Volume 4 Chapter 28 Let's Think About Dinner I
Cain was in trouble again. He did something without asking anyone. His heart was beating very fast, and his mouth felt dry. He was so nervous that he thought his heart might jump out of his mouth.
After some time, Lala called for Barvish to help him. Gardy was still busy. He cleaned the wagon and took care of the horses.
"So, Sir Cain, what have you done this time?"
Barvish asked. He had a smile on his face, but his eyes did not match. His eyes were cold and scary.
"Well, I was hungry," Cain began. "I went to the dining hall for food, and before I knew it, I thought of a new menu..."
"I'm sorry, but I don't understand anything you just said," Barvish replied. His voice was low and cold.
Cain tried to stay calm. He told them what happened after he left the wagon. He had gone to the dining hall. There, he heard loud voices. He peeked inside the kitchen. The cooks were very busy. It seemed like they were having problems with dinner. Part of the problem was because of Cain.
"I understand what happened," Barvish said. "But why is Sir Cain the one deciding the dinner menu?"
"Well," Cain said, looking down, "everyone is having trouble with Uncle Will's menu tonight. There are other menus, but they need butter. We don't have any, so they can't make them."
His voice got softer near the end.
"I see," Barvish nodded. "I cannot change the master's order. That is my duty. But, I also cannot give a new recipe for free. I will talk with the innkeeper. Sir Cain, you may start thinking about the menu now. Lala, please stay with him."
"Understood," Lala said. She moved close to Cain.
"Sir Cain, leave the rest to Barvish," she said softly. "Let's make something tasty. If we serve good food, Sir Will will forgive us. Don't worry. If you want, I can hold you until you feel better."
She whispered these words into Cain's ear. Her voice was warm and gentle. Cain's face turned red. He felt more nervous from her hug than from the mistake he had made.
"I-I'm okay now," he said. "Lala, please let go of me for a while."
Lala had been hugging him tightly from behind. She let go slowly. Her face looked a little sad.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," Cain said. He turned to the cooks. "Can you tell me the names of the white trout dishes you serve here?"
Cain was still blushing as he asked.
"There are four," the cooks answered. "Salt-grilled, meunière, white sauce stew, and butter-grilled with mushrooms."
Cain thought there might be more, but he kept quiet.
"Please show me the menu for tonight and the spices you have," Cain said. "Then, I want to see the ingredients I can use."
The cooks led Cain to the kitchen's spice shelf. On the shelf, there was salt, sugar, honey, tomato sauce, and some dried herbs.
"Is this all you have?" Cain asked. "Don't you have more spices or seasonings?"
"This is all we have," one cook replied. "Spices are expensive. We don't get them often."
"I see..."
"Ah, we also have this," the cook added. "We got it from a traveling merchant a few months ago. It was in return for staying here—well, actually, he gave it as a gift. I didn't know how to use it, so I haven't used it much."
The cook placed a small jar in front of Cain.
"Huh? This is... oh, soy sauce, right?"
Cain opened the jar. Inside was a dark liquid. Its smell was very familiar. He took a small spoon and tasted it. It was a bit salty, but it was just like the soy sauce he knew from Earth.
"If we have soy sauce..." Cain smiled. "So, what are the other dishes for tonight?"
The cooks thought for a moment and answered. "We're making a tomato and green salad, onion and large mushroom soup, and bread."
"Huh? I thought large mushrooms don't grow during this season?" Cain asked.
"You're right," one cook nodded. "We can't pick them now. But in the fall, we gathered many and dried them. We soaked them in water to use today."
As he spoke, the cook showed a wooden bowl filled with mushrooms soaking in water.
"Oh, we can use the water from the mushrooms too!" Cain said. He began to think out loud. "But... we don't have sake or mirin... What should I do? Do we have any substitutes? Last time, I used mentsuyu..."
Cain moved his hands while thinking hard. He was trying to come up with something good.
Notes:
• Barvish - A slave dwarf with a muscular, compact physique, intended as Cain's retainer/bodyguard, brought via magical contract.
• Lala - Cain's companion, likely a servant or minder, cautious and protective.
• 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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