novelraw Chapter 182 : Black Tea, Starry Sky, and Premonitory Dream
Chapter 182 : Black Tea, Starry Sky, and Premonitory Dream
Splash splash—
She raised her arm, lifting the teapot high, pouring the tea into a transparent circular glass vessel,
The water flow impacting the bottom of the teapot produced a pleasing sound.
"How is it~ Does it sound nice? Good sound means good tea—"
This is an advanced tea brewing technique called 'Jumping'.
Just as Elsa was doing now, to complete this step, one needs to lift the teapot high when pouring tea, allowing hot water to pour from a height, fully mixing with the air. Impacted by the water flow, the tea leaves first float to the surface, then begin to jump up and down,
If viewed through a transparent crystal teapot, it looks as if the tea leaves are dancing animatedly, hence the name 'Jumping'
"Whether it's good tea and how well it's brewed can only be judged after tasting."
Placing the tea Elsa had poured in front of herself, Yvonne began to carefully observe the amber-colored tea in the cup, then gently lifted the cup, allowing the tea's aroma to waft around her nose.
A nice fragrance.
The decades-long noble life she had spent in this world had long since cultivated her taste to be sufficiently discerning,
So, in terms of black tea appreciation, Yvonne believed she possessed a certain level of discernment ability.
After the surface temperature of the hot tea had cooled slightly, she lifted the ring-shaped handle with her fingers, bringing the tea to her throat.
After drinking the black tea, her mouth was instantly filled with the unique aroma of tea.
".........!"
Yvonne was quite surprised,
The tea she brewed was unexpectedly delicious.
She had thought that as a beginner, the tea Elsa brewed would have some shortcomings,
However, after tasting the tea she had personally brewed, she experienced a long-awaited pleasant surprise from this pure tea aroma.
"How is it? Would you like a refill?"
Probably because her reaction was quite satisfactory, Elsa, wearing an expression of undisguised pride, held the teapot and poured another full cup of black tea for her.
"...When did you learn this?"
In Yvonne's taste memory, only Linda, the maid who had taken care of her since childhood, could brew such tea. No matter what kind of tea leaves, in Linda's hands, they seemed to be magically transformed, bringing out different flavors.
But now, there was one more person who could brew such a taste. In terms of taste complexity, the tea Elsa brewed was even a notch above.
"I specially asked Miss Linda for guidance before. She said Evie really likes this type of black tea, so I put in a bit of effort......"
As if showing off a trophy, Elsa lightly tapped the wooden canister containing Ceylon tea leaves with her knuckles, which had been carefully labeled with moisture-proof charms.
The quality of tea leaves is certainly one aspect. Only tea leaves that are fresh enough and dry can fully absorb water and become heavy enough to sink.
Moreover, controlling water temperature is also very important. If the water temperature is too high or too low, it cannot perfectly present the deliciousness of black tea.
In practice, Elsa utilized her advantage, using magic to control fire elements, using high heat to quickly bring the tea water to a boil in a short time,
—It seems the practice has paid off!
To brew this kind of premium tea well, Elsa had practiced hard,
"I know, Evie likes the taste of the third brew, which is slightly lighter, right?"
"You don't need to do such things just to cater to me......"
It's probably not as simple as 'practiced a little', right?
Seeing the unhealed burn marks on her hands, she felt heartache.
Yvonne was naturally very happy that Elsa had such thoughtfulness, but she didn't want her to sacrifice too much for herself.
"Seeing Evie happy makes me happy too."
"Learning how to brew black tea is also interesting! It feels very sophisticated! And......"
She seriously counted on her fingers the benefits of 'learning to brew tea', and at the end, she smiled:
"After learning, I'll have many opportunities to brew tea for you... It might take some time to go from unfamiliar to proficient, but I'll keep at it."
Just seeing her surprised expression when she drank the tea I personally brewed made it all worthwhile.
"Then... teach me next time too."
Faced with her wholehearted dedication, Yvonne could only accept graciously.
"I'd be delighted to."
Not just for enjoying the taste of black tea itself, but enjoying this process, sharing a perfect afternoon with her in the aroma of tea, is certainly an immersive experience.
"Hey—"
As the two were savoring the black tea, a small ball of fur quietly approached from behind them, then pounced on Yvonne.
"—Bebe?"
The newcomer was the Pelo tribe girl they had taken in. Taking a character from the name of Kebechet, the daughter of Anubis, the god of death in ancient Egyptian mythology, she was named Bebe,
But unfortunately, her current height was not enough, and even using both hands and feet, she couldn't climb up smoothly.
"...Mama, carry."
With no other choice, Bebe had to ask for help.
"Alright, alright."
As her daughter wished, Yvonne picked her up and let her sit on her knee, wearing a custom-made small skirt with a hole for her tail, sitting on her lap like this.
Having gained a new vantage point, she began to curiously observe the steaming cup of black tea in front of her.
The little one imitated Yvonne's actions, placing her hands on both sides of the teacup, then gripping the handle with her small paws that had paw pads.
"What? Do you want to drink black tea too?"
"Mm~!"
Holding the teacup, the little one nodded seriously.
Children at this stage often engage in imitative behaviors.
Whether eating or playing, she would show shadows of adult behavior.
So, Yvonne and Elsa must set positive examples.
"...So bitter!"
However, although she wanted to elegantly savor tea like her mother, when Bebe lifted the cup and took a small sip, she was immediately puckered by the unique bitterness of the tea,
The sensitive tongue of canine animals seemed to dislike this taste, causing her little face to scrunch up entirely.
"Hahaha... Have some snacks and it won't be bitter anymore."
Unable to hold back her laughter, Yvonne smiled and used tongs to place a baked snack from the tiered stand onto the plate in front of her daughter,
Seeing the snack, she immediately perked up.
Just as she took a bite, her little tail behind her started wagging like an electric fan with a motor installed, just short of spinning her into the air.
"This... is so delicious~~!"
This happy expression showed she was quite satisfied with the taste of the snack.
But it's no wonder, what she's eating now is the royal-exclusive honey almond biscuit, which normally only direct royalty can taste,
However, because the two of them were invited by the princess to stay here, they now get to enjoy nearly the same treatment as the princess.
"We still have dinner later, so you can only have two pieces of snacks at most, understand?"
"Ugh..."
Being greedy and having a sweet tooth is almost the nature of all children.
Fortunately, she's an obedient child.
Looking at the last piece in her hand, Bebe lifted her little head and looked at Yvonne and Elsa.
"We'll save all the rest for you, so is this the last piece for today?"
Thinking she felt it wasn't enough, Yvonne patted her daughter's head to comfort her,
"Mama, eat together."
However, to Yvonne's surprise, Bebe broke the piece in her hand into two halves and offered them to Yvonne and Elsa.
"—"
In her memory, she hadn't deliberately taught her to do such things,
Yvonne was somewhat surprised when receiving the biscuit.
"Why did you want to share with me and Elsa?"
"Mamas haven't eaten... It's very delicious."
It's because she liked it, so she left all the snacks for herself.
So, she also wanted her family to taste it together—
This was the first time.
The first time receiving a 'gift' from Bebe's hand
Yvonne couldn't help but feel moved by witnessing her child's growth,
"Awww~ This child is really~!!"
Elsa beat her to it and hugged their daughter.
"...Remember this feeling right now, okay?"
"Mmm?"
The current Bebe doesn't quite understand yet.
In the future, perhaps she will also meet someone willing to give her half of their snack, and she'll be willing to give them half of her 'life' snack—
But, before then, they need to raise this child to become an outstanding woman.
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Having a day off,
An idle evening.
Because food, clothing, housing, and transportation were all free... there was a sense of joy like traveling on public expense without spending a penny.
"Ah..."
Staring at the flickering firelight in the fireplace, Elsa suddenly sat up from Yvonne's lap.
"I say... suddenly... what's wrong?"
They were almost about to fall asleep together on the lounge chair, but she suddenly broke this tranquility.
"What should we do!! It seems like we haven't done anything... and today is already over!"
"Mm, it happens sometimes."
"...Don't you find it scary, Evie?! Today was supposed to be an important day—"
Time flew by so quickly when they were together, as if sucked away by a black hole.
"If we got to rest properly, that's fine too. Besides, this isn't a waste, it's called 'spending quality time'—"
"As expected of Evie, you immediately made wasting time sound completely reasonable."
"...What kind of statement is that!"
Seeming somewhat dissatisfied with Yvonne escaping from her body, she pulled her back again. She locked her arms around Yvonne.
"Didn't you say you'd give me all of today's time?"
"That's what I said, but..."
Elsa just didn't want precious time to pass by in vain.
Although this is nice too, but if they could do something more meaningful, that would be better—
"It seems there's an observatory here, want to go up and take a look?"
"There's such a place?"
"Well, it is a royal palace after all."
The view suddenly became very broad.
Yvonne had been to that kind of virtual planetarium before
But the dome made of electronic screens... was far from presenting the vastness before her eyes now.
"Amazing..."
Coming here was indeed the right choice.
"The winter stars are always particularly clear."
"...I can't really see clearly though."
"Evie—take care of your eyes! Your prescription can't get any worse!"
"Yes, yes."
It's incredible.
Being under this dome like this, it's as if only the two of them exist in the world.
After coming to the rooftop, wrapped in blankets and feeling the cold wind,
"Want some tea?"
"Thank you."
This is really quite a convenient skill.
The tea taken out from the spatial storage was still steaming hot.
The time flow in the spatial storage is much slower than the outside world, so it has the effect of keeping things warm.
"Ah—we can see stars from here."
"I wonder if there are any shooting stars."
"What, do you have something you want to wish for?"
She clasped her hands together and started praying in a seemingly proper manner.
"Oh great deity~ Please hear this humble girl's wish... I wish—to be able to do nothing together with Evie like this every day!"
"Wait a minute... doing nothing is unnecessary!"
After saying this, Yvonne also couldn't help but laugh.
As long as they still like each other, everything will be fine.
Tomorrow they will only like each other more than today.
Being able to meet her in this vast world is a small coincidence, and also a great miracle.
In ordinary days, what accumulates and overlaps is extraordinary happiness.
Under the starlight that has shone for who knows how many tens of thousands of years, the two wrapped in a single blanket, their silhouettes drew ever closer.
"Happy anniversary."
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That night, she had a dream.
A dreamlike color palette, unbelievably good weather on a clear day—
In a bright and magnificent church, she and Elsa were both wearing beautiful white ceremonial dresses.
Then, she held her hand.
On both sides were her father and mother, Linda, the children from the relief agency and Sister Delia, the married couple... everyone from the Leinster Guild...
Those who had helped her, those she had helped... all gathered together.
Everyone wore happy expressions, clapping their hands, gazing at them with warm looks.
...
No, no, no, this isn't right—
This must be a dream, right?
In the dream, when holding her hand, Yvonne suddenly had such a clear thought.
Because this was truly too dreamlike,
It was just like a fairy tale.
But... she wanted to make such a scene become reality.
With such thoughts, she fell into a deeper level of the dream,
Then there was a flash of white light, and she couldn't remember much of the scenes after that, her memory becoming somewhat blurry.
"...Mm?"
When she opened her eyes, she found that the person beside her was already awake,
And for some reason, she seemed very happy, nestled beside her, wiggling her body, seeming to be giggling secretly,
"...What good thing happened so early in the morning?"
However, when Yvonne asked, she became a bit shy
"No, no! I can't say it out loud... I feel like if I say it, this premonitory dream won't come true!"
"...What kind of dream was it?"