I managed to keep my brow from scrunching in front of the guests.
These fruits, it’s lecitan?!
Lecitan is a tropical fruit, a very rare one at that. It’s only found in the southern islands and is occasionally cultivated there.
The fruit is sweet, juicy, and has a rough texture.
But….
‘It’s very tough to chew.’
On top of that, because it’s a difficult fruit to come by, it’s rare to see even in the Empress’s palace.
The one time the Empress ate one, I took a bite and I have to say…..
‘It was incredibly delicious. I’m even salivating at the thought of it.…wait no!’
I came to my senses.
I knew Her Majesty has trouble eating hard foods, her teeth can’t chew anything tough.
From what I saw last time, the Empress dowager felt discomfort because of her weak teeth.
I don’t like this situation one bit.
On one hand, isn’t it weird to give hard fruits to someone as a gift especially when you haven’t seen them in a long time?
The Empress Dowager clenched her fist tightly as she spoke to the Emperor.
“…..Thank you. It feels like more than five years have passed since the last time I ate lecitan.”
“Oh, my. Has it really been that long? I should take care of you more often from now on.”
The sense of imminent victory was just around the corner in the eyes of the Emperor.
“Still….those years won’t change the taste of lecitan. I hope it still suits your taste. In fact, why not try one?”
The Emperor who spoked mockingly, beckoned me.
“You there, come here.”
M-Me, me?
Trying to show a calm demeanor, I walked up to the Emperor at a normal pace.
“Go prepare these lecitan.”
With that said, the ridicule on the Emperor’s face was apparent.
His expression said it all, he clearly was enjoying every second of it. He then concluded by mentioning everyone.
“So that all the distinguished guests can eat together.”
* * *
When I reached the kitchen, I stood there looking down at the lecitan for what seemed like an eternity, feeling troubled.
‘I don’t think I can prepare the lecitan like any fruit I usually would….’
Even if I were to cut the fruit, the Empress dowager still wouldn’t be able to eat it.
Of course, the Emperor would be thrilled to see that.
I however don’t want to see that happen. I can’t let it happen.
I’m agonized over what I should do.
‘Should I try to cut it into fine small pieces and present it?’
But for the Empress dowager to eat it properly, I would have to cut it as small as spoonful portions.
…..Not that I can’t do that, the problem is it comes off as too disrespectful in front of people who value politeness.
Perhaps that’s what the Emperor wants.
Her Majesty would be ashamed in front of all the guests if I did so.
At a time when I couldn’t come up with a solution, a clear glass cup caught my attention. That’s when it clicked.
‘Ah!’
I jumped up in glee.
* * *
Standing in front of the tea table, I held my hands together and bowed politely.
“The lecitan you requested.”
At the same time, the maids placed the plates quietly on the table.
Each plate was covered with beautiful slices of fruit.
“Oh God, I never thought I’d be given a chance to taste this exquisite fruit,” whispered one of the nobles.
“Lecitan, this fruit is hard to come by even in the south,” said another noble.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
The nobles who knew nothing of Her Majesty’s condition, eagerly expressed their gratitude to the Emperor as their palates became wet with anticipation for lecitan.
The Empress and the Duke, who understood the situation, quietly surveyed the venue’s atmosphere.
Meanwhile Her Majesty, the Empress dowager looked down at the plate with a discouraged look.
The Emperor who observed her Majesty, eventually pushed the tip of his lips forward and announced.
“Everyone, let’s eat.”
As if he was the organizer of this tea time, the Emperor had proudly offered fruit to everyone.
I opened my mouth like it was nothing.
“And here is the juice made from lecitan with ice.”
As I said that, the maids put down a glass of juice for each of the distinguished guests.
In an instant, Her Majesty widened her eyes in surprise as she looked back at me.
I added to my words with modesty.
“I thought everyone would be thirsty, so I prepared this.”
I managed to keep my brow from scrunching in front of the guests.
These fruits, it’s lecitan?!
Lecitan is a tropical fruit, a very rare one at that. It’s only found in the southern islands and is occasionally cultivated there.
The fruit is sweet, juicy, and has a rough texture.
But….
‘It’s very tough to chew.’
On top of that, because it’s a difficult fruit to come by, it’s rare to see even in the Empress’s palace.
The one time the Empress ate one, I took a bite and I have to say…..
‘It was incredibly delicious. I’m even salivating at the thought of it.…wait no!’
I came to my senses.
I knew Her Majesty has trouble eating hard foods, her teeth can’t chew anything tough.
From what I saw last time, the Empress dowager felt discomfort because of her weak teeth.
I don’t like this situation one bit.
On one hand, isn’t it weird to give hard fruits to someone as a gift especially when you haven’t seen them in a long time?
The Empress Dowager clenched her fist tightly as she spoke to the Emperor.
“…..Thank you. It feels like more than five years have passed since the last time I ate lecitan.”
“Oh, my. Has it really been that long? I should take care of you more often from now on.”
The sense of imminent victory was just around the corner in the eyes of the Emperor.
“Still….those years won’t change the taste of lecitan. I hope it still suits your taste. In fact, why not try one?”
The Emperor who spoked mockingly, beckoned me.
“You there, come here.”
M-Me, me?
Trying to show a calm demeanor, I walked up to the Emperor at a normal pace.
“Go prepare these lecitan.”
With that said, the ridicule on the Emperor’s face was apparent.
His expression said it all, he clearly was enjoying every second of it. He then concluded by mentioning everyone.
“So that all the distinguished guests can eat together.”
* * *
When I reached the kitchen, I stood there looking down at the lecitan for what seemed like an eternity, feeling troubled.
‘I don’t think I can prepare the lecitan like any fruit I usually would….’
Even if I were to cut the fruit, the Empress dowager still wouldn’t be able to eat it.
Of course, the Emperor would be thrilled to see that.
I however don’t want to see that happen. I can’t let it happen.
I’m agonized over what I should do.
‘Should I try to cut it into fine small pieces and present it?’
But for the Empress dowager to eat it properly, I would have to cut it as small as spoonful portions.
…..Not that I can’t do that, the problem is it comes off as too disrespectful in front of people who value politeness.
Perhaps that’s what the Emperor wants.
Her Majesty would be ashamed in front of all the guests if I did so.
At a time when I couldn’t come up with a solution, a clear glass cup caught my attention. That’s when it clicked.
‘Ah!’
I jumped up in glee.
* * *
Standing in front of the tea table, I held my hands together and bowed politely.
“The lecitan you requested.”
At the same time, the maids placed the plates quietly on the table.
Each plate was covered with beautiful slices of fruit.
“Oh God, I never thought I’d be given a chance to taste this exquisite fruit,” whispered one of the nobles.
“Lecitan, this fruit is hard to come by even in the south,” said another noble.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
The nobles who knew nothing of Her Majesty’s condition, eagerly expressed their gratitude to the Emperor as their palates became wet with anticipation for lecitan.
The Empress and the Duke, who understood the situation, quietly surveyed the venue’s atmosphere.
Meanwhile Her Majesty, the Empress dowager looked down at the plate with a discouraged look.
The Emperor who observed her Majesty, eventually pushed the tip of his lips forward and announced.
“Everyone, let’s eat.”
As if he was the organizer of this tea time, the Emperor had proudly offered fruit to everyone.
I opened my mouth like it was nothing.
“And here is the juice made from lecitan with ice.”
As I said that, the maids put down a glass of juice for each of the distinguished guests.
In an instant, Her Majesty widened her eyes in surprise as she looked back at me.
I added to my words with modesty.
“I thought everyone would be thirsty, so I prepared this.”
