Chapter 2, Episode 17: Cookies

　Golden brown and a really good smell.
　The aroma that drifted up after the cookies had been baked for a while was delicious.
　I've been waiting in front of Claire's shop's oven.
　Ever since then, I've been practicing how to make cookies every day. Today, I made it all by myself for the first time.
　Claire gave me instructions for each and every step, and I made everything.
　From kneading the dough to stretching it out with a stick.
　It stretches out, then folds up. I made it just like Claire taught me.
　After stretching, I cut out the shapes and baked them in the oven!

　When I asked Lars-sama, it was decided that Kyle-san and another priest would accompany me to Claire-sama's house.
　Kyle is chatting with Sasha-san.
　The other priest's name is Ivan-san. A tall man with his red hair tied up in a bun.
　I don't know what he's thinking because he doesn't talk at all, but he has a really blue aura, so he must be a good person.
　He's always by my side, even when I'm not using fire, so Claire said it's a bit hard to talk in his presence.
　But Lars-sama said he'd always be by my side, so we're together forever.　
　So now Claire, me and Ivan-san are cooking!
　After taking the mold and setting it in the oven, you can smell the delicious aroma as it bakes.
　Claire is even helping to clean up in the kitchen.
　I'm still waiting, I'm still waiting... I stand guard in front of the oven to make sure it doesn't burn.
　Is it ready yet? Will it come out well?

　I hope they turned out well. Cookies in the shape of Farne-sama's face.
　There are cookies shaped like bears like Libelle, and cookies shaped like wolves.
　I'll need them delivered to Libelle and Cyril too.
　
"Please do not approach the oven as it is dangerous."

　When I wandered over to the oven, Ivan-san picked me up and put me back in my chair.

　Ivan-san is more overprotective than Farne-sama.
　If he thinks I'm a bit unsafe, he'll put me back in my chair.
　Even though I don't touch the hot oven.
　
"I wonder if they're almost done?”

　When Claire took the cookies out of the oven, they were nicely browned and puffed up.

"They're done! They're done! They're done!!”

　While spinning around the cookies that Claire was holding, I was lifted up again, as I was told “It's dangerous”.

"Please wait a little longer. They need to cool down a bit.
　Let's wrap them up nicely when they've cooled down."

"Let's do it! Let's do it!!!”

　I nodded in response.

"When will they cool down!? When will they cool down! ?”

"Hmm. I guess it'll take a little longer.
　Until then, shall we decide on the wrapping for Farne-sama and the others?”

"Yup! I'll decide! I'm going to decide!”

　When Claire took them out, I was dazzled by the pretty wrapping and ribbons.


　■□■


"It's done! It's done!”

　The cookies, wrapped up so cutely, made my eyes sparkle.
　
　I've been trying out the cookies since then.
　I added a little bit of roasted cashews inside, so when you bite into it, the sweet taste and the roasted cashews spread out and it was delicious.
　And it's crunchy. I can safely give this to Farne-sama and the others!

　Farne-sama's cookies come in a blue bag with a green ribbon.
　It's the same color as Farne-sama's beautiful hair and eyes.
　
　Lars-sama has a purple bag with a brown ribbon, and Kyle-san's has yellow and blue wrapping.
　Cyril is white with a silver ribbon, and Libelle likes cute things and pink things, so the bag and ribbon are pink. Ivan-san's wrapping is black and red.
　As soon as I went in and gave it to Kyle-san and Ivan-san, Ivan-san refused to accept it, saying that it would be too much.
　
　I wonder why? I wonder why? Did he not like it? Does he hate me?
　I looked down, discouraged.

Kyle-san then glared at Ivan-san, and Ivan-san jumped in surprise.

"Oh yes, I will gratefully accept it."
　Saying this, he took the bag. Kyle-san also smiled and said “Thank you” as he accepted it.
　Kyle-san said that Ivan-san was too embarrassed to accept it.
　He politely explained to me that it wasn't that he didn't like me, but that some men felt embarrassed to receive sweets from women.
　I still don't really understand that sort of thing. People are really complicated.
　I need to learn how to read the “air” soon.

"I wonder if Farne-sama will be pleased. "

"That guy would probably be really moved and happy."

　Kyle said that, making me happy and causing my face to turn red.
　I'm so happy. I'm so happy.

"I have to hurry back and give this to him!!”

"Hey, aren't you supposed to be at the Harvest Festival dance, Riese-chan?”

"A dance?”

"Yeah. Children of noble families and merchants participate in the event from the age of 10 to 18.
　I'm also treated as a child of nobility, so I have to participate at least once.
　This is the last year, so I need to participate.
　I also plan to give sweets to the person I like at that time.
　It's said that if you give it to someone on the day of a dance, your love will come true."

"What do you do?”

"Have you never been there, Riese-chan?
　Things like everyone dances, and the clowns sing and dance. "

"Does everyone dance?”

"Yeah. It's a dance for men and women to do together.
　I have an appointment to meet Alberto-sama at the venue that day.
　So I'm going to give him the cookies and tell him how I feel."

　Do you dance? Do you dance? Like a parade?
　Is it like the scene in the picture book where the prince and princess dance?
　Wow, great. I want to see that too.

　And confessing your feelings at an event is wonderful!
　Like the prince and princess in the picture book!

"I'm going!! I'm going too!!”

　When I said it, Claire smiled happily.

"I'm glad. I would have felt a bit lonely on my own."

　She responded with an even larger smile.

　Fun! Fun! I'll be joining too!

　When I smiled and looked at Kyle-san and Ivan-san…… for some reason, they were holding their heads.
　Huh? Was there something wrong?

---

 ToC  

If you enjoy the translations, you can support me by donations or read “The abused merchant’s daughter” ahead in patreon.

Disabling your ad blocker for this site is also appreciated, worry not, there are no intrusive ads shown.

---