Whose Hand the Chocolate Queen Takes Chapter 4

[xuebingcode]

 

Chapter 4

Gentleman: Excuse me, there is only a tiny chocolate piece on this plate here. What is it? 

Clerk: That is quite the find, my good sir. When you put this tiny chocolate bit into your mouth, you will be able to taste a full course meal of chocolate. 

At first you’ll taste the mellow flavour of orangettes, and next the taste of sweet and soft white chocolate. After the faint scent of milk is…

Gentleman: Is…?

Clerk: If you wish to know, please have a sample! Taste it for yourself.

Young Man: Goodness, this is fantastic! This exquisite glasswork turned out to be actually made of chocolate!

Clerk: Indeed, it is. This part here uses a special type of chocolate mixed with the pigment of fruits…

Social status and age mean nothing here. At this fair, there are only those who share the same love and passion for chocolate. Thanks to that, the atmosphere is friendly and homely. 

While Oz and Murr are at the front leading us around the floor, Arthur stops in his tracks.

Arthur: …Such a strange colour, depending on the viewpoint, it can look either blue or gold. I’ve never seen a chocolate like this before!

Clerk: Thank you for your kind words. This is the new finished product of 100 years of research, titled “Song of the Aurora Borealis”. 

Made with the image of the aurora lights illuminating a world frozen in ice, the chocolatier used many rare flowers and syrups. They made it just for this fair.

Arthur: If it isn’t so! It's splendid work, I couldn’t take my eyes off it! 

I wonder why this fair is rarely ever held? All the exhibits and their products are just so magnificent, it would make anyone want to come again and again.

Clerk: That’s how the organizers like it. If we don’t have the perfect line up of chocolates ready for display, this event won’t ever be held, always on hold until chocolatiers, artists, and patissiers create more fine work.

This is a chocolate fair for those who love chocolate, organized by those who love chocolate. In turn, the criteria for the exhibitions are also strict.

Akira: So that’s why there’s so much passion put into these works…

This chocolate fair has likely developed a strong relationship of trust between the organizers and visitors over years and years. Through their words, I can feel the pride and confidence the clerk has in this fair.

Arthur: …Master Sage, if you’d like, will you partake in this chocolate with me? 

Akira: Oh, absolutely!

(Oz and Murr are over there checking out other chocolates…)

Elegantly, he reaches his hand out and guides me to a nearby couch with a box of chocolates he’d received from the clerk in his other hand.

Within this refined atmosphere he appeared as a true gentleman, and was a bit more mature than usual. 

His moves were swift, like he was leading me to a secret hideout, and my heart pounded. 

Arthur: Master Sage, here.

Akira: Wow, these chocolates are beautiful! It’s blue and dusted with golden powder, like a lapis lazuli…

I wish I could stare at this forever instead of eating it! 

Arthur: I understand that feeling! To put this lovely work in my mouth almost feels like I'm committing a crime, 

but from what I hear, the real pleasure of this chocolate may be that feeling of sinning!

I nod in agreement. I don’t think I’ve ever had a sweet that made me feel so bad for eating it before! 

Akira: Alrighty, I’ll take the first bite! …Mmh! It’s delicious…! Sooo sweet…

I thought it’d have a more unique flavour due to its fancy appearance, but it was easier to stomach than I’d thought!

Arthur: That’s great! Now then, I too…

Arthur, with his long fingers, picks up a small piece.

As if he was holding a treasure, he handled it with great care. The fingers that touched the enticing chocolate were brimming with impatience, yet in the end still kind in movement. 

The deep azure chocolate looked like a fragment of a crystal clear jewel, resembling his own eyes. 

Arthur: …It feels like a flower just bloomed in my mouth.

He widened his eyes, unable to express in words how beautiful it tasted. Like he was about to break into a smile, he continued his words.

Arthur: So this is the taste of a chocolate that took 100 years to make…it is an unforgettable taste.

At that, he finally smiled at me, like we were accomplices in a crime. 

As we went around shopping for chocolates, we spotted Lennox.

Arthur: Lennox, did you find your chocolate to go with tea yet?

Lennox: I did, I found a chocolate that turns black tea into milk tea. 

Have you two found anything good?

Akira: We…did, and that’s the problem. I bought so much, worrying over the flavour and appearance…

Huh? Wait a second, Murr isn’t here. He was just with us though…

Oz: He’s over there.

When I turned to where Oz was looking, I saw Murr talking to someone.

Akira: Murr? Who is that?

Murr: Master Sage! I was talking to this lady about chocolate.

???: Greetings, everyone.

Next to Murr was a refined lady in an elegant brown dress that wrapped around her. She smiles as she approaches us. 

A charming woman with a smile that read she was good with others, who gave off an approachable aura. Her carefully maintained and long curly hair sways along with her. 

Akira: Oh, Murr, is she your friend?

Murr: Nope. Just met her now!

She was dancing so I called out to her, while dancing! It was fun dancing around the fair!!

???: Hehe, this fair was just so amusing I felt like I had to move my body!

Lady Chocola: My apologies, I forgot to introduce myself. I am called Lady Chocola.

Akira: Lady…Chocola?

Lady Chocola: A strange name, isn’t it? I am actually a chocolate critic.

I inherited this title from my great great great great great grandmother, who was also a chocolate critic!

Because of the family knowledge of chocolate I inherited from my great grandmother, I’ve come to love chocolate, live with it, and become one with it, which is why I am continuing her legacy. 

Murr: I knew your great grandmother! 

She ate all the chocolates in the world, becoming known as the greatest chocolate critic! So you’re her granddaughter!

Lady Chocola: Indeed I am. I was travelling the world, discovering chocolates I had yet to eat, just like my great grandmother did…

My, that chocolate you have!

Lennox: This?

Lady Chocola’s eyes were on the chocolate package that Lennox was carrying. She forgot about her introduction and was focused on the chocolate.

Lady Chocola: That chocolate goes well with tea, but if you add cheese to it the flavour deepens and changes to an entirely new taste!

Adding pepper is also good, as it gives it a spicy pinch and makes for a great accent. 

Furthermore, if you have salt and nuts…

Just like her name, she truly loves chocolate from the bottom of her heart. Her passion shows through her words. 

Gentleman: You hear that? That chocolate he’s got must be a good one!

Madame: If it’s Lady Chocola’s words, it must be true! I have to buy that! 

Soon, the people who heard our conversation headed towards the booth where Lennox got his chocolate from. 

It appears that Lady Chocola’s influence in this world is akin to a queen, and I’ve just gotten a taste of it myself.

Lady Chocola: Chocolates are so rich in depth, holding an infinite amount of possibilities within their ingredients and creation... 

Ah…you, with the silvery white hair. Those chocolates you’re holding are top grade as well, I love them too.

Arthur: Thank you, it was actually this sir here who picked it out for me. He’s got quite the eye for aesthetics.

Oz: …

Lady Chocola: Really now? You’ve got great sense, sir!

Oz: …Thanks.

Murr: Lady Chocola, you bring that name justice with the amount of love you have for chocolate!

Have you already found a chocolate you like the most here?

<      Index      >