From Maid to Mother - Chapter 3.4

Chapter 3.4

3-4: You’re Not A Familiar?

TL: Krrizis

Editor: Shirani

First published on Ainushi

The next day, I zealously set out to make mayonnaise immediately .

One egg yolk, a little bit of salt, a tablespoon of vinegar and about 1 cup of oil . First, add salt to the egg yolk and stir in about roughly half a tablespoon of vinegar .

「Well, the recipe is a bit iffy…」

As for the oil, add a drop at a time … As to how much to add in, it’s fine to add the whole thing in at once . Well, not really . It’s better to just do it patiently .   

Stirring continuously is a simple, laborious task, though my arms and hips hurt . But if it makes Leonard-sama and Jill say it’s delicious then this is nothing . I, myself, enjoy mayonnaise too .  

「… Jou-chan, what are you making?」

「Oh, Sid-san」

    When I turned around, there was Sid-san with a quizzical expression on his face . He saw the bowl I was holding in my hand and taking a great interest in it, drew closer .

「What is that? Is that a sweet?」

「It’s a flavouring, similar to a dressing」

「This weird thing? A dressing?」

I didn’t make a mistake with my explanation, did I? Yeah, that should be right .

「Oh, here’s the stuff you asked me to buy」

  Sid brought out a loaf of whole wheat bread that was much softer than the bread we usually eat . When he went out shopping, I asked him to get some .  

Whole wheat bread is soft, so it’s easy to eat; however, it’s not suitable to be used to soak up soup and eat with any sort of topping placed on top of it . It’s common in this country to eat bread in that manner, but I don’t have a preference for it . However, if I’m using it to make sandwiches, it’s the best .  

「Mm~ it’s almost ready」

After adding half the oil and stirring it, it started turning considerably white . All that’s left is to add the rest of the oil a tablespoon at a time . Stir, add, stir, add … Ahh~ it’s really exhausting .  

But it’s worth it as the mayonnaise was finally done . When I gave it a try, it tasted like proper mayonnaise . That’s great, how nostalgic . Watching me in a good mood, Sid-san who had seen the entire thing smiled .   

「You look really happy」

「I am happy!」

I was thinking of making sandwiches with this for today’s lunch .

Besides, today is Leonard-sama’s day off so the plan was to have a picnic in the garden with everyone for lunch whilst gazing at the flowers .

In the morning when I said we were going to have a picnic, Jill was overjoyed . So if she studied diligently in the morning, she could spend time with Leonard-sama in the afternoon as much as she wants .

All things considered, Jill sure loves Leonard-sama, huh?

Well, he doesn’t leave you with the best first impression, but he’s actually very kind and broad-minded . The sort of person anyone would like after understanding him .

Now, I spread some butter over the thinly sliced bread and added round sliced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, and chicken . The mayonnaise was blended with a bit of mustard till the sauce was ready and then, I placed it on another piece of bread .   

While I placed some weights on top to compact it, I wonder what I should make? Since we’re having a picnic, having something that you can grab with your hands to eat would be the best . It’ll probably be worth making fried chicken out of the chicken meat we have .

Oh, but having more chicken … No, I’ll make it . Children like fried chicken after all .

Lastly, we have muffins, but come to think about it, there’s barely any vegetables . Should I just cook more vegetables for dinner?

*******

Even though I had received his permission, I had never really stepped into the mansion’s wide gardens before .  

Currently, I was carrying the basket filled to the brim with bento boxes and walking along with Leonard-sama who had just finished his work to the garden .

「Where’s Jill and Sid?」

「They’ve gone over there, where the bowers are, to look at the flowers」

「Ah, over there!」

Just before we headed out, I was flustered when Leonard-sama nearly carried the basket but this time, I was able to defend it to the end . Although I’ve told him it’s my job, it doesn’t seem to get through to him and as I didn’t want jam-packed lunch to be mushy, I ask him if he could let me carry it and got his consent .    

「Oh, you’ve come」

「Otou-san, okaa-san, over here~!」

The place where Leonard-sama headed was where the both of them were . Just as expected of Leonard-sama . Just like I had said in passing, it was the perfect spot . We were able to see one full sweep of the beautiful flowers from here . The ground was also nicely dried . It was properly maintained with soft grass growing on the surface . As I had requested, a thick rug was spread out over there .  

When you think of a picnic, it’s about eating a bento while sitting on a sheet . I’m aware that they don’t have such cultures over here, but if they don’t have it, then we’ll just make em’ .

「Do we remove our shoes?」

「Yes, we’ll be sitting on top of it」

「It sounds like the culture of an eastern country」

Leonard-sama smiled slightly and obediently removed his shoes . Yup, I’m glad he’s enjoying himself .  

「Okaa-san, I’m hungry!」

「Alright, alright . Let’s have lunch」

Jill’s cute pleading happened at the same time as her empty stomach made sounds . When we heard it, everyone smiled .

「Lily, the cup」

「Thank you, Leonard-sama」

   I climbed on top of the rug also and begin preparations when Leonard-sama passed me the cup . It seems like he used magic to brew the fragrant tea . It’s different from black tea and herbal tea . As it’s made from magic, I can’t make it .  

The tea was carefully strained . Even though he’s using the exact same tea leaves, it seems to extract only the delicious essence . The taste and smell was completely different from the tea brewed with the normal method .  

While Leonard-sama was brewing the fragrant tea, I distributed the sandwiches and fried chickens onto the plate .

「It’s delicious!」

「That’s because of my specially made flavouring . I’m sure it’s your first time savouring that flavor」

「Really? I love it~ Okaa-san’s food is always delicious」

Seeing Jill grinning away with joy, I smiled as well . As long as she tells me that, it was worth making it .

「Your food is certainly delicious, jou-chan」

「I don’t feel like eating if it isn’t your food」

「Master, you need to just eat more . Although recently, you have been eating if it’s her meals」

Fufu, it was fresh seeing the sight of Leonard-sama ignoring Sid-san who was seated beside him, scolding him . It was the first time I’d seen Leonard-sama act that way towards a worried Sid . They’re on good terms, aren’t they?

「Okaa-san, it’s tasty~!」

「I’m glad to hear that . Eat up」

「Okay!」

It looks like Jill really likes it . I’ll have a bite of one too . … Yup, I did good .

I knew it! Meals taste the best when there’s more people around .

「Lily」

「Yes?」

「Make more next time」

As Leonard-sama requested whilst smiling, I thought as usual that he didn’t act like a master and felt amused by it .

「If that’s what you want, of course」

「M–Me too! I also wanna have some too!」

  Oh, Sid-san too? I’m pleased but most will be for Jill . Just kidding .

The calm lunch hour came to an end when the sound of Leonard-sama’s voice was sharp unlike before .    

「Lily, she’s here」

「Understood . Jill, come here」

「Otou-san? Okaa-san?」

When I held onto Jill who looked puzzled on top of my lap, she tightly hugged me . I brushed her head feeling relieved . Seeing her figure clinging to my chest was utterly adorable . Although, this isn’t really the time for that .

The truth is, the reason why we’re having a picnic outside is because Leonard-sama requested it . If by any chance Milis-san was to behave recklessly, it would be safer if we were all outside the building .

I wonder what sort of spirit is she? Even if she is a water spirit, I bet she must be a very beautiful woman . Why am I looking so forward to it…

「Master, I’ve returned!」

   Making a gentle appearance on that spot was certainly a beautiful woman . Although from her outer appearance, the girl looked younger than me .

Her mysterious nearly light blue hair shined as though encased in a glitter of stardust . She had clear eyes that resembled an aquamarine . Fluttering, the dress she had on was a pale bluish white and was up to her knees .  

Yeah, it wasn’t quite like how I imagined it to be but as expected, this spirit too was a beauty .

「I’ve completed all of the tasks you assigned me . By the way, master—」

Smiling sweetly, Milis-san pointed at me and Jill, and asked in a completely chilly voice .  

「Who are these people?」

Woah~ a beautiful girl getting mad sure has quite the impact . Jill’s terrified already .

「My name is Lily . I started working here as a maid recently」

When she saw me smile and greeted her, she most certainly glowered at me … Thanks for not hiding your hostility .

「I am firmly against allowing such a suspicious woman to remain by master’s side!」

「I desired it」

Leonard declared it plainly to Milis-san and took a sip of the fragrant tea .

「Is it not enough that I want to?」

At Leonard-sama’s words, Milis-san chewed on her lips and hung her head in frustration . Even if she remained silent, I can feel her hate radiating out from her body . I wonder what her reason for going that far and hating other girls of the same sex?

「It smells nice」

「Oh, Amdo-san! It’s a chicken sandwich but would you like some?」

Amdo-san who made a sudden appearance in his tiny bird form, gave a slight nod, then turned around to Milis-san and opened his beak .

「Welcome back」

「I-it took you long enough!」

… Hmm? Did I just … sense something?

Whilst I was confused, Amdo-san promptly reverted to his human form, sat on the rug and sank his teeth on a sandwich that he had pulled out from the basket .  

「Mm, tasty」

「Right? She’s great at cooking」

Amdo-san along with Sid-san sang praises . That’s fine and all but Milis-san looks so scary .  

「You two are spirits, act more like it! Why are you eating human food!?」

「But, delicious things are delicious」

「Shut up, Sid! I don’t even want to look at your girly face!」

Milis-san made a hmph and turned away, making a fleeting glance at Amdo-san . It didn’t look like Amdo-san who was eating in earnest noticed it but could it likely be that?

If I’m reading it correctly then I understand why Milis-san hates women . Hmm, I’ll have to ask her directly . Having made that decision, I turned around to Leonard-sama to obtain his permission first .

「Leonard-sama, I have a request」

「What?」

「Could I speak with this spirit for a moment?」

Leonard-sama’s eyes widen when I held out my hand and pointed it towards Milis-san .