With my mind running wild with imagination, I have the sudden urged to wolf down some sweets. Remembering that there were really no sweet things here, I shed invisible tears.
Right, if there was none, I could make one!
Suddenly energized with this thought, I hurried out of the room after securely placing the suspect list under the pile of clean paper sheets.
Clang!
The moment I arrived at the kitchen, the group of maids gathered in circle panicked and clattering noises echoed out instantly. Even the cooks preparing for dinner inside the kitchen counter was startled with the sudden noise that the bowl they held dropped on the floor.
Face palm. I did not really intend to scare them…
Seeing the mess, I can’t help but take one of the brooms on the side and started to sweep. The dazed maids began to panic once again and tried to take the broom from me simultaneously.
“Girls calm down.” I can’t help but voice out.
The entire crowd then stayed put. Looking at them like this, I feel bad for them all of the sudden. I really disregarded them as they were minor characters…
Taking the chance as most of the servants are here, I bowed in apology. “As I have explained during lunch, thanks to Sun God’s Blessing I realized every mistake I made. From now, let’s work together and please continue your loyalty.”
I let them take the broom from me and helped in settling the kitchen counter now littered with ingredients. The chubby middle aged man wearing a white full sleeve tunic seemed to be the chef here. But he seemed to be missing his toque.
“Uhm, Chef… what do you usually prepare for dessert?”
“Haha, Young Lady you can just call me Cook Bronze, Chef is too grand.” Though refuting, happiness was so obvious on his expression.
“Well then, I’ll address you to be Chef Bronze from now on.” Cook Bronze just laughed at it merrily.
Hmm…Though he was happy, he did not really claim the title. There seems to be some criteria’s set before a cook becomes a chef. This may explain why he does not have a toque…
“Ah yes, Young Lady, what did you come here for?”
“Ehm, I would like to suggest something else as a dessert for tonight.”
Cook Bronze looked at me surprisingly. “What would that dessert be Young Lady?”
“Oh that, let me check for ingredients first.”
Since the things were tidied up swiftly, few maids approached me with caution. I could still see their nervousness but they seem to be eager to be ordered.
Seeing their eagerness, I then asked for some ingredients. There were variety of fruits but unluckily, there is no vanilla or caramel for an instant dip. Fully anticipating sweets, I just asked some of the maids to peel of the skin of the pears and cut it up into cube shapes. My first thought was to eat some caramelized pears.
To put it in action I asked Cook Bronze to prepare a metal pot for melting the sugar. His assistants then moved to get the things I have said. Quickly explaining the logic of creating caramelized sugar, Cook Bronze was so amazed with the new discovery.
“I didn’t know Young Lady would be talented in the kitchen!”
Haha… Right! I forgot, this place has no concept what so ever on creating sweets…
“I think I had this knowledge when I wake up after the ceremony…”
Gasp!
The maids who were cleaning the pears made a surprised sound. Judging from their shocked and amazed expression, I may have given a wrong answer…
“Congratulations to Young Lady! You were enlightened and gifted with knowledge of the kitchen!”
Ah?
The housekeeper who was quiet at the side then curtsied and hurriedly went out of the kitchen. Paying no heed to the housekeeper’s action, I proceeded to instruct Cook Bronze and his assistants on what has to be done. They then began to gently stir the sugar that was now melting. So far, Cook Bronze has the perfect colored one. When it turned into golden brown color I asked him to transfer it into the bowl. While it’s hot, we dipped and rolled the cubed shaped pears inside the bowl, the white pear was instantly coated with the caramelized sugar. After it was exposed to air, it has now hardened up into beautiful golden brown cube.
Picking one, I quickly put it in my mouth. Ai, the sweetness was just right! Then the freshness of the pear would soon come out after a bite, balancing the sweetness – making you crave for more.
Giving out the thumbs up sign, I urged the others to try the sugar candy we made. They all expressed their approval of the caramelized pear.
“Young Lady, what is this called?”
“We could call it as ‘Sugar Candy’…. We could simply eat the melted sugar itself but having fruit within would be better. By the way, this could be applied to any fruits, except for the sour ones of course.”
With a nod, Cook Bronze was impressed. “Sugar Candy huh, don’t worry Young Lady, I’ll add this for tonight’s dinner.”
Pleased, I gave him an ok sign and filled my own dessert plate with caramelized pears.
With this, I’ll finally start to indulge myself with sweets.
Yume Neiji's Works 