Upstart Pastry Chef ~Territory Management of a Genius Pâtisserie~ - Chapter 80

Chapter 80: What Nobility Requires

After inspecting the Eclavastore and giving instructions for the interior construction, Fernande arrived at his mansion, took a bath to refresh himself, and changed into formal attire.

Currently, he was chatting with Tina and Chloe in the guest room where they would stay for the day.

There would be a dinner party soon. Since servants couldn’t attend the seats of nobles, Tina and Chloe would have to go their separate ways.

“Chloe, please behave yourself even when Kurt-sama isn’t around.”

“I know, Tina. Kurt always gets to eat better food than us, right?”

Chloe seemed slightly dissatisfied.

She was a glutton after all. She must want to try the delicacies.

“You can come if you want, but it’s stifling beyond belief. They’re excessively strict about manners, and every conversation somehow turns political.”

“Ugh, the food can’t possibly taste good with all that. Then I’ll just stick with Tina.”

I chuckled wryly.

Well, Tina could handle Chloe just fine.

Thanks to Count Fernande and Farne’s care, they would receive much better treatment than ordinary servants.

“Well then, I’ll be off. See you later.”

“Oh, by the way, Kurt-sama. You were absent for about an hour after the bath. Did you have something to attend to?”

“Just a little mischief.”

In truth, after slipping away for about an hour after the bath, I visited the cook who had assisted me during the incident at the Duke of Lenaril’s residence.

He was delighted by my visit and graciously fulfilled my request.

I arranged a little prank in the kitchen.
Indeed, I am a pastry chef. Sweets can convey feelings more accurately than words.

◇

We took our seats at the dining table. It was absurdly long, adorned with exquisite decorations.

Farne was already there, but it seemed Lord Fernande was still absent.

Back in my village, I wore practical clothing to assist with farm work, but here, I was adorned in luxurious, fluffy dresses.

“Indeed, Farne, you look cuter when dressed up like that. It’s the first time I’ve seen that lip color. It’s fresh and cute.”

“Hehe, Kurt-sama, you’re quite skilled with words. This lip color is a new release in this town, and it was sent to me as a gift. I’m glad you like it.”

Farne blushed.

Her lips were adorned with a soft pink lip color. I preferred it to the red ones; it felt more natural.

As I chatted with Farne, Count Fernande appeared.

“My apologies for keeping you waiting, Kurt-kun. I’ve been quite busy lately.”

“No need to apologize, Count Fernande. I understand that you’re busy.”

“I appreciate your understanding. Well then, let’s proceed with the meal. Our chef was thrilled to prepare a meal for you, Kurt-kun. He’s been inspired by you and his skills have improved significantly. Lately, he’s been looking forward to cooking more.”

Count Fernande grinned.

Returning the smile, the meal was served.

First, we had pea soup. A vibrant green with creamy white swirls.

With the first bite, I was surprised.

Ah, I see what they’re doing.

I voiced my thoughts.

“By restraining the butter and bringing out the freshness of the peas, the soup’s base, made from beef bones with as much redness removed as possible, delivers a pure umami that doesn’t interfere with the freshness of the peas. It’s well done.”

The common belief in this world that using as much butter and the tastiest cuts will make a dish delicious is a misconception. A dish like this cannot be born from the mindset of simply adding ingredients.

“He wouldn’t have been able to make this dish before he knew about your cooking. You’ve nurtured him.”

I returned the smile.

“In such a short time, for him to understand my cooking philosophy and be able to realize it on his own is a testament to his skill as a chef. He’s a remarkable cook.”

From here on, it seemed like we could enjoy the rest of the meal.

◇

The subsequent dishes were all splendid, filled with the chef’s ingenuity and passion.

I savored each dish.

Especially the sautéed lamb, the main dish, was something I’d want Tina and the others to taste.

As I finished the main course, I spoke up.

“Count Fernande, I was shown the establishment you arranged today.”

“Oh? How was it? It was worth the trouble if you enjoyed it.”

“It was fantastic. That’s the word for it.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“However, it’s almost too fantastic.”

As I said this, Count Fernande narrowed his eyes.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Arranging a store in Eclava, in my opinion, a gesture of gratitude for the cutting-edge technology in my territory, an apology for your servant colluding with bandits to attack me the other day, and compensation for the incident with the Duke of Lenaril. I believe it’s for these three reasons.”

“That’s right. It’s to repay the kindness I received from you. And it’s also prepared as an apology for causing you great trouble.”

His understanding was correct.

In that case…

“This is going too far. It’s as if it’s charity. It’s not compensation for work but assistance disguised as such. That’s how I felt.”

Finally, Count Fernande raised his voice and laughed.

“Haha, as expected of you, Kurt-kun. Not only did you notice, but you’re willing to voice it even knowing it might displease me. So, what do you want to do? Are you going to let go of this opportunity?”

“No, I won’t. I’ve already come too far to turn back now.”

“In that case, you should just say thank you quietly and leave it at that.”

“I can’t do that either. It doesn’t sit well with my pride. I intend to climb up on my own merits. Please tell me the cost incurred this time. I can’t repay it immediately, but I’ll pay it back over time.”

Farne started to look back and forth between me and Count Fernande, flustered.

“I see, I understand your perspective now. You don’t like being on the receiving end of charity. However, I can’t allow my reputation to be tarnished, so you intend to repay the excessive kindness gradually, is that it?”

“Yes, exactly.”

Count Fernande shook his head with a sigh.

Then he let out a deep breath.

“You’re mistaken. First of all, this is not charity.”

“What else could such excessive compensation be if not charity?”

“It’s an investment. It’s for the further development of House Fernande. You underestimate yourself too much. Your pastries are incredibly delicious. The Imperial Torte you showcased at the Duke of Lenaril’s dinner party. After tasting that, the nobles can’t think of anything else.”

Count Fernande snapped his fingers.

Then, a servant appeared, carrying a large box and overturning it onto the table.

Countless letters spilled onto the table.

“Now, what do you think this mountain of letters is?”

“I’m not sure.”

“They’re petitions. Grown adults, including renowned nobles and even grand nobles, have sent me this many letters, expressing their desire to taste your sweets again. Those who can’t directly send letters to me are sending them to my low-ranking noble wards. When you add those, it’s even more. Rejoice, Kurt-kun, the nobles of this country are all obsessed with your sweets.”

Count Fernande praised my sweets dramatically.

“However…”

“What do you mean, ‘however’? The value of your sweets has been proven. And with the Duke of Lenaril’s endorsement, the highest seal of approval. If you open a store in Éclat, not only from within Eclava but from all over Country, nobles, wealthy merchants, and countless others will come. No doubt about it. They might even come from other countries. Can you imagine the economic impact that will have? Giving a cramped doghouse to the hen that lays golden eggs? Let me say it again, providing you with the best environment is an investment in Eclava. It will yield returns quickly.”

I couldn’t argue against that.

I completely lacked that perspective.

“There’s more. I want you to rise even higher, and quickly. That’s my position as a noble. The success of my wards contributes to the enhancement of my power, especially since you’re Farne’s fiancé. Your success is my success. You said you would rise on your own merits. That determination is commendable. But, I need to support it for my own sake.”

“That’s selfish.”

“Nobles are inherently selfish. There’s no reason for you to criticize what I do for the development of House Fernande. Even if it involves your actions. If you don’t like it, you can cut off all support from Fernande. I can say this calmly. I’ll prohibit all commercial activities in Eclava from now on. And I’ll obstruct the itinerant merchants selling essential goods in your town.”

“…Is that a threat?”

“I have no intention of doing it. I just want you to be aware that I can. Kurt-kun, you’ve been too successful. You can’t act solely on your own will anymore. While I’m pushing you forward, there are others desperately trying to hold you back. They’re the worst. They don’t act based on profit, but on envy… emotion. I’m protecting you from them. You don’t even realize that.”

“Even to that extent…”

“Did you think otherwise, Baron Kurt Arnoldt?”

I was completely speechless.

Did Count Fernande just call me that?

“Baron Kurt Arnoldt?”

“That’s right. I called you that. You’ve earned it with your previous achievements, and the Duke of Lenaril strongly recommended it. It was decided just the other day that you will be granted the title of baron. There will be a ceremony next month. Be prepared.”

To become a baron. That was Arnoldt’s long-cherished desire.

There was a profound gap between a viscount and a baron.

A viscount was, in a way, just a pseudo-noble, whereas a baron was a true noble.

“The Duke of Lenaril…”

“It’s entirely plausible. …Kurt-kun, I had one misunderstanding. Your ability to govern your territory is first-rate. Your skills in cooking, pastry making, and spear fighting are all top-notch. On top of that, you possess deep and specialized agricultural knowledge, along with unique ideas in various fields. You also have business acumen. You’re an ideal lord. There’s no doubt about that.”

I could predict the next words.

“But, as a noble, you’re still far from being complete. You only see your own territory. You lack a sense of the bigger picture. It may be unavoidable. After all, you’ve hardly had any interaction with noble society until now. However, now that you’ve been appointed as a baron, you must look beyond your own territory. Otherwise, you’ll be taken advantage of and doomed to ruin.”

Similar words had been advised to me in the Duke of Lenaril’s house as well, by one of the four dukes, an imposing old man with a stern face, Duke Ortlepp.

It seemed I had been naive despite thinking I was being cautious.

“You’re right, that perspective was lacking. However, I also have my own thoughts. Words alone won’t suffice, so would you be willing to hear me out while enjoying my sweets?”

Count Fernande’s words were indeed correct.

However, there was another correctness that existed.

In the hour I slipped away after the bath, I consulted with the chef and had him prepare a dessert.

That dessert was now being brought out.

I had imbued my thoughts into this dish.

Let them taste my beliefs through this sweet.

For the advancement of both Fernande and Arnoldt.