Cooking with Wild Game (LN) - Volume 26 - Chapter 4.1

Chapter 4: Another Sweet Gathering

1

It was now the fifteenth of the red month, five days after Ai Fa’s birthday, and as promised, we were heading to the castle town in order to man the kitchen for a tea party.

Today was a day off for the stalls. Tea parties in the castle town were held around when the sun hit its peak, so we couldn’t accept that kind of request if it took place on a business day for us.

On top of that, the hunters accompanying us as guards had to take time off from work as well. Ai Fa and Ludo Ruu were the ones filling that role this time.

“The Ruu clan hunters took a break five days ago, right? Are you the only one off today, Ludo Ruu?” I asked.

“No, everyone else is resting at home too. It’s not good to push ourselves too hard during the rainy season.”

Perhaps surprisingly, the Ruu seemed to take more time off from hunting than any other clan I knew of, and not just during the rainy season. When several of their people were injured in a short span of time, or their hunts were consistently seeing poor results, they were always proactive in deciding to take time off for rest.

Even so, the rate at which they caught giba was top tier, in the same class as the northern clans, so they really deserved praise for how efficient they were. They rested when they needed rest, and worked hard when it was time to work. The Ruu clan under Donda Ruu’s leadership seemed to be very good at judging that sort of thing.

“Yeah, that’s the kind of prudence I expect from the Ruu clan. I suppose that’s also why you accepted the idea of using hunting dogs so readily. Donda Ruu’s really something else. He’s steadfast, but can be flexible in his thinking too.”

“Hey, you won’t get anything out of praising him when he’s not even here,” Ludo Ruu said with a wide grin as the totos carriage taking us into the castle town swayed along in the rain. “You’ve been heading into the forest every day, right, Ai Fa? This should be a good chance for you to take things easy for a bit.”

My clan head, who was sitting silently between me and Rimee Ruu, shrugged with a composed look on her face in response. “I did not hunt in the forest for a long time during Asuta’s illness and recovery. I still have yet to make up for the hunting I should have done then, and I haven’t noticed any buildup of fatigue so far.”

“That’s seriously impressive. Even our old man takes a bunch of days off during the rainy season.”

“That is because Donda Ruu is a leader responsible for a great many people. Even if he himself is not tired, if he believes his people require rest, he will put their needs first. That is what a clan head should do.”

“So, if you were leading another weaker hunter, would you decide to rest more often?”

“I believe I would. But there’s no point in imagining such things.”

“Oh sure there is. Someday, you and Asuta could end up pumping out lots of—”

“Aaah!” I shouted, cutting Ludo Ruu off.

Ai Fa looked at me in surprise. “What is it? Did a bug bite you, perhaps?”

“N-No, nothing like that.”

As I tried to come up with an excuse for yelling so suddenly, I shot Ludo Ruu a desperate glare. The young hunter simply turned his head toward me from where he was sitting on the other side of the carriage and stuck out his tongue.

“So, what are Asuta and I supposed to pump out?”

“Oh, well you see—”

“Hey! Can’t we change the subject already?!” I shouted again.

A puzzled voice then called to us from the outside of the carriage, where the driver’s seat was. “Is something the matter? If you’re feeling unwell, we can temporarily stop the carriage.”

“No, we’re fine!” I shouted back even though there was no need to be so loud, then I moved over to sit next to Ludo Ruu so I could whisper in his ear. “Hey, didn’t Jiba Ruu tell you not to muck around in other clans’ business?”

“I can’t help it if watching you two makes me feel super impatient. You obviously like each other, right?”

“Can’t you just drop it? I’m begging you here. Our circumstances cause us all kinds of problems that other people of the forest’s edge don’t have to deal with, you know.”

As we whispered back and forth, a displeased look crossed Ai Fa’s face. “Hey. You two look to be enjoying yourselves together, and that’s all well and good, but I can’t say I appreciate you cutting me out in the middle of a conversation.” If there hadn’t been other people watching us, that statement probably would have been accompanied by a frown.

Rimee Ruu then smiled and wrapped Ai Fa’s arm in an embrace. “You know, I’ve really been looking forward to today! I’m so happy I get to spend all this time with you again, Ai Fa!”

Rimee Ruu was a very perceptive girl, and she seemed to be trying to cover for her brother’s rudeness. I was really grateful for it too. Meanwhile, Toor Deen was watching all of us with a troubled smile from a few seats away.

The five of us were the full group that would be participating today. Other than swapping out Shin Ruu for Ludo Ruu, it was the same lineup as the last tea party. Once again, we had received a request that if we were bringing hunters, they should be young ones who didn’t look too intense, which was why Ludo Ruu had been selected.

Considering the young noblewomen who had fallen for Shin Ruu last time, we had deliberately not brought him again. Instead, he was probably spending some quality time with his family and Lala Ruu. And as for Ludo Ruu, he seemed to be quite pleased that on top of being trusted to protect his little sister, he was also going to have an opportunity to do some taste testing.

The totos carriage eventually came to a stop and we stepped down to the ground in front of a white palace. This was the same White Bird place where the last event of this kind had been held, but this time the carriage was parked in a spot where a stone awning jutted out, so we didn’t need to put on rain gear.

We were guided inside, just like last time, which naturally meant that our first stop was the customary visit to the bathhouse. Since it was split into separate rooms for men and women, we separated from the girls there. We washed ourselves and stepped into the changing room, where we found the same sort of clothing as before: white chef’s attire for me, and a white officer’s uniform for Ludo Ruu.

“So this is what they made Shin Ruu wear, huh? It sure does look uncomfortable,” Ludo Ruu said, though he did seem to be enjoying himself.

Once he finished changing, I found that the dapper outfit suited him surprisingly well. Despite his childish nature, Ludo Ruu had some fine facial features. I wouldn’t go so far as saying he looked like a young noble lord, but the clothes definitely didn’t clash with his appearance.

Shortly after we exited the changing rooms, a maid led the women out as well. Ai Fa was dressed in the same sort of officer’s uniform as Ludo Ruu, while Rimee Ruu and Toor Deen wore apron dresses that made them look like tiny maids.

When he saw his adorable little sister, Ludo Ruu broke out laughing, “Bwa ha ha! You look so weird dressed like that! It’s like a kid trying to dress up as an adult!”

“Ludo, you dummy! You could at least compliment me!” Rimee Ruu shot back, her cheeks puffing up. She had been dressed like this back at the Daleim dance party at the end of the gold month too.

Ludo Ruu continued to laugh as his gaze turned toward my clan head. “That suits you oddly well, Ai Fa. You look handsome but also really pretty. I imagine you’d be really popular with both men and women.”

Ai Fa offered no response.

Then Ludo Ruu redirected his attention to Toor Deen. “That looks good on you too! I could easily see myself mistaking you for someone from the castle town.”

Toor Deen gave a weak, troubled smile in response. Rimee Ruu, meanwhile, puffed up her cheeks again and kicked her brother in the leg several times.

“We ask that you come this way and greet the noblewomen now,” the maid Sheila said as she approached us. She must have helped Ai Fa to get dressed again, judging from how satisfied she looked when she glanced at my clan head out of the corner of her eye. She then beckoned us down the hall.

At tea parties, it was customary for us to introduce ourselves before we got to work. Though actually, I didn’t know if that was an official custom here in the castle town or just Eulifia’s personal preference, but at any rate, that part went the same as last time too. However, the tea party was being held in a different location within The White Bird. Before, it was outside in a garden, but today they were indoors. Though there was a roof over the garden, it still wasn’t a good place for hosting a tea party in the rainy season. The weather might have felt like autumn to me, but for them, this was the coldest and harshest part of the entire year.

For that reason, the room’s fireplace was lit, and the noblewomen had shawls and lap blankets with stylish embroidery to help guard against the cold. Other than that, though, they were wearing the same kind of light clothes they had worn before the rainy season.

“Welcome, dear guests from the forest’s edge. We have been eagerly awaiting this day.”

There were seven noblewomen seated around the large round table, but unlike last time, I recognized all of the attendees. Of course, we had been told who would be there in advance.

First, we had Melfried’s wife Eulifia and their young daughter Odifia. The southern metalworker’s daughter Diel and the eastern star reader Arishuna were present as well. The head of the house of Turan, Lefreya, was also in attendance, even though she was supposed to stay away from social events. Eulifia had probably made special arrangements to allow her to be here.

Those five had all been at the last tea party, while the two remaining ladies—Polarth’s mother Littia and his wife Merrim—were new this time. They had been invited to replace the young noblewomen who had fallen for Shin Ruu. There would be no cross-class romantic feelings blooming here.

“It has been some time, Asuta. And you are...Ai Fa, correct? We were introduced at the dance party, but I must say, I barely recognize you like this,” Littia—a small and plump middle-aged lady with a kind demeanor—said with a relaxed smile. I had become acquainted with her at the Daleim dance party.

“You two were dressed like this at the dance party as well, were you not? You look quite adorable,” Merrim said with a smile directed at Rimee Ruu and Toor Deen. She was also on the small side, with a cute and youthful appearance, wearing a light pink dress that looked really good on her.

Ludo Ruu was the only one who was meeting them for the first time. He had come along to the dance party as a bodyguard, but he had never entered the main hall where all the noble guests had gathered.

Eulifia smiled at Ludo Ruu elegantly before saying, “You are the leading clan head Donda Ruu’s third son, are you not? I have not heard your name, but I have seen you a number of times now.”

“Oh yeah, I come to the castle town a lot as a bodyguard, like at that swordsmanship tournament, and a couple times before that... I don’t really do politeness, though. Hopefully that won’t be a problem.”

“Of course, I do not mind. The leading clan head Donda Ruu certainly has been blessed with many children,” Eulifia remarked, bringing her hand to her mouth and smiling with even more elegance. She had now interacted with all three sons of the main Ruu house. I suppose one could say that no other woman from the castle town was as well-connected to the people of the forest’s edge as she was.

Now that the noble ladies seemed to have said all that they wanted to say for the moment, Diel spoke up as if she had been waiting for her chance. “It’s a relief to see you looking healthy, Asuta. I’ve been busy with work lately, so I haven’t been able to make it out to the post town, but I was really worried about you.” Though Diel was acting proper and ladylike, as she always did when she was surrounded by noblewomen, the relief in her green eyes still came across clearly.

I bowed my head and told her from the depths of my heart, “I’m sorry for worrying you.”

“I feel, the same way. I am very glad, to see you, are well,” Arishuna chimed in. As an easterner, she was certainly harder to read than Diel, but I had no reason to doubt the sentiment she expressed. It had been a long time since I had seen either of them.

“I hear you were still having giba cooking delivered to the castle town while Asuta was suffering from his illness, easterner,” Diel said, glaring at Arishuna out of the corner of her eye.

“Yes,” the star reader replied with an expressionless nod. “To put it, more accurately, the giba cooking, continued to be delivered to me, without interruption. I only learned, of Asuta’s illness, later.”

“Ah, right, Toor Deen here kept our business operating along with the other women while I was away,” I replied, and Toor Deen hurriedly bowed her head.

“Is that so?” Arishuna asked, slightly narrowing her eyes. “The giba curry, tasted the same, as Asuta’s. You are, a wonderful chef, Toor Deen.”

“N-No, it’s not like I made it all on my own. I don’t even come close to measuring up to Asuta.”

“But for today, you and Rimee Ruu are the chefs, while Asuta is your assistant. I am greatly looking forward to seeing what sort of treats you will provide us with,” Eulifia interjected with a smile. “Of course, Odifia is even more elated than I am. Do you have anything to add, Odifia?”

“Yes. Thank you for coming to the castle town today. I’ve been really looking forward to eating your sweets.” The young Lady Odifia was completely expressionless, like always. However, her gray eyes were firmly fixed on Toor Deen. Honestly, this whole event was undoubtedly the result of the young noblewoman’s desperate pleas to eat Toor Deen’s sweets. But since the girl was as expressionless as an easterner for some reason, the only thing Toor Deen could respond with was a flustered bow.

As she patted her beloved daughter on the head, Eulifia smiled at us yet again. “We would like to rank today’s dishes with points as well, but it is once again simply for our amusement, so pay it no great heed. The young Rou lady is participating as a chef today, so I suspect this shall prove to be a wonderful tea party.”

That seemed to be our signal to leave, but I feigned ignorance and called out to the final attendee, who had remained silent all this time.

“It’s been quite a while, Lady Lefreya. I’m glad to see that you’re doing okay.”

This was the first time I had seen Lefreya in some time. She still looked like an adorable French doll, and had a prim and proper expression on her face. Her reddish-brown eyes calmly glanced in my direction...but what she said next was not directed at me. “Eulifia, am I permitted to speak to Asuta without constraints?”

“Yes, of course. Our husbands Melfried and Polarth serve as mediators with the people of the forest’s edge, so Lady Merrim and I will be listening in their place, which should prevent any potential worries for Duke Genos.”

“I see,” Lefreya stated, her gaze drifting downward for a bit before she looked back at my face, and then silently stood from her chair. “Asuta of the Fa clan, man of the forest’s edge. And you as well, Rimee Ruu of the Ruu clan. I would like to express my gratitude to you, as the head of the house of Turan.”

“Your gratitude?”

“Indeed. Thanks to the delicious food you have prepared, the work the northerners of Turan have been doing has greatly improved and is far more satisfactory than before. Your efforts will doubtlessly strengthen my lands far into the future. As such...I am incredibly grateful to the two of you.” Lefreya grasped the frills of her skirt and bowed in a manner befitting a noblewoman. The two of us bowed back to her as well. It was the first time we had seen such a gesture from her since the time when we had cooked for her father. “It may be unnecessary to say this, but...my maid who is also a northerner is grateful for your actions as well, for the joy you have brought to her people.” Then, having finished her statement, Lefreya returned to her seat.

I suspected that last part was what she had actually wanted to convey to us. But considering her position, it wouldn’t be a good look if she were to highlight her slave’s gratitude as the most important thing.

“By the way, I heard that the slaves remaining in the Turan lands have started using the recipes we created as well,” I commented.

“Indeed,” Lefreya replied with a nod. “There were two women who were unable to return to the forest’s edge after being injured. They instructed the other women, and now all of the northerners are eating the dishes that you concocted.”

In that case, Eleo Chel was still able to enjoy cream stew and fuwano manju even though he was now back in the Turan lands. I breathed a sigh of satisfaction, remembering his honest smile. Meanwhile, Rimee Ruu was grinning widely as she listened to our exchange.

“Well then, we ask that you proceed with preparing the sweets,” Eulifia urged with a composed smile.

We all bowed once more, then exited the parlor.

“There sure were a lot of soldiers hidden behind that cloth in the back of the room, huh?” I just barely heard Ludo Ruu whisper to Ai Fa as we headed down the hallway toward the kitchen. “And I’m sure that Sanjura guy was with them. I can’t imagine anyone from the castle picking a fight with us at this point, but I still feel a little on edge.”

“It’s nothing to worry about. That Sanjura man would not be able to get the better of you now.”

“Oh yeah? Well, I am pretty confident that I’m stronger than I used to be.”

While the two of them were talking, we arrived at the kitchen.

Sheila opened the doors for us, and a sweet aroma instantly wafted through the air from the other side—the scent of some sort of boiling fruit. Within the kitchen, I spied Shilly Rou and Roy, who I hadn’t seen in some time. Or actually, I couldn’t say for certain who they were, as they had white masks covering their faces, but I was pretty confident based on their statures.

As we stepped into the kitchen, the one that I thought was Roy, who was tending to a boiling pot, called out, “Hey. It’s been a while, hasn’t it? I heard you got seriously ill, but you’re all better now, huh?”

“Yes, thank you. I seem to be back to full strength now.”

“Glad to hear it. Varkas was extremely worried about you.”

At that point, the figure I assumed was Shilly Rou shot a piercing glare at us as she kneaded fuwano on a nearby workstation. “Could I ask you to save the chatter until after we’re done working? If you aren’t able to give the flames your full attention, then switch with me.”

“Taking my eyes off them for a single moment won’t cause anything to burn. And let’s not pretend that you weren’t just as worried as Varkas was.”

“I-I most certainly was not!” she said, though what little skin I could see through the round holes in her white mask was definitely turning red.

I quickly bowed to her and said, “We’ll wait to say hello until after we’re all done, then... And I’m terribly sorry to have worried you.”

“I-I told you, I wasn’t worried in the least!”

Since I was well aware of Shilly Rou’s personality, I didn’t let her words get to me.

At any rate, though, we had to get started preparing the treats for the noblewomen.