Chapter 98
Buche de Noel
In the room of Imperial Villa away from the capital, the Empire’s first princess Adelheid was lying down due to illness.
Her white skin was dyed red due to heat and she was sweating profusely in a room that was so warmed up by the fireplace that the cold of the winter was barely felt.
Though her eyes were closed, she couldn’t sleep well as her body trembled and occasionally breathed hard.
While occasionally wiping the sweat from her face with a fine cloth, Hannah who was at her side stared at her master.
(…Your Highness, please get well soon.)
While watching the princess sleeping painfully while being sick, she was greatly relieved and slightly lonely after hearing the result of the diagnosis from the doctor stationed at the villa a while ago.
Adelheid was sick.
However, it was a light cold that would be cured after a good rest for a few days.
…Now, the sickness that plagued her was just that.
(You are finally cured from the poor killer, Your Highness.)
It was an omen.
It had been two years since she had fallen ill…while there were individual differences, it was enough time to heal from poor killer.
In the past two years, Adelheid lived calmly while she recovered, and she regained more of her energy day by day.
Seeing the woman who was regarded as the most beautiful woman of the Empire, she now had a lively light that did not exist back when she first moved to the villa, and she began to laugh a lot.
Seeing her femininity increasing as she approached 18 years of age, Hannah thought that she surely would become the most beautiful woman of the Eastern Continent.
Finally when Adelheid managed to overcome the poor killer, Hannah heard her coughing loudly… it reminded her of the gloomy days of the past.
Her Highness had a pale face like the vampires that she heard of as childhood fairy tales, eyes dark with despair, and emitted the smell of death every now and then.
Now that Adelheid was ready to go back home, her father the emperor told her to return.
(Soon, we have to say farewell.)
Hannah quietly sighed while taking care of her sick master.
Despite being delighted that Adelheid was cured, she was still depressed due to the eventual farewell.
Originally Hannah served Adelheid because Adelheid was suffering from poor killer.
Since she was an apprentice priestess that could use healing prayer, Hannah who was the daughter of an old declining n.o.ble family was a.s.signed to take care of Adelheid though there’s a possibility that she would be infected too, but now that she was cured, there’s no need for Adelheid to be taken care of by Hannah.
When Adelheid returned to the palace, Hannah would probably be relieved of her duty since their positions were too different.
[…Ne, Hannah, can you do me a favour?]
While thinking such, she heard Adelheid’s question.
[Yes? What is it, Your Highness?]
Usually, the Adelheid who stayed confined in the villa refrained from saying such things, but Hannah felt wonder and slight joyfulness when she asked back.
Seeing her compa.s.sionate eyes, Adelheid smiled while her face became redder.
[…Actually, I have an important appointment with my friends today, but I guess I would just be an annoyance in this situation. That’s why, can you go and tell them that I can’t go there today?]
[An appointment with friends, is it?]
Hannah’s eyes widened hearing Adelheid’s words.
Hannah was Adelheid’s personal attendant; therefore she knew that Adelheid spent most of her daily life in her room.
Though now that her physical condition was improving, there’s no need for her to constantly lie d
own on her bed. However she usually read her books in her room, wrote some letters for her family or quietly sitting while making some embroidery.
Hannah, who had been at her side for two years, did not know that Adelheid had friends.
(Is it someone that she met when she went out for a walk once every 7 days?)
She considered that possibility.
Adelheid had a hobby of going out for a walk once every 7 days.
It seemed that she went through a secret escape path that only the royal family knew as she disappeared without taking her or an escort knight, but since she always came back by the evening, Hannah was not concerned though she did not know where she went.
[But, isn’t it impossible to go out and meet your friends today?]
Saying so, she glanced towards the window.
Right in the midst of winter, a snow storm was raging violently.
It was a weather that no one in their right mind would go out to except if they were some kind of a demon.
[No, that does not matter.]
But to Hannah’s question, Adelheid shook her head and denied it, she then pointed to a corner of her room.
At the corner where she pointed, there was a black door with a painting of a cat.
Although it was not possible to confirm whether it was hidden by magic or not, Hannah knew that it appeared occasionally.
She never tried opening the door since she did not know what kind of trouble would occur if she investigated it, but if the door was visible on the days when Adelheid went for “a walk”, then Hannah understood.
[…That door leads to the meeting place.
Lana-sama always appears during this time of the day, and above all, we made a promise before. Surely she was waiting there.
That’s why I want you to go over there to explain it to her… and to pick up the cake.]
[…I understand. Please take a good rest, Your Highness. I shall explain it to her instead.]
To Adelheid who spoke truthfully, Hannah slowly nodded.
While she was doubtful that anyone would be waiting during this snowstorm, there’s no way she could refuse her master that she hold in high respect.
Perhaps it may be a transferal magic reproduced by great wise men from the secret of ancient elves that she had heard rumors of before.
When Hannah nodded, Adleheid relaxed in relief.
[That’s good… then I will take a short rest. Thank you for your consideration.]
As she said so, she slowly closed her eyes.
[Good night, Your Highness.]
After bowing to Adelheid, Hannah turned towards the door.
(What exists beyond this?)
Her hand grasping the handle trembled a bit with tension.
Until now, she thought that it was a door that led outside the Imperial Villa, but she couldn’t imagine what was beyond the door when Adelheid said that the snowstorm outside didn’t matter.
But, this was no other than Adelheid’s order… no, since she was asked, she would go.
[…Okay.]
After worrying a bit, Hannah steeled herself and opened the door.
‘Chirinchirin’, while listening to the sound of bell, Hannah went through the door.
Beyond the door was a dazzling room.
(Etto, what kind of place is this?)
Hannah was confused by the bright room even though it was supposed to be dark due to snowstorm outside.
The inside of the room was as warm as Adelheid’s room, and it made her unable to feel the coldness of winter at all.
(Tha, that one there is a demon isn’t it? What the heck is this place…)
Why were they seating there eating unfamiliar food?
She had never heard of cuisine being offered to demons and sub-humans.
However, she would not go back until she fulfilled Adelheid’s request.
[Welcome to Western restaurant Nekoya. Honored customer, it seems that this is your first time here.]
While she was standing near the entrance, a female that was likely the waitress of this restaurant approached her.
It was a female demon with blonde hair and black horns, wearing a costume with short skirt.
[Yes. Actually I came here on behalf of my master Adelheid-sama…]
As the female demon neared, Hannah reluctantly said so.
Hannah was a genuine citizen of the Empire. She was familiar with demons.
[Adelheid-sama… aa, she was the one that ordered the cake.]
Fortunately, the waitress was able to immediately grasp the situation.
[Ara, if you are Adleheid’s messenger, then you are also my guest. Will you come this way?]
And, it seemed that someone overheard the conversation, a voice came from nearby.
[E? …A.]
It was a girl that said so.
(Brown skin… is she, someone from the Sand Country?)
She thought of a Sand Country merchant described by her brother’s letter from the capital city, he had jet black hair, plump body with brown skin and graceful smile.
Unlike the fashion style of Eastern Continent, her clothes exposed her body boldly, but it was made with good-quality fabric and she wore jewelry made of gold, she could tell that the woman was of a n.o.ble birth equal to Adelheid.
[Are you Lana-sama?]
Hannah asked with a bit of confidence and Lana elegantly nodded.
[Ee, I am Lana. I have always heard about you from Adelheid.]
[Aa, nice to meet you. Actually, today Adelheid-sama asked me to tell you that she couldn’t come due to her poor physical condition.]
[I see, what a pity.]
When Hannah said so, Lana frowned a little and sighed.
And as if she thought of something, she smiled at Hannah.
[Then, will you accompany me for a while? My onii-sama is not here right now, so I have a little free time.]
[Ha!? Me, me!?]
She was surprised by the sudden offer.
She did not know who Lana really was, but she understood that this was an unbalanced match with her who was a member of a fallen n.o.ble family.
[Ee, don’t worry, right now I am just a girl named Lana. If we can get along, then that’s fine.]
While Hannah was troubled, she decided to sit down when Lana told her not to mind their stations.
It would be rude to refuse any further. It would probably cause trouble for her master.
[If, if that’s what you wish. Er, Lana-sama.]
[I don’t need the honorific. Just Lana is fine.]
[I, I understand, Lana.]
While smiling awkwardly, Hannah sat down.
[Today, I planned to try the cake called Buche de Noel that I ordered the previous Satur’s Day… excuse me, Aletta-san?]
Lana smiled and called the waitress named Aletta.
[Yes, would you like to order?]
The waitress, Aletta, was used to it and asked cheerfully.
[Ee. Buche de Noel, and warm milk for two person please… Hannah-san, is that okay with you?]
[Ee, certainly.]
She tentatively confirmed since Hannah didn’t know anything about this restaurant.
[Very well, that’s it please.]
[Yes, please wait a moment.]
When Aletta retreated to the back, Lana turned towards Hannah and asked her.
[…So, is Adelheid-san okay? I heard that winter at Empire is so cold that white particles fall down from the sky.]
[Yes, while she is now lying down due to sickness, it was just a cold. I have been told by the doctor that she will be fine after a good rest.]
Apparently, she seemed to have no idea of “snow”, but she was a foreigner, so Hannah replied.
Usually Lana came here with her brother, but now that he was away for a while, Lana seemed to visit here by herself.
While spending her time with Lana, Hannah listened to the story that it was hot all year round at Sand Country and even if it rained, it only occurred once in a few years.
[Thank you for waiting. Here are your Buche de Noel and warm milk.
While they talked, Aletta came while carrying a silver tray.
Milk in white cups with warm steam drifting from them and an unfamiliar dark brown confectionary were placed in front of them.
[Well then, please enjoy.]
After Aletta went away, Lana said with a smile.
[Sa, let’s eat. I heard that every sweets here are delicious, so I’m sure you’ll like it.]
If she said so, she took a bite… and her face became serious.
[…I see. So other than ice cream, the rest are also delicious.]
Apparently it seemed to be better than Lana’s expectation.
(Well, let’s a.s.sume that it’s good.)
Despite the wry smile, Hannah decided to try the Buche de Noel.
The confectionary in front of her was brownish black in colour.
The surface was slightly thin reddish brown, and the central part was dark brown.
And in the brownish black cake, a brown spiral the same colour as the surface was seen.
In a way that’s suitable for midwinter, the brown colour was emphasized as it was sprinkled with fine white powder and vivid red large berry.
TN: A combination of these two I guess?
(…It looks like a wood stump.)
It looked like a chopped round stump, but it’s actually soft, when she stabbed it with a fork, it sank into it just like the high-quality bed that Adelheid used.
(Anyway, what is this brown thing?)
She wanted to a.s.sess it.
The cut cake was a soft baked confection painted with something bizarre.
(…Perhaps, this is something similar to the cream puffs just with different colour?)
Seeing the creamy paint, Hannah remembered the content of the mysterious cream puff that Adelheid occasionally brought.
She was told to keep it a secret so she did not tell anyone, but she thought it resembled the white part of the white and yellow content.
The cream puff was delicious, and it was interesting since it was different from what people would commonly and something she thought that only the princess of the great Empire could acquire, but if she thought about it now, this was probably where Adelheid bought the cream puffs.
So thinking about it, the Buche de Noel which she thought as strange suddenly became something delicious.
Hannah brought a small piece of the cake to her mouth…
[Hou…]
She unintentionally sighed.
The confectionary was incredibly delicious.
(There’s a bit of bitter taste… but it complements the sweetness…)
The brown thing used to paint the surface and the swirl certainly tasted similar to the white content of the cream puff.
She was convinced that something brown was mixed with the white content.
The brown thing had a unique scent and bitterness; it gave the white content the brown colour and a bit of bitterness.
And it complimented the sweetness and made it sufficiently felt even though it was much less sweet compared to the luxury sweets of the Empire.
(And also, this texture…)
It was wonderful for the baked confection used as the foundation, which was inevitably tasted after the surface.
It was softer and lighter than any bread she had ever eaten, with a slight scent of Michele and liquor flavor.
And the refreshing flavor of Michele that couldn’t be found during winter with the sharp bitterness of liquor suited well with the bittersweet brown dough, at the same time they harmonized together to make something even better.
It might be disliked if the eater was a child, but it suited Hannah who was already an adult.
(Is this, really a confectionary?)
While eating it, Hannah thought of contradictory things.
This was a confectionary, but its deliciousness was so far off of the confections that she knew. She couldn’t think that they’re the same thing to be honest.
And while considering such, Hannah kept eating until only the large red berry was left.
(Is that all…!?)
She felt that it was unfortunate and reached for the berry… she was surprised that it was a fresh berry sprinkled with fine sugar.
(I’m such a fool. To think that there’s fresh berries in the middle of winter, do they use elven magic?)
Hannah was confused by this, she sipped the warm milk and was comforted by the familiar slight sweetness, Hannah then blushed after she realized that she rudely ate without chatting with Lana who had invited her.
[I, I apologize for my behavior. I did not think that it’s this delicious…]
[It’s fine. I myself was also concentrating on eating this cake, so I can’t really chat with you.]
She did not lie and the plate in front of Lana was also empty.
[But this was just right. If I hadn’t ordered this last Satur’s Day, I would have to eat something else.]
As if attracted to those words, a man appeared from the back and gave a bag each to Hannah and Lana.
[Sorry to keep you waiting. Here’s your takeaway order of Buche de Noel. As payment had already been completed during the reservation, there’s no need to pay. As this is a confectionary, please store this in a cool place and eat it as soon as possible.]
When Hannah looked inside the bag, there was a long and thin box emitting a slightly sweet scent.
(That said, Her Highness did say to bring back the cake.)
[Ee, thank you… well then, I wonder what kind of reaction our head chef will do.]
As she could see, Lana laughingly said while looking at the content of the bag with a smile.
[Well, it’s time for me to go. Please give my best regards to Adelheid.]
[A, yes. I will.]
Hannah walked beside Lana to follow her and went through the door together.
(…Eh? Where’s Lana-sama?)
[Welcome home Hannah. So, did you receive the cake?]
The moment she went through the door, Hannah returned to the same spot at Adelheid’s room.
Lana who was walking beside her disappeared, and she was instead welcomed by Adelheid’s smiling face.
[Yes, this is the cake, isn’t it? I was told to store it in a cool place.]
To Adleheid’s words, Hannah took out the box she received from the man and showed it to her.
[Yes, you have received it… I have to get healthy soon. Because this is a great confectionary.]
The vigor was already returning to Adelheid’s voice after she looked at the box.
[Well then, please store the Buche de Noel in a room without fire. I’ll get well by tomorrow, so let’s eat this together. I’ll tell you about Nekoya then.]
Seeing Adelheid declaring that she would be healthy by tomorrow, Hannah felt bewildered.
She was certainly the princess of the Empire and at the same time Hannah was reminded that she was the granddaughter of the great first emperor.
[…Yes, I look forward to it.]
Hannah crumbled before the appearance of her master and responded.