บท 6: The udon noodle soup that warms you from inside
Martha was skilled in her job and soon served them bowls of warm oatmeal cooked in milk with some honey and raisins. There was no proper table in the kitchen, so they sat on stools by the fire as they held their bowls in their laps.
Servants would never be allowed to eat at the same space and time as nobles, but since Arianell has spent a lot of time since she was little around them and in the kitchen, they relaxed their manners a lot, as the atmosphere was very familiar to them.
Suin had no objection to this kind of dining arrangement, so she quickly took a spoonful. The oatmeal wasn't usually included in her daily diet in the past, but it was a popular breakfast item for many people in her old world. However, what awaited her, was a tasteless mushy porridge.
Ugh! What is this?!
Even a generous amount of honey couldn't save this dish!
"How is it?" The maid asked full of expectation.
"It is very good," Suin answered after hardly swallowing the mouthful.
Both adults sighed in relief.
"I'm so glad seeing you eating properly…" the maid wiped the corner of her eyes.
Suin was put in an awkward position. After witnessing their happiness, she wouldn't dare to leave behind a single drop now!
"Don't worry, lady… Lady Charissa is preparing for the tea party this afternoon. I would make sure to bring you some pastries and cakes…!" The maid exclaimed proudly.
After finishing the serving with difficulty, her stomach growled in pain. As expected, that dish just didn't suit her taste and now she was even more hungry! She looked at the butler awkwardly, who understood her plea right away.
"Your appetite is great, my lady! Martha, please serve her more…"
"NO!" Suin almost screamed, stopping the maid from pouring more oatmeal into the bowl. That wasn't what she had in mind, butler!
"I mean, my stomach isn't feeling so great, and I would like some soup… I will cook it myself!"
Yes, that's exactly what she needs to do. If the good food can't be served to her, she just needs to make some herself! Three delicious meals a day was her lifetime goal. If she can't satisfy her tastebuds, there is no point in living.
Martha and the butler looked at her curiously, but Suin stood before the stove confidently. For her Asian mindset, the best meal in the morning for a sick person was a bowl of meat broth and noodles.
The ingredients were lacking, but she could find all the essentials. The simple udon-style noodles can be made with three ingredients only – flour, salt, and water. She has made it several times before, as the homemade noodles were superior to the store-bought every time. There was no meat available, but she had some beef jerky and salty ham at hand. This will work out as the flavourful base for her soup.
Suin was an experienced cook, as the mealtimes were the only enjoyable part of her grey days, together with reading novels during the lonely nights. Soon, the kitchen was filled with the aroma of meat broth and the snowy white thick, chewy, smooth, and utterly slurp-worthy noodles were already waiting on the counter.
Adding the little thing like ginger, garlic and scallion will make the soup unbeatable. The only downside was that there were no chopsticks available, so she had to use a spoon and fork only.
"Mmmmm!" That's it! This was what her stomach needed the whole time. The meal was humble and comforting, warming her body from the inside.
The maid and butler looked at their bowls dumbfounded, but after witnessing her slurping the noodles deliciously, they couldn't help but swallow their saliva.
"Uuugh!"
"Mmmmph!"
Throwing away their manners, they also indulged in that bowl of mouth-watering food.
"May lady! What is this!"
"It's so tasty! And the broth is strong, despite using the small amount of meat only!"
They never knew their lady could cook, yet they were devouring the best meal they had in a long time. Even the feasts that count's mansion sometimes hosted couldn't compare! After the meal, the both of them were in a state of blank out due to the amount of deliciousness they just encountered.
But butler soon regained his composure and remembered his sole duty.
"My lady… after the meal, you should rest some more and wait for a doctor to come," the butler suggested.
"N-no… I would like to read some books."
Suin thought about it for a while, and she acknowledged she was too hasty after waking up. To survive better, she needs to gain more information about this world and accept the useless one she already has from reading the novel in the past.
"If you want some books, I will bring them to your room."
"That's unnecessary… I would like to spend some time in the library. I will make sure to go back to my room if I'm tired."
After hearing what Suin said, both adults were silent.
Did I say something wrong? Suin wondered after looking at butler wrinkling his forehead.
"Am I… not allowed to?"
"No! I mean, of course, you are allowed to use the library! It's just… You always preferred to be in your room alone…"
"Then, I will be counting on you."
"I understand… Martha, please prepare some tea for the lady."
After giving out the instructions, the two adults sit around awkwardly. They looked at each other, sending the signals, that Suin didn't understand.
"Do you still have something to say?" She asked as they kept beating around the bush.
"Ah, it's actually not much but…" the butler started nervously, while Martha stood out and meddled around the kitchen. Finally, she took out a small cupcake with a single candle stuck in it.
"Congratulations, my lady!" They both cheered on her with a wide smile.
"What?" Suin was confused.
"You are finally 16 years old! This is the first step into becoming an adult!" The butler explained. He then meaningly glanced to Martha, who nodded back, and they both opened their mouth at the same time.
"Oh, please! No singing!" Suin was already embarrassed, and she couldn't imagine listening to any version of the birthday song. The two adults looked dispirited but still kept their smiling faces. Martha gave her a cupcake.
Suin awkwardly took it, but deep inside, she was quite happy. When was the last time someone prepared a cake for her? She never really celebrated her birthdays again, after her grandparents passed away, and this little gesture filled her with warmth.
Even if she wasn't 16 anymore, she was going to enjoy this precious moment.
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