After finishing my business with Yuuki-san, I headed off to prepare for the afternoon appointment.
I figured I might as well invite Yuuki-san too, but with the true spirit of a merchant, she politely declined, saying she needed to finish her work first.
「Alright then, I’ve gotten permission from Hayato. Is everyone ready?」
「「「「「Yeesss!! 」」」」」
In front of me stood the maids who worked in this mansion.
Some were in casual clothes, probably because it was their day off.
The fact that they came in anyway just for sweets shows how fearsome desserts can be.
「Before we begin, let’s thank Freed first.」
「「「「「Thank you very much, Freed-sama!」」」」」
「No no, the thanks should go to our guest here. And also to Hayato-sama for giving permission.」
「「「「「Thank you very much!」」」」」
「Alright then, everyone go ahead. Eat as much as you like, whichever one you like best!」
「「「「「Waaaah!!」」」」」
The maids rushed in all at once toward the puddings they had already set their eyes on.
Clutching small spoons, they scooped up the pudding with impatient hands, closing their eyes and savoring each bite with delight, it made me happy as the one who made them.
Though there’s plenty, so no need to rush so much.
「They’re really enjoying themselves.」
「Sweets are a rare treat, after all. And this is a chance to taste something even nobles may have never had. Everyone was truly looking forward to this.」
「Glad to hear it. Oh, here. This one’s for you, Freed.」
「I…」
「Come on, give it a try. It’s one of my best.」
「It’s green?」
「Yup. I made it using something I bought earlier from the Amatsukuni people. I figured this one would suit your tastes too.」
I had already tasted it earlier, and it was amazing.
Slightly bitter, but still sweet.
And most importantly, the pairing with the sweet bean paste on top was absolutely perfect.
「It’s called matcha pudding. I’ll bring some to Hayato later too, so you be the taste tester.」
「I see… Understood. I would be honored to serve as the official taster.」
Well, no need to be so formal about it.
I already taught Chris how to make it, and if Hayato and Freed like it, it’ll probably start showing up on the regular menu.
「Hmm… It’s just a little bitter.」
「Right? Now try it with the black stuff on top, it tastes even better that way.」
That’s coarse sweet bean paste I also bought from Yuuki.
If you ask me, matcha pudding definitely pairs better with sweet bean paste than with caramel sauce.
「Ohh…! This one suits my tastes much better. It’s very delicious.」
Alright.
I figured this might work even if he’s not fond of sweets, and it looks like I was right.
Matcha flavor really is a marvel.
「Oh, and just to be clear, this isn’t a thank-you gift for you, Freed. It’s for the maids who had more work because I borrowed you. I’ll prepare something else for you later.」
「Please, there’s no need to, 」
「No need to hold back. I want to show my appreciation directly to you, Freed.」
I really do want to do something for Freed.
If he hadn’t helped me, I wouldn’t have made it in time.
This overwhelming gratitude, I’ve got to return it somehow.
「…Understood. In that case, if I ever have something I’d like to ask…」
「Go ahead! I can’t do everything, but I’ll try whatever I can!」
Sharp as ever, what a lifesaver.
That’s Freed for you, a top-class butler who’s sensitive to the subtleties of people’s emotions.
「Ah! Freed-sama is eating something that looks really tasty!」
「Green? Is that pudding too?」
The ever-observant maids had now taken an interest in the pudding Freed was holding.
I glanced at Freed, who smiled and let out a small sigh. Then, I decided to share the matcha pudding with them too.
Haaah… what a sight.
-0-
All that pudding I had prepared was completely wiped out.
Baked pudding, pudding à la mode, pudding parfait, even the giant bucket pudding, it was all gone.
The empty dishes lined up on the table were licked clean, not a scrap left behind.
Toward the end, the maids looked a bit reluctant to stop, but when I told them that Chris knew how to make it and they’d have another chance to eat it, their faces lit up with joy.
They thanked me and returned to their duties.
Some offered to wash the dishes, but I politely declined, as cleaning up was part of my gift to them.
And now, I’m finally sitting down by myself, enjoying my own matcha pudding and taking a breather.
Ahh… the faint bitterness of the matcha, the sweetness of the red bean paste…
The smooth, slippery texture of the pudding itself and how easily it goes down, the aftertaste left by the matcha only highlights it all the more.
I’m sure Hayato will be pleased with this too.
Chris knows the recipe, and since Hayato also bought some matcha, he’ll be able to enjoy it anytime.
…Maybe I should just start selling it.
Still, sweets already cost a lot to make, and matcha and red bean paste push that cost even higher…
It’d definitely end up as one of those fancy treats only nobles can afford.
Honestly, that just sounds like a headache waiting to happen, so, rejected.
Besides, if we’re talking profit alone, accessories bring in way more, so there’s no need to push it.
If the opportunity ever comes up, I can just sell it then.
I scooped the last bite of my matcha pudding, the spoon clinking against the empty dish.
Just as I stood up to clean up, I heard a knock at the door.
「Hey」
「I’m coming in, hmm? Something smells sweet in here!」
Before I could even answer, in walked Iris and Ayame.
「Ah, I was just serving some pudding to the maids.」
「Pudding… Is that the same one you gave us before?」
「Yup, and a few new variations too. …So, wanna try some?」
「N-no, I’m not particularly…」
Yeah, no.
I totally saw you staring at the empty dish for a few seconds.
Activating my space magic, I reached into the void and pulled out two puddings.
They were originally meant as parting gifts for the maids, but I can always make more later.
「That skill… Is it space magic?」
「Yep. As you guessed, space magic.」
Figured it’d already be obvious after the tournament.
Ayame’s well-read, she probably knew from the start.
「I knew it… You have no idea how troublesome that’s been. The Mage’s Guild was planning to storm your place under the guise of a recruitment attempt.」
「…Seriously?」
「Indeed. But don’t worry, I secured your rights on the matter.」
「…Are you sure that’s not something to worry about?」
Also, who said you could just decide stuff like that for me?
「That said, I don’t intend to restrict you or anything. As long as you serve me ice cream whenever I ask, I’m satisfied.」
She says it so casually, but judging by Ayame’s tired smile, it must’ve been quite the ordeal.
Well, of course it was. This is space magic we’re talking about…
「So you’re saying… you want ice cream now?」
「Exactly!」
「Got it. I’ll get it ready, so you two go ahead and enjoy the pudding for now.」
「Excellent! The pudding was delicious, but it still pales in comparison to ice cream!」
Seriously, how obsessed with ice cream can one girl be?
Well, if she really went to all that trouble for me, then I guess I’ll behave and serve her properly today.
Besides, I’ve got a new flavor to test out.
「Waaah… it really is delicious… I wish I could let those kids have some too…」
「Hmm? Then why not bring some as a souvenir?」
I’m going to be making more later anyway, so it’s not much extra work.
Besides, if I use this chance to boost their affection scores, my dream of a fluffy paradise might not be so far off.
「Is that really alright?」
「Yeah. But just one each, okay?」
「Yes, that’s more than enough. Thank you very much.」
Oh wow.
Getting a genuine smile and a proper thank-you like that… kinda makes me blush.
Honestly, I’d love to make as much as they wanted, but if I go overboard, it defeats the purpose of the thank-you to the maids.
「Alrighty, and… done.」
「Ooh! There’s two! Two scoops on mine!」
「Yeah, since you like vanilla, Iris. And this one’s custard. Oh, and…. 」
I pulled out a bit of caramel sauce.
Drizzled over the custard ice cream, it basically turns it into pudding-style ice cream.
Perfect for ice cream-loving Iris and pudding-loving Ayame.
「Waaah… this is happiness…」
「That so? Glad you like it.」
I sat across from them, propping my cheek on my hand as I watched.
Really, she looks just like a little kid when she eats, adorable.
Ayame’s trying to keep a straight face, but the way the corners of her lips are twitching kinda gives her away.
Honestly, the sight is so heartwarming, it makes me want to seriously pursue sweets-making as a real craft.
「…What is it?」
「Just thinking how nice this is to watch.」
「…It’s not very polite to stare while people are eating.」
「Come on, let me have this. Watching people enjoy something I made, that’s the whole reason I do it.」
「He speaks true, Ayame! Pay no mind to such things! Focus on the treasure before you!」
Iris is absolutely devouring her dessert.
And there it is, she’s got caramel sauce smeared on her cheek.
「Aren’t you going to eat some too?」
「I already had a different one earlier. Honestly, I’ve hit my sweet limit for the day…」
「What!? A different one!? I demand to—」
「Iris-sama, you’ve got something on your cheek…」
「Mmmngh! I ‘still’ want to know what it was!」
Even as Ayame wipes her mouth, Iris can’t suppress her curiosity.
Seriously, Iris, are you regressing a little every time you get sweets in front of you?
「…Alright, alright. I’ll bring it out once we’re done with the main topic.」
「…Hmm. So you noticed.」
「Well, I couldn’t really imagine you showing up for no reason.」
「I’d show up just to eat ice cream, you know?」
「…That’s fair. So what, you’re here just for the ice cream?」
「No. I came to ease your worries.」
「Worries… You mean about the duke? From what you said earlier, I’m under Iris’s protection now, so there’s no problem, right?」
「Mmm, that’s good enough for the short term. But it also means the long-term issue has been dealt with.」
「Long-term… So you’re saying the root cause has been resolved?」
「More or less. I can’t go into detail, though.」
The root cause… That must mean the duke himself.
If that’s what’s been resolved…
I see. That man finally made his move.
Honestly, as long as there’s no lingering mess, I couldn’t care less what the details are…
Still, while I’m relieved, I can’t help but wonder… What’s he going to do about his wife?
「Anyway, you don’t need to worry about anything. Just keep living your life as you always have.」
「…Got it. Well, at least pass along my thanks.」
「…Yeah. Got it. Now then, bring out the next sweet!」
She changed the mood in an instant.
That’s probably Iris being considerate.
As far as I’m concerned, I’ve got no strong feelings about it.
It’s all far outside my realm of involvement.
…But I still can’t shake my concern for Sara, who’s likely to be left behind.
「…You don’t need to worry.」
「Huh?」
「Iris-sama will see it all resolved. There’s no need for you to burden yourself with it.」
Ayame must’ve picked up on my feelings, she offers some quiet reassurance.
「Mhm. You’re far too kindhearted, you know. So take that into account and rest easy.」
「I see… Yeah. Got it. Thanks for everything, Iris.」
「Mhm! If you disappear, I won’t get to eat your delicious ice cream anymore, after all!」
Haha, in the end, it’s still all about the ice cream, huh.
Well, I don’t mind.
Alright then, time to bring out my special stash.
But if you two end up with stomachaches from overeating, don’t come crying to me.
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