Chapter 68 Making Sweets

Three months have passed since Ive arrived in this world.

It was only June when I arrived in this world, but already, it will be October from tomorrow. The heat during the day has eased up too, and the feeling of the morning and evening breezes have become chilly.

Oh yes, thinking about it now, its about this worlds calendar.

One month has thirty days, and one year has twelve months. There are six days in one week and five weeks in one month.

And so one year has 365 days. Although thirty days twelve months equals to 360 days, December alone has thirty-five days.

Because the 31st to 35th of December is like a preparatory period for the purpose of welcoming the New Year, most businesses at this period of time will be on vacation, and everyone will be doing preparations to enter the New Year.

And so, once January begins, there will be a festival to welcome the New Year for a period of three days from the 1st of January.

From what I know, its the same in every country and there will be large crowds everywhere during this period.

And, the three day period from the 4th to the 6th of January will be tidying up the festival and such, and celebrations of the New Year with relatives.

Shops and so forth basically open after the 7th.

Also, this world, rather, this country has exactly four seasons. Although I say that, its not as refined as it is in Japan though.1

If you roughly look at it, there isnt a great difference from Japan. Spring brings a gentle climate while gradually warming up, and summer brings harsh sunlight that makes people sweat every day. Autumn brings abundant harvests in the hills and fields, and winter also snows.

However, different from Japan, although its summer, because the level of humidity isnt that high, it isnt as unpleasant.

But on the other hand, there are days where the highest temperature goes over 40c though.(104f)

Snow piles up considerably in winter. The coldest days drops down to -10c, I think.(14f)In the area I lived in Japan, even if it snowed, it rarely piles up, for arguments sake, even if it did piles up, it would be around several centimetres in an area. Because of that, the winter in this country sure is somewhat enjoyable.

Who was it? The one who thought similar to a child just now?

Sensing that sort of autumn, today, Ill be diligently making sweets inside my house.

No, its not as a hobby, you know? Well Im sampling them as well, but This is a commission. I was requested by name, its a commission that wants me to make sweets. And the client was, surprisingly, the First Prince, Prince Edwill.

If were to speak of why the sudden commission to make sweets appeared, I was told that it was because Prince Edwills fiance was coming and she wants to eat delicious sweets, is what it seems.2

If its making sweets, isnt there an exclusive patissier in the royal castle? -Was what I thought, but according to Prince Edwill, From what I know, the one who makes the tastiest sweets is you. is what it seems.

On the day I heard that sort of thing, even I felt the heat, you know? Right, its me whos answering the expectations, isnt it!

So right now, Im thinking about various things to make.

If I calmly think about it, would someone of royalty of a foreign country eat something that was made by someone like me? Theres that problem, but most likely since its

regarding that person of royalty, Im sure he hasnt considered it eitherne.

Dont I usually feed the Prince, you say? The royalty of this country is fine, you see. Since the King goes to the towns bars and drinks until morningne. Even the Prince comes on his own accord to eat, so even if anything happens, its not my responsibility. Its not, right?

Surprisingly, when I asked about Prince Edwills fiance, he praised her about things like the kind of personality she had, or the kinds of hobby she had, or how cute she was, while slightly blushing. No, I only wanted to hear about what kinds of sweets she likes though. Hes madly in lovene. Rather, its gross for an adult man to be embarrassed like that, you know? Since its pleasing to the eyes, shall I take a picture? But three hours for just that was surely unnecessary, right?

So because of that, Im currently using apples to bake an apple pie.

As for the other seasonal fruits, there are grapes, pears and chestnuts, I could also use things like sweet potatoes to make sweets.

U~n, perhaps I should make jelly with the grapesne If Im not mistaken, there should be gelatine

Lets make the chestnuts into a mousse and have it become a cake.

Would the pears be good as a compote? Because Ive heard it goes well with alcohol.

As for sweet potatoes, theres glazed sweet potatoes and sweet potatoes fries, so you could say I major in sweet potatoes(note: a bad pun, explanation at the bottom)As for me, I like roasted sweet potatoes the mostne. Eh? My preferences dont matter?

Well, you see, theres no time you know? The commission was received yesterday evening and the deadline is tomorrow morning, whats going on with this, I wonder?3No, the reward is good though, okay? If its just an apple pie then there isnt a problem, but The contents of the commission were Over five types of sweets made with seasonal fruits you know In addition to that, its portions for ten people. Thanks to that, Ive been very busy since this morning you see.

Nya~

Aah, Im sorry. Are you hungry? I get you some food immediately, okay?

Eru, my pet cat, clung around by my feet.

I picked up this cat around one month ago, shes a white kitten with light brown patches on its tail and on one of its ears.

Although she didnt have a name in the beginning, because it seems pitiful to just be called cat forever, I named her Eru. Though at first, I thought: lets called her Rice Cake. Well, it mightve been by chance, but this child curls up into a ball when she takes a nap, you see. At that moment, when I saw her pure white and round body with a small light brown ear attached to it, I thought she resembled a rice cake that were sold in stores. The brown part looked like a shops branding But as expected, because I felt sorry for her, I tried calling her Elizabeth, but this child disliked it very much Because of that, I chose Eru. Eh? Its meaning? There isnt particularly one, you know?

I had a slightly late lunch together with my only roommate, no, roomcat?

Nya~

Ah, hey. Thats no good, you know? Because itll be bad for Erus body if you eat this.

I chided Eru, who approached the baked apple pie with her nose.

Although shes a cat, Eru is intelligent. Its as if she understands the things I say. Even now, with just a warning, she obediently parted from the apple pie.

Since Ive still got things to do, please go take a stroll or something, Eru.

After saying that, Eru left with a meow and briskly trotted away.

Now then, lets quickly start making.

While rolling up my sleeves, I resumed making the sweets.

Sweets were being made together with the sounds of utensils clattering and the engulfing heat of the stove and oven.

While smoothly boiling the grapes, the sponge for the cake was made at the same time, and the preparations for the chestnuts and pears were done in my spare time.

Since its a portion for ten people, just the ingredients are a considerable amount items.

Aah, I have neither the sufficient time or hands or utensils! This is indeed a situation where I would even like the help from a cat.(note: a saying which means extremely busy.)

Well, though its impossible to have Eru assistne.

Nn? A guest, is it? Good grief, at this hectic time

Ye~s, Im coming now!

Who is it, I wonder?

Yes, who is it?

Me me, its me.

This voice is

Me me-san, is it? Im sorry, but because I dont know anyone like that, please leave.

Even if I wasnt busy and running out of time, I dont have the time to go along with this malignant joke.(note: explained at the bottom)

Wait! Its Takahashi! Im acting as His Highness Prince Edwills messenger!

Then please say that from the beginning. Im busy with that Princes commission over here. I dont have the time for stupid jokes.

The person who visited was the former self-proclaimed Hero, Takahashi-san. Currently, he should be in the Chivalric Order.

There shouldnt be any me me scams nowadays. So, what business do you have?

Aah, I was told to come and ask about the progress with the sweets.

You especially came here for something like that? Please report this to Prince Edwill: according to the commission, come take them tomorrow morning. Therefore, please dont make me go through any unnecessary troubles. Aah, also, please relay this to Prince Sedrim: please dont come today. Because I dont have the time to play around with the Prince.

Alright. Ill convey it to them. Is really it that difficult?

Yes, its difficult that even the time Im spending here is precious. Therefore, please dont take up my time with trivial matters.

I unconsciously put on a severe tone, but its a fact that Im busy. Even if I do it well, everything will be over if its late, dont you think? When I think about the cleaning afterwards

I let out a sigh.

Although the troubles dont mean anything if its for myself to eat, that doesnt include when it comes to commissions. Besides, this time its for a princess of a foreign country to eat. My spirit changes too depending on how its used.4

I respect all the patissiers who does this as a job. Making them just as a hobby is plenty enough for me.

I bid farewell to the former self-proclaimed Hero, Takahashi-san, and once again resumed making sweets.

Whew For now, Ive done all I can do for today with this, yeah?

Saying that, I wiped off the sweat from my forehead.

The current time is just before 10 oclock in the evening. Should I say as expected? Or rather, just like I thought, it had taken a considerable amount of time.

In particular, it was the cake which took time.

The sponge cake was baked and cooled, it was then cut it into two while chestnut cream and boiled chestnuts were placed between them, furthermore, fresh cream was spread on the exterior and chestnut mousse was added on top

A whole two of them were prepared, you know? Entirely hand made

Well, together with those hardships, the sweets which were made today are lined up on top of the table.5

Three apple pies with cinnamon, two whole chestnut mousse cakes, and ten peoples portions of pear compote and sweet potatoes.

Taking this opportunity, I also tried making a little bit of plum brandy jelly as an experiment for summer. Well, since this isnt a seasonal item, its just a bonusne. Once I place them into boxes later, tomorrow morning Ill just need to pack the jelly and the preparations will be done.

I carefully placed them one by one into boxes. I then placed those into a preservation magic tool.

After I finished packing everything, I finally took a breather.

After that is, the cleaning up of the large amount of dirty kitchen utensilsne.

It seems I wont be able to go to bed for a little while