Bonus Chapter 2: The Gardener Cats and Chocolate
Bonus Chapter 2: The Gardener Cats and Chocolate
“THINGS sure are getting busy out here, huh?”
Lucian and I stood in an open area of the forest that bordered my villa. Next to the strawberry patch I created with Berry, the rest of the Gardener Cats were working on their respective plants of choice. The land had become a rainbow of colorful plants—tomatoes, cucumbers, cabbage, onions, and vegetables that resembled eggplants.
“Meow meeeow?”
“Mrrrr…”
“Mew! Mew!”
The fur of the Gardener Cats themselves was just as varied. There were white cats, black cats, brown and orange tabbies, calicos, and those with uneven patterns in their coloring.
The clowder was diligently tending to their crops as they engaged in a conversation of meows with each other. They swatted away pests and insects with swift kitty punches, and even used the magic in their paw pads to heal any weakened plants.
“Mree!”
An orange tabby Gardener Cat approached me with a perfectly ripe tomato in its paws. The glossy red surface of the fruit looked delicious.
“What a nice tomato you have there. Would you like me to make you more minestrone with this?”
“Meow!”
The creature gave an enthusiastic nod. Just like Berry, the rest of the Gardener Cats were eager to eat meals cooked by humans. Despite their skills in growing crops, they couldn’t actually do anything to enhance the flavor of the resulting harvest.
“Mree!”
“Meow meow!!”
“Me too!” “Me too!”
A number of Gardener Cats approached me with their harvests in hand.
I’d become a popular figure among them, as I was the only human in the world who’d earned their trust.
“Let’s see. Tomatoes, pumpkins, spinach, and now grapes…”
Each fruit or vegetable the cats handed me was normally in season at very different times. But Gardener Cats were able to use their magic to speed up the growth of plants, meaning they could harvest crops at any point throughout the year.
Lucian and I worked together to fill up an entire basket with fruits and vegetables.
“Another bounty today, huh?
“I’m itching to see it all put to use… Whoops.” Lucian trailed off as he stood upright on his long legs. A spotted Gardener Cat had scampered right past his feet.
“Such restless beasts, aren’t they?”
“Gardener Cats vary greatly both in personality and fur pattern.”
I watched the clowder of cats rushing in circles as they tended to their crops.
Ten days had passed since Berry first arrived with the other Gardener Cats, who had numbered twenty-nine in total. Since then, even more cats joined them, one by one, and there were now over forty Gardener Cats living here near my villa.
“The clowder has grown quite a bit, but now that I think of it—”
“Meow!”
A louder cry than usual sounded in the forest. It was then that I noticed the Gardener Cats staring off in one direction of the woods. I watched as a group of fluffy cats emerged from the bushes.
“One, two, three… There’s six of them.”
These cats were long-haired, with cream-white and light brown patterns of fur. They resembled the Ragdoll breed of cat I knew from my past life, with patches of light brown fur around the center of their faces and the bottom of their paws.
“…Are those Gardener Cats as well?”
“I’m not sure…”
Gardener Cats varied in their fur patterns and tail shapes, but they shared one trait in particular. As I’d been on the verge of saying a moment ago, all the present Gardener Cats had short fur, with no long-haired types among their numbers.
“Hello there. Are you all Gardener Cat friends of Berry too?”
I leaned down to speak to them and was met with pairs of bright blue eyes staring back at me. Their long, beautiful fur was elegant in a way that was hard to define. We gazed at each other for a while until Berry appeared and approached the long-haired group of cats. They meowed a conversation back and forth, and then I watched as the new arrivals stood up on their hind legs.
“I guess long-haired Gardener Cats do exist…”
Surprised by this discovery, I watched as one of the long-haired Gardener Cats stuck its paw into the fur of its own chest.
After some digging, it pulled its paw out to reveal…
“Seeds?”
The cat had retrieved a few small, white, almond-shaped seeds.
“I wonder what kind of seeds these are…?”
They looked familiar to me, but I couldn’t recall the specifics.
Since these seeds were going to be planted by the paws of a Gardener Cat, it probably wouldn’t take long at all for the mystery to be revealed.
“Hehe! I’m excited to find out.”
I looked forward to seeing what delicious fruit or vegetable they would bring to the garden. However…
◇ ◇ ◇
“…I can’t believe it. Is it really possible…?”
Two days had passed since then. The plants that had quickly sprouted in the garden surpassed my wildest expectations.
“Cacao…?”
I knew this plant well from my past life. It was the main ingredient of chocolate.
Off a small number of sprouting trees hung yellow beans in the shape of footballs. The seeds from the other day had actually been the white, slightly meaty cacao beans surrounded by cacao pulp.
“I never thought I’d see cacao beans again…!” I stared up at them, overcome with emotion.
“So this is called cacao? You know of it, my lady?” Lucian asked.
“Yes, it’s delicious! It’s sweet, fragrant, and can be eaten in all kinds of ways!”
My response to Lucian came out a bit too enthusiastic.
Milk chocolate, dark chocolate, hot chocolate, chocolate cake, and warm chocolate soufflés! Just the thought of such a lineup was enough to steal my heart away.
I’d truly given up, thinking I’d never see those foods in this world at all…
But incredibly enough, it was here and now that we were reunited once more.
“Meow meow meow!”
“What do you think? Great cacao, no?”
The long-haired Gardener Cats held up their front paws, striking a proud pose.
“Hehe, it’s all thanks to you guys. Are these cacao beans ready to harvest?”
“Mraw!”
The cats nimbly scaled the cacao trees in the garden. They dug their claws straight into the stems of the beans to cut them loose.
“Can you help them, Lucian?”
“Very well.”
Lucian caught the beans as they fell from the trees. Inside those football-shaped pods would be dozens of cacao beans—the source of chocolate. We would extract those beans and the cacao pulp together, then let them ferment inside a wooden box. After a week or so, the next step would be to dry them under the light of the sun.
I gathered the beans that had the least amount of moisture and removed any dirt or spots from them. The clean cacao beans required further work to produce chocolate. However…
“How exactly am I supposed to do this…?”
I was at a dead end.
I knew how the process was supposed to continue, but I’d never actually carried it out before personally. I remembered it included roasting, crushing, and gently mashing the inner grains of the cacao beans until they were at a uniform consistency.
This was the general gist of the process, sure…
But there were several steps in there that I had no idea how to achieve in reality. Most of the chocolate in my past life was processed in factories, after all. Even with my spells, it might be difficult to reach the goal I had in mind without any outside help.
As I struggled to figure out what to do with the cacao beans in front of me, the group of long-haired Gardner Cats appeared on the scene.
“Meow meow!”
“What’s the matter? Wait, do you actually like eating the beans in this state alone?”
The cats shook their heads, then stood up on their hind legs to take a look at the cacao beans in the pot.
“Do you just want to try a ta— What?!”
Their paw pads were glowing. The Gardener Cats seemed to be using their magic on the cacao beans.
I watched each bean melt down into a sludge, at which point, a strong fragrance reached my nose.
“This scent…!”
It was a smell I’d experienced many times in my past life—the aroma of chocolate. The beans had dissolved into a thick, shiny liquid, entirely unlike the state they were in just a moment ago. I dipped a teaspoon into the mixture and savored the acidic, bitter taste of dark chocolate.
“Wow…! I never knew Gardener Cats could do something like this!!”
I’d really believed that their magic only functioned on plants that were actively rooted in the ground, but it appeared they were capable of affecting these cacao beans long after they were harvested as well.
I was curious as to how their magic worked, but not even Gardener Cats themselves knew the specifics. It was like an instinct that drove them to use magic and make the cacao beans even tastier.
“Even for Gardener Cats, you guys seem a little strange…”
I faced the long-haired cats and asked them for more information, which they conveyed with gestures.
I learned that these long-haired Gardener Cats were the only ones of their kind capable of using magic on already-harvested crops. Perhaps they belonged to a special subcategory of Gardener Cat, or even a related, but entirely different species altogether.
“Gardener Cats sure are fascinating…”
Impressed with the mysteries of their kind, I watched them dip their spoons into the pot and take bites of the raw chocolate.
The mixture had been too bitter for me, but they seemed to eat it right up.
“If I add just a few things to this dark chocolate…!”
What I craved was the sweet, delicious, nostalgic taste of chocolate that I loved.
It was time for the chefs and me to take on a process of trial and error.
◇ ◇ ◇
“…AND here we have my completed milk chocolate.”
I unveiled my proud work atop the dining room table.
Each piece of chocolate was bite-sized and shaped with a mold. There were round pieces, stars, and some topped with nuts. I’d even made chocolates in the shape of cat faces and paw pads too. The sweet scent filled the dining room.
“So this is ‘chocolate’…?” Keith was staring closely at the spread on the table.
I’d been receiving help from Keith, the strong beastfolk man, in harvesting cacao whenever he had free time on the job. These chocolate treats were my way of thanking him for all the effort.
“It does smell good…but are you sure we can eat them? They kind of look like stones.”
“They’re actually soft and will melt once they’re in your mouth.”
I plucked up one of the chocolates and demonstrated for him.
The aroma of chocolate filled my mouth, and as my body heat warmed its surface, I could taste the sweet flavor of milk dissolving on my tongue.
As I savored the chocolate, Keith became eager to try one too. He reached for a piece.
“…Wow!”
Keith’s eyes opened wide. His tail stood up straight, then began to wag violently from side to side.
“It’s awesome! I mean, it’s quite delicious!! I can’t believe how sweet it tastes. When it melts so smoothly, it makes your whole mouth taste good!!” Keith rattled on, clearly excited. His tail was swinging with glee, as if he couldn’t contain his emotions.
“Hehe, I’m glad to hear it. There’s more on the table, so please eat up.”
“Are you sure it’s fine?! I mean they’re so tasty! I don’t know if I—”
“Excuse me.”
The dining room doors opened, cutting Keith off midsentence.
“Liddeus?!”
Keith’s eyes filled with shock
I imagined the arrival of the man he’d once accused of kidnapping was an awkward development.
“Why is he here…?”
“I finished the crest, so I brought it here for you.”
“The crest…?”
Liddeus was clutching a crest in the shape of what resembled a three-tiered water fountain.
“What’s with that weird shape?”
“The crest is called a chocolate fountain. It makes chocolate fondue once it’s activated.”
On a whim, I’d happened to mention the concept of a chocolate fondue fountain, which I remembered from my past life, to Liddeus as the two of us discussed magic together. Liddeus really took to the topic, and with only the small scraps of information I’d given him, he’d managed to produce a functioning chocolate fondue crest.
Just like with the mock refrigerator and shaved ice machines that were powered by magic stones, it was another incredible display of talent and skill.
“Once you activate the crest…”
“A chocolate fountain?!” Keith was blown away, which was an amusing sight.
“You take a food and dip it into the chocolate as it flows from above.”
It was easier to just demonstrate it myself, so I picked up the nearest fork. Lucian, my capable servant, had already prepared a selection of fruits for the fondue.
“If you do it like this, the fruit is coated in a layer of chocolate.”
“Whoa…!”
The surface of my orange slice became hidden under the thick, flowing chocolate. Oranges were refreshing and crisp in flavor, which perfectly suited the sweetness of chocolate.
“It’s delicious. Would you like to try it next, Keith?”
“Yes! I would, but…” Keith froze. It appeared that Liddeus’s presence was bothering him. “…Do you mind if I try?”
“Why are you asking me that?”
“…! You’re the one who made that crest, and I treated you like a criminal, which wasn’t fair…”
“And? What about it?” Liddeus’s words came out sounding indifferent. “Crests are incredible and unique because they can be used by anyone, as long as they have a magic stone. If you want to use the crest, then go ahead and use it.”
“…Okay.”
Keith didn’t seem to know how to react upon receiving such casual permission. He kept his eyes fixed on the sorcerer, then parted his lips just slightly.
“If you say so, then all right, I’ll use it too. …Sorry about calling you a criminal, and all that.” With that murmured apology, he plunged his fork into a piece of fruit.
It wasn’t as if the two were suddenly on good terms, as if nothing ever happened between them…
But to my eyes, it looked as if both parties were interested in bridging the gap between them.
◇ ◇ ◇
I said goodbye to Keith after he’d gotten his fill of the chocolate fondue, at which point Liddeus returned to the bureau as well. After that, the Gardener Cats gradually came to gather in the dining room.
“Meow meow!!”
“Mraw! Meow!!”
The Gardener Cats were forming a circle around the fondue crest. Chocolate fondue had become something of a fad among them, as of late—they were hooked on the sweet taste of chocolate.
The cats carried forks between their paw pads and dipped the fruits and vegetables they’d grown themselves into the chocolate.
It was an adorable sight. However…
“Cabbage chocolate fondue? I’m not so sure about that one…”
The Gardener Cats chose all kinds of ingredients, in addition to the standard fruits like oranges and berries. Just once, I’d tried dipping cabbage in the chocolate fondue, but…I’d prefer not to comment on the flavor I experienced in that moment.
The cabbage-loving Gardener Cat seemed to enjoy its snack, so I assumed that as a human, I simply experienced the taste differently.
“…Oh, I don’t see Berry in the fondue crowd today.”
Maybe she’s out patrolling her strawberry patch?
I knew she’d be grumpy if she found out she missed a fondue party, so I decided to go call her inside.
Lucian and I had just exited the villa when…
“Oh my, if it isn’t the queen?”
It was Leonard, the bard who oozed sensuality, who called out to me.
Ever since that day we first met in the capital city, Leonard had shown up at my villa on occasion.
“Good day, Leonard. What brings you here today?”
“I had business at the castle, so I thought I’d stop by and get a glimpse of your beautiful face.”
So he was already at the castle beforehand.
Lute in hand, he gazed at my villa.
“I’ve never smelled such a sweet aroma before. Are you baking something in there?”
“It’s a dessert known as ‘chocolate.’ Would you like to try some?”
“You don’t mind sharing with me?”
“As a traveling bard, you’ve eaten food from all across the land, right? I’m curious to hear your thoughts on chocolate.”
“I see. Well, in that case, I’d be honored to give it a try.” Leonard opened a wrapped bundle of chocolate and stuck a piece in his mouth. “…Wow, now what do we have here?”
His green eyes went wide in surprise.
“The rich aroma sings a song inside the mouth. It’s a brand-new, thrilling kind of flavor. I’ve been a guest at many fancy parties thrown by nobles, but this is my first time tasting anything so delicious.”
He plucked another piece of chocolate with his long fingers and gave it a good stare. He appeared quite taken with the treat.
“Hehe. I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
“And here I thought I knew everything about the popular desserts these days, but I’ve never heard of this one. I bet your husband, His Majesty, sure was startled when he tried this for the first time.”
“…His Majesty hasn’t yet had the chance to try it. He’s been busy as of late.” I smiled painfully in response to his statement.
It was true that His Majesty was a busy man, but I got the sense he’d been avoiding me ever since I found out about Lord Aroo’s secret. We hadn’t yet had a chance to discuss anything, just the two of us together, nor had he visited me in silver wolf form.
It was certainly awkward for me as well, so in some sense, I actually appreciated the distance…
But still, the whole ordeal made me a bit sad.
“Oh dear. Are you saying I’ve enjoyed a treat His Majesty’s never had? I hope I’m not locked up for such a crime.”
“…His Majesty wouldn’t do that.”
“Are you sure about that? You better have the king try some of this chocolate soon so that I can rest a little easier.”
Leonard shrugged in jest, turned, and departed from the villa.
◇ ◇ ◇
“CHOCOLATE…for His Majesty…”
After I’d visited Berry’s strawberry patch to call her inside, I’d returned to my bedroom, where I stared at pieces of chocolate and muttered things to myself.
“I hope I’m not getting ahead of myself…”
I truly believed His Majesty had enjoyed the meals I’d presented to him so far. He didn’t seem to dislike sweets either, which made me think he might like chocolate as well.
“…I think I’ll try sending him some chocolates.”
It was still too awkward to request a meeting with His Majesty right now. I decided, instead, to send him chocolates and a letter, rather than seeing him in person.
“I’m sending you these chocolates. When we next meet, if you have any thoughts on the treat, I hope you’ll share them with me.”
I kept my sentences simple and brief, so as not to overwhelm His Majesty with information. I decorated the box of chocolates with colored tissue paper and ribbons that matched the color of the letter’s envelope.
“…Sending out a box of chocolates with a letter. It reminds me of Valentine’s Day from my past life.”
Sweet, but still a little bitter.
The feelings of dark chocolate filled my heart in that moment.
◇ ◇ ◇
“YOUR Majesty, Queen Laetitia has sent you a letter, along with a box of her latest dessert creations.”
“Laetitia?”
The quill in Glenreed’s hand fell still as he raised his head.
A mountain of documents filled the entire surface of the king’s work desk. These documents dealt with issues that arose throughout the kingdom, as well as things like approval for the visits of esteemed guests from foreign lands. Many of them were pressing matters, which kept Glenreed very busy. However…
I’m actually a little glad this is happening now.
Glenreed didn’t know how much distance to keep between himself and Laetitia, now that she knew Lord Aroo’s secret. Perhaps it was better to bury his head in work so that he had no time to be bothered by anything else that might weigh his mind down.
“…….”
He pushed his documents to the side of his desk, read the letter from Laetitia, and opened the box of chocolates.
One scent that wafted up to his nose was unfamiliar, but the other one was…
“Strawberries…”
That sweet-and-sour aroma filled his mind with images of Laetitia’s golden hair. It was as if she wanted to guarantee that his first experience with chocolate would be a good one.
Since Glenreed had once tasted strawberries and called them delicious, Laetitia had apparently chosen them as a vessel for the new treat—strawberries coated in chocolate.
“Laetitia…”
The scent of the strawberries made the image of her in his mind, as well as those feelings in his heart, all the more vivid.
“I want to see her.”
Though he didn’t know how his relationship with Laetitia might be changed upon their next encounter…
Glenreed, in that moment, realized that maybe it didn’t matter, so long as he got to see her again.