Chapter 27 (1/2)

Potential of Cooking

When I left the dining hall, a woman guided me back to my room.

Since there wasn’t anything to do after returning to my room, I put away my extra clothing that I left out to dry, the usual maid-san (it seems she’s my personal attendant) carried over the tea utensils, and pa.s.sed me some tea.

Since there’s still an hour before lunch, although it’s probably too late, I ask the maid-san for her name.

「Ano, although this is a bit late, is it alright if I hear your name? Ah, I’m Sakura Fujino.」

「So it’s Sakura Fujino-sama. I am called Chiffon Isa Shbein. Please do just call me Chiffon.」

So says the maid-san as she bows. Chiffon-san, is it good to call her that I wonder?

「Chiffon-san, please just call me Sakura. Also, if it’s possible, I would be happy if you could talk to me normally.」

It doesn’t feel right when an elder talks to me in polite speech.

「Well then, Sakura-sama. However, I should not speak informally towards a guest of the Royal Family.」

「I’d like it if you were to stop with the『-sama』though… I’m not great enough to be called that way1. Perhaps it can’t be helped if you speak like that in front of others, though I’m being treated as a guest, I’m merely a commoner. I can’t calm down if you speak like that…」

I think at least within this room.

「I understand. Let me have a little while to correct myself. But I’ll still call you Sakura-sama, ne?」

Chiffon-san relaxes a little and smiles.

「However, it’s only fair that Sakura-sama also speaks normally you know?」

「This is my normal way of speaking… I’m sorry.」

Somehow or another, I end up apologising.

With an araara, Chiffon-san expresses a smile. (araara is something like oh my, oh my)

What’s this? After Chiffon-san changed her way of talking, somehow it’s difficult to oppose her aura.

Although I’m not completely satisfied, I think we’ve opened up to each other more or less, I kill some time together with Chiffon-san until lunch.

What I understand from talking with Chiffon-san.

According to Chiffon-san’s name, she’s 19 years old and the eldest daughter of a n.o.ble. Currently she’s learning about etiquette by working in the castle as a maid. And her Shbein family is a Marquis family, it seems she’s the fiancée of a knight and will be working here until she gets married.

The n.o.ble’s court rank, from top to bottom are 「Duke」, 「Marquis」, 「Count」, 「Viscount」, 「Baron」 then 「Quasi-Baron」, 「Duke」’s are similar to the Royal Family’s branch family. Essentially, 「Marquis」 is the highest rank for pure n.o.bles.

「Quasi-Baron」 is a t.i.tle given to individuals that earn special achievements, they receive the same treatment as a n.o.ble but it limited to a single generation. Just like a knight’s rank, a n.o.ble’s t.i.tle is handled the same way.2

The basics of marriage in the Sobule Kingdom, it’s usually separated between the n.o.bles and the commoners but, marriages between a n.o.ble and a commoner isn’t that rare. Actually, it’s been said there’s a custom for royalty and commoners to be married.

Once you’re of age you can look for a partner3, generally a marriageable age for a female is around 18 to 22 years of age, once they pa.s.s 25 years old, it seems they’ll be referred to as yomekiokure. (a woman who has missed the chance to get married)

Chiffon-san has 4 little sisters and brothers

in total4.

It appears that when I experienced an「unopposable aura」was because of this, in other words it was because of her「onee-san」position it seems.

After inquiring, it appears that the youngest (8 years old) sister gives off the same impression as me when she stands on her tiptoes to make herself taller.

Because of my claim that I was 15 years old surprised her, I explained, as per habit. Somehow I’ve gotten used to arguing back and forth.

After chatting about (?), in the blink of an eye it was time for lunch, Chiffon-san carried over the meal. (?) in the raws

Today’s lunch is the usual brown bread with corn soup and cheese, chicken sauté and vegetables.

This vegetable… could these be pickles? I bring it close to my face and it has an acidic smell.

With the exception of the brown bread and chicken meat, it’s the first time seeing these since coming to this world.

If it’s general foods, my previous life’s memory should have it. However, since coming to this world, every meal tasted salty and ordinary, after recognizing that I stopped questioning it.

Feeling that it’s strange, I investigate my previous life’s memory and…

I understand, it appears cheese and b.u.t.ter, wine and vinegar and the like, are luxury items and seasonings.

In my previous life, other than luxury grocery items (alcohol, crisps, things consumed for taste rather than nourishment), I was mostly ignorant to things related to seasonings, never cooked for myself, the standard for meals was to eat out it seems.

Nevertheless when it came to cheese and b.u.t.ter, like my previous investigation「Information closely related to Lyle Dist’s life will immediately come to mind.」, seems to have been correct so it wasn’t strange it immediately popped up in my mind.

Then why is it that information related to my meals haven’t appeared…

My eating habits in j.a.pan have left too deep of an impression on me, because the cuisines in this world are way behind, it’s been sealed into the depths of my memory.

Perhaps it’s necessary to re-investigate this world’s ingredients and seasonings.

Since major ingredients are mostly the same from my knowledge and j.a.pan, I’ll recognise the herbs and spices. With the exception of seasonings such as salt and sugar, I’m unclear about the others.

Luxury items, alcoholic beverages such as wine and beer, side dishes such as cheese, and honey are what I’ve found.

The only beverages are alcohol, goat’s milk, herb tea and water. There doesn’t seem to be any cow’s milk. I have no knowledge on beef either.

Usually, salt is the standard flavour in cuisines, besides that there’s pepper and a certain type of herb, it appears vinegar is only used to preserve ingredients5.

It’ll be good to re-examine the seasonings from the market once more.

While enjoying the sensation of the fresh flavours after finis.h.i.+ng lunch, the time is probably half past 12.

I have confidence in my biological clock so it shouldn’t be off by too much.

I’m expecting the King to be calling for me for in a short while.

In order to leave whenever I start to gather my baggage

After putting away a bit of my baggage, the call had arrived.

In order to head out to town as I am, I take my baggage and leave the room.

Different from this morning, this time it seems Chiffon-san will be accompanying.

The guide this time is a butler-san