Chapter 6:
Gifts for the Royal Family
I REALIZED THAT I NEVER ACTUALLY DELIVERED the desserts with Chantilly crème I promised to the king, back when he gave me the centrifuge. Those were so delicious, I wanted the whole family to try them.
I went looking for Miina, who was usually in the kitchen or bakery, and sure enough, I found her in the kitchen cleaning up.
“I have a favor to ask you, Miina,” I said.
“Oh? What is it?” She paused her chores and wiped her hands on her apron, her white cat ears perking up.
“I’m going to have an audience with the royal family soon, and I’d like you to help me decide what to make,” I explained, sitting down in one of the little chairs by the wall.
“Oh, my! For the king?! I’ll grab my recipe books!” She rushed upstairs to her room on the third floor.
I’d heard that Miina spent nearly all her wages on cookbooks. Books were expensive, and the new recipes benefited everyone in the workshop, so I wished she’d let me buy them with shop funding. I worried she wouldn’t have much to spend on new clothes or treats for herself otherwise, but Miina would always tell me that her favorite thing to do on her breaks was go to the bookshop and buy the latest cookbook she’d been saving up for. I wondered if I should just insist on covering them as a business expense since I was her employer. I would have to discuss it with her someday.
As I pondered that, Miina came down the stairs with her arms full of books. “Sorry to keep you waiting!” She set the stack of books on the clean kitchen table and we pulled up chairs to look at them together. I recognized the topmost book, because she’d shown it to me before: It was all about baking.
“Let’s see, what kind of pastry would go best with Chantilly crème?” Miina flipped through the pages and frowned with concentration. “Hm?”
She stopped at a picture of a round, golden-brown pastry called choux.
“This is a light little pastry that bakes up to be hollow inside. What if we filled it with Chantilly crème?”
“Ooh, that sounds perfect!” I said. “That way they’ll keep their shape when we transport them.”
We decided right then and there to call that recipe choux a la crème.
It was finally the day of my audience with the royal family. I carefully packed the choux a la crème into a box lined with ice to keep them cold. Borrowing my family’s carriage, I set out for the castle.
I had a dress tailored especially for the occasion, made of deep moss green fabric. The front panel was white with delicate shirring and lace and a little moss green ribbon at the center of the bodice. My usual satchel would not be properly formal, so I tucked the rings into a small handbag instead.
Miina helped me prepare, since I couldn’t possibly get into a dress like that by myself. I’d also invited Ana and Lynn to attend, but they’d refused. “This is a noble’s job,” they said, so I made the trip to the castle by myself, feeling a little lonely.
Once I arrived, I was shown to a modest reception parlor near the royal family’s private quarters.
“It’s been a while, Daisy,” said the king. “Ah, please don’t get up—go ahead and sit.”
Regardless, I waited until the whole family arrived, then bowed and took my seat. Heinrich was there too, probably to Appraise everything I’d brought.
“You’re the girl with the delicious bread, right?” said Prince William, a boy about my age with bright, excited eyes. “Did you bring something yummy again today?”
“Is it the sweet cream?” Princess Margaret asked with a big, hopeful smile.
Good thing I remembered to bring pastries! I thought with a relieved sigh.
“Really, William, Margaret,” scolded the queen. “Mind your manners. I’m sorry about that,” she said to me, looking a bit embarrassed.
“It’s no trouble at all,” I said. “In fact, I brought something new today. These are called choux a la crème; they’re pastries filled with Chantilly crème. Please keep them chilled and enjoy them soon.” With a smile, I set the box on the table.
“Thank you,” said the king. “We’ll look forward to eating them together later.”
“The main reason I’m here today is because I wanted to present you with gifts—the results of my studies into using Alchemy to alloy metals,” I explained. Then, I took out four rings from my purse. “These are called guardian rings; they ward against all status ailments and gradually restore the wearer’s health. I have made one for each of you.”
Next, I took out the pair of special rings. “And these are rings of conception. They deepen the bond between couples and help them to bring children into the world. If Your Majesties both wear them, I’m sure the stork will find its way to you!”
Phew, that covers everything!
“The…stork…?” the king looked at me blankly for a moment.
Hm? Why does he look so confused by that?
“Ahem, pardon me,” he muttered. “Sometimes I forget you’re still a child, Daisy.” He covered his mouth with his hand as he laughed.
“Your Majesty, don’t laugh,” the queen scolded, smacking his hand playfully. “If Daisy’s description is accurate, these rings are extraordinary! They could even be national treasures. Would you confirm, Heinrich?”
Heinrich quietly examined each ring. “Miss Daisy spoke the truth. The guardian rings are remarkable. Please wear them immediately. And…” He cleared his throat. “If I may speak as a subject of this kingdom, I very much hope you will wear the rings of conception as well.” His cheeks turned a little pink.
The queen picked up the guardian rings first, placing them gently on both her children’s fingers and the king’s before putting one on herself. Then, she took one ring of conception and carefully slid it onto the king’s finger before placing the other on her own, almost as if she was making a quiet wish.
“Thank you, Daisy…especially for this ring. I’ve always wanted to give William a little brother, one who could help him rule when his time comes, but it hasn’t happened yet. Perhaps this time my wish will come true. You’ve given me hope again.” She smiled happily at me.
“Oh, and of course we must thank you properly,” she continued in a light, cheerful tone. “Let’s see, I have a feeling you’d most appreciate books, wouldn’t you? Or is there any kind of equipment you need?”
“I really would appreciate some books,” I said honestly. “They’re very expensive, and I can never have enough.”
The queen looked even more delighted and promised me she would arrange it.