Legal bullshit called disclaimer: I do not own Overlord blah blah and so on.
A/N: Well well well, back again, this time with an one-shot again. It's Overlord this time. I read all the novels (by the way, fuck you, Yen Press) and there was a particular scene in Volume 8 that piqued my interest. I really like the character of Enri Emmot and can't wait for what will happen in the next volume, now that she is the *spoiler alert* Goblin general as well as Ainz' true form was revealed. Anyway, the scene I am talking about is the dinner. All the dishes are mentioned, but the dinner isn't described. Still, the way Enri acted in Nazarick fascinated me, so I thought I'd write it. Enjoy!
After a few moments they arrived in front of a big door. At Ainz' arrival the doors opened and showed the room behind them. It was a big dining room. A thick red carpet covered the ground and a large banquet table stood in the middle of the room, with high and comfortable chairs. A fire crackled in another big fireplace, adorned with sparkling tiles. Two maids stood next to a second, smaller door. They bowed their heads respectfully to Ainz.
"Forgive me for not joining you, but as I said, it's something to be enjoyed as a family. I will meet you after the meal.", said Ainz.
"N-no, it's alright! I'm v-very grateful for the invitation and the dinner.", stuttered Enri and bowed. Ainz nodded in acknowledgment and left.
‑
Unsure what to do, Enri, Nemu and Nfirea stood in the middle of the room, until a maid spoke up.
"Please be seated.", she said in a gentle voice.
"Ah, yes, thank you.", said Nfirea. As the three approached the table, three maids pulled chairs back, waiting for them to sit down.
The chairs were all decorated with intricate carvings, showing creatures and several crests which were most likely coat of arms. The dark wood was smooth and polished, and although Enri didn't know what kind of wood it was, she recognized it as extremely valuable – just like everything else here. Purple cushions laid on the chairs, silken and filled with only the most soft materials. As Enri sat down, she was in bliss. Never before she had sat so comfortable.
After the three had sat down, the maids began to put dishes and cutlery in front of them. Large porcelain plates in a radiant white with a golden rim, knives, forks and spoons made out of a sparkling metal, with elaborate designs, and cups with high stems, only the finest crystal, all this was arranged in front of them.
One maid stood at the entrance, while two maids disappeared through the smaller door. The last maid stood next to them. Only moments later the two maids returned with carts full of plates and pitchers.
"What would you like to drink? We can offer you 'Water of the Fountain of Youth', 'Black wine from Helheim' and 'Orange juice'.", said the maid next to them.
"I, uh, I think I'll drink water.", said Nfirea.
"Juice for me!", shouted Nemu happily.
"I will also drink juice.", added Enri nervously. Again everything was only of the highest quality. What if she dropped a cup? What if she spilled something? Anxiously she watched as the maid poured her a cup of juice. It was orange in color and had a slight citrus fragrance. Enri took the cup and sipped a little. Immediately a strong and refreshing flavor flowered on her taste buds. Taking a second sip, she felt how her body brimmed with energy.
"Amazing...", whispered Enri.
"It's sooo delicious!", exclaimed Nemu with a bright smile.
‑
The maid clapped her hands. Upon hearing this, the other two maids took several plates and placed them in front of them. Removing the lids, they began to explain.
"This one here is scallop salad and star plum confit. Over here we have Piercing Lobster in velouté sauce. Lastly, Poiret's foie gras of Viðopnir ."
Stunned Enri looked at the plates. A mouthwatering scent waved over them. She never had heard of those foods, but the way they were arranged and the names alone told her that it was high-class food.
Just how important is Lord Ainz?, thought Enri.
"Pardon me, but what would you like to eat?", asked the maid.
"Eh?! I-I think I'll try the lobster.", stuttered Enri.
"Lobster it is, then.", said the maid and put two pieces on her plate. Confused and nervous Enri looked at them. How was she even supposed to eat them? With her fingers, or should she use the cutlery? After a brief moment of thinking, she took a knife and fork and put a piece in her mouth.
Immediately the soft and tender meat melted away on her tongue. The sweetness of the lobster was complimented by the salty and slightly sour sauce.
"Amazing.", muttered Enri.
"This one is so delicious, too!", laughed Nemu. She was eating the foie gras.
Enri glanced over to Nfirea. He was silent, but clearly enjoyed the food very much.
"Amazing...I don't think a regular noble could afford this...no, I'm not even sure if the king could eat something like this.", muttered Nfirea.
Enri was not surprised to hear this. Everything she had seen so far reminded her of nothing less but royalty.
I don't think Lord Ainz is a simple noble...he is way too wealthy for that. Just who is he?, thought Enri, but she probably would never know the truth.
"I hope everything was to your liking.", said the maid.
"Y-yes, very much so.", answered Nfirea.
"Then, next is the soup. It is an Alfheim-style cream of chestnut and potato.", explained the maid. The two maids next to the carts took the lid off a big bowl and served them a creamy, yellowy dish. After seasoning it by sprinkling a few green herbs on top of it, they gave them the plates.
Picking up a spoon, Enri began to eat. The soup had a unique, but wonderful taste. Its creamy consistence slid down her throat with ease and filled her up with warmth. This soup was the best she had ever eaten, all those homemade soups paled in comparison to it.
"Marvelous.", said Nfirea. Enri and Nemu could do nothing but agree.
‑
Enri was in bliss. Sure, eating just for the sake of filling her stomach and pure nutrition was and everyday routine, but eating just for the taste of it was something she could never have dreamed of. On top of that, everything she had eaten so far were dishes that couldn't possibly exist out of Ainz Ooal Gown's realm.
"Seeing that you have finished the soup, it's time for the main course.", announced the maid. Plates with grilled steaks, still sizzling, were again placed in front of them.
"Marbled steak of the ancient frost dragons of Jotunheim.", explained the maid.
Finally. Enri didn't even know that dragon meat was edible, but Nfirea began to explain: "It is unbelievably rare for dragons to be found, and even more so for them to be slain. This steak probably costs its weight in gold, if not even more."
"And Lord Ainz is serving us such a dish casually like it was porridge...", whispered Enri.
"It is indeed true that Lord Ainz is not only extremely wealthy and owner of a lot of different treasures, but also very generous. A dish like this is nothing that would cost him anything.", said the maid casually.
Enri gulped in awe. Now it had been confrmed: Ainz Ooal Gown held more riches than nobles and kings; he was superior to everyone else.
"It is nigh impossible for such a person to exist.", muttered Enri.
"For us residents of the Great Tomb of Nazarick Lord Ainz is nothing less than a god.", smiled the maid.
"A god...maybe that's true.", said Enri. Unlike Nfirea, who had grown up in E-Rantel, which had several shrines and temples, Carne village had neither those nor a cleric. Although they believed in the four Gods, their faith was rather low. In fact, it seemed that Ainz was closer to a god than any of those entities they'd been told about.
Thinking this, Enri took a bite of the steak. Although the hors d'oeuvre and the soup had been breathtaking, both paled in comparison to this single slab of meat. Tender yet firm, an exquisite and rich flavor, she couldn't really describe this. A glance to the side made it obvious that Nemu and Nfirea felt the same. Nemu could barely contain her excitement, she was eating the steak eagerly. Enri was surprised that Nemu could eat this much, but this was most likely a once in a lifetime event.
I never knew such delight...I wonder what I did to deserve this, thought Enri.
‑
After some time – it felt like an eternity – they had finished the steak. Immediately the maids put the plates away and placed bowls before them.
"This one – ", the maid pointed at a dish. " – is Golden Apple compot in white wine with yogurt topping. The other one is black tea ice cream with gold leaf."
"G-gold leaf?", asked Enri confused.
"Yes, the ice cream is coated with a thin layer of pure gold. Eating it won't pose any problems, though.", said the maid. "And of course you can have seconds."
‑
The compot had been delicious, but the ice cream was something she never imagined existing. It was a little like snow, but creamy and sweet. The gold itself was tasteless, and Enri found it a little bizarre that she was eating the amount of money she was earning with months of working, just because it looked good – but then again, the gold was nothing in comparison to the value of those dishes.
After the meal the maids put away the plates, bowls and cutlery and served a thick, orange juice in goblets of gold. Again, a single sip was enough to amaze her. It was unbelievably sweet, and rich in flavor. Thinking of everything that had happened so far, she had a confusing picture of Ainz. A strong magic caster, wealthy beyond belief, in such a – hidden – residence, and those maids...it was impossible, and yet he did exist. In fact, to her he was someone she trusted more than any noble. When they were attacked by soldiers and monsters, the one who came to their rescue had always been Ainz. He was generous and kind.
It would be so much better if he'd be our king...Lord Ainz always keeps an eye on us and helps us out.
Suddenly the two maids opened the big doors. "Lord Ainz has returned.", announced one.
"Did you enjoy your meal?", asked the magic caster.
"Y-yes! It was very delicious! Thank you very much!", said Enri and bowed. Ainz chuckled.
"Well then, let's talk about business..."