Chapter 46
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 046
Chapter Title: Sashimi (2)
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"I knew this day would come someday! In preparation for it, I, Fabry, procured a hefty specimen, fermented it, and stored it away. I can bring it out right this instant!"
"...You're awfully diligent."
"Thank you, Your Excellency!"
"That's not praise. Go and prepare it for now."
I swallowed a sigh that threatened to burst out and waved him off. Since he'd gone that far, I had no choice but to have the dish prepared.
"When you bring it out... No, never mind. Go on."
I started to give Fabry a warning but held back.
'It's something she'll have to face eventually anyway.'
Rose's first experience with monster cuisine had been during a mine inspection, when she witnessed the guards roasting and eating a monster there.
The guards had devoured it so deliciously that curiosity got the better of her, and she tried it herself. From that moment on, she became utterly hooked on the Schmichael household's wide array of monster dishes.
In other words, Rose was the type who could embrace monster cuisine without any preconceptions.
But the situation was different now. Besides, the Lake Monster Fish sashimi she'd requested was... somewhat exceptional, even among monster dishes.
"I'll bring it out swiftly!"
I averted my gaze from Fabry, who vanished with his eyebrows dramatically furrowed.
"Madam."
Then I fixed my eyes on Rose's face, slightly flushed with excitement.
"Do you think you can handle it?"
"Pardon?"
"You may not realize it, Madam, but the Schmichael household's culinary culture is special... no, far from ordinary."
"Is it that extreme?"
Rose tilted her head and replied.
"Everything I've eaten so far has suited my taste perfectly. It was all truly delicious."
"The dishes served until now were ordinary ones, prepared with you in mind. Lake Monster Fish sashimi is quite different from those."
"Oh, I see. So have you been holding back on your usual favorites all this time because of me, Your Excellency?"
Rose's question hit the nail on the head.
"No need to worry about it. I've never been one to particularly enjoy food anyway."
"But..."
Rose blinked slowly. Her long lashes fluttered like the wings of a butterfly.
"I'm a Schmichael now too. So I think it's only natural that I should be able to eat it."
Her voice carried pride and dignity.
'Such pretty lips, always spouting such admirable words.'
Unaware of the stray thought crossing my mind, I stared intently at Rose's face.
My premonition from early on—that I wouldn't be able to stop her if she set her mind to something—had come true.
Before the Rose who spoke with her small fists clenched tight, all I could do was discover my own inability to quash it or outright refuse.
'So it ends up like this after all.'
Unless it put her in danger, I could clearly see a future where I'd grant her most any request.
"If you're doing this because you think I'm still lacking..."
Seeing no reply from me, Rose mumbled in a deflated voice.
"-No."
My mouth moved on its own before I could even think.
"That's not what I mean."
I couldn't bring myself to crush the courage she'd mustered like a squirrel. In the end, my response was predetermined.
"Has Fabry arrived yet?"
"Coming right now!"
Fabry burst out of the kitchen—utterly pointlessly—pushing a cart. Atop it sat a large plate covered with a lid.
'Just how big a one did he catch?'
Seizing the moment, he'd brought an extra-large grade Lake Monster Fish. It was rare even to catch one, yet he'd managed to prepare it somehow.
Screech.
Fabry's cart came to a stop beside Rose. Rose, Fabry, the servants—everyone stared at my mouth.
"-It might not truly count as sashimi."
I nodded toward Rose. It was permission.
"But trying it once won't hurt. Nor will it in the future."
"Thank you, Your Excellency."
"We'll see. You might end up resenting me soon enough."
I muttered the last part too quietly to hear, then signaled Fabry with my eyes.
"Serve the Madam."
"Yes, Your Excellency!"
Fabry bellowed his response, then...
Click.
...flung the lid open with haste.
The enormous triangular body of the Lake Monster Fish had been sliced to leave only the upper portion, with the pinkish flesh from the lower torso neatly arranged beneath. And for visual appeal(?), the tail was curled into a spiral decoration.
I quickly focused on Rose's reaction.
Slide.
Rose's mouth fell wide open, and...
"...Wow."
...she let out a sound that could have been admiration or a sigh. Her large green eyes began to shake dramatically.
'That's a mild reaction.'
She wasn't fainting or vomiting like my previous wives had, so it was more than enough.
She was quite shocked, though, unable to close her mouth. Shock and curiosity danced above her earthquake-like trembling pupils.
"Th-this... isn't this a monster?"
Rose's slightly trembling finger pointed at the Lake Monster Fish sashimi on the plate.
"You've seen it correctly."
Fabry launched into an excited spiel.
"This dish was a monumental one that broadened my narrow perspective on cooking ingredients. Who could have known? That monsters could be used in cuisine!"
"Most wouldn't, I suppose...?"
"Exactly. Everyone focused only on slaying them, never on eating them."
Fabry's eyes grew distant with reminiscence.
"It was back when everyone was barely holding on at the front lines. Supplies had run out, but we couldn't let Your Excellency go hungry. We had to try something."
"Oh my."
"It was one we'd caught a while back, and lo and behold, it had a unique flavor. So we started refining the recipe right then!"
"Oh..."
The look in Rose's eyes as she gazed at the Lake Monster Fish sashimi changed. Since it seemed to have a positive effect, I decided to let Fabry continue for now.
"So it has a story behind it. I shouldn't judge by appearances alone."
"Ah, that's my philosophy. When cooking any monster, I preserve the original form as much as possible."
"Why such a point... no, what's the reason?"
I nearly said "pointless," there.
Whether he sensed it or not, Fabry straightened his back and puffed out his chest.
"That way, you know exactly what you've slain and can eat it with pride. It's the concept of a trophy, you see."
"Ah, that makes sense."
"At first, its distinctive smell might startle you. Some even panic, thinking the food's gone bad."
"And the smell is... yes, quite unique."
Rose was admirably holding her nose without pinching it outright, mindful of etiquette before the food and chef.
Lake Monster Fish flesh develops a distinctive odor over time. Unlike regular fish, it doesn't rot but ferments, thanks to its eel-like nature.
And that smell... is akin to urine.
"That smell, and its sharp tang—that's the essence of the dish. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say we eat it for this flavor."
"Sharp tang? It's not still alive, is it?"
"Absolutely not. It's definitely dead, so rest assured."
After his overly detailed explanation—worthy of a fishmonger—
Click.
...Fabry lifted the plate and set it before Rose.
"..."
Rose swallowed dryly as she stared at the Lake Monster Fish sashimi.
Now that it was right in front of her, she hesitated to touch it. The smell was no joke, so it was a natural response.
At this point, propriety would dictate saying she didn't have to force it if she wasn't keen.
'Oh dear.'
This is food... It'll be the same once it's in my mouth... I can't back out after saying I'd do it... His Excellency is eating it too, so I must...
Watching Rose purse her lips as if steeling herself like that, my mischievous side flared up again.
"Madam, surely."
I tilted my head, forcing the smile from my lips.
"You're not going to say you can't eat it now, are you?"
"Pardon?"
"I've warned you plenty. You're the one who insisted."
Rose looked at me as if the sky had fallen.
Reason told me to tease her just enough, but...
"Have you changed your mind and want something else now?"
"Eek."
Seeing her large eyes shake wildly, I couldn't stop my mouth.
"If you refuse here, Fabry will be heartbroken. Surely you wouldn't do something so cruel."
I hadn't known this sadistic side lurked within me. Schadenfreude, perhaps.
For some reason, the thought of Rose crying because of me didn't seem half bad.
"So, will you back out here?"
I asked provocatively one last time, and...
"...No!"
...Rose answered with resolve. Then, as if to show me, she brandished her fork.
"I'll eat it."
Defiance sparkled in her eyes, as if saying she'd eat as much as it took.
"You mustn't complain if I eat too much."
"Of course not. You'll hardly eat as much as I will."
I nodded as if to say get on with it. Only then did Fabry give Rose final instructions.
"Dip it lightly in this sauce first. It's mildly spicy and will temper the intense natural flavor."
"Mm, got it."
Gulp.
Rose swallowed hard once, then picked up a piece of Lake Monster Fish sashimi. She dipped it in the sauce as advised.
"..."
The dining hall fell silent. Everyone's attention was fixed on Rose.
'Eat it already! Now you can enjoy it alongside His Excellency!'
'Overcome this trial, and you'll be a true Schmichael! We've all endured it!'
'Did you just call it a trial?'
With thoughts ranging far and wide, everyone's gazes followed Rose's slowly moving hand.
"Hoo."
Rose took a deep breath, then...
Nom.
...shut her eyes tight and popped the sauce-dipped Lake Monster Fish sashimi into her mouth.
Chomp chomp.
With her lips pressed firmly, Rose's cheeks worked diligently up and down.
"Hm...?"
Then she let out a puzzled sound.
Everyone tracked her movements with their eyes and strained to hear her voice.
Soon...
"Oh my."
Rose's eyes went wide round. Then she burst out with a pfft.
"So this is the flavor?"
"Huh?"
"Heh."
As the diners froze in shock...
"..."
...Fabry began scrutinizing the Lake Monster Fish sashimi closely, his expression suspicious—as if wondering if he'd used the wrong fish.
'...Laughing?'
I too was thrown by Rose's unexpected reaction.
This was far too positive. I even wondered if the fermentation had gone wrong, numbing her tongue.
"Madam."
"Yes?"
"Is it really alright? You can be honest."