Published: August 3, 2025
My name is Hugo, and I’m 21 years old.
Discovered by Benno, the master of the Gilberta Trading Company, I completed nearly a year of training as a blue shrine maiden apprentice at the temple and was then selected as a chef at an Italian restaurant.
Since I was cooking for a noble blue shrine maiden apprentice, it seems to have added some prestige, and recently I even got a girlfriend. At next year’s Star Festival, I will be the star. This time, I will be the main character.
For that reason, today’s banquet was the most important trial of all. If I failed to satisfy the palates of the lord, the knights order commander, and the high priest, my future as a chef would look grim.
Together with Todd, who trained with me as an apprentice shrine maiden, Ilse, an assistant sent by the Guild Master, and the new apprentice recently hired, we were all cooking under an atmosphere so tense that even breathing felt difficult.
“It seems to be going well. The Guard Knights are pleased.”
Someone who had been serving the Guard Knights returned holding empty plates, a slight smile breaking through. The chefs in the kitchen all exhaled in relief, but then steeled themselves again—it was the lord’s satisfaction that truly mattered.
Today's menu was composed entirely of recipes taught by Lady Rosemine. There were no recipes from Ilse.
The blue shrine maiden apprentice Myne, whom we were sent to train under by Benno, apparently came from an upper noble family. But since nobles are nobles whether upper or middle class, I just thought, “Ah, I see.”
However, Lady Rosemine had been recognized for her dedication to the orphanage through the workshop and was adopted by the lord as his daughter. As an adopted daughter, her name changed, so Myne became Lady Rosemine.
Honestly, hearing she was the lord’s adopted daughter only gave me the impression she was someone from way above my station. I just thought, “Wow, I was really training somewhere amazing.”
But when the lord showed interest in the dining establishment sponsored by his adopted daughter and decided to hold a banquet there, it became a matter of concern—not something I could ignore.
At Ilse’s place, who had been a chef serving nobles, I learned recipes for noble cuisine and, at the same time, the etiquette and mindset required when cooking for nobles. In exchange, I taught the various recipes Lady Rosemine had instructed us on and worked hard to hone my skills. I just hoped the results showed.
As these recipes were decided by Lady Rosemine—either a blood relative or foster parent—and had her approval, I had to believe it would be alright. Otherwise, my stomach twisted so much I feared I might throw up from anxiety.
“The lord and other nobles said it was a completely new taste for them and were very satisfied.”
Mark, who finished distributing dessert and exited the dining hall with the tray, entered the kitchen and said this to us. Hearing such high praise made us all breathe out in relief.
Mark chuckled softly when he saw Todd and me slump down to the floor.
“Good job, everyone. It’s been tough, but after this, there will be meals for the servants and attendants. Let’s keep up the effort.”
He said as he quickly ate a sandwich prepared in the corner of the kitchen. Though similar sandwiches are sold at outdoor stalls, the soft white bread and unique fillings make these sandwiches feel completely different from the usual stuffed bread.
Among us, it became established that when using white bread, we would call it a sandwich as Lady Rosemine had suggested.
“…Still, the lord had never tasted this flavor before, huh?”
“Where on earth did Lady Rosemine get these recipes?”
That question repeatedly circled in Todd’s and my minds with no answer in sight. Ilse snorted and shrugged, saying, “She got them in her dreams. Probably ate food from Kwekaluura or something.” Whether the story about the cooking god was true or not, that was the only answer we got.
While sipping the tea I poured myself, Mark narrowed his eyes.