NOVEL NEXT Chapter 31
Episode 31: Pork Braised in Apple Cider
Time flew by like a bird in the sky.
Autumn, which had once painted the mountains in vibrant hues, slowly began its exit, shedding leaves along the way.
As the evening darkness approached and the chill of the season intensified day by day, Luke found himself in one corner of the kitchen, facing off against a bottle of apple cider he had acquired at the recent autumn festival.
On that unforgettable day at the festival stall, when he tasted apple cider for the first time, he thought it could be a great addition to his cooking. Alexia had chimed in with, “That’s great! I’m counting on you,” leaving an indelible mark on his heart.
That “counting on you” was something he simply couldn’t shake. While it was likely that Alexia said it without any deeper intentions—merely a casual throwaway line during their chat—Luke felt quite the opposite. It didn’t matter how insignificant the promise might seem; he was determined to uphold any words exchanged between them, come what may.
Thus, he borrowed the vacant kitchen after dinner with the noble aspiration of trying his hand at a new dish.
“Alright, this looks promising,” he muttered to himself.
The day before yesterday, he had tenderly massaged some salt into a chunk of pork he had tied up with twine, placed a few herb leaves on top, and left it to rest in a cool, dark corner.
Yesterday, he retrieved the piece of meat, giving it a meticulous patdown to drain any lingering moisture, then generously poured the apple cider over it for a full day of marination.
Today was finally the moment of truth. As he popped open the apple cider bottle once more, the sweet, refreshing aroma of apples wafted joyfully through the air.
“…”
As the delightful scent of the cider enveloped him, it conjured up memories of the festival he had attended with Alexia.
The vibrant streets, decked out in a kaleidoscope of decorations, were alive with cheerful villagers flocking to numerous stalls. Fireworks lit up the night sky while the sounds of ancient songs echoed through the fields and hills.
The fairy-tale-like spectacle imprinted itself in Luke’s mind, transforming into a cherished memory he wished to retain forever.
“…………”
Yet every time he reveled in those fulfilling memories, an insatiable ache gnawed at him.
He couldn’t ignore the imposing wall that stood between them.
The more enjoyable their time together was, the stronger his wish grew to be with Alexia.
He longed to be by her side for eternity. To be even closer. To be in a space where he could hear her laughter, feel her breath, and stretch out his hand to touch her sparkling presence.
However, alongside that yearning was a painful realization that such desires were beyond his reach.
Luke was merely a “young noble.”
A frail illegitimate son born into a baronial family, the lowest tier among the aristocracy.
While he could claim a title of nobility, it was a tenuous claim indeed—so fragile that he felt a twinge of embarrassment even to call himself a noble. His daily labor had rendered him so accustomed to toil that he struggled to recognize himself as a nobleman.
Still, he had never once wished for a grander position—until the moment he fell in love with Alexia.
(…it’s never enough…)
The deeper he acknowledged his feelings for her, the more he became painfully aware of his inadequacies.
He couldn’t help but wish for a lineage and upbringing that was more noble.
This realization morphed into a torment so intense that it felt almost like a thirst that tightened its grip around Luke’s very soul.
Desiring the person he loved—oh, how it stung with anguish!
“Haah…”
With his worries swirling inside him, Luke’s hands remained busily at work, refusing to pause.
He placed the beautifully browned meat into a pot, along with salt, pepper, dill, and cloves, drowning it in apple cider until it was fully submerged, and set it over a lit stove.
While the meat simmered, he turned his attention to the sauce. Our sweet protagonist decided to keep apples as the main thrust as well. Mixing grated apples with several kinds of herbs, he added oil, mashing everything until it achieved a smooth consistency. Once it formed a paste, he took the yolk of a boiled egg and blended it in for good measure.
“Wow! That smells incredible!”
As the chunk of meat basked in a leisurely simmer, the enticing aroma beckoned Hans, the head chef, who peeked over the counter with a delightful grin.
Hans, with his fair complexion and delightfully plump figure, always exuded a warm, soothing aura. Watching him lean in, almost drooling over the bubbling pot, Luke felt the heaviness in his heart begin to lift.
“Hey, Hans, want to give it a taste?”
“Absolutely, with pleasure!”
Luke carefully fished the meat out of the pot, slicing it into manageable pieces, and plated it up beautifully. He offered Hans a small dish with the sauce, saying, “Here you go, feel free to dig in!”
Hans blew on the freshly cooked pork, savoring it in his mouth, and as he swallowed, a pronounced gulp echoed through the kitchen.
“Ugh…”
Silence enveloped them for a moment.
“Hans?”
“Delicious!” he exclaimed passionately, clutching his cheeks as if the goodness might make him burst.
“Luke-sama, this is unbelievably good!!”
Thanks to the earlier salting and resting process, the excess liquid had evaporated, leaving the meat undeniably succulent. The careful drying allowed flavors to concentrate and meld beautifully with the apple’s richness, delivering a flavor far superior to ordinary salted meat.
“Ah! This is amazing on its own, but it pairs so well with the sauce!”
“Glad to hear that! Thank you!”
“I can promise everyone will adore it. Next time, let’s make a large batch together. I’ll lend a hand!”
“Yes, please do.”
Though the apple cider had diminished in volume after cooking, about half remained in the pot, mixed charmingly with the meat’s juices—a waste to toss, as it surely held potential for tomorrow’s soup.
With that thought, Luke efficiently began to tidy up the cooking utensils, all the while imagining how to repurpose that flavorful liquid.