Volume 4 Chapter 30 Let's Think About Dinner III
The dining hall felt tight and still that night. Only Will and Cain sat at the table, eating. But the people watching them were more than twice as many as usual. The cooks and the innkeeper stood near the wall, eyes locked on the plates being served.
Cain looked down at the white trout cooked in teriyaki sauce. He thought, I can't relax with everyone watching like this. The smell of soy sauce rose up warm and rich. It looked stronger than the test dish from before.
"Hey, I haven't seen this fish dish before. Someone tell me what this is," Will said, staring at the plate.
The innkeeper stepped forward and spoke, his voice shaking.
"Yes, um, tonight I cooked the trout fillet in a new way I learned from Sir Cain. I hope it's to your liking."
Will raised an eyebrow.
"A new cooking method... Cain?"
Cain gave a calm answer.
"Uncle Will, please don't get upset. The innkeeper was having trouble with the main dish for tonight, so I shared a few tips. Then everyone worked together on the rest."
"Hmm. So it was a group effort?"
"Yes. Everyone here, and also the Margrave Shield family and the Sanroze family, helped. If this new dish becomes something special, it might make more people visit Bridge Village. That would help bring in money to the Margrave Shield land," Cain said slowly, choosing his words with care.
This idea just came to me now, he thought. But he kept speaking in a calm tone to sound sure.
Will looked at the trout and gave a small nod.
"A dish that could be a local favorite... It does smell good. Well, I'll try it."
He cut into the fish, dipped it in the dark sauce, and took a bite. His eyes opened wide for a moment. Then, as he chewed, his face slowly turned cheerful.
"This is great! First comes the smell and salt, then the sweet taste, and finally, the full flavor of the fatty trout. Cain, this is amazing!"
He turned to Cain, his voice louder now, full of surprise.
Cain smiled.
"I'm happy you liked it. Everyone, he says it's delicious!"
The cooks near the wall showed small smiles but said nothing. The innkeeper looked proud. Will kept eating with real joy. In the end, he even used his bread to soak up the extra sauce and ate that too.
* * *
After the meal, Will asked Cain to come to his room. Two of Will's servants brought in scented tea and placed the cups on the table.
"Cain," Will began, "it's not a good idea to give out new dishes so freely. I know you mean well, but if you keep doing this, it'll never stop."
Cain lowered his eyes.
"Yes, I understand. But... I also feel like I caused this."
Will tilted his head a little.
"What do you mean?"
"Well... Tonight's food was supposed to use butter. But there wasn't enough."
"Butter? Wait, could it be...?"
Cain gave a small nod.
"Yes. After I shared the recipe for fresh cream, maybe the milk for butter ran out..."
Will's face shifted.
"I see. That makes sense. Lately, there have been more desserts with fresh cream... If that's the reason, I can't blame you too much. Still, in the future, please don't give out such recipes without thinking. These kinds of dishes can become powerful tools in noble talks."
His words were strict, but his voice softened near the end.
He sighed.
"But really... the teriyaki sauce was amazing. I almost wish we could keep it to ourselves."
Will looked at Cain with sad eyes.
Cain smiled gently.
"Uncle Will, teriyaki sauce isn't just for fish. You can use it on meat too. I think today's dish was tasty, but maybe the sweet flavor was a bit too strong?"
Will nodded, still a little sad.
"Yes... it may have been better with a little less sweetness."
"This time I used honey for the sweet part," Cain explained. "In the Margrave Shield land, using sugar instead might make the taste feel more balanced and smooth."
Will listened closely, nodding again.
"That's why," Cain said, still smiling, "instead of trying to keep the sauce for ourselves, maybe we should make a version that belongs to this village. One that shows the taste of the Margrave Shield land."
Notes:
• 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.
• Margrave Shield - Cain's grandfather. An elderly man, robust, with white hair.
• Bridge Village - A village located within the Margrave Shield territory. It is known for its inn, where new dishes like the teriyaki white trout are developed. The village benefits from culinary innovations that attract more visitors and increase profits.
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