Chapter 441: A Warm Meal
“What’s for dinner?”
“May I have some?”
“I want some wine.”
Haulon pressed his temples, looking strained.
Is he suffering from a headache? I doubt alcohol will help with that.
The butler seems to be in pretty bad shape, so I should prepare something gentle on the stomach. Though, honestly, Haulon looks weaker than he does.
For now, I’ll make pot-au-feu. I cut the turnips in half, used large pieces of carrot, and halved the potatoes. The cabbage was cut into a smile shape, leaving the core intact, and simmered while still connected.
“Is there anything else you think you can eat?”
“No, this soup is more than enough.”
I placed thinly sliced bread in a basket and set out small dishes of olive oil, garlic, and jam. For Haulon’s snacks, I added cheese and prosciutto.
“Today’s white, huh? But Jean’s white is delicious.”
Haulon took a sip of wine, grabbed a piece of bread, and smeared garlic on it.
He’s been enjoying garlic bread topped with cheese and prosciutto, drizzled with olive oil lately.
It seems that until recently—though for Haulon, that means about thirty years ago—white wine was the norm. Apparently, red wine back then was just a pale rosé. It didn’t sound very tasty.
“The flavor and texture are as gentle as ever.”
The turnip was soft enough to hold its shape just before breaking apart, and the cabbage core was tender as well.
The sausage had lost some flavor, but in return, the soup had become more delicious. Maybe it’s because I’m familiar with it from Japan; I often make pot-au-feu, minestrone, and corn soup.
“It smells amazing!”
Dean stirred awake, his stomach growling.
“Jean, give me meat, meat!”
He dodged around Chris and Ash, who were still sleeping, only to stop in front of me.
“What is it?”
“Where’s the bathroom?”
Dean looked around the room, his eyes darting.
It’s all one floor. There’s a partition-like wall in the corner, but that’s the bath.
“Sorry, I didn’t make a bathroom here, so you’ll have to go outside.”
This place is completely my own hideaway, so I hadn’t considered the need for a bathroom. Using the one in the House via Teleportation would be much more comfortable.
“Got it.”
Dean headed outside without a second thought.
In this world, it’s normal for farms and houses to have outdoor bathrooms, so it’s not surprising that Dean understands my aversion to using one. Still, saying I have an obsession with bathrooms feels a bit off.
“No bathroom? That’s quite strange for you, Lord Jean.”
The butler remarked.
My image!!!
All that’s in this house is a fireplace, a sink for washing dishes, a bed, and a bath. I pull water from Storage, so there isn’t even a water jug.
It’s a house meant for lounging on the bed or carpet, enjoying the view of the snow while soaking in the bath. I did create a storage room underground, but it’s empty!
“Wait, could it be a maiden’s crisis?”
In terms of needing the bathroom.
If Dean needs to go, then everyone else probably does too, right? The butler seems unfazed, though.
“A maiden?”
The butler asked.
“Chris and Retze too?”
“Are they maidens?”
Sorry, Haulon, my wording was poor. Those two aren’t maidens.
“Please ensure they don’t have any bathroom troubles while they’re sleeping.”
I have no idea what this request will lead to.
“Alright then. Now, for the meat.”
Spare ribs should be good, right?
“I’m not sure if I want to know what you did or not…”
Haulon’s gaze wandered.
“Preventing bathroom accidents. Stopping natural bodily functions while they sleep.”
I explained simply.
“Stop casually affecting other people’s bodies!?”
Haulon shouted.
“Huh? Is it better to wet yourself than to be touched by a spirit!?”
I was shocked.
“That’s not what I meant!”
“…Lord Jean, aside from healing, it’s difficult to influence a sentient being. Since they’re sleeping, it should be a bit easier to manage.”
The butler chimed in to support me.
“Even healing is tough if the person refuses.”
Haulon said, half in tears.
“So it’s a high-difficulty task…? Now that I think about it, it does sound complicated.”
“That face, that reaction!”
Haulon flopped dramatically onto the table.
“Lord Jean…”
The butler seemed to want to say something.
“It’s cold! What’s all this noise? What happened?”
Dean returned from outside.
“Well, there was a difference of opinion regarding a maiden’s crisis.”
“A maiden?”
Dean tilted his head, glancing at the lord’s daughter.
“Anyway, meat! Thanks!”
He quickly dismissed his confusion and eagerly reached for the spare ribs.
“Just saying, but aren’t you worried about suddenly eating meat and getting a stomachache?”
“I’m fine, I’m fine.”
Since he said so, I’ll take his word for it.
He asked for more bread to go with the meat, so I added that too. Just a guy who eats carbs and meat! Eat some vegetables too!
“Ah, this is bliss! Freshly grilled meat in a warm room! Jean’s cooking!”
Dean tore into the meat, happily munching away.
Well, I suppose it’s okay to let him have a day off from vegetables.