Drop!! ～A Tale of the Fragrance Princess～ (LN)

Volume 3, Extra 03: The Apprentice Girls Effort

[Laras Perspective]

Ojou-sama secludes herself in the library whenever she has spare time. Although she does show up at the greenhouse and laboratory, she earnestly researched in the library and her room.

I dont know why, but its boring.

Well, what can you do? Its Ojou-sama.

What is?

Ronnie said briefly, but I didnt understand what he meant by its Ojou-sama.

When she comes up with an idea, she gets really passionate about it. She probably wont listen to anything anyone says right now. In a way, shes stubborn. You know this too, dont you Lara?

I think its inappropriate for you to call Ojou-sama stubborn, even if its just a joke.

Hey! Youll get hurt if you dont concentrate.

I know!

Im learning defensive combat from Ronnie right now. Apparently Master instructed him to teach me. Ojou-sama is also learning defensive combat, but Im learning the real thing. I was excited to hear that But, Im worried that Ojou-sama has been acting indifferently lately.

I might become useful to Ojou-sama if I learn this, but theres a chance that she needs help right now.

In any case, I dont know what would happen even if you went and did something difficult.

I know that!

Ojou-sama would tell you if she wants you to do something, so you dont have to be hasty. In the meantime, you should work whether youd like to or not.

Ronnies seriously- I thought, but I knew that he wasnt making fun of me.

Lara. Master told me to teach you this, but is training so boring?

Its not boring but-

You just dont know it, but this is an amazing thing.

But, Ronnie seemed like he couldnt convey what was amazing and he pressed his right index finger on his forehead. I know its a privilege to be taught this, even if he didnt show me that gesture. I could guess that this was a great thing because Master had to give his approval.

But, this and that are different. If Ojou-sama is doing something, then I would like to help her

Say, Ronnie. Is there really nothing I could help Ojou-sama with?

First things first, Im teaching you this so that you can protect her if she finds herself in a dangerous situation.

If he was going to put it like that, then I cant complain anymore.

You have to concentrate and do what you can now.

I reluctantly spread my magic out according to Ronnies words.

Well, how about bringing some refreshments to Ojou-sama after were done?

I turned around when I heard Ronnie. I heard him say frantically, Ah, idiot! and then a small explosion occurred.

That was the moment when I experienced why he kept telling me to concentrate.

Fortunately, only the sound of the explosion was grand. It had only grazed our skins, and we didnt bleed.

Even though defensive combat involved condensing high concentrations of magic, it was a technique that specialises in defending, and there were a lot of tools in place so that the targets dont get hurt in case something were to happen Or so I reasoned, but Ronnie scolded me harshly.

He told me, It wouldnt be strange if something happens, no matter how many tools we have in place, since were compressing our magic. The lazy Ronnie was scolding me that much, and saying nothing but annoying things, so I think the techniques really dangerous if I make a single mistake.

Im going to think of what refreshments to bring Ojou-sama, since Ive already reflected properly. This way I wont lose my concentration.

Ojou-sama doesnt eat many sweets if Vernoux-sama doesnt come over, does she?

Now that you mention it, yeah she doesnt.

It wasnt like she didnt have any sweets at all, but she only had a little when she ate alone and, in rare cases, she would only have tea. Then shouldnt I bring her something sweet to eat? I thought, but I would only bring her what the chefs made. I didnt think I could be useful to her like that.

I wonder if I should try to make some.

Lara, youre going to make it?

Its not like I cant. But I dont think Ive made sweets before.

Nevertheless, cooking meant using the right measurements and instructions. I confidently said, Itll be fine! but Ronnie looked gloomy.

You dont believe in my skills?

No, thats not it. Youve never made them before, so you dont have any recipes either right?

Ah

That was stupid of me.

Like hed pointed out, I dont have any recipes for sweets. I thought of asking Emina, but shes on holiday at the request of Ojou-sama.

If you have something you want to make, then you could ask the Head Chef?

I cant. I could only make a degraded version of his.

I dont know if the Head Chef would teach me an original recipe, but the sweets the Head Chef makes would definitely be more delicious than something I make. It was a bit frustrating how convinced Ronnie was when he said, I guess so, but it couldnt be helped, since it was true.

So Ill visit downtown more and look for a recipe that Ojou-sama might like.

I see. Something that cant be eaten at this mansion would be nice.

Even if it fails, it could be viewed as a unique taste.

Ojou-sama seems very interested in food, so Im sure shell be happy with that. She recently asked the Head Chef to make her galette. Before that, she asked him to make tonkatsu.

Tonkatsu?

Its the pork coated in flour mixed with salt and pepper, then coated in egg, then bread crumbs and fried. Its juicier and more filling than I thought it would be Its been served for dinner a few times.

By chance, is that the deluxe fried food?

Yeah. Its probably that wonderful fried food.

I dont know the name, but I certainly remember a fried dish that Ive never eaten anywhere else but here. Ive eaten fried fish coated in flour outside before, but the coating was a little different. The crispy taste of that fried dish was really delicious.

Was that Ojou-samas invention?

Yeah. I didnt tell you that? Well, I didnt care enough. Whatever.

No Thats important information!

I, who was made to see that Ojou-sama might have a lot of appreciation for food, became extremely fired up to make something that she would like. My original purpose has changed somewhat, but I didnt care much about that.

Ronnie folded his arms in front of me while I was getting more and more fired up.

Ojou-sama likes all sweets.

Yeah. Ive never heard her say she doesnt like something.

Discussion finished.

Im troubled over what my goal has become, but the only thing Ive heard Ojou-sama hates is ghost stories. She often eats cakes and chocolates, but I couldnt think of anything to make with those. There are a lot of different types of chocolate sweets, but this mansion served a lot of them.

While I was sunk in my sea of thoughts, Ronnie murmured.

Ojou-sama likes honey, doesnt she?

Honey?

She eats a lot of candy, doesnt she? Honey candy.

Now that he mentions it, Ojou-sama does dip something in honey.

In addition to candies, she also combined it with lemons in the laboratory, or smeared it on a baguette and sprinkled with sugar or mixed it with yoghurt.

But its easier to find sweets made with honey than it is to find sweets made from chocolate. Its expensive, but it isnt served as much as chocolate in this house, and I see it a lot in town.

Speaking of honey, how about that? I see it sometimes in town, erm Pancake?

Oh, thats delicious if you put honey and butter on it.

And as far as I can see, it doesnt seem like its tough to make. I might be able to make it. But, when I came up with this good idea, I immediately realised that I couldnt make this.

Pancakes wont do. Theyre delicious fresh. The butter wont melt if its not fresh and itll be dry.

Do you want to surprise Ojou-sama?

Yeah.

So, I wont give Ojou-sama something that has to be eaten straight away. If shes full, then the food might not taste good anymore. She might still eat it even if shes bloated, but forcing her to eat it is not what Im trying to do. I dont want to trouble her when Im trying to relieve her fatigue.

Something delicious even when cold honey

Then, why dont you go to the library?

Are there cookbooks in the library?

Chefs dont learn how to cook in the library. I dont know about other chefs, but that is true for the ones in the mansion.

But Ronnie shook his head.

No, youre looking for popular sweets, right? You might find a hint if you read peoples travel journals. Im sure they wrote about what souvenirs they bought.

He was reasonable, and Im strangely impressed.

Ronnie, youre smart.

Thanks.

Ronnie looked like he had mixed feelings, but this is precious information. I immediately pulled Ronnie and headed to the library.

Hey, Ill help you if theres something that interests you, so theres no need for me to go to the library too, right?

No. I wont be able to reach books in high places, right?

To be honest, I could easily get the books if I step on the bookshelf, but then the books and bookshelves would get dirty. But frankly, Ronnie might know something that I dont just like before, so I also wanted to talk to him more.

Well, whatever.

At the end of the day, Ronnie is a good person.

Whatre you laughing at?

If it turns out well then Ill let you taste it too.

Poison tasting? Fine.

Rude.

I even said if it turns out well, so I cant just ignore the poison tasting comment. But unfortunately, I couldnt frankly give him my thanks too. As a result, Ronnie shrugged and said, I dont mind. His face said that he knew that I didnt want to give something terrible to Ojou-sama.

Im sure of it, but I also want to thank him.

Sorry.

You dont even know what youre apologising for!

No, I do. I know.

He said as he patted my head and all I could do is sigh. I really wanted to curse him, but I think it would be childish of me to do so. I couldnt waste the things I learned in Aisha-senseis lectures.

We entered the library. Its probably around here, Ronnie said, and I started pulling the books out one after another. I carefully turned the pages and searched to see if there was any information on speciality products and food.

Youve gotten considerately fast at reading.

I studied.

Even if I couldnt write before, I could read. And if I studied every day, then my reading speed would get faster. I could read quickly now thanks to Ojou-sama and Ronnie, but its embarrassing to be praised for it. So, I forced myself to remain calm and continued to read the travel journals.

But I couldnt find the information I wanted even after the first, second and third book. Eventually, Ronnie said, Ill try looking in folkloristics. You can call me if theres a book out of your reach, and left.

But there were still a lot of travel journals here, so I continued to read them one after the other.

I couldnt find the information I wanted, but the travel journals were full of exciting entries. Ive never travelled before, but I feel like Ive been to the places I read about. But I couldnt understand some of the things that were written down, so I would like to go there and see it for myself.

I want to go there someday, but I wonder if I ever will?

While I was reading the journals, an entry about preserved food caught my eye.

A preserved food made from dairy by the nomadic tribes?

I thought about cheese when I saw the words preserved food made from dairy, but the description of it seemed somewhat different from cheese. Ojou-sama also eats dairy products so my knowledge of it might be useful to her even if its not sweet. I read the sentence.

Nomadic sweets Boiled milk?

The recipe says to mix milk and sugar in a large pot and simmer it. Then you get a coloured lump, you cut that and then eat it

Is this yummy?

It might be the same as simmering hot milk because it uses milk and sugar. Since it says preserved food, it doesnt seem like you have to eat it straight away.

Lara? Did you find anything good?

I found something, but I dont really understand it.

Honestly, I couldnt imagine what it tastes like. I showed Ronnie the page when he approached me, and he looked a little surprised.

I see. This looks useful.

Do you know it?

Its caramel sauce. If you simmer it more then it becomes solid. It melts in your mouth like candy. It makes you thirsty, but its delicious.

Oh, this one also has honey, so you can carry out your original goal.

Ronnie has a good palate. People have different preferences for food, but Ive never heard anyone say something tastes bad if Ronnie says it tastes good; so I think its tasty.

But I didnt want to present Ojou-sama with something that Ive never eaten before. I should try it, but its a waste of ingredients.

Do you want to try it? Youve never eaten it before right?

I havent.

Why does he always know what Im thinking? I thought when Ronnie made that remark. But when I looked at him, I realised that he hadnt said that because of how I looked; he was just staring at the book.

The measurements are written down, but thats the units they use. Hold on, Ill calculate it for you.

Then, Ill go get the ingredients while you do that. What do I need?

Just milk, butter, honey and sugar for now. I think you could make it with fresh cream too, but it says milk here.

Okay. Can we make it in the laboratory?

Yeah, it only requires a pot.

I rushed to the kitchen after I heard his answer. Even though I was getting ingredients, the food here is managed, so I had to purchase it. Luckily, I could get an invoice, so I didnt need to pay for it now. Sometimes, people ask for little things like fruit, so theyre flexible.

Its usually impossible to get fruit if you dont request it beforehand, but they should have plenty of stock for the ingredients I want right now. The chef immediately gave me the ingredients.

I carried the basket with the ingredients and a milk bottle to the laboratory and Ronnie was already there.

Then, lets make it.

He said, as he took out a pot.

The quantity is written here, so lets put it all in. Use this scale.

Okay. I just have to stir it?

Yeah. You just have to keep stirring.

What should I do if it turns out bad? I worried, but Ronnie uttered while looking at the milk, You can still make it many times even if you fail, so I was secretly relieved. It seems like itll be fine even if I fail.

I turned on the fire and stirred it, so the milk doesnt burn. I mixed it around in a circle. I didnt do anything but stir.

Its still watery, even though youre stirring this much. Doesnt it seem burnt?

I dont know. I dont want to fail. Itll be fine if I stir.

But your arm hurts, dont they?

Its a gift for Ojou-sama. Im fine.

I dont know what to do with the failed product if it does get burnt. I was afraid of that and kept on stirring, while being nervous, and Ronnie laughed in amusement.

Ojou-sama will be happy.

I hope so.

But I wonder if I should do something, since youre trying so hard.

Ronnie said, as he took some almonds from the cupboard. Then he chopped them up with his magic.

Whatre you doing? Isnt that Ojou-samas?

Its fine, she said we could eat it. I think itll be delicious if you add this into the second batch.

It does certainly seem like it would be tasty because of the texture changes. Well, if Ojou-sama said it was fine, then its probably alright. Either way, Ill put the almonds into the next batch. For now, all I could do was pray for the success of the first batch.

Then, silence reigned for a while and then Ronnie spoke.

How were the travel journals?

Huh? They were interesting. It made me want to travel someday.

I hadnt expected Ronnies question, and I got a bit excited when I remembered the journals. I have a lot of money because I saved it, so I should have a lot of funds for travelling, and I should be able to take time off.

Experiencing a lot of different things in the first place I go to is very enticing.

I want to travel, but I dont want to leave Ojou-samas side for a long time.

Then should I tell Ojou-sama? Ill ask her, why dont you bring Lara with you the next time you go to Ertiga?

Eh? Thats so brazen! Even Emina doesnt go with her!

I turned back in a panic, and Ronnie laughed.

Then you can come up with an excuse. You can say youre guarding her after youve learnt defensive combat.

Apparently, he was just enticing me. But I didnt have any reason to refuse Ronnies suggestion. Honestly, I was kind of looking forward to it.

But, that feeling didnt last long. There must be a reason for why Master instructed Ronnie to teach Ojou-sama defensive combat as well, and not just me. I finally realised that.

But Ronnie hadnt said anything, so he was probably just preparing me for now. Even though I had caused an explosion today, I wont be useful if I dont get to a combat level.

Ill study properly next time!

Hey, dont swing the spatula around!

If I knew that a little earlier, then I might have been more focused today! I could only make excuses.

Ill do it properly next time. But right now, I have to make the perfect caramel. While I thought that, the milk started to condense.

Apparently You scoop it with the spatula until you can see the bottom and then let it cool.

Like this?

I was certainly scooping it, but I felt like it could get harder. But is it no good if its too hard? But theres nothing else written about it in the book.

Even if you fail, its become caramel sauce. Isnt it fine to eat it by dipping food in?

Yo-youre right!

Im a little nervous, but I poured them into square moulds. The surface of the moulds was coated with magic, so its easy to peel the caramels off once its cooled. But the moulds will become iron again if I dont apply magic to it after I use it.

After theyd cooled down, I put the moulds into a mini refrigerator.

I wonder if itll be done once it cools completely.

Ronnie said as he scooped the leftover caramel in the pot with his finger and put it in his mouth.

Yup, itll probably be delicious.

What do you mean probably?

Well, I just thought itll be delicious if it cools a bit more.

I shrugged at Ronnie. Judging from how Ronnie was acting, Ive made something that Ojou-sama will be happy to eat.

Say, Ronnie. You have time while we wait for it to cool right?

Yeah?

Defensive combat. Teach it to me.

We can do that tomorrow, right?

Argh! Whyre you like this?!

Even though Im motivated!

I was going to protest, but Ronnie sighed as if he was giving up.

Im joking. I thought you wouldnt ask, and I dont want you to cause any explosions.

I wont!

I know. I know.

Do you really know? But it was no use questioning him any further.

Because were wasting time!

Well wrap it up when the caramels finished.

I know! I want Ojou-sama to say, Its delicious to the first sweets Ive ever made!

I decided that Ronnie had to try the finished product because he had said it was probably delicious earlier.

Translator: Blushy

Editor: SenjiQ