New chapter of Plant Magic Lord is out (1/3 chapters)

 

 

You Can Get Strong with Vegetables, Piyo

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

I went downstairs and sat at the table. There was still nothing placed on the table yet. A sharp, spicy scent of chili peppers hung in the air.

Gulp… Just thinking about Stella’s delicious cooking is making me hungry.

“Please, this is Elven cuisine from my homeland…!” (Stella)

With Hold’s attendants, the dishes were quickly set on the table. Spicy stir-fry and dumplings, things like that.

“Piyo, I will eat dinner, piyo!” (Dia)

“Yeah!” (Clarissa)

“Please put me on the table, piyo!” (Dia)

“Okaaay!” (Audrey)

*Swoosh*

Audrey gently placed Dia on the table. Hold and Yaya flinched a little but didn’t say anything. Normally, due to her height, Dia was already placed on the table, but… It was allowed because it was Dia.

“Wow, yes yes! This is authentic Elven cuisine!” (Clarissa)

“Heh… so this is Elven food?” (Audrey)

Next to a delighted Clarissa, Audrey didn’t seem very enthusiastic. Hold acted nonchalant, looking impressed by the food presented before him.

“Hoo, authentic Elven cuisine. That’s rare around here. Hmm… quite an impressive presentation.” (Hold)

“Thank you very much…!” (Stella)

Hmm, so this is Hold’s first time trying Elven cuisine. There are probably gourmets even in the art salon… but this is within expectations.

This time, extra care was taken. The vegetables were cut into star shapes and arranged decoratively. I thought that might be going too far, but from Stella’s perspective, she just wanted to show  wholehearted hospitality. So visually, it looked quite luxurious.

“Well then… let us give thanks for this blessing.” (Elt)

I confirmed everything was ready. Then, I gave the signal and offered a short prayer.

Since we’re hosting nobles, I should follow proper table manners as much as possible.

And so, we began to eat Stella’s cooking.

 

—

 

The meal went without any issues. The spicy flavor, along with the oil and vegetables, brought out a wonderful taste. The spiciness was milder than usual, but that made it all the more delicious. The steamed dumplings were soft, with broth about to overflow.

Yeah, this is what Chinese-style food is like.

Hold and Yaya, as expected of true nobles… Even with sweat on their foreheads, they ate while saying it was delicious. Actually, both of them were eating rather quickly.

“You don’t have to rush so much, I think…” (Elt)

“Oh, excuse me. It’s just so delicious, I couldn’t help myself…” (Yaya)

“I’ve had Elven cuisine several times before, but this stands above the rest. The flavor has depth… I believe this red seasoning is the secret.” (Hold)

“As always, it’s delicious, and the visual presentation shows how much effort was put into it. The tomato’s sourness and spiciness really shine.” (Yaya)

Since the sun had already set, Nana had taken off her costume.

“Hmm, Nana, you’ve eaten this food many times before? I’m quite envious.” (Hold)

“I was invited to sample it. My personal favorite, of course, is the tomato stir-fry…” (Nana)

“You never waver on that, seriously!” (Yaya)

“Vampires can’t survive without tomatoes, after all.” (Nana)

It seemed to be well-received by Hold and Yaya. Looking over at Stella, I saw her slightly long ears twitching happily.

“Ugo ugo, tasty…!” (Wood)

“Spicy! But I can’t stop eating!” (Marcosias)

“I see, I see. No need to rush, there’s more for seconds.” (Stella)

As she said that, Stella wiped Marcosias’s cheek. She was in full cheerful caretaker mode.

“Hmmm…” (Audrey)

On the other hand, Audrey’s mood was low. Looking closely, she was eating, but… hmm. Carrots, eggplants, she hadn’t touched some of the vegetables. Hold occasionally shot sharp glances at Audrey. But since I was the host, he didn’t say anything… that was the atmosphere.

Maybe she doesn’t like them. I didn’t do enough research on that…

“Piyo, you’re not eating your veggies, piyo?” (Dia)

“Eh… ah, um…” (Audrey)

“If Audrey is full, I’ll eat them, piyo. I’m hungry, piyo.” (Dia)

“Ah, but…” (Audrey)

Audrey glanced toward Hold. But Hold deliberately ignored her.

Sure, as a parent, he could’ve scolded her easily. But this is just a family dinner. Saying “Eat it” too forcefully might not help… even I can’t decide what’s best here.

Clarissa hurried to speak up.

“Um, Dia-chan. Audrey is–…” (Clarissa)

“Wait, I’ll say it myself.” (Audrey)

Audrey cut in.

“Dia-chan, I’m sorry. I… I’m not good with things like carrots and eggplants… vegetables.” (Audrey)

“Not good? Then, I can eat them, piyo, right?” (Dia)

“I’ll eat them too. I’m hungry.” (Marcosias)

No, Maru-chan, don’t join in…! Dia might get a pass, but you look like a proper young lady! See? Yaya is blinking in surprise…

“Piyo. I’ll tell you a good secret, piyo…” (Dia)

“W-What is it?” (Audrey)

“This body of mine… is made of vegetables, piyo…!” (Dia)

“Eh!?” (Audrey)

“With Tou-sama’s vegetables, Kaa-sama’s cooking… and Onii-chan, he got that big because of veggies, piyo!” (Dia)

Dia pointed at Wood dramatically with her wing.

“Ugo!? Me…!?” (Wood)

Wood has always been that size, though… But in Dia’s mind, it’s because he ate lots of vegetables.

“Look, this soft, fluffy body… you can get it with vegetables, piyo…” (Dia)

Dia’s pleasant whispering voice.

I bet Audrey’s dislike of vegetables comes from not really trying them before. It’s easy to form a dislike over just one weird taste or poorly cooked version. But nobles attend dinners and balls… she can’t avoid them forever. Still, forcing her won’t help either.

“Dia-chan…” (Audrey)

Audrey’s eyes were fixed on Dia’s plate. Dia had already eaten quite a lot.

Now that I think about it, Dia really doesn’t have anything she hates. If anything, we worry she eats too much…

“I… I’ll eat it…!” (Audrey)

Audrey, making up her mind, picked up a carrot with her fork and took a bite. The carrot Stella had cooked was, honestly, exquisite. It was well-seasoned, and yet still had a crispy texture.

*Munch munch… gulp*

Audrey swallowed it down.

“…Delicious!” (Audrey)

“Really, piyo!? That’s awesome, piyo!” (Dia)

Dia looked absolutely delighted. Hold’s family seemed relieved too.

“I’m sorry, Clarissa. I made you worry. It’s really delicious.” (Audrey)

“Ah… no, it’s fine!” (Clarissa)

Audrey and Clarissa smiled brightly as they happily continued eating. She hadn’t overcome all of her dislikes yet, but it had surely become a turning point.

Hmm, a single meal can really reveal a lot about someone. In our household, we seriously need to start watching how much Dia and Marcosias are eating…

I popped the last piece of spicy tomato stir-fry into my mouth.

*Munch munch*

Yeah, spicy but really delicious. Everyone is enjoying the meal. Honestly, I never imagined things would turn out like this with my brother’s family. And yet here we are, all gathered around the same table. That makes me happy.

Thank you, Stella.

 

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(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)