“Which one should I choose?”
An stood on the shore, holding a different type of fish in each hand, looking quite troubled.
The fish in her left hand had fine scales, a dull gray color, and an unappealing appearance, but it struggled with remarkable strength.
The fish in her right hand, though seemingly foolish, had scales that shimmered with a rainbow of colors, so beautiful it was breathtaking.
“Ultimately, I have no idea what kind of fish the Young Master ate last year,”
An sighed softly.
The fish that even the Young Master had praised must have been the one from last year when the Duke’s family visited Beipole Lake for a boating trip. The fish was so delicious that even the well-traveled Lord couldn’t stop praising it.
It was only natural that the Young Master would remember it fondly, but that fish was caught by the boatman, and the entire meal was prepared by him, so An had no idea what kind of fish it was.
“To make such a basic mistake, as the Young Master’s personal maid, I really am failing,”
An resolved to thoroughly learn all about the freshwater fish species of Beipole Lake once she returned to the Duke’s Mansion.
The mansion had a strange library with all sorts of books; there must be some related literature there.
“If it’s for eating, the fish in your left hand would be much more delicious,” a voice spoke up behind An.
“The fish in your right hand may look beautiful, but it has a very strong fishy smell.”
“Is that so?”
An casually released the fish in her right hand back into the lake, then turned to face the young girl who had returned:
“Is everything alright with your companions?”
“They… have already left.”
“Then why aren’t you leaving?”
“I…”
Eluka forced a lonely smile: “One of my companions is severely injured and needs treatment, but I’ve run out of magic power. Moreover, due to my physical condition, I would just be a burden if I followed them. So, it’s better to stay here and wait until I regain some magic power. Sorry, I can’t bring my companions to thank you together for now.”
“Don’t worry about it, I’ve said I don’t need those things,”
An said:
“Instead, you seem to know a lot about this fish?”
“Mm-hmm.”
Eluka nodded: “Actually, my village is across the lake. Every autumn, I used to come with my family to catch this type of fish. Although it only gets plump in autumn, that’s exactly why it’s so loved by the noble lords, always fetching a good price.”
“Is that so? Seems I didn’t catch the wrong one,”
An murmured to herself, then suddenly remembered something and looked at Eluka, asking earnestly:
“Can I ask you for the cooking method of this fish?”
“Eh, of course.”
“Great.”
After receiving a positive response, An knocked the fish unconscious and tossed it aside, then took out a small notebook she carried with her and inquired:
“Generally, what cooking method makes it more delicious?”
“Hmm… usually, it’s grilled or steamed. After all, the characteristics of this fish are its fresh taste and firm texture, so it’s better to choose a cooking method that doesn’t destroy its original flavor.”
“What seasonings are needed?”
“Salt should be enough, since you’re eating it for its original taste.”
“Spices…”
“……”
……
……
The two conversed for a long time, with An asking about cooking methods, seasoning, and even the best temperature for serving.
Only after filling two pages of her notebook with dense notes did she close it with satisfaction and bow to Eluka in thanks:
“Thank you for your guidance, it’s been a great help.”
“Eh, no need to thank me,”
Eluka hastily dodged An’s deep bow, scratching her cheek as she said:
“I just did something trivial, it’s nothing compared to being saved by you.”
“No, to me, this is a very significant help,”
An’s normally dignified and cool face showed a rare hint of gentle smile.
Seeing that smile, Eluka was momentarily lost in thought.
“Is Miss An doing all this… because you have someone you like?”
“Hm?”
“Ah, sorry, to suddenly bring this up, it’s Miss An’s private matter after all…”
“It’s okay, it’s nothing that needs to be hidden.”
An touched her slightly red cheeks with both hands, a happy smile on her lips:
“After all, I am indeed doing all this to make a fish feast that my beloved enjoys.”
“So it’s true… that’s wonderful.”
Eluka said with some envy:
“To be able to offer your feelings to the one you love, your beloved must be very happy.”
“Mm, he is very happy,”
An squinted her eyes, “once he fully understands the depth of my love.”
“Eh?”
“It’s nothing, please don’t mind.”
An withdrew her hands, habitually folding them in front of her abdomen.
That elegant demeanor once again made Eluka envious.
If only I were that graceful, Rod would surely keep his eyes on me.
“Um… Miss An.”
“Hm?”
“I have a worry, can I confide in you?”
Eluka clutched her skirt, asking nervously.
“Of course,”
An replied: “As thanks for teaching me how to cook, ask away.”
“Actually… I have a friend, a friend, a really good friend.”
“Mm, I understand, a friend, then what?”
“Then, she has someone she likes, someone she’s liked for a very long time. But she doesn’t know if the person she likes also likes her, because that person is very slow, very gentle to everyone.”
“A hearth-type man? The kind that radiates warmth to everyone.”
“I… my friend, she was planning to confess, but then another woman showed up.”
“A love triangle?”
“…Mm, so recently my friend has been wavering, because the person she likes seems to be nicer to the new woman. So, she’s thinking, maybe it’s better to give up now?”
Eluka stared down at the lake surface, where the waves still churned, making it hard to see her own face.
Unconsciously, her fingers clenched until they turned white.
“After all, they seem to have mutual feelings, wouldn’t it be bad for me to interfere as a third party.”
“I see, I understand your worry,”
An nodded, then said:
“Then I’ll ask directly.”
“Eh? Miss An?”
Eluka exclaimed.
Because An suddenly cupped Eluka’s cheeks, forcing her to look into her eyes.
“How much do you like that man?”
“Eh eh, it’s a friend, a friend…”
Her evasive words gradually weakened, for through An’s eyes, Eluka realized even her ability to lie was so inadequate.
“Really like, since childhood, I’ve liked him for years,” Eluka confessed truthfully.
“Would you give your life for him?”
“Of course.”
Eluka answered without hesitation.
After all, she had already done so.
“Would you disregard morality for him?” An continued to ask.
“Would.”
“Would you break the law for him?”
“Mm.”
If even life can be sacrificed, what are morality and law in comparison?
