Ⅲ
With a huge smoke ring, Malinda arrived as promised, carrying a wooden food box.
The box had three tiers. Besides the promised egg tarts, it contained larger pie-sized tarts and egg tarts topped with matcha, cream, and assorted fruits.
These were undoubtedly Aunt Mary's new creations.
Arthur gave them his wholehearted approval-
"Excellent!
This caramel one tastes the best!"
Wearing an apron, Arthur followed his "Medium's instincts," took the egg tart that appealed to him most from the box, and popped it into his mouth.
The crisp pastry and silky filling awakened his taste buds, letting him savor the sweetness and toasted notes within, like a sudden breeze on a sweltering afternoon.
It was not cool, but it was pleasant enough.
Malinda accepted his praise with the corners of her lips curled upward.
Because...
She had made the caramel egg tarts.
They were definitely not burnt.
The heat had simply been a little too high.
And baking egg tarts today had only been an accident, a passing whim. She certainly had not made them specially so Arthur could sample her cooking.
In her cheerful mood, Malinda assured herself of this.
Arthur glanced at the smile on Malinda's lips and smiled inwardly as well.
What made food delicious?
Beyond filling your stomach, wasn't it the care that went into it?
When that care came from a partner he could work with for the rest of his life, it deserved to be savored all the more.
Sugar turned into salt?
That was fine.
Wasn't he the one who decided whether it was sweet?
If he said it was sweet, it was sweet.
If he said it was delicious, it was delicious.
It wasn't some masterful, brazen trap involving nine-turn braised intestines.
It was just a small meal together. There was no