"Nice to meet you, I'm Lidiana"
"… Hello"
It's been ten days since then.
Perhaps thanks to Thomas's desperate persuasion I was able to safely meet with the shopkeeper.
That's why I came here incognito, but their attitude was so standoffish I could only smile bitterly.
Their attitude clearly shows unwillingness.
"Oi, Thomas. Is this pretty princess really the creator of daifuku"
The shopkeeper asked Thomas in a low, hesitant voice.
"Haven't I told you. Don't run your mouth at Master. Do you understand your position"
"I do understand. The situation is so horrible I have to be helped by such a princess"
He's so impudent I want to ask whether he really understands.
Honestly, I was astonished, but Thomas raised his voice.
"Then!"
"Be that as it may, I can't believe what I can't believe. Aren't you actually the creator of daifuku?"
"Don't say rude things to Master! Master being the creator of daifuku is something everybody in the mansion kitchen knows. I was fortunate to have the preparation process imparted!"
As Thomas loudly banged on the kitchen table, as one would expect the shopkeeper's attitude changed.
"… My bad. We're only meeting because I believe your words"
The man introduced as the shopkeeper was a swarthy man a few years younger than Thomas.
His hair is cut short, he's wearing a chef's hat.
The wrinkles etched on his forehead and between his eyebrows seem to speak of this man's fastidiousness.
… Yup. He looks extremely troublesome.
I can grasp their acquaintanceship goes way back by how completely unreserved they are to each other.
I get that, but I have a problem with the conversation continuing while leaving out the person in question.
I breathed a little sigh and spoke to Thomas.
"You seem to be on quite good terms, are you two perchance fiends?"
"That's right. They got hired thanks to that connection"
"That's how it is"
In an instant they squelched their argument and Thomas honestly answered my question.
When he said 'They', he pointed at five young men around 20 in the back.
Speaking of the five of them, from a while ago they've been looking here, solidified like stones.
One of them slowly shook his head in disbelief.
As if following after him, the other four began talking as if their switch was flipped.
"It's the first time I see a young lady of a ducal house…"
"Mr. Thomas's workplace is the residence of the Vivoir ducal house, right? … That preeminent ducal house"
"I've heard she's the top candidate for His Highness the Crown Prince's fiancée"
"I've also heard that. Or rather… Woah, it's a real princess…"
"Supreme beauty, fair complexion, she looks like a clothed, walking doll"
The five of them said whatever came to their mind.
But, it's unexpected rumors spread all over the town.
I don't have the slightest intention of doing something like marrying the Crown Prince.
I once again swore in my heart to continue evading him with all my power.
Each of the five talked as they pleased, but as soon as the shopkeeper glared at them with knit eyebrows, they shrank and fell silent.
"Be a little quieter… I'm sorry, princess. They're such guys. If you're frightened, you can go back home, okay?"
"The mansion kitchen is similar. I'm used to it, so don't worry… Rather than that, let's get to the talk already. I introduced myself a while ago, however you are? Just because you are displeased with nobles, you couldn't possibly intend to commit a breach of manners like not returning an introduction when somebody introduced herself, could you?"
I wanted to sigh at how disagreeable he is just because he thinks there's nothing a young lady of shelter upbringing can do.
Thomas, tsk. What consent is that… Wasn't that a lie.
As I glared at Thomas that it's different from what he promised, he put his hands together and bowed towards me.
I see, I should do something about him myself, so that's how it is.
He's your friend, so properly persuade him. When I returned the disagreeable words while thinking so, the shopkeeper looked at me with a face like he was attacked with his guard down, and the next moment he burst into laughter.
"Hahaha. You've got me there. Certainly, it's my bad. I'm Lars"
"I see, best regards, Lars. Since we don't have much time, let's get started right away. Anyway, you want to say that there's nothing that a teenage girl like me can do, right?"
Now that I finally learned the shopkeeper's name, with these words I rolled up my sleeves.
I went to town today, so I'm wearing a long-sleeved knit dress.
Exactly, Lars strongly nodded at my words.
"That's right, you understand quite well… Oi, Princess. What the hell are you doing"
Seeing me put together my loose hair and put on the apron prepared in advance, Lars eyes turned into circles.
What, you ask… Of course, I'm doing what I'd decided on.
Such men are easiest to shut up with ability.
"Eh? The proof of the pudding is in the eating. People like you would rather trust what they see rather than what's explained to them, right? You may dislike it, however I'll borrow the kitchen for a while"
"That's no problem but… Sorry, but we don't have satisfactory ingredients"
Although Lars gave me the permission when I suddenly came up with using the kitchen, his mouth warped in vexation.
To have to confess that there are no ingredients in the kitchen, how humiliating must it be.
To be like this, I reckon he's a professional after all. It gives a favorable impression.
"I apologize, however I've anticipated that. Don't worry, I've prepared… Thomas!"
When I called out to him, Thomas brought in the skillfully prepared luggage.
Among other things, inside is my favorite kitchen knife.
I prepared most things, so that I wouldn't be troubled by having to request for anything.
When I fired myself up to begin the preparations, I turned to Lars.
"Now then, what should I make to convince you?"
As I provocatively smiled that I can make anything he says, Lars blinked in surprise.
"Eh? No… If it's edible, anything is fine…"
He must have never thought I'd ask him.
Then I suggested to Lars, who shook his head troubledly.
"Then, since it's a rare opportunity, I'll let you eat my original recipe, daifuku. No matter how obstinate you are, you'll have no choice but to believe me then"
"Eh… No, to say daifuku…"
Lars looked at Thomas, then once again at me.
He has a dumbfounded expression.
"Isn't it a recipe never to be taken outside…"
"It's alright. There's nothing that says I can't make it personally, so be relieved"
When I answered while shrugging my shoulders, Thomas also strongly nodded.
"I've said it many times. Master is the owner of the original daifuku recipe. I am not allowed such freedom"
A short time after developing daifuku, I discussed it with Father.
The result was, the daifuku recipe was decided to be the recipe possessed by our ducal house.
Of course, as I'm the original recipe owner, I'm not limited when it comes to making it.
However, I was made to promise not to teach the recipe to anyone outside the ducal house.
That's why I only taught Thomas, and why he's not allowed to make it outside the ducal residence.
It's strictly established in various ways.
When I first heard Father's proposal, I honestly wondered about it, but after thinking for some time I nodded that it's no problem if it'll be useful for the house.
Besides, I have plans to reproduce many other recipes. I concluded there's no reason to cling to daifuku.
If Father says he wants it and it'll be useful for the ducal house, I think it's okay if he uses it to his heart's content.
Having accepted Father's proposal, I received a large amount of money as the recompense.
It's the right amount to be paid to a cook who surrendered the original recipe to a house.
Father will never deceive me just because I'm his daughter.
Because this was clearly declared in the contract, I could be relieved.
I hate it when people show me favoritism.
"You're really the recipe owner…"
As I skillfully made daifuku, and saying Here, feel free, presented it to them, Lars solidified with a surprised expression. Still, he clumsily picked up daifuku in front of him.
"… This is…!!"
"Amazing, this texture is the first for me!"
"What, how does it taste like!"
Rather than Lars, the juniors in the back were noisy.
Lars ate daifuku alone in silence, but when he finished it, he bowed his head to me.
"I am sorry for doubting you. I apologize for taking an impolite attitude towards the original recipe owner"
"It's fine. It's reasonable you wouldn't believe me"
The original recipe owners are treated as the highest existences among cooks.
It seems it's their way of showing respect for developing food that didn't yet exist in the world.
As for me, it's not like I actually created it from scratch, so it feels like I'm cheating.
I'm treated like this only for reproducing. I feel guilty towards the genuine original recipe owners.
In any case, once I got Lars to recognize me as a genuine recipe owner, his attitude towards me seems to have changed.
Even if he won't lower his head to nobles, it's in the craftsman's nature to lower his head now that he believes me.
Seeing him, the five behind him timidly bowed following him.
I'd like to tell them to stop, but that's how the cooks' world seems to be.
I nodded, and said that I wanted them to act normally since I don't mind.
If they take that attitude too much, I feel I won't be able to endure it, and I'd have problem with Lars politely speaking this late.
"You're convinced with that, aren't you? From now on I'll be giving commands, still I wonder if anybody has any objections"
"No. I apologize for troubling you, but please take care of us. We will follow your instructions"
Surprised by Lars's change as he bowed once again, I turned to Thomas.
Thomas said while laughing.
"He's such a guy. No matter how much that guy hates nobles, as long as he understands you can cook there's no problem. Seeing Master's ability, he understood that"
That's why I thought you could win him over if you met. And it's as I thought, Thomas informed me happily.
I see, so this cooking show was to achieve that.
Although I'm astounded, I can't help but agree.
Because he feels like quite a stubborn old man, I think I wouldn't be recognized without making at least one dish. It'd be the same no matter what.
"And, Lady Lidiana. I believe you've heard from Thomas, but as you can see my place is like this. What in the world do you plan to do?"
Feel free to ask for anything, as he smiled bitterly with a completely different attitude from before, I again surveyed the kitchen.
A deserted shop. In the not-so spacious shop there are only eight counter seats, and eight seats at four-man tables. Fully occupied it could fit forty people.
It's probably because they had to raise money to resist the shop in front. Other than that, there's hardly anything left. The kitchen is similar.
Only the bare minimum of cookware is left, there are hardly any food products. Left behind are traces of Lars's fight until the very end.
"… Let's see, let me get straight to the point, is there any debt?"
When I unreservedly asked, Lars answered with a bitter smile.
"Don't ask so bluntly. Well, there's no reason to hide it, huh. There's no debt. Or rather, the answer is the shop was closed because it was on the brink of going in debt"
I breathed out in relief hearing his words. Good, it's just safe.
"I see, that was the right decision. You avoided it"
"What do you mean?"
I explained when Lars nodded to talk.
One of Baron Wire's methods is taking over the debt in exchange for having somebody do his bidding.
"Actually, his current, second wife is a child who got married as a collateral. If a strange debt was involved, before you noticed he could obtain the promissory note"
"No way…"
"It's a common story. I've investigated it, so I'm certain"
Having heard about Baron Wire from Thomas I've done some basic investigation.
He crushes the other party's fortune, and in exchange for taking over the debt has them do his bidding. It seems to be his usual modus operandi.
"However, it's hard to raise a complaint as it can't be said he dirties his hands. It was the same in your case, right? Baron Wire only opened a new shop in front of yours. He didn't do anything directly against you. However, the result was you were cornered to the point of almost going in debt"
"Yeah"
Waiting for the other party to ruin themselves. My brother calls him hyena. When they collapse, he bites.
The other party already can't resist then.
"That's why I'm truly happy you aren't in debt"
"But… In reality, there's nothing we can do unless we go in debt"
Lars spread his hands as if to show he's got nothing, and said I'm done for.
Although I smiled bitterly, I puffed up with pride.
"It's alright. I won't tell you to go in debt. Naturally, I have the money with me. Of course, it's not Father's money, so be relieved. The source of funds is the compensation for the original daifuku recipe, therefore I can use them as I please"
"No, I've asked for your help, but there's no way I can receive money from you. I haven't fallen that low"
As Lars resisted my funds, I persuaded him with all my patience.
There's no way I want to put him in debt.
Until I convince him of that, the talk won't progress.
"What are you saying. It's only natural to provide money as I want. Of course, I intend to recover it properly afterwards, don't worry about it, Lars. But if you are so worried, I could even become the owner"
"Owner?"
"Right. I'll be the new owner of this shop. And you'll be the head chef. Since I decided to poke my nose into it, I'm prepared to shoulder everything related to funds. You don't have to worry about the failure. I'll take responsibility for everything"
"Master… You're cool"
Thomas seems deeply moved on the side, but let's not mind.
As I fixed my eyes on Lars, perhaps because he understood my firm determination, he soon breathed out as if he gave up.
"… It's amazing there's princess among contemporary nobles. I wish that foolish baron followed in your footsteps… I understand, sorry. I'll entrust everything to you"
"Thank you. Then since there's no time, I'll start immediately. Thomas!!"
After I called for Thomas and exchanged glances with him, as if he understood he brought a large stock pot.
And placed it in front of Lars.
"… This is?"
"I made it after deciding to come to your shop. Wait a second. I'll heat it"
I had the stock pot quickly moved on top of the stove and lit the stove up.
While prudently stirring the contents, I said to Thomas.
"Thomas, have you prepared white rice as I ordered?"
"Yes, I have it freshly cooked"
"Very well, then let me teach you how the meal is served"
"Yes!"
Under my directions Thomas began briskly moving.
Meanwhile, the contents of the stock pot warmed up and began producing a nice smell.
Yup, it's okay. I managed.
"… What's this smell?"
Lars knit his eyebrows at the smell he probably experiences for the first time.
The juniors also created a commotion. As for Thomas, he's used to it. Although I didn't let him see me make it or let him taste it, without minding he's properly doing his job.
The difference in attitude is so strange that I just had to ask.
"Thomas, aren't you curious?"
"I'd be lying to say I wasn't, but I have faith in Master. I'm looking forward to being surprised"
"I see. Then I have to live up to your expectations"
I've already researched that this dish doesn't exist in this world.
Easy and simple, even if it's, putting it bluntly, unbelievable that there's no such dish that represents common people here, no matter. All I have to do then is to spread it. This is the foothold for it.
I extinguished the fire, and using a ladle, carefully poured it over the rice served on the plate.
The smell that stimulates appetite gently wafted through the kitchen.
… Yup, complete.
"I'm thinking of having everybody make it. I'll listen to your impressions and opinions after you finish eating. First of all, try sampling it"
I've prepared everybody's portion and urged them to eat.
Seeing the food they've never seen, everybody (except Thomas) solidified like a stone.
"Master, what dish is that?"
Representing doubts of everybody who solidified, Thomas asked, brimming with curiosity.
I cracked a smile and informed of its name.
"Fufufu. You see, this is called curry rice"