Chapter XVII

It was the first day of the last week of the ninth month, Solis, and today was the day I had decided to make the Christmas meal. I had already finished most of the preparations. The wild boar meat had been marinating in the freezer for a long time. I had all the vegetables, fruits, and everything else I needed. I woke up early this morning, a bit earlier than usual, around 6 AM, and went straight to the kitchen. I had asked everyone not to help because I wanted to do it myself and feel a sense of satisfaction after completing the meal.

The Blackwoods had a quick breakfast of bread and butter. I had managed to make butter thanks to the freezer. They ate quickly so as not to disturb me in the kitchen.

Once they were out of the kitchen, I got to work. First, I checked on the boar meat. It had been marinating in a blend of local herbs and spices that I had gathered during our hunts. The smell was incredible, and I knew it was going to be delicious.

I started by preparing the main dish: roasted wild boar. I preheated the oven using the fire that Mira had lit for me. I carefully placed the marinated meat on a roasting pan, surrounded it with root vegetables like yams and glyroots, and basted it with a mix of the marinade and some melted mooncream.

While the meat was roasting, I began working on the side dishes. I made a vegetable stew with the fresh produce we had—root vegetables, green leafy vegetables, and some herbs for flavor. The stew would be hearty and complement the roasted meat perfectly.

Next, I prepared the bread. I kneaded the dough, letting it rise near the hearth for warmth. Once it was ready, I shaped it into loaves and placed them in the oven to bake. The smell of fresh bread filled the kitchen, bringing back memories of Earth.

For dessert, I made spiced cakes using honeypear syrup and dried sunplum fruits. I mixed the syrup with local spices and baked the cakes slowly to perfection. They would be sweet and fragrant, a perfect end to the meal.

I also made holiday pastries filled with mooncream, a creamy filling made from the milk of the Lactabeasts. I had become quite skilled at milking the Lactabeasts and making mooncream, and the pastries turned out beautifully golden brown.

As the day went on, the kitchen was filled with the delicious smells of cooking. I moved from one task to another, making sure everything was perfect. I remembered the techniques I had read about in books and seen online, applying them here in Hestia with the local ingredients.

At around 4:30 PM, I asked everyone to go bathe and put on their best clothes. Isabella had a beautiful green dress with intricate embroidery, Mira wore a red tunic with gold accents, and Lila chose a blue gown that matched her eyes. Zane wore a simple yet elegant brown outfit that complemented his strong build.

Once they were gone, I set the table. I asked Isabella to make a lamp for me, and she crafted a beautiful one with a warm glow. I decorated the table with some flowers I had found, arranged the plates, and set the utensils as I had learned from books. Everything looked perfect.

Finally, I went to clean up and put on my best clothes. I chose a simple white shirt and dark trousers, nothing too fancy but nice enough for the occasion. I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness as I got ready.