Chapter 187: The Bride of May (5)
The moment Hayward finished speaking, Jason whisked away the white cloth covering the wedding cake.
"Waaah…"
"So that's a wedding cake. The decorations are truly beautiful."
"I'm sure Jinseo made it, right? I can't wait to taste it."
The five-tiered pure white wedding cake immediately captivated the guests.
From beginning to end, the Korean-style ceremony had exceeded every expectation.
"Just like yesterday. Just like we practiced…"
With a grave expression, Aston stood before the cake, muttering to himself.
Biting his lower lip, he gripped the knife tightly with both hands, veins bulging on the backs of his hands.
"Oh dear, it seems the groom is still nervous. There's no need to use aura when cutting the cake. It's not a monster—it's a cake as sweet as married life."
"Ah—right. I didn't even realize…"
Aston hurriedly withdrew the aura coating the blade and scratched the back of his head.
He had relaxed after thinking everything was finished, only to tense up again upon remembering the cake cutting. The moment he held the knife, his battle-honed instincts had flared reflexively.
"And the cake cutting must be done with the bride and groom holding the knife together. It symbolizes their first joint task as a married couple who will now consult and face all matters together. What are you doing? The bride is standing there awkwardly behind you!"
At Hayward's remark, Aston stepped aside in haste.
Stella took the knife confidently with both hands, and Aston gently placed his hands over hers from behind.
"Now, this truly is the final event of the ceremony! Please give them a warm round of applause!"
Thunderous applause erupted as the couple cut the cake with happy expressions. Jinseo captured the moment on his smartphone.
I haven't tasted it yet, but it looks even better than the sample. There's no way I could've done this alone. I'm so glad everyone helped.
He smiled as he admired the cake displayed prominently on his screen.
Since starting his business in this world, Jinseo had learned and presented far more dishes than just bunsik.
However, he had never had the time to properly study pastry or baking. Until now, if someone wanted baked goods, he simply brought them from Korea.
But ordering a wedding cake from Korea was impractical. This time, he had asked the chefs from the food truck branches for help.
They had always been the ones learning from Jinseo. When he asked them, for the first time, to create something in his stead, they all stepped forward eagerly.
Among them, Andrew—the "Master of Confectionery" he had met in the Girvante Kingdom—took the lead with particular passion.
Drawing on his experience at a renowned pastry shop in the culinary nation of Girvante, Andrew devoted nearly half a month to refining the cake, blending Korean ingredients and recipe with his own interpretation.
The result was the five-tiered masterpiece now before the guests.
After cutting it into manageable slices, Aston and Stella first served pieces to both sets of parents and Charlotte.
"Ah… incredible. The sweetness of the fresh cream and the softness of the sponge cake are perfect."
Charlotte licked cream from the corner of her lips with blissful satisfaction.
"If weddings always had desserts this good, I'd attend one every day of the year. What about you, Jinseo?"
"Hm… the taste…"
He tasted his slice thoughtfully.
"W-well? How is it?"
Andrew watched anxiously.
"It's far better than your practice versions."
"Isn't it? It tastes that way to you too? I used ingredients from the Greenhouse. They match much better."
"I'm hopeless with pastry, so I was worried. I'm glad I left it to you. May I have another slice?"
"Of course!"
Jinseo quickly finished his slice and received another—only to feel the stares of guests who had yet to receive any.
"…Ah."
Feeling awkward under their gaze, he handed his second slice to a guest at the front.
Though the cake was large, it could not be served to everyone. Priority went to distinguished guests, leaving many sighing in disappointment.
"If only I could taste one bite…"
"Is this only available at weddings?"
"My son is getting married next month. Could you make one?"
"What? Well…"
Overwhelmed by sudden orders, Andrew panicked.
"Don't worry about money! I won't be stingy at my only son's wedding!"
"Five tiers aren't enough. Could you make ten?"
"The recipe and ingredients were provided by Jinseo, so I would need his permission first—"
"If Andrew is willing, he may make as many as he likes. Don't worry about me."
"R-really? Then I'll gladly accept!"
With Jinseo's approval, Andrew practically jumped for joy and began taking reservations at the counter.
"Guests! Now the time you've truly been waiting for has arrived! Are you ready to satisfy your hungry stomachs? The buffet is prepared—please enjoy! I'm going to eat as well!"
Hayward dashed toward the buffet tables the moment he turned off the microphone.
The square was packed with guests.
Naturally, the quantity and variety of dishes required were immense. Yet now, Jinseo was leisurely selecting dishes from the buffet.
"Hyung-nim, today's Tteokbokki is especially good."
"Indeed. Marco insisted on handling it himself. He's earned the praise—his skills have improved."
"It's nice to finally enjoy an event instead of cooking nonstop."
They ate happily.
Thanks to preparations the previous day—when the food truck, branches, and bunsik street closed early to cook—the banquet was ready.
In Korea, reheated dishes would lose quality. But in this world, magic preserved flavor perfectly.
Jinseo had stored the prepared dishes in Interspatial Storage and retrieved them after the ceremony. They tasted as fresh as newly cooked.
With Marco and Paulo contributing as well, the food earned even higher praise than usual.
"Let's see, this fried dish was made by Lord Aston…"
Crunch.
Jason blinked after biting into fried kraken and exchanged a glance with Jinseo.
"Are you thinking the same?"
"Yes. Today's frying is exceptional."
"Much crispier! He must have put extra care into it."
"He wanted to personally serve guests at his own wedding."
Despite his busy schedule, Aston had helped cook the previous day. Inspired by Stella making her own wedding dress, he wanted to prepare dishes himself.
"And that dish—ah, it's being brought out."
Servants circulated with steaming bowls.
Though the banquet was buffet-style, one dish was served individually to each guest.
A staple at Korean weddings—and a first in this world.
Galbitang.
"Ah… I've only grilled ribs before. As soup, it's so comforting."
Jason enjoyed the tender ribs and rich broth.
The response is even better than expected. I'm glad I chose galbitang.
Jinseo had often been disappointed by wedding banquets in Korea—buffets lacking quality, or single-course galbitang feeling insufficient.
Serving both would solve it, but budgets often prevented that.
This time, budget was no concern. As a generous wedding gift, he prepared galbitang with care.
Crade would have loved this. He could've eaten ten bowls.
Craid had departed on an assignment from the Heirem Order.
In his stead, Charlotte was devouring her fifth bowl across the table.
"Ahhh… wonderful. One more bowl and—hmm?"
She rolled up her sleeve.
A strange mark appeared on her forearm.
Her expression hardened.
"This… something may have happened there. Should I go now?"
After a moment's hesitation, she stood.
"Sorry, everyone. I have to leave."
"Already finished eating?"
"No. Personal matters. Are you worried?"
"Yes. That expression doesn't look trivial."
Jinseo's concern was evident.
"It's fine. I'll just check. It's probably nothing."
Charlotte lightly patted his shoulder and quietly departed the square.
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