Volume 4 Chapter 17 Fun Dinner
The dining hall of the Shield estate brimmed with warmth and fragrant excitement. Tonight's gathering of the Margrave Shield family was anything but ordinary. The air danced with the rich scent of sizzling oil and freshly cooked food. A feast was underway, and everyone at the table sat forward in anticipation, eyes shining, forks in hand.
A footman arrived with practiced grace and placed a large plate of golden white trout fries before Cain. As if on cue, the sound of knives and forks scraped softly against porcelain. The family leaned in and pierced the crispy crust.
A satisfying crackle broke the silence.
Then came the second sound—sharper, deeper—as knives pressed down and split through the fried exterior.
Another crunch, this one lower and firmer.
The final chorus came when each bite met a dip of tartar sauce and reached their eager mouths. Inside their heads, a mellow crunch echoed once more, followed by sudden wide-eyed stillness.
Voices broke out from every direction.
"""This is amazing!"""
"""I've never tasted anything like this!"""
The women's voices carried an elegant excitement, while the men let out hoarse but happy praise. They weren't speaking—they were proclaiming. And not a single soul held back.
Cain glanced around the table. A soft smile played on his lips. He felt quietly proud as he picked up his own fork and joined the meal.
Once the plates were nearly emptied and stomachs satisfied, a pot of fragrant tea arrived on a silver tray. Steam curled upward in lazy spirals as cups were passed around. Cain sat at ease, still sipping, when the questions began.
They came one after another—curious, excited, and genuine. Most were about the food. But the star of the night was the tartar sauce.
Margrave Shield placed his teacup down and leaned forward just slightly. His voice held a thoughtful curiosity.
"So that sauce. You called it... tartar? You said it's made from something called mayonnaise, yes?"
Cain gave a small nod and smiled, already guessing what would come next.
"I see. This mayonnaise is something new. A sauce made from it could easily be added to our family's cookbook. That is, if you don't mind sharing it."
Cain's eyes lit up at the thought.
"Of course. Good food should be shared. I plan to let Father Luke and Mother Lydia try it when I return home."
The margrave gave a small chuckle and looked Cain straight in the eye. The room quieted just enough to notice.
"Cain, just between us, I have a small favor. I'd like to keep the mayonnaise and tartar sauce recipe a secret between the Sanroze and Shield families—at least for now. I believe these sauces could prove... useful in certain negotiations."
Cain blinked, caught off guard.
"Eh? That much?"
He thought for a moment. The ingredients weren't so easy to find. Eggs and vegetable oil could be tricky.
"I understand. Then let's keep it in the family for now. Until it's easier to get the ingredients, it's best not to share it too soon."
Cain spoke the words almost to himself, his fingers tapping the side of his teacup.
The margrave nodded in agreement, but someone else leaned in.
"But, you're not planning to keep the frying method a secret too, right?"
Cain looked up and grinned.
"No, of course not. I think the villagers should have it. Imagine all the kinds of fries we could make."
One of the women at the table perked up, her eyes curious.
"What other kinds are there?"
Cain scratched the side of his head, searching for examples.
"Well... there's potato fries. Orc meat fries too."
The margrave gave a slow nod, his voice softening with interest.
"So it can be used with both meat and vegetables. I'm looking forward to seeing what the cooks can do."
Just then, Cain turned toward the elderly man at the head of the table. His tone shifted, half-warning, half-playful.
"Ah, Grandfather. Please be careful. Fries use a lot of oil. Eat too many, and you might gain some weight."
At those words, the women at the table—who had just been looking at Cain with sparkling eyes—suddenly stiffened, their smiles tightening ever so slightly.
* * *
The meal had long since ended when a knock came at Cain's door. It was Uncle Will's voice, low and clear, asking to speak about the bridge.
Cain slipped on his jacket and left his room. With Baldish and Gardy beside him, he walked down the corridor and stepped into Uncle Will's office.
The room was tidy and well-lit. Margrave Shield stood near the fireplace. Uncle Will sat behind the large wooden desk. A pair of butlers stood quietly by the far wall, waiting.
Cain gave a short bow at the door.
"Grandfather. Uncle Will. I'm sorry to keep you waiting."
A butler moved to guide him to a nearby chair. Cain sat down without further delay.
Uncle Will gave a small nod. His voice was calm.
"No trouble, Cain. I just thought we could talk about the bridge plans ahead of schedule."
Cain folded his hands and nodded once.
"That's fine. I was already thinking about the inspection earlier."
Margrave Shield crossed his arms and spoke plainly.
"Let's not waste time. What's your opinion after seeing the construction site?"
Cain met his gaze and spoke without hesitation.
"As far as building the bridge with magic goes, I think it's doable. But it'll take some adjustment. I'll need to be a bit creative."
Uncle Will let out a quiet sigh of relief, as if a weight had lifted from his shoulders.
"So it's possible. That's good news."
Cain leaned forward a bit, the firelight catching the side of his face.
"Yes. And I have a design in mind. It's easier to explain if you can see it. I'll make a model."
Without another word, Cain stood and lifted his hands. In a quiet breath, he summoned his magic.
The air shimmered slightly, and a mound of clay rose from the floor. Cain moved his hands with precision, using his "Create Clay" spell to replicate the terrain around the river. His fingers moved quickly, shaping the land exactly as he remembered it.
Character Notes:
• Margrave Shield - Cain's grandfather. An elderly man, robust, with white hair.
• Lydia - Cain's Stepmother.
• Luke - Cain's father.
• Will - Margrave Shield's son, Aisha's brother, and Cain's uncle. He is playful and enjoys teasing his father. He is a fan of Cain's 'hamburg' recipe.
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