.

“Both of you really outdid yourselves. Please, enjoy… and so shall I. Actually, I’m just as famished as both of you.”

I said.

I’m not a fan of noble dance parties where there’s no time to even touch the dishes laid out in front of you.

Even without this attack, most of the meticulously prepared and extravagant dishes would have been wasted, thrown away. What a shame.

If I were to host a dance party, I would want to find a way for everyone to enjoy the food while having fun.

“Now, let’s eat.”

I said.

The cooks, who had kindly assisted out of goodwill, brought in dishes piled high onto large platters.

It would be extravagant and time-consuming for the three of us to eat one dish at a time in sequence.

So, we arranged all the dishes from the large platters onto the table.

Of course, the eel pie parcels are individually served with teacups.

The staff left. They would enjoy today’s menu elsewhere with the remaining ingredients.

For them, it’s not just about their own enjoyment; there’s a strong element of study involved.

Although our first encounter wasn’t ideal, after working together and seeing their dedication to cooking, I’ve come to not dislike them.

“Wow, Kurt-sama, they all look so delicious.”

Tina said, her eyes sparkling.

“Yum, Kurt, you’re so mean. How long do you intend to keep us waiting?”

Chloe added, her mouth watering.

I chuckled.

“Well then, shall we eat?”

“Yes, Kurt-sama!”

“We’ve been waiting!”

The three of us clasped our hands together.

It’s a pre-meal etiquette that originally didn’t exist in this world. Now, Tina and Chloe imitated me as if it were second nature.

“Let’s eat.”

We said in unison.

And so, our peaceful meal for three began.

A few dozen minutes later, all the dishes had been cleared.

Yes, it was a satisfying outcome.

Despite tasting it several times during cooking, I hadn’t had the opportunity to enjoy the course from start to finish as a meal. Experiencing a different kind of excitement now.

Funny, despite making it myself, dishes this luxurious might never come my way again in my lifetime.

“Mmm, it’s too delicious, too happy, I feel like I might die.”

Tina said with a dreamy smile. Even though we’d finished eating, her silver fluffy tail continued to sway slowly.

It’s rare to see her so defenseless like this.

“It really, really was the best. Being able to eat something like this, it was really worth leaving the Spirit Village for. Following Kurt was definitely the right choice.”

Chloe also seemed extremely satisfied. The cuisine from the Elf Village boasts fantastic ingredients and simple cooking methods that bring out the flavors exceptionally well. But it lacks extravagance. Perhaps because of the lack of experience with such lavish and skillful dishes, they find them even more delicious.

“Chloe, which dish did you like the most?”

“Hmm, I think it’s gotta be the meat for me. It was juicy and tender, but had the scent of the forest. To have familiar duck taste like that, it’s just incredible. I want everyone in the village to taste it. And you, Tina?”

“I loved the fish dish. The moment I broke through the teacup pastry, the enticing aroma stimulated my appetite. And the eel, it was my first time trying it, but it was so firm, meaty, sweet, and combined with the spicy soup, just thinking about it makes my mouth water.”

Tina exclaimed with a blissful smile.

They were happily exchanging their thoughts on the dishes.

If they’re this delighted, I’d like to find a way to make them again.

The main dish, the emerald duck roast, could be replicated by substituting some expensive herbs, but the problem lies in Tina’s favorite, the eel pie parcels. Finding a substitute fish for eel is already difficult enough, and with so many expensive and rare spices, it’s impossible to recreate something similar at a lower cost. The leftover spices, courtesy of Duke Lenaril, will be taken back as a souvenir, but it’s just a fraction. I need to find a way to source them.

Not just for Tina.

When I return to my territory, I plan to open a shop in the city of Fernande, but I need to start making connections now… After all, confectionery requires countless ingredients.

Lost in thought, I realized the two of them were peering at my face.

“Kurt-sama, are you thinking about work again?”

“You’ve just finished a big project, and you’re already thinking about the next one. You’re always busy.”

They said, somewhat amused, yet smiling at me.

“I’m short on time. I want to get my territory on track as soon as possible. And opening a shop has always been a dream of mine. To open a grand shop in a prime location in a trading city. No pastry chef worth their salt could resist.”

I explained.

Just selling the honey produced in my village would bring in a substantial income, but processed goods are far more profitable.

With this incident, I’ve not only gained the support of Count Fernande but also Duke Lenaril’s backing.

There’s no better publicity than this. If the publicity is enough, it’s just a matter of taste.

And as long as I’m the one making it, taste won’t be an issue.

“What kind of shop do you plan to open, Kurt-sama?”

Tina asked, her curiosity piqued.

“Yeah, essentially, it’ll be a mass-market kind of shop. Selling sweets made with honey at affordable prices. Mainly focusing on cookies and scones that require minimal cost and effort, have a good shelf life, and produce minimal waste. Even though I could sell them at a higher price, I want to make sure as many people as possible can enjoy the sweets.”

I explained.

In this era, sugar is an extremely luxurious item that comes from across the seas. And honey, produced not through modern beekeeping methods but by destroying the hives each time, is labor-intensive and low in production, thus making it expensive.

Sweet treats are luxury items. That’s the common understanding.

That’s why I want to offer affordable sweet treats.

“Kurt, you’re so kind. If you only cared about money, you could just cater to the nobles and sell high-end sweets.”

Tina remarked.

“I might do that as a hobby whenever I feel like it. Making expensive sweets can be enjoyable too. Besides, dealing with nobles is a job for me. It’s not something unique to Arnoldt. I need to ensure Arnoldt can thrive even when I’m no longer around.”

I replied.

“Kurt-sama, are you planning to leave Arnoldt!?”

Tina suddenly changed her tone, pressing for answers.

“It’s not like that. It’s just that I might fall ill. Or I might even get killed. Or perhaps, I might be forcibly sent to another territory by orders from above…”

As I spoke, Tina’s expression grew increasingly serious.

I interrupted my words and placed my hand on Tina’s head.

“Don’t think too seriously about it. It’s just possibilities. I wouldn’t leave you behind, Tina.”

As I gently stroked her head, Tina’s expression softened slightly.

“Kurt-sama, I trust you completely.”

“Yeah, you can count on it.”

I smiled at Tina.

But even saying this, the danger never goes away. Especially now that it’s widely known that I’m a ‘usable noble’ and ‘clearly pro-royal family’. I’ll have to be careful going forward, keeping that in mind.

Meanwhile, Chloe was giving us a pointed look as Tina and I were affectionate with each other.

Turning away from Tina towards Chloe, she spoke up.

“So, Kurt, you mentioned the basics. Do you have any other plans?”

“I’m thinking of also offering limited quantities of fresh sweets. I’ll see what ingredients are available at the market that day and make the most delicious sweets on the spot. Those will be priced higher, but they’ll be worth it.”

I explained.

This is more of a hobby for me than a profit-making venture.

Since I can’t frequently leave my territory unattended, I plan to delegate the operation of the shop to someone else. However, I’ll visit every few days to replenish supplies like honey and also to inspect. During these visits, I’ll check the market for new ingredients and experiment with new sweets.

This way, I’ll have limited edition products to attract customers, and I’ll also be honing my skills. It’s a win-win situation.

“Kurt-sama, so you’ll be making new sweets every time?”

Tina asked.

“That’s right. It’s to keep the customers from getting bored.”

I replied.

“Um, Kurt-sama, if possible…”

Tina hesitated.

“I know. I’ll make sure you both get to taste them every time.”

I reassured her.

“Yes!”

“Can I taste them too?”

Chloe chimed in.

“Of course. You two are quite the foodies.”

I chuckled.

Afterwards, the three of us discussed what kind of shop to open.

Tina and Chloe both offered wonderful suggestions from perspectives different from mine.

The excitement of opening the shop, which was already high, grew even more.

I can’t wait to return to Arnoldt safely and start preparations as soon as possible.

With such thoughts in mind, the night grew late.

Originally, the plan was to have an audience with Duke Lenaril tomorrow before setting off home, but a slight sense of unease crept into my mind.