Chapter 14: Sun Cakes
Ingredients
Dough: 110g plain flour, 1/4 tsp maltose, 15g sugar, 45g shortening, 50g warm water
Oil dough: 75g plain flour, 45g shortening
Filling: 80g sugar, 20g maltose, 25g plain flour, 20g butter, 1/2 tbsp warm water
Egg wash: 1 egg+ 1 tsp water, lightly beaten.
Recipe
Water dough: Dilute maltose in warm water then mix all ingredients together and divide into 10 parts (for 10 cakes).
Oil dough: Mix into a smooth paste and divide into 10 parts.
Filling: Mix maltose in warm water then mix all ingredients together, then split into 10 parts.
Cake: Flatten the water dough and place the oil dough in the center. Wrap the water dough around the oil dough and seal the edges to form a ball, then roll the dough into a rectangular shape, turn it 90 degrees, and roll again into a rectangle and roll it back up. Stand the roll and flatten it, then roll the dough into a circular shape. Add the filing in the middle and wrap the dough around it, making sure to seal all edges. Roll the dough into a circle shape again. Repeat for each individual cake, then bake at 200C for 12 minutes or until golden brown.
A familiar sight greeted Lysithea's eyes. The dirt road they were on led into a loop circling around a lush, green field. The border between path and grass was lined with vibrant flowers, blooming with vivid violets, rosy reds, and every hue in between. The midday sun gave the colors an extra verve, almost popping and exploding before their eyes. Lysithea leaped forward, running towards the marble steps behind the loop. The patio atop the steps was hewed from similar material and ornate, wooden benches lay on the right side, while a swinging bench was affixed on the left. She dashed between them, beelining towards a large wooden door. Around and behind the door spread a mansion, walls made of pieces of gray brick carefully placed together, with large, open windows on each floor. Lysithea paused and took a deep breath before looking back at her companions, who were laughing as they struggled to flag her down.
"Lysithea, I don't think I've ever seen you run that fast!"
"Oh, you should have seen her when the dining hall had sweets."
"Guys!" Lysithea shushed them. She turned back around and pushed the bronze knocker against the door, a hollow thunk reverberating through the walls. Footsteps could be heard behind it, and the door carefully swung open. A man in a butler's smart black and white uniform surveyed them, his eyes widening when they reached Lysithea.
"Lady Lysithea! My apologies, we were unaware that you were returning!" He quickly bowed his head. Lysithea chuckled.
"No need for the formalities. Everyone, this is our butler, Curtis; Curtis, could you let Mom and Dad know I'm home? And that we have some guests? Thanks!" She patted him on the head affectionately.
"Of course, milady. It is nice to see you back." He bowed again. "Before I leave, you may leave your things beside the door; I will take them to the guest rooms once they are prepared. Lord and Lady Ordelia are currently away, but should be home in time for dinner." He nodded again and left into the house.
"Wow, Lysithea, you have a butler?" Dorothea was impressed.
"Yeah, he's been here for as long as I remember; honestly, he's basically part of the family now. But if you guys need anything, feel free to ask him. Now come on, I want to give you guys a tour!" She rubbed her hands with glee, waiting for them to remove their shoes and put their meager belongings aside before beginning. The entrance hall was a grand affair; marble flooring was cool and soothing on their bare feet, and carpets inlaid with the Ordelia crest marked the center path. Glass candle holders, each with a small, neatly carved hinged door for lighting and replacing their contents, lined the walls for illumination at night; during the day, the curtains of the windows were drawn back, allowing daylight to stream in. A birchwood dresser served as a coat rack, and a separate box beside it served as a shoe rack. Lysithea had never seen it so full since her siblings had passed, her mind harkening back to memories of playing in the hall with them as she held back a tear.
It was so long ago, yet still feels like yesterday…
She shrugged off the thought and continued along the hallway towards the dining hall. It was a grand affair, with violet carpet adorning the entire floorspace. A large oak table, almost as long as the dining tables back at the monastery, sat in the center. Matching chairs dotted the sides, each with plump cushions for weary behinds nestled atop their dark brown frames. The ceiling of the room was decorated with a single chandelier overlooking the table, smaller candles nestled within frames of glass shaped like drops of water, with carefully glazed walls designed to soften the sharp glow to better suit the ambience of a calm meal.
"The rest of the house is mostly the guest rooms and stuff. There's a game room too where we can all hang out later, and a ballroom for back when we used to host parties…Ahem. Anyways, I want to show you guys the backyard, and by then your rooms should be done!"
She skipped along into another hallway, the rest of the students in tow, following it until they reached a glass-paned door which led out to an expansive field. A concrete walkway ringed it, and benches dotted the edges while a solitary oak planted in the center provided shade. The Eagles ran out onto the grass and lay back, stretching out and bathing in the late afternoon light.
"Ahh…", they collectively sighed. Edelgard turned her head to glance at Lysithea; the girl's eyes were closed, a wide smile on her face.
I haven't seen her this...joyful in a while. Happy, yes. But joyful, energetic, and content? I wonder if this is what she was like before everything happened.
She felt a pang of guilt again.
When Lysithea's head hit the grass, her eyes closed. She was taken back to when she was a child, following her siblings around, running after each other to play tag. She could hear Elena's cheerful laugh as she easily backpedaled away from her; she could hear the twins, sticking their tongues out and saying "nya ha" as they easily outran her.
"Hey, Lysithea? You okay over there?"
She glanced at Edelgard, who was looking at her with an odd expression, and smiled ruefully.
"Yes...just caught up in some memories."
"Care to share?"
"Well...it's a bit childish, really. But I used to play here with my siblings every day. We'd finish our schooling in the afternoon, then meet out here. We'd play tag, and, as you know, I've never been the fastest, so I ended up 'it' all the time. But I never much cared. It was so much fun just being together. And the best part was at the end of the day. Mom and Dad would come through that same door we came out of, and tell us all dinner was ready. Being spoiled children, of course, we'd lay down on the grass and say we were too tired to move. So every day, they'd carry us, one by one, to the dining hall. Our feet never touched the floor." Lysithea sighed. "What I would do to be able to do that just one more time."
"I see…" Edelgard stood up abruptly and tapped Lysithea on the shoulder. "Well, you're it." She winked and sidestepped away with a hoot.
"I-oh, I get it. I'm going to get you for that, Edelgard!" She leapt up and sped towards Edelgard, who teasingly let her get just close enough to lunge at her, only to deftly duck under her arm and end up behind her.
"You'll have to be faster than that!" Edelgard stuck out her tongue and ran off. Caspar sat up from his spot under the tree, eyes glowing at a chance to run.
"Ooh, are we playing tag?"
Edelgard nodded.
"Yes, we are. Lysithea's it, if you were wondering. Anyone else want to join?"
The rest of the Eagles stood up and roared heartily in approval.
"Now, stay away from Lysithea!"
Lysithea groaned.
Is there anyone here that I can catch in a foot race? Maybe Hubert…
She ran towards him, and he smirked and turned tail, trying to avoid her.
Yes, I'm catching up!
She reached out, but before her arm could extend, she slipped on the wet grass, tumbling and falling flat on her face.
"Oww," she moaned.
"Oh dear, Lysithea, are you all right? Let me-"
"Ha! Gotcha!" Lysithea stuck out her tongue as she poked Dorothea's arm. "You're it now!" She giggled as she dashed away. Footsteps and laughs rang out through the yard as the Eagles, blissfully forgetting the war, chased and tumbled after each other. Once the game was over, they all lay around the great oak tree, sweat dripping down their brows and chests heaving with exhaustion. The sun had slowly begun to set as it watched them play, rays darkening from a piercing yellow to a warm, gentle orange, bronzing over their skin.
"Wow, that was tiring." Linhardt shook his head. "I'm about ready for a nap."
"I'll say! I couldn't even find anywhere to hide in this open field!"
"Bernadetta, it's tag, not hide and seek."
"Yeah, but Dorothea, you can't just tag me every time you get it. My leg's still in a cast; I literally can't run."
"Oh, hush, Ferdie."
Lysithea smiled, putting her hands behind her head. Edelgard lay next to her, arms folded across her stomach. Lysithea leaned over and whispered into her ear.
"Thanks. Reallly...thank you for that."
Lysithea let out a satisfied sigh as she stepped out from the shower, weeks of grime and dirt finally washed off with a good soak.
Not like those "baths" at the camp, she thought with a shudder. No hot water, no soap, and no privacy. Yuck.
She toweled herself as dry as she could and pulled on a nightgown, happy with the feel of clean, soft clothes on her body once again. A package on her desk caught her eye. She picked it up and tossed it in her hands; it was soft, almost like clothing, though wrapped around something solid. She saw the label on the outside and smiled, hugging the package close to her chest.
To: Lysithea
From: Claude
She ripped open the package and found Byleth's black jacket, the recipe books, and her stuffies. Tucked inside one of the pockets of the jacket was a small note from Claude.
Heard what happened, but not sure what the full story is. Not really sure what to believe anymore. As friends, hope this letter finds you well.
"Thank you, Claude," she whispered. She tucked the books away on the bookshelf and carefully arranged the stuffies on her desk. She reached into her wardrobe to hang up Byleth's jacket, before changing her mind and draping it over the back of her chair.
I need to see it as much as possible...I don't want to forget even a single moment I spent with him.
Satisfied, she left her room to find the others.
"Ready to go?" She found them lounging on the couches outside of the guest room, all freshly out of the shower and with fresh clothes for the first time since they had left Garreg Mach. She gestured for them to follow, and they stepped down the marble staircase back towards the dining hall.
"Hey, Lysithea, what's this room? I don't think we saw it earlier." Hubert pointed towards a large double door that was padlocked.
"Oh...that's the ballroom." Lysithea looked decidedly uncomfortable, and the rest of the Eagles save for Hubert began to walk on.
"Why's it locked? I don't see any other rooms locked in here."
"Well, we used to open it for parties and the like. Then something happened there, and we stopped having the parties. Besides, ever since moving to the Monastery, my parents have taken a backseat in political stuff, so there's a lot less socializing. Anyways, we should get going. I'm sure you all are starving, and dinner should be ready soon!" Lysithea urged everyone forwards.
Hubert shrugged, took a second look at the door, and fell back in step with the rest of his friends. Lysithea calmed her pounding heart, grateful that Hubert hadn't pressed on.
It's like Edelgard said, I'm a terrible liar. That room has been locked since that night…
The dining hall was just a few steps away. She pushed the door open and courteously held it open for everyone, despite Curtis' protests for her to let him do it, waiting until everyone had taken a seat. Gold covers atop each plate hid the courses that had been selected for dinner. A soft knock on the door echoed, and Curtis quickly opened it.
Lysithea couldn't resist sprinting towards the two who stood in the doorway, wrapping one arm tightly around each of them.
"Mom! Dad!" She buried her face between them, muffling her own voice. "I missed you guys so much," she said. Lord Ordelia, a tall, well-set man with short, graying hair, dressed in stately noble robes decorated with the Ordelia colors, squeezed his daughter gently. His deep purple eyes, matching Lysithea's, twinkled as he looked down at his daughter.
"We have missed you as well, daughter."
Lady Ordelia nodded, her long brown hair, neatly tied into a ponytail, bobbing with her head. Her dress was a simpler affair, plain black with only a pin on the left chest of the Ordelia Crest and reaching down to her ankles and flowing with each of her careful steps. The students immediately looked at each other when they saw her face; Lysithea's resemblance to her mother was uncanny. She smiled warmly at the students.
"It is a pleasure to meet all of you. I would like to get to know all of you better, but you must be starving, and we can learn more about each other over dinner." She and Lord Ordelia assumed their seats at the head of the table and nodded; Curtis reached a gloved hand over the table and began removing the covers from the dishes.
A large feast had been prepared; roasted fish, stewed meats, and sauteed vegetables ranged the table, with freshly baked breads and sauces set aside. Lysithea glowed as she ate and watched her parents interacting with her friends.
It's almost like we're a big family again, she said. We played tag in the afternoon after a grueling day of work, and now we're eating dinner together, joking and smiling…
She glanced next to her at Edelgard, who was engaged in a conversation with Lady Ordelia regarding her dress. Petra listened intently across the table. Bernadetta was eating quietly in a corner, shoulders hunched and trying to avoid conversation, though Curtis was insisting she return to the table. Lord Ordelia was being regaled by Caspar and Ferdinand of their own feats in battle, while Dorothea rolled her eyes at their embellishments. Even Linhardt was awake; apparently he had found an old tome regarding Crests, and he looked like he was waiting to speak to Lord Ordelia about it. Only Hubert was quietly picking at his food, though Lysithea didn't find that too out of the ordinary; Hubert wasn't much for social situations unless Edelgard was directly involved.
This is my family now. They're a bit wacky, but...in such a short time, we've been through so much together, and we've stuck through it and been there for each other the whole time.
Once most of the dishes were empty, Curtis emerged from the kitchen, large dish in hand. Lady Ordelia stood up.
"In order to thank all of you for taking such good care of our daughter, we've baked a special cake for each of you. It's called a sun cake; we hope you like them! They were Lysithea's favorite growing up."
Indeed, Lysithea could feel her mouth watering just at the mention of the little cakes. Curtis handed out the cakes to each of the students, and Lysithea had to restrain herself before devouring hers in a matter of a few bites. Her parents chuckled happily as they watched, the students thoroughly enjoying the dessert and asking for seconds, which had been prepared.
"So, Lord and Lady Ordelia, do you have any embarrassing stories of Lysithea as a child?"
"Oh, so many." Lord Ordelia laughed, a booming, resonant laugh that bounced around the room. "Where to begin...there was the time she thought she was holding a little chocolate egg. She came to me, all excited. 'Daddy! I found a chocolate egg,' she said. I took a look and I told her it sure doesn't smell like one…"
Lysithea groaned as her parents and classmates spent the rest of the night trading stories that she had expected to be long forgotten by now.
Silvery wisps of light crept between the billowing curtains, bathing Lysithea's room in a warm glow. She snuggled against her blankets, hugging Byleth's jacket to her chest.
It still has his smell, she thought. And his warmth…
She squeezed it to her chest, a couple tears falling from her eyes.
"Lysithea? Dear, are you crying?"
Lysithea rolled over and faced the door, where her mother and father stood.
"Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad," she croaked. Her mother sat next to her on the bed, gently placing her head on her lap. Warm hands stroked her hair and massaged her scalp. Lysithea sniffled and held the jacket up to her mom.
"So, who is he?"
"He-He was-" Lysithea shook again. "He understood me. He...he gave me hope that I could live on, and then he was taken away," she sobbed. Her mother gave her time to cry before speaking.
"Can you tell me all about him? Tell me what he looked like. What did his voice sound like? What things did he like to do? What things did you do together?"
"But…"
"I know you don't want to forget him. So tell me everything. We won't forget him; I'll remember him as if he was one of our own family."
"That's easy for you to say." Lord Ordelia folded his arms. "If he did anything inappropriate to you, or made you sad…" His hands clenched into fists.
"Mom...Dad..." Lysithea smiled through her tears. "Thank you. We met during class, since he was a substitute professor…"
Lysithea leaned back into her bed, relaxing finally. She had no idea that simply telling someone all about her relationship with Byleth could be so cathartic.
Maybe it's because we had to hide it for so long. But I feel...happier. I'm still sad he's gone, but now I know that Mom and Dad would approve of him. And I'll always cherish those memories.
"Hey, Lysithea? You still awake in there?" Edelgard's voice floated through the cracks of the door. Lysithea tumbled out of bed to let her in.
"Yeah, just about to go to sleep."
"Alright. I just wanted to see how you were doing; I noticed you were getting a bit distracted at some parts of the tour."
"No, I just...have so many memories, good and bad, in here. But I'm glad we were able to make so many new, happy ones today," Lysithea said. "Thanks to you. I'll never forget playing tag with all of you, or eating dinner and joking with everyone. This house hasn't been that lively since that night. Thank you, Edelgard. Really." Lysithea hugged her, resting her chin on Edelgard's shoulder. Edelgard squeezed her back.
"It's not just you who will keep those memories with them forever," she whispered.
A week had passed at House Ordelia, a needed week of rest and relaxation for the Eagles. Lysithea tiptoed back from the kitchen, having snuck a couple cakes to serve as a midnight snack while she delved back into the Enbarr recipe book. A glint of light caught her eye as she passed by a window.
Was that...a sword?
Her eyes widened as she realized it was. And that there was much more than one. She dropped the cakes and dashed to the guest rooms.
"Everyone! Wake up! There's attackers surrounding the house!"
Hope you all enjoyed this chapter! I think it's really important to establish the friendships between all of the Eagles students, especially Lysithea and the rest of them. For Lysithea, she's just lost Byleth, and it's really easy for her to lose any motivation to fight. I know I've touched on it in the past couple chapters, but I really wanted to use this one to emphasize just how tight-knit of a group they have all become, and that makes it more realistic that, even after losing Byleth, Lysithea will still fight on because she still has something important to her to fight for. Also, yes, the action will be picking up now.
BrandedKing: I'm glad you're enjoying it! I thought it was really important to establish that not only are they kids at heart, they're really all still, well, kids. At this point, they're all high school or early college aged, so I think it's really important to remind ourselves of that. The slitherers are going to be a major plot point in the next phase of this story, so keep an eye out!
MathAtMidnight: I do want to try to put in as many of these little scenes as possible throughout, especially between the games' major plot points; I feel like these are really important in fleshing out the characters and developing them further than just the archetypes that the game puts them in. And yes, I am extending this a couple chapters more than I was expecting to! As I wrote, I thought it was fun to think over just what would happen in the 5 years, so I focused first on some of the non-battle related stuff, and obviously, now it's going to be more action and some of the battles they faced during the timeskip.
I wish I was taking the MCATs! The Step examinations make the MCATs look easy :( and with the current coronavirus pandemic, I may not even be able to take my test this summer. So welp. :(
As always, please R&R, stay safe out there (or rather, hopefully, inside your houses), and enjoy!
-elementaryprincess
Note: I grew up in Taiwan, and sun cakes were my favorite dessert growing up. My grandparents used to make them for me every day since they're from the city where sun cakes originated from, so that's why I had them be Lysithea's favorite dessert growing up :)