Beatrice sat perched on a cool stone step just outside the kitchen, her chin resting on her palm. Beside her, Adrine stood with arms loosely folded, both of them waiting longer than expected.
From beyond the door came the constant chorus of clattering pans, the hiss of ignited flame, and the occasional splash of liquid spilling onto stone.
Beatrice exhaled a weary sigh. "Looks like we'll be scrubbing that kitchen for hours today," she muttered, though a faint smile tugged her lips. At least her young master's enthusiasm was brighter than it had ever been.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a deep, familiar call.
"Beatrice!"
She blinked and turned. Standing in the courtyard was a man she hadn't expected to see: broad-shouldered, middle-aged, with a thick mustache and a travel-worn satchel slung over one arm. His dark hair was flecked with gray, his presence as hearty as his laugh that followed.
"Sir Wood?" Beatrice's eyes widened as she leapt to her feet. "What are you doing here?"
"Hahaha! Come here, girl, I missed you!" His booming voice filled the space as he spread his arms wide. With his barrel chest, jolly grin, and rough-spun clothes, he might have been mistaken for some village Saint Nick, if not for the stern sharpness in his eyes.
Beatrice laughed and stepped into his embrace. "But weren't you on leave? What brings you back so soon?"
"I heard the young master had an accident," he said, patting her shoulder as he drew back.
Her smile softened. "Yes… it was unfortunate. But he's recovering well."
"Well then!" Wood puffed up his chest, clapping a hand against his arm. "This old cook is going to prepare something that'll put strength back in his bones." His grin shone with pride.
Beatrice chuckled, but before she could reply, Wood's eyes fell on Adrine.
"And who might this fine young lady be?" he asked, pointing a thick finger in her direction.
"Oh—this is Lady Adrine, the young master's new personal guard. The head lady herself arranged it. Lady Adrine, meet Mr. Alister Wood, the Ahn family's cook."
Adrine dipped her head in a respectful bow.
"Ohoho! A strong addition indeed," Wood rumbled approvingly, then glanced toward the kitchen door. "But tell me—what are the two of you doing lingering out here? Where's the young master himself?"
Beatrice stiffened. In all the excitement, she had nearly forgotten that he was still inside. She glanced back at the kitchen door before turning back to Wood and quickly explained everything.
Wood's brows furrowed in confusion. The shy, quiet young man he had known was not the type to cook for himself.
And from Beatrice, she claimed he was making a sweet? Using Wagashi bait?! Wood had friends who were fishermen; he knew that red seaweed—it didn't look edible at all! The idea alone was… intriguing, and a little impossible.
"I have to see this for myself!" Wood declared, leaping toward the kitchen. Beatrice and Adrine hurried after him, curiosity pulling them along.
As the door swung open, Ji Hoon was busy wiping down the table and organizing his workspace. One of his quirks: he couldn't stand a dirty environment. Everything sparkled; nothing was out of place.
When Ji Hoon noticed the trio entering, a small smile formed. His eyes first met Beatrice's. "Oh, you're here. I was just about to call you to test it…" He began, then paused, his gaze shifting to the middle-aged man standing beside her.
Beatrice quickly introduced Wood, and Ji Hoon gave a polite bow. "Thank you for letting me use your kitchen," he said quietly.
Wood blinked, surprised at the boy's manners and then at the spotless kitchen. Beatrice, too, couldn't hide her amazement; not a single utensil was out of place.
"Young master… I heard you were making something?" Wood asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Ah, perfect timing," Ji Hoon said with a small, satisfied smile. He carefully brought out four glasses of his panna cotta, placing them on the table with precision.
Each glass had a small spoon nestled neatly inside, and he gestured toward them. "Please, try it."
Wood leaned forward, his eyes scanning the glasses, curiosity warring with disbelief. Each glass held a creamy, almost white layer topped with a bright red sauce. His experienced cook's eye and nose could tell immediately—it was strawberry. On the side, the discarded Wagashi baits lay in the trash, forgotten.
"I thought you were using the Wagashi baits," Wood said, pointing.
Ji Hoon glanced at the trash and smiled faintly. "Oh, those? I only extracted their juices. I didn't need the actual plant."
Wood's interest deepened. The aroma rising from the panna cotta was intoxicating. He leaned closer, studying the dessert as if it were a treasure. Carefully, he scooped a portion with his spoon and brought it to his lips.
For a moment, the kitchen fell silent. Even the faint crackle of the magic-stone stove seemed to pause. Then Wood's eyes widened.
"By the stars…" he murmured, leaning back slightly. His usual boisterous demeanor gave way to genuine astonishment. "This… this is incredible! The texture! So smooth, yet firm enough to hold its shape. And the strawberry topping—it balances perfectly!"
Beatrice and Adrine exchanged glances. Beatrice leaned forward and dipped her spoon into another glass. As soon as the creamy mixture touched her tongue, her eyes went wide, and she let out an involuntary gasp.
"W-wow… Young master, this is… amazing!" she breathed. The panna cotta was unlike anything she had tasted in this world—rich, silky, and delicate, yet surprisingly light.
"How did you learn to make this?" she added, astonished.
Adrine, usually composed and reserved, couldn't help but smile as she tasted hers. "It's… exquisite," she said, her voice steady but tinged with disbelief. "I've never had anything like this… even in the noble kitchens back home."
Ji Hoon watched them carefully, chest warming with quiet pride. A small smile curved his lips. "I'm glad you like it. I wasn't sure how it would turn out… but it seems my skills still work, even here."
Wood waved a hand dramatically. "Skills? Boy, you call this skills? This is artistry! You've taken something no one would ever consider edible and turned it into a masterpiece!"
Beatrice giggled at his exaggeration, but she could see the truth in his words. Even Adrine's usually stoic demeanor had softened with appreciation.
Ji Hoon's eyes drifted to the glasses on the table. Not bad… maybe I can actually bring a little of my world's flavor to this one, he thought.
His first modern dessert in a fantasy world and it had survived both the magic of the kitchen and the judgment of an experienced cook.
He picked up a glass for himself. The panna cotta jiggled gently but held its shape perfectly. He took a careful bite.
"Emm…" he hummed thoughtfully, a small smile forming. The vanilla undertone and rich creaminess reminded him of home, and the panna cotta melted effortlessly in his mouth.
"Seriously, young master," Wood exclaimed, eyes sparkling with passion. "In all my years as a cook, I've never seen anything like this! And this… strange flavor—is it the Wagashi?"
Ji Hoon noticed the subtle difference too, unlike the agar's taste in his world, this red seaweed had imparted an unusual but surprisingly complementary taste.
"How?! How did… no! Where did you learn to make this?!" Wood's excitement bordered on frantic.
Ji Hoon laughed lightly, hiding the truth behind a simple excuse. "I just experimented a little here and there…"
Wood's disbelief was palpable. How could something this delicious come from mere experimentation? But he didn't press further, seeing Ji Hoon avert his eyes, spoon in hand, savoring the panna cotta.
Without hesitation, Wood finished his portion, as did Beatrice and Adrine, each lost in the sweet, delicate flavors. Ji Hoon felt a surge of satisfaction watching them.
Just then, the servant who had brought news of the young master's fiancée earlier burst into the kitchen, panting, but this time his face was bright, not frightened.
"Young…! Master!…" he gasped.
"What is it, Haide?" Beatrice asked, still savoring the lingering sweetness on her tongue.
"The lady… she's finally back from the capital!" he announced, eyes shining.