The soft knock stopped me from writing. Looking at the four sheets filled with recipe, I was glad I have at least finished writing them.
Jane came into view and I handed her the Chocolate recipe. “The cooks were done preparing for lunch?”
“Yes Young Lady, Cook Bronze added to inform you as well that you could instruct them freely.”
“Good, you proceed to the kitchen first and bring that recipe. I’ll follow after finishing this one.”
Jane nodded in accent and quietly left the room. I am currently writing a chocolate cake recipe and since I am already half way through, it would be better to finish this first.
When I went to the kitchen, Cook Bronze hands were trembling as he held the recipe. His eyes were even sparkling. I guess anyone would be amazed to see such unknown recipe.
“Let’s prepare the ingredients first.” I spoke to gather their attention. The assistant cooks then swiftly moved and gathered all the ingredients needed.
“Alright, you could follow each procedure written and ask me in case you want some clarifications.”
They nodded at my words and started the work. Since there was only an hour left before lunch time, with the recipe in hand they could at least finish the job without me monitoring them.
As the saucepan of water is being heated up, the others mix the cocoa powder and butter into thick paste. Looking at them thrilled while working, I can’t help but anticipate the chocolate they made. They always say that the cook’s emotions were added to a food’s taste. When the water was heated up, the cocoa mixture was then poured in while Cook Bronze stirs it carefully.
We were waiting for it to simmer when the Duke and Duchess called for me to have lunch. “You don’t have any questions about the recipe right?” I asked just to make sure.
“Yes Young Lady, the recipe was thoroughly written so it was easy to understand and follow.” Cook Bronze answered with a smile.
“Alright, I’ll leave the rest to you guys. By the way about the cooling part…”
“Don’t worry Young Lady, the ice cellar has plenty of space.” Cook Bronze assured and I smiled at them as I moved towards the dining area.
The family were already seated and they were chatting merrily as they wait for me. I took the left seat as usual and Milka was seated on my right.
“I heard you are introducing yet another dessert.” Duchess Pepper asked.
“Yes Mother, but it was not entirely a dessert, you could eat it as much as you want any time.”
Their faces were delighted and we began the meal while chatting for the possible desserts with chocolate on it.
“Since you know a lot, I think we should consider selling them. The King even encouraged me to start with this business in our letter exchanges.”
Who would say no to extra money?
With a humble smile I nodded and the Duke and Duchess then began talking about the things to prepare excitedly. I also added that we should think of a unique wrapper for the products so more would be encourage trying our products.
After the hearty lunch, I proceeded to the kitchen with Minte and Milka in tow.
“Young Lady!” Cook Bronze excitedly welcomed me. “We finished the process already but since we don’t have some fancy moulds yet, we only made it into a simple rectangular shape and drawn some bar lines as you have instructed in the recipe.”
“That would be fine, appearance is not our main concern yet. Do you remember the paper like thing with smooth side? I would like to try something with it.”
“Oh that?, Wait for a while Young Lady.” Cook Bronze then came back with the peach colored parchment paper. When I saw this in the store I was truly surprised that parchment papers were already available in this world.
Since there was still an hour left before we could proceed to the ice cellar, I wanted to try creating paper wraps using the parchment paper. With a handless tea cup as the mold, I turned it upside down and I firmly pressed the cut out square parchment paper around it. Estimating it is now good enough, I then I lifted the paper. Surprisingly, the finished product was a cutely formed cup.
“We could try using this as container” Since it was peach colored I had the inspiration of putting cupid hearts on it. With the quill pen I doodled while waiting. Seeing my enjoyment, Minte and Milka tried making one too.
We have finished at least six cutely designed parchment wrappers when one of Cook Bronze attendant informed us that we could now proceed to the ice cellar. He also talked merrily as he guided as towards the ice cellar.
The ice cellar was surprisingly a room with arched opening. The first thing I thought was that I am in a snow field area. The entire room was filled in white except for the central area where black shelves were layered neatly. It was sure cold and the magical thing was that we really don’t need to enter further as a dwarf like figure appeared and Cook Bronze talked with him.
He then ran back to us bearing a small box. When Cook Bronze opened it, four rectangular shaped chocolates where neatly placed inside and it was already hard.
We went out of the ice cellar and when I asked for a knife to cut one of the bars, Cook Bronze did the job right ahead. The chocolate was cold and when I put it in my mouth its rich and high milk content overflowed, the combination was amazing. Since I preferred dark chocolates, this is a little too sweet for me.
“You try it guys. This was made perfectly. Good Job.”
Cook Bronze’s happiness seemed to overflow as he tries the chocolate. “This chocolate is surely good.” He even licked his lips as he spoke.
Now, I am waiting for the voice to echo out once more.
Milka and Minte simultaneously tasted the chocolate and their eyes displayed their delight. Milka’s cheek in particular bulged as she placed few more bars in her small mouth.
Hmmm… That should surely be the case as this was the first time you taste it.
My pride rose as I looked at her charmed expression but there seems to be something wrong…
Ah – the voice!
That cold voice never spoke and Milka was just enjoying the chocolate!
Surely… Hahaha I just missed the voice didn’t I?
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