Arnella noticed that I had woken up and rushed over with a glass.
“Here you go, Master.”
I took it and drank. It was cool water, with some cut fruit giving it a slightly sweet and sour taste. Perfect for my dry throat. The fruit was fresh and juicy.
I handed the glass back to Arnella.
“I thought I’d prepare breakfast, but we didn’t have any ingredients… I was told I could use the money from the safe, so I bought the ingredients with that money. Is that alright?”
“No problem. Use any necessary funds from the safe from now on.”
“Understood. I’ll have breakfast ready soon.”
Arnella returned to the kitchen with the glass. After a brief chat with Noel, she started working again. It seemed Noel was taking the lead.
This house was big to begin with, and so was the kitchen. There was plenty of space for the two girls to work.
Noel and Arnella efficiently set the table with food. It looked like they were only setting a place for me. I’m not a noble, after all.
“Make sure to prepare your portions as well. It’s a waste of effort to separate our meals. Plus, it’ll make it easier to clean up.”
Though it’s not me who cleans up, it’s more efficient for us to eat together.
“Is that alright?”
“Of course. I’m not a noble, so I don’t need servants to wait on me.”
Judging by the amount of food, there was definitely enough for three, probably more. They might have gone all out since it’s the first day. The table looked like a party venue.
I didn’t mind the cost of food, so the main thing was to avoid wasting what they cooked. Leftovers could be eaten the next day.
As an adventurer, I had a big appetite.
The girls quickly set up their own plates and started serving the food. The dishes were prepared in large portions and then divided into smaller plates. There was a salad with fish and vegetables, a somewhat yellowish clear soup with root vegetables, cut bread with butter, and roast meat generously covered in sauce.
It was quite a spread.
I had them sit down as well, and we began eating. The cutlery was all silver, as I had insisted on good quality.
The salad, dressed with vinegar made from apple cider, was fresh and went well together. The soup was well-spiced, and the main meat dish was tender and complemented by the sauce.
My table manners were refined, a necessity from dining with nobles. Though at home, I didn’t slow down my eating pace too much.
Seeing me start, the girls began eating as well.
Their preparation was meticulous. These two definitely didn’t cut corners. They were more than capable of handling the household cooking. The seasoning was light, to bring out the natural flavors of the ingredients.
Nobles and successful merchants often preferred this kind of refined, lightly seasoned cuisine.
They said if you eat overly salty and oily food all the time, you lose the ability to appreciate subtle flavors. While I couldn’t fully grasp that, I did appreciate lightly seasoned food.
There were times when I ate nothing but salty, oily food, but such dishes were absent from noble banquets.
Merchants often served heavily seasoned dishes out of consideration.
I had grown accustomed to lightly seasoned meals. Too much salt and oil can disrupt your health. During adventures, lacking these is a problem, but roasted meat from hunted animals or monsters is always an option.
As we ate, Arnella kept glancing at me frequently. Still young, she wasn’t very good at hiding it.
“This is delicious, both of you. Keep it up.”
“Yes!”
Their responses were the most enthusiastic I had heard so far, accompanied by bright smiles. Despite their well-mannered behavior, it was clear they were still children. I reminded myself that I intended to give them a decent life now that they were with me.
I focused on my meal for a while. The two girls ate more than I expected, probably because they were growing.
I, too, had a stimulated appetite and ended up finishing the meal.
However, next time I’d ask for a more reasonable portion.
I felt quite full.
If Nia saw this, she’d probably burst out laughing. And she wouldn’t be able to scold me, given how stuffed I was.
While I lay down to rest, Noel and Arnella quickly cleaned up.
After a short break, feeling better, I decided to take a bath.
Noel and Arnella tried to follow, but I told them it wasn’t necessary. I preferred to soak alone for now. Their assistance could wait for another time.
I sent them to rest in their assigned room. I had planned for each to have their own room, but they insisted on sharing, so I agreed. They must have been tired. Rest was the best reward.
I enjoyed a long soak in the ever-hot bath, thanks to the magic stones.
