Chapter 22

Chapter 22

When the main course arrived, there was a subtle change in the sensitive atmosphere.

The moment foods scent wafted through the air, the people sitting at the dinner table heard nothing but the clinking of cutlery as the meat was sliced through. When the footmen opened the lids of the dishes in front of each person, a cooked fowl, which was too small compared to the lid, could be seen.

The birds had been fed only figs and grapes for a couple of months, and so their skin was fragrant. It was about five or six times as plump as a regular bird living in the wild. With their feathers plucked and their flesh gaining that much weight, they didnt look like theyd be able to fly.

Come to think of it, I heard that theres a custom of wearing a headscarf whenever eating some Ortolan. Isnt this kind of food considered to be a delicacy? What do you think, Miss Evans.

Y-Yes?

This was the first time Raymond spoke to her. However, Isella couldnt be pleased by this fact. Just a moment ago, she gave a speech about voracity. Of all things, why did the next dish be the representative dish of voracity.

Will you need to use a scarf? So that God would not see your appetite.

He said this with a smile, but his words had not an ounce of kindness. Seeing his daughter in a tight spot, Verdic stepped in for his daughter.

Haha, Sir Raymond, please dont tease her so much. Isnt she still young?

Miss Evans already has enough insight and judgment that I respect her for it.

Mmh, indeed.

After clearing his throat, Verdic continued speaking.

You know, in fact, my daughter is worried about many things lately.

Huh, she really is your daughter, even with that businessmans mindset. Rather than doing those things, my Carynne reads either scriptures or other pieces of literature that she wants to read. Isnt that enough for a girl of their age?

What, no, it wasnt something like that.

As the fief lord suddenly spoke up, Verdic took this chance to bring something up with the fief lord.

Then what is it?

Um, I heard that there was this one maid who committed a mistake towards my daughter.

Are you talking about Nancy?

Verdic nodded right away.

Your Lordship, youve heard about it, too?

There had been such a commotion after all.

At the fief lords rebuke, Verdic gave his daughter a pointed look. However, Isella could hardly care about her fathers glare because she was looking closely at the fief lords mouth.

She resigned not too long ago. She said she was still lacking in many ways, so she resigned for that reason.

Is that so? I thought she was only enjoying her vacation.

Come back to us now, Mister Evans.

Verdics eyes widened, and tears seemed to fill them a little. It was oh so sweet. It was a greater pleasure than sleeping with any beautiful woman. Verdic then felt a sense of duty to take over the Hare territory. Compared to a scholars research, this was even greater.

This is just Really, what was the reason that this wasnt brought out until now Ah, really, noI can even imagine that I was born only to taste this dish today.

At Verdics admiration, the fief lord stroked his beard in satisfaction. Raymond and Isella also took a bite, and just as expected, their expressions changed as well. However, younger people werent familiar with the subtleties in the flavor, so they could only give clichd compliments.

Verdic was disappointed by this, as he was proud to be a true connoisseur. Its unreasonable that the same serving was given to those who couldnt even enjoy the dish properly.

May I taste this dish again during our stay here?

Hoho, theres none left now, so youll have to wait a long time to taste it again.

Its a pity that I havent had this dish before this day.

Dont be too disappointed. Its just that theres no good hunter living in our territory, so the fowls caught were limited.

Then please give me a chance to hire better hunters. Ill pay as much as they want. Really, this is Can the chef be called? I really cant stop complimenting this.

A moment later, a plump, middle-aged man stood in front of Verdic. He was wiping his sweat.

Youre truly a praiseworthy man. Ive not had a chance to admire the true value of your other dishes so far, but I can tell you right now that your hands are genuinely worthy of even more exquisite dishes.

Thank you very much, sir.

Just how did you make it taste like that?

I melted salt and butter with a one is to one ration over the potatoes and

No, no. Rather than that, Im curious about how you cooked the fowl.

It was in a high-temperature oven. The wild fowls were fed only figs and apples for a month, and then they were marinated in wine

No, instead of that, um I apologize.

Coughing for a moment, Verdic grew conscious of his impatience, so he refined his tone.

I cant identify what kind of spices were used, so Im curious about the mixture of the seasonings. I dont think its any of the herbs that I know of.

Uh

The chef hesitated to speak.

Please tell me. Is it a secret recipe? Your Lordship, Ill pay a reasonable price. I dont think Ill be able to forget this taste.

Mm, its just as you said. Actually, the herbs

I was the one who had them put in.

Dullan replied with a quiet voice.