How to Use Roses
“SEI, YOU’VE GOT a delivery,” Johan told me while I was in the middle of work.
“I do?” I was surprised to get the notice from Johan, as normally Jude or another researcher would’ve told me a thing like that.
“Yup. A large number of roses from the palace.”
I clapped my hands reflexively at hearing this. These had to be the roses I had requested from Liz. Then again, if that was the case, why were they coming from the palace instead of her? I thought this odd, but I went ahead to accept them.
The roses had been brought to the same place where our herb deliveries usually wound up. As I approached, the heavy fragrance of roses hit me. She must have found the ones with the strongest scent, just like I had asked.
“The smell is so strong that it’s hard to breathe. Are you planning to make perfumes or something?” Johan asked with a grimace.
“Jam, actually.”
“Jam? With roses?” He gave me a look of surprise.
Did people not use roses to make jam in this world? Or maybe Johan just didn’t know, and somewhere out there someone did make rose petal jam.
“We’re going to be having a tea party at the palace soon, so I was thinking of serving it there.”
“At a tea party?”
“Oh, not a big one. This one’s just between my friends and I.”
“Ah, those ladies.” Johan knew who I meant then.
I was referring to Liz and Aira, who would be the only other guests. Liz had arranged for the party to be hosted at the palace. Because it would be at the palace, the maids would set up the tables for us and stuff, and that saved us a lot of trouble. On the flip side, it meant a fancier dress code than usual, which gave me a bit of a headache. I remained less than a fan of the fancy gowns Salutanian ladies were expected to wear.
I couldn’t help but stare off into the middle distance, filled with dread.
Johan guessed what was going through my mind and chuckled. “So, you’re planning to bring rose jam to this party?”
“Yeah. It goes well as a spread on scones and pound cake. Or maybe I could make it into a mousse.”
Johan started to get a glint in his eye as I listed desserts. He had quite a sweet tooth. I knew exactly what he was going to say next: “Are you going to make this rose jam today?”
“Yeah, after work.”
“You’re not working on anything pressing, right?”
“Johan…?” I said his name with a grin on my face.
Johan’s expression was that of a man who’d been caught with his hand in the cookie jar; he averted his gaze.
I sighed. What am I to do with this man? I guess I’ve got no choice but to make it.
“If you give me permission, I could start working on it now. It takes some time to simmer the jam, so it would be appreciated if I could get started on it as soon as possible.”
“Well, if it won’t affect your work, then you can make it whenever you want.”
“Thank you. Maybe I’ll bake some scones as well while it’s simmering. I’m guessing you’ll want to taste them?”
“Of course!”
I knew it. He wanted to eat my cooking again.
Johan grinned broadly, which made me laugh knowingly. He chuckled in response, as if to admit it.
I wonder if I can borrow the kitchen right now? I’ll have to ask the chefs. I made my way there, thinking about my next steps.
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