Chapter 61 - It’s Delicious (1/2)

Chapter 61 – It’s Delicious

***

Three days later, I opened the jar of orange cheong with Florinda just as promised. As soon as I prised off the close-fitting lid, the sharp, sour smell of citrus filled my nose. Florinda, who was smelling it next to me, proclaimed that it smelled wonderful.

I put a few spoonfuls of preserves into two cups and added hot water to make orange tea. She accepted the cup from me, and I took a sip from mine first.

“Mmm,” I moaned. It was delicious.

Florinda drew her cup towards her lips with her excited look. A strange expression spread over her face after she drank the tea.

I pretended to be calm, but I was tense as I awaited her verdict. A moment later, an exclamation burst from her mouth.

“It’s delicious!” she enthused.

“…Really?” I said.

I was surprised at the unexpected positive comment. Florinda nodded once, then sipped the orange tea again.

“It’s really good, My Lady. It’s sour and sweet. I’ve never tasted this before.”

This is the taste of Korea, Florinda.

I shrugged, but the expression on my face was one of pride. It bubbled warmly inside me.

“It must be delicious.”

“I’ll have another cup, My Lady,” she said, then lifted the kettle and poured more hot water into her cup. I smiled, then put in another spoon of orange cheong in her cup as well.

She quickly drained the cup. Having seen that, I came up with two possible conclusions: either her taste was very Korean, or the cheong was very good.

“I think you can sell this, My Lady. It’s so delicious.”

“But one favorable comment is not enough,” I said with a shake of my head. “I think I need to do more product testing.”

***

I decided to present the orange tea to my whole family.

After dinner that evening, I told the chef in advance to make the tea so my parents and Martina could taste it.

“Is this the first time you’ve made this tea, Chef?”

Countess Bellafleur looked down at the unfamiliar drink with a skeptical look on her face. The chef explained that the tea was made out of orange preserves. She took a hesitant sip, then, a moment later, an amazed expression crossed her face.

“Did you make this, Chef?”

“I made it,” I interjected, and Countess Bellafleur looked at me with even greater surprise.

“You?” she said, and her, Count Bellafleur and Martina looked at me with matching expressions of astonishment.

“You made this?” Martina asked, then drank a sip. Another exclamation burst out of her mouth. “It’s delicious!”

“Are you saying that just because I made it?” I said.

“Sister, I am a person of picky tastes,” Martina replied calmly, then brought the cup to her lips again. She sang more words of praise. “But it’s really delicious. It’s sweeter than black tea.”

Count Bellafleur, who had been watching quietly, piped up this time. “Really?” he said, then sampled his own drink. He didn’t give as big a reaction as Countess Bellafleur or Martina, but a gentle smile spread across his mouth.

“You all seem to like it,” I noted.

“I can’t believe you made this.”

“Since when did you get so good at cooking, my daughter?”

“Sister, I think you can make more and sell this!”

Effusive praises continued to pour from around the table, and I smiled widely.

“Actually, I’m thinking about starting small,” I said, and another round of exclamations came from all sides.

“Oh, really?”

“Do it, sister! I will help you!”

“You mean as a business?”

I nodded. “Yes. Nothing that grand… Just a business.”

“I can’t believe that you’re doing a business. I didn’t know that you had a talent for this.”

Count Bellafleur was still amazed, as well as the other members of the family. I dropped my gaze downwards a little in embarrassment. This was the first time that I was in the spotlight.

“Once the people of the mansion have a taste and it’s well-received, then I’ll open a small store,” I explained.

Count Bellafleur nodded approvingly. “That’s good. It’s better than getting hurt from the start. Is there anything you need?”