Chapter 6: Please have some syrup made of wisteria flowers
As Diana instructed, Leon picked wisteria flowers and lemons from the back mountain.
“. . .What are we going to do with these? We can’t eat them.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll cook them so they can be eaten.”
Diana carefully examined the wisteria flowers to make sure there were no bugs and washed them.
She boiled water and sugar in a pot, then added the wisteria flowers and lemon juice.
Gradually, the sugar syrup turned into a vibrant purple color.
The sweet scent of wisteria filled the cabin.
Leon looked down curiously at the simmering mixture from Diana’s shoulder.
“Wow, that’s amazing.”
“Isn’t it beautiful? I remember when I was young, my father ordered the cook to make this for me.”
“. . .Are we going to eat it as it is?”
“When I had it, I put it on pancakes with whipped cream. The pale purple color, with the scent of spring, was so lovely.”
The two of them gazed at the vivid purple color.
In their minds, the beautiful garden of the Heinz mansion resurfaced.
There used to be a wisteria trellis behind the stable.
It withered along the way. . .
Beside Diana, Leon sterilized a bottle.
The bottle was filled to the brim with wisteria syrup.
They closed the lid, and Diana and Leon sighed in relief.
“Well then, let’s go to that hot spring again tomorrow.”
Leon made a troubled face.
“Diana, you should rest a bit.”
“I’m planning to sell this.”
“. . .Huh?”
“I heard that in rural areas, people mainly obtain food and supplies through bartering. Especially in times of war, bartering thrives since currency is not reliable.”
“. . .I’m a little confused about what you’re saying.”
Diana smiled mischievously and turned to Leon.
“Hey, both you and I should eat better things.”
Leon looked surprised.
“We shouldn’t limit our possibilities to just potatoes and dried meat. We have to eat something better and get stronger, even if it’s just a little.”
Leon’s expression softened slightly.
“Get stronger. . .”
“Yes, we have to get stronger. Um. . .We’ve been through a lot.”
“Yes.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing who will come to the hot spring cabin and what they will bring.”
“Diana. . .”
“In times of war, we must stay strong.”
“Yes, you’re right.”
“Um, so can we stop using honorific language soon?”
“Well. . .That seems like the most difficult part. . .”
“Just call me by my name. You can order me to do so.”
“Okay then, Diana. Lie down on the bed and stay still.”
“Hehe, okay.”
Just the fact that she was given an order by Leon made Diana quietly excited.
He was standing in the kitchen in the evening, simmering potatoes and dried meat once again.
A pleasant breeze gently brushed her cheeks, and Diana rowed the boat of her fluffy hair, feeling reassured.
The setting sun and her hair, which had a similar color, were dazzling.
Diana slept soundly until she was awakened by Leon again.
The next day.
Diana was once again riding Regina with Leon, descending the gently sloping gray hills covered in rocks.
Diana held a bottle of wisteria syrup.
The hot spring cabin came into view, and Diana showed a relieved smile.
A few middle-aged women were talking while still in their bathrobes.
When Leon and Diana dismounted, everyone’s attention was drawn to the girl with fiery sunset-like hair.
Diana gathered her courage.
“Um. . .Hello.”
The women responded in a relaxed manner, returning the greeting.
“Oh? Leon, what’s with the girl?”
One of the women asked.
“I brought a girl along.”
“Who is she?”
Leon’s face stiffened.
“Oh, could it be. . .?”
The woman said.
“Leon’s bride?”
Diana decided that denying it would only cause more trouble.
“Yes!”
“Oh, Leon, that’s great!”
“She’s such a cute bride!”
Leon turned pale, as if he was about to collapse. Diana whispered to him.
“We can figure out the details later.”
She adjusted her grip on the bottle of syrup. Leon, supporting his head as if enduring a headache, followed Diana.
In front of the women, there were various items laid out. Diana’s eyes sparkled.
“Oku-sama, what’s over there?”
“Oh, we were just discussing bartering. The village hasn’t received any currency lately. We have bread, soap, and. . .flour.”
Diana handed over the bottle of wisteria syrup.
“Can I join in too? This is fuji syrup.”
“Fuji syrup? I’ve never heard of it before.”
“When you dilute it with water and drink it, it’s sweet and delicious.”
“Oh, I see. It’s not easy to get sugar these days.”
“How about after taking a bath?”
“That sounds nice.”
Diana dripped the purple syrup into an empty bottle she had prepared in advance and poured cold well water into it.
“Here you go.”
“Oh, thank you. As a thank you, I’ll give you a bar of soap.”
“Give me some too. I’ll give you two pieces of bread.”
“I’ll put some flour in the empty bottle for you.”
“Wow, thank you so much!”
And so, the bartering was easily successful.
Diana and Leon exchanged glances and laughed together.
