Chapter 164

Japanized Western Dish [Part 3]

After Melsa finished cooking in less than an hour, she kneeled down in front of the Emperor and Shogun yet again.

“This is…“

“Wow…“

A dish they had never seen before was placed in front of them.

“I tried making a dish which would suit the tastes of the Imperial Japanese people by using an ingredient that can substitute rice. I think this dish perfectly matches the red townscape of Imperial Japan.“

“Please enjoy it while it’s hot.” Melsa urged them with a friendly grin.

“Y-Your Imperial Majesty, is this… food?“

“Your Lordship, I think this is the first time someone has given you poison in such an obvious manner, right…?“

Melsa also served small tasting sample-sized plates of the dish for the close attendants, but no one moved their chopsticks.

It was bright red.

The dish made using the ingredients from the Kingdom didn’t give off any strange or bad smell. They could also see steam rising from it, just like any other food… but it was bright red.

They could understand why the carrots were red, but for all the other ingredients to also become red… It was simply an appearance which was impossible for the commonplace Imperial Japanese dishes to have.

“I didn’t put any poison in it, you know?“

“I watched over the entirety of the cooking process. We have also done the poison-tasting.“

Adding to Melsa’s words, Ume confirmed that it was not poison.

“No, well… why is it red then? I’ve never seen such an entirely red dish, though?“

The Shogun, who had been a little excited about being able to eat the beauty’s homemade cooking, also started looking hesitant and doubtful as he sniffed at the shocking dish which was served before him.

“? I heard that red has the meaning of ‘charm against evil spirits’ in Imperial Japan, so I thought it was an auspicious color… But rest assured, it’s definitely not poison nor red iron oxide.“

“Come on now, don’t be shy. Help yourselves.” Melsa vehemently encouraged them to eat the devil’s food.

“…Your Lordship, this Fukushima will try it for you first.“

“…Your Lordship, I, Katou, will also taste it first.“

The close attendants standing on the Shogun’s side looked very determined when they said those words.

After the two clasped hands once to encourage each other, they scooped the red thing on the small plate and delivered it to their mouths in one go.

“!!! Ugh—!!!

“

“!!! Mmph—!!!“

Fukushima and Katou’s eyes widened as their mouths chewed intensely.

“F-Fukushima!!! Katou!!! Don’t force yourself!!!“

The Emperor and the Shogun rose from their seats as they looked at their loyal retainers’ reckless actions worriedly.

For a while, all the attention was focused on the two people chewing, and the room gradually became so quiet that only the sounds of gulping could be heard.

“…D-delicious.“

“…I-It has a beautiful taste—…!“

” ” “Eh???” ” “

“Your Lordship, contrary to its appearance, it has a gentle taste.“

“Your Imperial Majesty, if it’s this dish, even women and children will… like it!“

Even though it was red, it wasn’t spicy.

It was an extremely balanced combination between a bit of sourness and sweetness.

With both vegetables and meat inside, the dish was very filling.

“I-It’s delicious…?“

“Very delicious!!!“

Although they themselves still found it hard to believe, their tongues couldn’t lie.

Seeing that the two trusted subordinates among the Shogun’s seven close attendants claimed that it was delicious, the other attendants also started to eat the red dish timidly.

” “Eh??? Delicious!” “

” “Huh? It’s good!” “

” “Eh?? How(?) could it taste good?” “

No one said that it didn’t suit their taste.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

The Shogun and the Emperor, too, prepared themselves to eat Melsa’s cooking.

“…It’s… delicious.“

“…Yeah, it’s good…“

Although this was their first time eating it, the dish somehow tasted nostalgic to them.

The Emperor asked Melsa, who laughed in satisfaction after seeing the Imperial Japan side’s reaction.

“What is the name of this… dish?“

Yeah, that’s right. This is everyone’s favorite…

“Spaghetti napolitan.”

Melsa answered.