Chapter 9: I Tried Feeding the Beautiful Girls
I had a younger sister, and there was a bit of an age gap between us.
That’s why I protected my sister and did various things to make her happy.
Of all the things I did for my sister, I wonder what made her the happiest?
Mornings at the Aegrid Estate were always somehow quiet and orderly. That was the “daily life” of this mansion. But this morning, the kitchen was a little bustling.
“Lord Serios is… in the kitchen?”
A Maid exclaimed with a surprised expression. Arnaud, the estate’s Butler, also had his eyes wide with a rare look of surprise.
“Lord Serios, who is usually in his Office or the training grounds… What could have possibly brought this on?”
Ignoring the stares around me, I picked up an apron and quietly put it on.
“What’s so surprising? I’m just making Pancakes.”
When I said that, Arnaud looked even more perplexed.
“Pancakes, you say?… Lord Serios, are you going to make them yourself?”
“Yeah. It wouldn’t be bad to have them eat something I made myself for a change, right?”
“Have them eat it?”
At my words, Arnaud showed a dumbfounded expression.
Certainly, no one had ever seen me standing in the kitchen. But the reason was simple. Seeing Liese, Fina, and Maria spending their recent days so busily, I wanted them to enjoy themselves, even if just a little.
“You don’t think I’ll actually mess this up, do you?”
When I said that, Arnaud hurriedly shook his head.
“N-No! It’s just, please be careful…”
Feeling Arnaud’s gaze on my back, I started to work. Flour, eggs, sugar, milk. The ingredients were all there.
The memories of making them many times for my sister in the past naturally guided my hands.
Around the time a sweet aroma began to waft from the back of the kitchen, Liese popped her head in.
“Lord Serios…? What are you doing?”
“Yeah. I’m making Pancakes.”
“That’s amazing! Lord Serios, you can cook too?”
Fina also came to the kitchen. Even the cool-headed her showed a surprised face.
“I didn’t know you could cook. And Pancakes, of all things…”
“Got a problem with that?”
When I gave her a light glare, Fina shook her head without changing her expression.
“No. I’m just worried, that’s all.”
“I won’t mess up. More importantly, they’re almost ready, so go call Maria too.”
“Understood.”
When Fina left, Liese remained staring intently at me from across the counter, looking restless.
“Lord Serios… What will the Pancakes taste like?”
Seeing her smile, the corners of my mouth naturally turned up too. It was a little premature, but seeing the Pancakes browning, my anticipation for the finished product grew.
After a while, just as the freshly made Pancakes were arranged on plates, Maria entered the kitchen.
“Oh my, Lord Serios, what is this fluffy bread?”
Though she was surprised, a somewhat warm smile graced her face.
“Yeah. Sit down and wait. I’ll serve them right away.”
Maria, blushing slightly, obediently took a seat. Fina and Liese similarly sat at the table, quietly waiting for the Pancakes to be served.
I placed butter on the finished Pancakes, poured a generous amount of syrup over them, and arranged them on individual plates. Then, I placed a plate in front of each of them.
The power of gold is truly something. Sugar is a luxury item in this world, and one can’t normally use it so lavishly.
“Alright, try them.”
Liese was the first to pick up her fork and take a bite of Pancake. The next moment, her eyes sparkled as she looked up.
“It’s sooo delicious! It’s fluffy and sweet… I’ve never eaten anything like this before!”
Fina also quietly took a bite and her eyes narrowed slightly.
“Amazing! It’s delicious.”
“Arnaud, you have some too.”
“May I as well?”
“Yeah, I’m always grateful to you.”
“Lord Serios! This old man is overjoyed!”
Arnaud was deeply moved, eating the Pancake while shedding tears. Well, as long as he’s happy, I guess it’s fine? Maybe I’ll get some coffee beans next time.
Should I try making chocolate using cacao? I wonder if I can still do many more things using the power of gold.
Maria slowly brought the Pancake to her mouth, her gentle smile deepening even further.
“It’s very delicious, Lord Serios… To receive such kind consideration from you, I’m filled with gratitude.”
“Yeah, well, I just wanted to eat some too.”
Watching everyone happily eat Pancakes, a small warmth spread through my chest. Every time I saw their smiles, I remembered the face my sister made when she was happy.
I felt that it had been worth making them.
“Lord Serios, please make them again!”
Over the past six months, Liese had grown quite attached to me. To the point where she’d excitedly make requests.
“If I feel like it.”
Answering so, I couldn’t help but smile seeing their happy faces.
Since Fina and Maria were also continuing to eat with relish, I prepared some tea for the four of them to cleanse their palates.
While it’s peaceful, I’m starting to think that maybe I won’t be condemned as a villain after all.