Chapter Eight: The Proof of Credibility
Apple Compôte
Aids Digestive Function
“Good, good. It has the desired effect.”
Karen nodded, satisfied with the results she confirmed through the appraisal mirror. Sara, who examined it next, let out a hot sigh.
“Lady Karen, it’s wonderful. You must have been a genius alchemist all along.”
Though Sara’s expression remained unchanged, her restless movements conveyed her excitement.
“Now, let’s see how this one turned out.”
Karen glanced at the jar of honey lemon she had been working on in parallel. Previously, Karen had made honey lemon and was surprised by its fatigue-recovery effect, forming a hypothesis that her cooking was becoming potions. However, the effects of honey lemon are not limited to just fatigue recovery. Where did the other effects go? That mystery was solved by appraising the honey lemon.
Honey Lemon
Boosts Immune System
“I knew it.”
“Immune system?”
Sara also appraised the honey lemon and tilted her head.
“What does it mean by boosting the immune system? I cannot have Master Sieg consume a potion with unknown effects…”
“Well, it’s a good effect that protects against illnesses…”
When cooking with infused magic, what one thinks about seems to affect the resulting potion’s effects. This time, Karen had focused on the immune-boosting properties of the honey lemon, causing that effect to be particularly emphasized. Had all the other effects of the honey lemon vanished, or was one effect simply emphasized while others remained? There was still much to research.
“R-Really…? Then we must have Master Sieg try it.”
“But if we decide here, it might cause trouble for you later, Ms. Sara. Please consult with your superior.”
“…You’re right.”
Sara drooped her shoulders, her physical expressions betraying her despite her unchanging facial expression. As Sara said, she was entrusted with Sieg’s care due to her lack of expressive face, but she might be conveying more through other means.
“Today’s lunch is apple compôte.”
“Firstly, Sara and I will taste-test it, so please wait and have some tea, Master Sieg.”
With those words, Karen prepared the tea and appraised it.
Chamomile Tea
Stimulates Appetite
“Hmm. If you use a single herb, its name appears.”
The herbal tea blended with four herbs, including ginger, was appraised as "Blended Tea," but a tea made from a single herb would have that herb’s name.
“The honey lemon had both names. I wonder if a blend of two would show both?”
“Lady Karen, could we please set the research aside for now?”
“Ah, yes, of course. We must taste-test first.”
Until the taste test was done, Sieg could not eat. Sieg was lying with his head on a pillow, gazing puzzled at Karen and Sara. Normally, Sieg took his meals alone in bed. Of course, Sara assisted him, but she only took a bite for poison testing and never dined with him.
As a noble, that might be normal for Sieg, but Karen decided to take her lunch in his presence for several reasons. Thus, she brought a table and chairs near Sieg’s bed, along with an ample portion of the same apple compôte and some baguettes to make it sufficient.
Seated on a chair, Karen leisurely infused magic while preparing chamomile tea for the three of them.
“What a refreshing, sweet aroma.”
“Some people say it smells like green apples.”
“It’s all about apples, isn’t it?”
“Sara, I want some too.”
Sara’s violet eyes widened. Sieg, who likely had no appetite, had eagerly requested to drink the tea. This seemed to please her, bringing a flush to her cheeks.
Having someone nearby enjoying the food and drink would likely stimulate Sieg’s appetite as well.
“Lady Karen, I will serve the tea to Master Sieg, so please go ahead and taste-test.”
“I made it myself, so it feels pointless for me to taste-test. But I’ll do so anyway.”
Karen scooped up a generous portion of the apple compôte with a spoon. It glistened in an amber color. The toasted baguette slices were perfectly crisp. She placed a large spoonful of the compôte on top of the bread and took a bite. Thinking of Sieg, Karen had mashed the apples almost to a jelly consistency, so the texture was smooth. The rich sweetness from the sugar and honey complemented the refreshing acidity of the apples, and the fragrance of the cinnamon simmered in was delightful.
“Mmm, delicious! The joy of being able to use plenty of sugar!”
“Sara, that—I want to eat it too.”
“First, I must taste-test it, Master Sieg.”
Watching Karen eat so enjoyably, combined with the appetite-enhancing chamomile tea, must have spurred him on. Just as Karen had planned.
Sara hastily took a small piece of baguette, piled on a generous amount of compôte, and took a bite, chewing frantically.
“Sara, I’m hungry too.”
Frustrated at being made to wait, Sieg’s expression caused Sara to lose her composure, inadvertently swallowing the contents of her mouth all at once. Karen anxiously watched, worried she might choke, but Sara quickly recovered and deftly moved.
“Please, try it, Master Sieg.”
“Mmm.”
Sara scooped up a spoonful of the apple compôte and brought it to Sieg’s lips. Sieg ate about half a teaspoon in one bite, chewing for a while before suddenly breaking into a broad smile.
“Delicious! Did you make this? Your name is… uh.”
“I am Karen, an alchemist.”
Being asked for her name meant he was starting to trust her, even if only a little. Karen was relieved that things were going according to plan.
“Karen! This is amazing! So delicious!”
“I’m honored by your praise.”
Karen responded with a smile, though she found it a little odd. As the heir to the Earldom of Ehlertt, Sieg must have eaten many fine meals. Karen didn’t think her cooking was that bad, in fact, she considered herself quite skilled. But to impress a noble to this degree with something as simple as stewed apples was unexpected.
“It’s been a long time since food tasted this good.”
Hearing Sieg said this with a smile, Karen realized something. For someone eating without appetite, even the most luxurious dishes would seem tasteless. But with his appetite boosted by the potion, even plain apples must have tasted delicious to him.
Karen discreetly released the tension in her shoulders. There had been something weighing on her mind. Was it truly right to take on this request under such circumstances? But if Sieg could now enjoy his meals, then it was worth coming, even if just for that.
“That’s wonderful… Truly, I’m so glad…”
“Sara, are you crying?”
“These are tears of joy, please forgive me.”
“You are so dramatic, Sara.”
Sieg laughed bashfully as Sara, tears streaming down her face, offered him another spoonful, which he opened his mouth to accept. In this way, Sieg finished an entire measuring cup’s worth of the apple compôte.
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