kscans

Chapter 16 - The Forest's Bounty and the Little Person

"Sooo deliiiciousss♪"

Pressing a hand to her cheek as if to keep it from falling off, the Little Person choked back tears of emotion. Before her sat a Mont Blanc lookalike crafted by Drago. It was made with a pound cake base, piped with buttercream, filled with marrons glacés, and topped with a swirl of chestnut paste. Though a simple creation, it was a groundbreaking sweet in Frontier, a land that had lacked any truly dessert.like confections.

"This is excellent. It has a different flavor from custard cream. And this paste with chestnuts in it is just...."

Drago mumbled as if in a groan.

The royal palace was not lacking when it came to food, but what they didn't have, they didn't have. In a world where even honey was a luxury, sweets were the stuff of dreams.

In that case, she just had to make them herself!!

It was only natural that Chihiro, who had fortunately managed to secure a supply of honey from Queen Merda, would run around with all her might.

Chihiro had been rushing about to expand her repertoire of sweets. This time, she had outdone herself. The kitchen staff watched the child, her face a picture of pure bliss, and partook of the dessert themselves.

And they were left speechless.

It was a sweetness that defied all description. They never imagined these so called chestnuts were edible. In autumn, they fell everywhere, but everyone thought of them as nothing more than a spiky, dangerous nuisance. They were even said to be perilous nuts that exploded when roasted. Of course, no one ever dared to touch them.

To think such a sweet fruit was hidden inside.

The kitchen staff gazed at the small child moving her spoon in ecstasy. A faint suspicion flickered in their eyes.

How did she know? The ingredients, the recipe, and the way to eat it were all unknown to anyone else. Where could the Little Person have learned such things?

All sorts of questions swirled in their minds.

But... well, who cares.

The kitchen staff looked at one another and broke into broad smiles.

If it’s delicious, what does it matter?

Because she’s the Little Person, after all.

Such was the unspoken understanding that had begun to blossom in the kitchen. They were cooks. They constantly honed their skills and improved their quality. Into that battlefield had appeared an adorable little child. What complaint could they possibly have with the Little Person, who tottered around bringing sweet confections and serving up delectable treats? Her ideas had breathed new life into the kitchen. They would welcome her with open arms, not find fault with her.

Grinning, they gave thanks for the privilege of being the first to taste the exquisite sweet.

Because she's the Little Person, after all.

Of course, there were some distinguished individuals for whom this password did not work.

"What is this?"

"They say it is a Mont Blanc lookalike."

Anastasia’s eyes went wide at the dessert placed before her. A light grayish cream was mounded high. She poked it gingerly with her fork, then scooped a small portion into her mouth.

And fell silent. Her reaction was the same as the kitchen staff's.

Though her movements were as graceful as a small bird’s, the Mont Blanc on her plate vanished in the blink of an eye. After finishing, she set down her fork with a rapturous gaze.

My, oh my. ...This is exactly why I can't take my eyes off the kitchen.

Anastasia’s maids constantly visited the kitchen to monitor what was being made. That was how they had managed to obtain the Mont Blanc so quickly. Apparently, they had snatched it from a reluctant Drago, who had insisted it was just a prototype.

Anastasia stared at the empty plate and hung her head dejectedly.

I want more.

But there was no more. Once eaten, it was gone. That was only natural.

The king had strictly forbidden her from interfering with the kitchen, so Anastasia had no choice but to content herself with the occasional new sweet or the baked goods made for the royal family. Human desire knows no bounds. A spoonful of honey that would have once made her tremble with delight was now just another ingredient. After the thrill of baked goods came fresh desserts. And after that, cakes. New creations appeared one after another, captivating Anastasia.

Oh, what should I do? I want to eat more!!

Anastasia kicked her feet in frustration at the sheer deliciousness of it all, while her ladies-in-waiting watched over her with lukewarm eyes.

"Alrighty, now for the main event, Papa!!"

"The main event?"

With a wide grin, the Little Person brought out several types of mushrooms. Maitake, shimeji, and button mushrooms. Drago’s eyes widened at the heap of fungi presented before him. They ate mushrooms here as well, but they were a rare delicacy. After all, they grew only in the forest. If one wanted to eat them, they had to commission an adventurer to go and gather them. Adding the adventurer’s guild’s fee, the expense would easily surpass a gold coin. Not even the king would indulge in such a luxury for a single ingredient. That was why so many mushrooms grew freely in the forest. And the Little Person had abducted them.

"Where did you get these??"

"The forest."

"........"

He shouldn't have even asked.

"Well, alright. They look delicious. Should I grill them, or sauté them? My hands are itching to get started."

"Stew would be niiice."

"Stew?"

"Stew."

The baron and his daughter stared at each other in silence.

Ah, he gets it.

And so, the Little Person repeated the usual pattern.

"Sauté the flour in butter."

"Like this?"

"Yes, yes."

Drago made the white sauce, shaking the frying pan. Chihiro, standing on a tall stool, peered down at it.

"The chicken is done sautéing over here."

"The mushrooms are done, too."

"Okay, put them in the soup pot. Let it simmer until they're just covered."

The salted and peppered chicken and mushrooms were put into a stockpot, where they bubbled away with the bouillon inside.

"This looks delicious even on its own. It smells wonderful."

"Mhmm, the best is yet to come."

Frontier was a prosperous country. The cultivation of spices was also well-developed. They rarely had trouble with ingredients.

Except for things found only in specific places.

The forest really is just left alone, isn't it. Well, thanks to that, I can get plenty of things.

Chihiro had encountered beasts and monsters before. But since they were frightened of the giant bees and kept their distance, she had only ever seen them from afar. Thus, the teary-eyed mushrooms were abducted and now simmered gently in a pot.

"Oh, this looks delicious, too."

The finished dish was a mushroom cream stew.

They dished it out into bowls and everyone tried it.

The soup was thick and had a unique texture. The mushrooms were well-stewed and piping hot. Chihiro blew on hers, fuu fuu, and chewed the mushrooms with little huffs, hafu hafu.

Sooo deeeliciousss!

The Little Person writhed in agony from the modern flavors she hadn't tasted in so long. She kicked her feet, thoroughly pleased. However, she was not the only one.

The people around her were also slumped over the table, restlessly kicking their feet. Even Dolphen.

Ah, I get it, I get it. When you eat something delicious, you feel like dancing.

A gentle, warm feeling spread through Chihiro's chest. Gathering around the table like this and eating delicious food brought back nostalgic feelings from her previous life.

I was so unfilial, dying in a traffic accident like that. I wonder if everyone is doing well?

Her gaze drifted into the distance, and Chihiro looked out the window.

Autumn had deepened, and a cold wind, like a winter blast, occasionally blew through the empty space in her chest. I'm doing fine.

Even she didn't know to whom she had whispered those words.

She might get a little sad sometimes, but the Little Person is doing fine today too.