Published: August 3, 2025
“This is called ‘potato salad.’ We boil and mash the Karfe potatoes, add other vegetables, and mix it with mayonnaise. Does it suit your taste?”
“It’s a taste I’ve never had before, but not bad. Hmm, not bad at all.”
Apparently, Sylvester liked it very much.
Come to think of it, when we first made mayonnaise at Lutz’s place, the Lutz brothers were delighted too. They said it made otherwise bland or slightly bitter vegetables taste good.
By the way, since becoming Myne, I haven’t made mayonnaise myself. It requires fresh eggs, vegetable oil, vinegar, and salt, and mixing it is very difficult. Without a hand mixer, I just can’t make it.
Father, seeing Sylvester eating only the potato salad and leaving the vegetable salad untouched, took some potato salad himself. He chewed thoughtfully several times and nodded.
“…Indeed, it’s a taste I’ve never had before, but it’s not bad.”
After watching their reactions, the high priest took a rather small bite. Though he showed almost no expression, his next bite was bigger, so I think he was satisfied.
Benno, who quietly observed the reactions of the three higher-ranking nobles like me, relaxed his shoulders and began eating from his plate. Benno, the Guild Master, and Frieda had tasted the chef’s trial dishes many times before, so their faces showed pleasure but no particular surprise.
“Foster Father, please try the other salad as well.”
I spoke to Sylvester, who was about to have seconds of potato salad. He hadn’t touched the steamed chicken salad yet.
He seemed not to like vegetables much, squinting slightly as he poked the salad. After a crunching sound, Sylvester blinked a few times and took another bite.
“Rosemine, this salad is very delicious too. What kind of dressing is used?”
“That is ‘herb dressing.’ This time it’s made from vegetable oil, salt, citrus juice, and edible herbs. Depending on what you mix, the flavor varies.”
Here, sauces are mainly boiled once, often made with meat juices. They put gravy-like sauces on vegetables too. It’s tasty, but often the oil floats on top by the time it’s eaten, so I don’t like it much.
“What is the white stuff on these vegetables? It looks like chicken, but it’s soft and tastes different.”
“You are correct, it is chicken. The preparation takes effort, but it’s delicious.”
“Hmm.”
Sylvester, who seemed not fond of vegetables, finished the salad and was about to ask Fran for seconds.
“Foster Father, if you get full here, you won’t be able to eat the other dishes.”
“Mmm, that’s true.”
I tore off a bite of the fluffy bread for others to try. Tearing warm bread, steam rose along with the sweet scent unique to freshly baked bread.
Putting it in my mouth, the soft texture and warm sweetness spread throughout along with the pleasant aroma.
…Ah, it’s Hugo’s flavor.
Just as my cheeks relaxed at the exquisite baking and familiar taste, Frieda grabbed a piece of bread eagerly. She had apparently been waiting for me to eat first.
The moment Frieda touched the warm bread, she looked startled, comparing it to me. Surprised by its softness, she lightly squeezed and pressed the bread, checking its softness.
Then, she tore off a bite and put it in her mouth. While eating, her right hand stayed near her mouth, and her eyes widened slightly. Gradually, her brown eyes sparkled as she calculated something clearly in her mind.
“Lady Rosemine, this is the first time I’ve had such fluffy, soft bread that’s sweet even without chewing. What secret recipe do you have? I would very much like to serve this at our establishment.”
Just as expected, Frieda pounced. I only handed over the natural yeast itself and haven’t taught Hugo and the others how to make it, so I knew she would definitely want it.
Now, how should I refuse? As I was thinking, Sylvester grinned slyly.
“Frieda, is it? I’m afraid that’s not possible. This bread is a secret recipe meant to surprise the nobles this winter.”
His deep green eyes glinted as if to say “Just say that.” I originally planned to use the fluffy bread to strengthen my status as the lord’s adopted daughter, so I had no objection to that refusal.