When the first yuzu of the season was grated, a refres.h.i.+ng scent spread through the shop.

After the Grand Bazaar, Aitheria’s weather had become remarkably more winter-like. There was more snowfall than rain, and quite a lot of frost formed in the mornings. It was to the extent that the lively citizens had closed their windows as they prepared for the cold weather.

A kettle began to bellow out steam.

s.h.i.+n.o.bu had not made yuzu sherbet in a long time, but her hands still remembered what to do.

Shortly after the Grand Bazaar, Bertholt had consulted with her about Helmina’s recently poor appet.i.te. They had heard that sour and non-greasy foods could be stomached, but both of them were surprised, as they had not experienced someone’s pregnancy before.

After consulting with n.o.buyuki about various foods that were easy to eat, she decided to try making yuzu sherbet today.

She was preparing them to be served in the store tonight, as she had finished preparing the portion set aside for Helmina.

She added plenty of yuzu juice and grated yuzu skin into the melted sugar.

In Yukitsuna, it was a recipe that was served as a seasonal dessert.

Customers who wanted to eat sweet things after finis.h.i.+ng their main course had been increasing since they started to serve their deluxe puddings.

If she could make it successfully, she wanted to add it to the winter menu.

Yuzu Sherbet

「It smells good…」

Arnoux turned up unexpectedly, after being lured in by the smell.

Even after officially taking up the position of the marquis, he still visited n.o.bu occasionally and ate tempura or the daily special.

「Is it okay? For you to sneak out again.」

「Inspection of the friendly neighbouring cities is also one of the important tasks of a lord. Also, I have an errand at the City Council.」

Many of the crops harvested in the territory of Marquis Sachnussenburg were consumed in Aitheria. In other words, this town was the biggest trading partner for Arnoux.

「But, it seems like Hans-kun has also gotten used to his work. When I heard he quit the sentry corps, I thought I’d ask him to work for the Marquis house, but…」

「Thank you very much. I appreciate your thoughts.」

Hans, who had regretfully retired from the sentry corps, was now undergoing training to open up his own stall. When n.o.buyuki was busy, Hans helped out by peeling vegetables, and he was struggling to emulate the flavors from n.o.bu.

n.o.buyuki had guided junior chefs during his time at Yukitsuna, and now he had finally found a disciple worth teaching from the ground up.

「Do you want to eat something?」

s.h.i.+n.o.bu asked, but Arnoux shook his head.

「I shall decline today. I may not look like it, but a marquis is surprisingly busy.」

Arnoux swung around with his hands behind his back, filled with confidence and motivation.

Even though there had been a certain charm to him when he had been a gambler, his back looked lively now.

She was sure this suited him.

「Hm, did someone come?」

n.o.buyuki came in through the back door, as if to replace Arnoux. It was rare to see n.o.buyuki, who was carrying a wrapper, in plain clothes.

「It was Arnoux-kun. He was inspecting Aitheria.」

「He should have tried the trial yuzu sherbet.」

「He seems busy.」

「That’s a given.」

While giving a half-hearted reply, n.o.buyuki began to inspect the potatoes that Hans had peeled.

He picked up a knife and started to peel one while smiling at Hans, who looked nervous. The skin n.o.bu peeled was thinner than the ones that Hans had peeled.

「I like to leave more behind for people to eat as well, but vegetables and fruits also have a lot of umami beneath the skin. You should peel them as thin as possible, so that customers will get to eat it, got it?」

「Yes!」

n.o.buyuki’s tone today was similar to that of Yukitsuna’s head chef, Tonohara.

It wasn’t surprising, as he had gone to meet him today. He wanted to have his teacher, Tonohara, try the nikujaga.

That was the reason n.o.buyuki had gone out today.

The nikujaga had been packed in a stacked food box to let it soak in its own flavour, so that it would be seasoned perfectly. It was a taste that had s.h.i.+n.o.bu’s stamp of approval, so it wouldn’t be embarra.s.sing if it was served in the ryotei.

「How did it go with Tonohara-san?」

n.o.buyuki didn’t answer, but gave a thumbs up. It had probably gone well.

If the taste was that good, no one would have any complaints.

「It’s thanks to s.h.i.+n.o.bu-chan for tasting it.」

「It’s all because of your hard work.」

As a chef, he had crossed a mountain. Now, n.o.buyuki had a sense of security.

It was likely that he would pa.s.s the technique on to Hans, too.

He suddenly felt a presence and looked towards the gla.s.s door, where two people were standing.

s.h.i.+n.o.bu greeted the figures, which were holding hands, with a sincere smile.

「Welcome!」

「…’elcome.」

Today as well, in a corner of Aitheria, Izakaya n.o.bu was open for business.