kscans

Chapter 257 - Episode 4: Part One, The Place for Vegetables

It was that afternoon when the situation I had been dreading finally occurred.

My shop has its own kitchen for checking the quality of the vegetables and preparing dishes to entice customers. It is located at the back of the store, with a rear entrance leading out to the yard.

In this back room, a space where I should have been able to relax, I stood bolt upright.

Before me was a woman with bright purple hair, working with the back of a rectangular shelf opened up. She looked to be enjoying herself immensely, humming a tune as she proceeded with her task.

She herself had apparently intended to choose the most inconspicuous attire possible. The fabric alone, however, revealed her noble station.

The task she, Princess Maytyl, was now performing was the installation of a prototype refrigerator in the kitchen.

It seems adjustments are necessary before moving the unit, as its performance is affected by the temperature and humidity of its location. Having heard from Vinaldira about the difficulties in selecting a magical catalyst, I had spent yesterday turning the kitchen upside down to clear out the spot with the most favorable conditions. Incidentally, I had been utterly convinced that Noel would be the one coming.

That had been the case for Rilka’s place. Well, even so, that would have normally meant a visit from a court magician of all people.

Vinder, and Noel. Why would they do this to me.

To think that nightmare, the same scene I witnessed once before at Vinder’s place, would come to pass. A princess diligently working in my own shop. And of all places, the one for which I am responsible.

As I was lost in thought over something I had lost, Maytyl-sama stood up.

"Alright, it’s started up, for now."

Phew, she said, dabbing the sweat from her brow with a handkerchief. See, there it is, her disguise is slipping. That handkerchief with the gold thread embroidery must be worth more than a regular craftsman’s monthly salary. It completely ruins the image of a furniture maker who just delivered a custom shelf.

"Is something the matter."

"No, it’s just, well, I thought for sure that Noel would be coming."

"Ah, Noel is the leader of this project. It’s only natural for me, her subordinate, to be the one to do the work, wouldn’t you agree."

Maytyl smiled as if enjoying her position. I silently apologized to Noel, whom I had resolved to complain to the next time we met.

I’m sorry for doubting you, Noel. You were a comrade in arms. Vinder was the only one who set me up.

"Now then, as for how to use it."

"Yes, I am ready for your instruction."

I said, remaining ramrod straight.

"You don’t have to be so stiff. Look, I’m here incognito."

Maytyl-sama said, fluttering her handkerchief. Yes, I know you are a friendly person. We have known each other for a long time now, and as long as I act normally, things are fine. It is just that the sight of you "working" for my benefit, well, I do not have the mental fortitude to enjoy such a situation.

Besides, even if we are fine with it, if someone from the outside were to complain, it could turn into an international incident.

So, this shelf’s arrangement was quite a challenge. Air circulation is vital for keeping the temperature inside the box constant. You can make fine adjustments to the temperature with this upper and lower gear. But it still has some unstable aspects. Call me if anything happens. You see, if it shuts off once, you won’t be able to restart it yourselves.

"Y, yes. I will be careful."

I etched it into my mind. No matter how carefully I handled it, I could not be careful enough. If something were to happen, I would have to go to the Empire’s consulate and ask the Consul to visit again.

◇◇

"It’s, it’s over. In so many ways."

After seeing Maytyl-sama off as she boarded her carriage from the back entrance, I returned to the kitchen and sank to the floor, my hands pressed against it.

"Nee-chan, who was that stunningly beautiful woman."

Kaito called out to me. I told him to stay hidden.

I looked up at my younger brother, sent by my father three days ago under the pretext of checking on the branch store. He had gotten quite dashing in the time I had not seen him. He is fifteen now, after all. Just a little younger than me.

"Hey Nee-chan, why are you collapsed on the floor."

"Kaito."

"W, what is it now. You stood up so suddenly. You have a scary look in your eyes."

"I’m about to tell you something important, so listen very carefully. First, you will erase what you just saw from your memory. I believe it was all some kind of mistake."

I had to educate him properly. Maytyl-sama is one of the most powerful women in the world. Depending on the circumstances, she is a person who could even ascend to the imperial throne.

Common sense is important. Just yesterday, I took him on a tour of the futures market, and the one who showed us around was Alfina of all people. If he gets the wrong idea that all princesses are like those two, his life could be in danger in the future.

"Oh, and I forgot something important. That person is the one who saved your sister’s life, so be grateful."

"Didn’t you just tell me to forget."

Kaito tilted his head. Your big sister’s relationships are complicated, they really are.

◇◇

"This is no good. This one is looking nice. This one, it might be better not to use it at all. Hmmm."

I lined up the vegetables that had been stored in the refrigerator for several days, checking the condition of each one and writing it down in my notebook. The beans are fine. Turnips and other root vegetables are also generally good, but it seems some of them actually spoil faster. The problem is the most important one.

"Ah, the beautiful emerald sheen is gone."

I placed a shriveled, yellowed lettuce leaf on my palm.

"Nee-chan."

"It’s not just the type, there are subtle differences depending on the location too." For example, the leafy greens placed on the upper shelves are more withered.

"I wonder if the temperature and humidity are slightly different."

I imagined what was happening inside the devil’s box, recalling the usual precautions for storing vegetables. I wrote down the results and my analysis in a grid-lined chart.

"Hey, Nee-chan."

"Oh, ah, Kaito, what is it."

"Well, some new vegetables arrived out front."

When I finally reacted to my brother’s voice, he peered at my hands.

"It looks like you’re doing something a scholar would do."

My brother’s eyes went wide. What is he talking about, this is perfectly normal. Things have firm rules, even if they are not visible. By comparing conditions like this, you can reveal those invisible rules.

"You are studying properly, aren’t you."

I said, feeling a little worried. My brother had also enrolled in the Royal Academy.

"I am. At the academy with the paintings of you and your friends’ great deeds."

"Don’t mention that."

My brother seemed a little dissatisfied that he could not have a normal academy life. I never had a normal academy life either.

"Move a little, I need to check the upper box too."

I stood up and opened the top section of the refrigerator. A pleasant chill wafted out. I am still not used to this part of the room being the dead of winter, even though it is summer. I checked the vegetables on the tray.

"The boiled ones last quite a long time. Kaito."

"W, what is it."

"You ate the ice cream, didn’t you."

I said, looking at the half-empty ceramic container. It was a gift from Plurala-senpai. A get-well-soon present and a request to taste-test a prototype, apparently. Although we are north of the Royal Capital, it is already summer. The season for delicious ice cream.

Cold, sweet, and rich. Its flavor was beyond reproach. The texture had become even smoother recently, in particular. The moments I spent eating this were the only times I felt truly glad to have taken on this difficult task.

Though it does make me a little anxious to know that Plurala-senpai’s efforts with the refrigerator are going so well.

"It can’t be helped. Unlike you, Nee-chan, I can only eat it when I’m here."

"Even I can’t eat it that easily. This is not for sale, it might even end up being served at a coronation ceremony. So don’t go carelessly talking about it."

Speaking of which, Dalgan-senpai, who crossed the river to visit a client’s ranch, apparently went out of his way to buy ice cream before he left. I did not think he had such a sweet tooth.

"This shop has too many secrets. Even the new vegetables that just arrived are kinds I’ve never seen before."

Kaito said with an exasperated look.

"If you want sweets, eat some Yokan. You’re a vegetable seller’s son, aren’t you."

I changed the subject. If it were Rilka, she would probably nod and agree with me.

"That’s a luxury item in its own right too. But ice cream is tastier. Especially this time of year."

He said something unbecoming of a vegetable seller’s son. The Yokan has become a specialty of Central Garden. Natalie’s mastery of how to use the Empire’s beans has further expanded the repertoire. It cannot be helped that it is at a disadvantage against ice cream, though.

Well, the red bean paste has a unique flavor, so it is steadily gaining enthusiasts, and the limits of demand are not yet in sight. It also pairs well with ice cream and other frozen desserts.

That dish Vinder came up with the other day, with coarse red bean paste mixed into shaved ice and topped with a syrup made from boiled milk and sugar, was the absolute best.

Naturally, our business, which supplies the high-grade beans for it, and the businesses we supply to, are all profiting. It is a sweet deal we have secured in the luxury confectionary market.

At the main store in the Royal Capital, bean and green tea transactions now account for a significant portion of business. According to Dad’s letter that Kaito brought, profits are growing beyond all expectations.

Well, I am sure that comes with its own set of troubles.