Chapter 69

The Failure Alchemist of the Royal Capital

Offering to the Royal Family #

Come to think of it, I realized that I haven’t presented anything using the “Crème Chantilly” that we talked about when I asked for the “Centrifuge” as a reward, as the production of the Crème Chantilly was delayed. That dish is really delicious! I hope the whole family will enjoy it!

I searched for Mina, who would be in the kitchen or the bakery. I found her cleaning up in the kitchen. “Mina, I have a request,” I said. She stopped working, perked up her white cat ears, and wiped her hands with her apron. “Yes, what is it?” she asked.

“I’m going to have an audience with the royal family soon, and I want to present something using the Crème Chantilly. I came to ask for your advice,” I explained while sitting on a chair in the break area of the kitchen.

“A presentation item? I’ll bring a book on sweets!” she exclaimed and went to her room on the third floor to get the book.

It seems that Mina spends her salary on buying cooking books. I worry that she can’t use them for more feminine things like clothes since books are expensive. However, during her break time, she goes to the nearby bookstore to look for the next book to buy, and she is very happy when she finally gets to buy it. As her employer, I should probably buy her those books as expenses. I’ll have to discuss it with her another time.

While waiting, Mina came down the stairs with the book. “Sorry to keep you waiting!” she said and put the book on the cleaned work table in the kitchen. We moved our chairs closer to the book. It was a book on confectionery that she had shown me before.

“Which sweet should we pair with the Crème Chantilly?” she asked while flipping through the pages. “Oh?” she stopped at a page that showed a round baked good called “Choux.” “This is a light and mysterious sweet with a hollow center. How about cutting it in half and filling it with plenty of Crème Chantilly?” she suggested.

“That’s a great idea! We don’t have to worry about it losing its shape when we bring it either!” I agreed. We decided to name it “Choux Crème” and add it to the presentation item.

◆

Finally, the day of the audience arrived. We put the “Choux Crème” in a box with ice for cooling and headed to the royal castle by carriage. I wore a custom-made dress with a moss green base and plenty of drapes. The center was decorated with shirring and lace made from white fabric. A narrow ribbon made of the same moss green fabric was attached to the center of the chest. Since it would be rude to bring a pochette, I put the ring to be presented in a small handbag.

I couldn’t dress myself alone, so I asked Mina for help. I invited Ana and Rin to come with me, but they refused, saying that it was a noble’s job. I went to the castle alone, feeling lonely.

The room I was guided to was a small guest room close to the living quarters of the royal family in the depths of the royal castle. “It’s been a while, Daisy. Don’t be so formal, please have a seat,” said the king. After a short wait, the whole family arrived and I was offered a seat, so I bowed and sat down. Heinrich was also present, probably for the appraisal.

“Daisy is the girl who makes delicious bread, right? Did you bring something delicious today too?” asked Prince William, who was the same age as me, with an excited expression.

“Oh, is it the one with that sweet cream?” Princess Margaret also smiled with anticipation.

…I’m glad I brought it.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

“Oh my! William and Margaret, how rude…I’m sorry,” said the queen, feeling embarrassed and scolding the two.

“It’s okay. Today, I brought a new creation. Inside this box is a ‘Choux Cream’ filled with plenty of ‘Crème Chantilly.’ Please chill it and enjoy it as soon as possible,” I said with a smile and handed the box over to the king.

“Thank you. We’ll enjoy it with the family later,” said the king as he received the box.

“Now, onto the main topic of today…I have learned alchemy that mixes metals and would like to present the items I made with it,” I said, taking out four ‘Guardian Rings’ and two ‘Fertility Rings’ from my handbag.

“These four matching rings are called ‘Guardian Rings.’ They prevent all abnormal conditions and gradually restore the wearer’s health with magic. Please wear one each. And these paired rings are called ‘Fertility Rings.’ They deepen the love between a happy couple and have the power to conceive a child. Please wear them, Your Majesty and Your Highness, and the stork will surely bring you a child!” I explained.

…I think I explained it well!

“…Stork…” However, for some reason, the king looked stunned at my explanation. Huh? A stork is a stork, right?

“Oh, no. I just thought that Daisy also has some age-appropriate aspects,” he said, hiding his mouth and laughing.

“Your Majesty, this is not the time to be laughing! If Daisy’s explanation is correct, these rings, including the national treasures, are wonderful gifts. Heinrich, could you confirm it?” said the queen, lightly tapping his hand, which he was hiding his mouth with, and instructing him to appraise the rings.

Heinrich carefully examined all the rings. “Daisy’s words are correct. The ‘Guardian Rings’ are wonderful items that protect everyone’s body, so please wear them as soon as possible. And, ahem, as for the ‘Fertility Rings,’ as a minister who is concerned about the country, I would like you to confirm their effectiveness as soon as possible…” Heinrich blushed slightly and made a suggestion.

Then, the queen’s response was quick. She put the ‘Guardian Rings’ on her and the children’s fingers, and also put the ‘Fertility Rings’ on her and the king’s fingers.

“Daisy, thank you for the wonderful gift. I’ll send you many thanks later! We have to hurry, so excuse us. Heinrich, please take care of the children and the ‘Choux Cream.’ Your Majesty, we’ll be back!” said the queen, taking the king away.

Afterwards, Heinrich and I were left with souvenirs and children.

“…No, even if you don’t go to ‘official duties’ right away…” Heinrich was left dumbfounded, watching the backs of the queen and the king leaving in a hurry.

“If it’s official duties, you have to hurry, right?” I said, seeing it as it was said.

The conversation between the two of us left much to be desired.

One day, about three months later, it was reported that the queen was pregnant, and the following year, twin prince and princess were born, and the whole country was filled with a celebratory mood. Furthermore, in the following years, they were blessed with children every few years, and the queen’s worries were resolved. And, every time a child was born, it became a tradition for me and Riin to make ‘Guardian Rings’ from the remaining ingots and present them as a birthday gift.