Episode 41

I parked the wagon in the parking lot and got off. It wasn’t crowded just because it was famous.

The exterior looked ordinary, but once inside, the aristocratic interior, comparable to the Tower of Truth, caught my eye.

“Welcome to visit. miss.”

“I arrived a little early, but please be on time.”

“I will. Oh, the name of the person visiting with you… … ?”

I lag behind a little while examining the paintings hanging inside and the marble flooring. It’s more like an art gallery than a restaurant.

I turned my head slightly and replied.

“This is Lockstrin Aindarok.”

“Huh… … ! All right.”

Seeing my face, a man in a suit hurriedly lowered his head, flapped his handkerchief, and ran inside.

“Didn’t you put my name on the reservation?”

“Because the Rocks couldn’t have come. I just said it was two people.”

“Well, there must have been a lot of friends who would come with me.”

“What I wanted to bring was Rocks. My friends can’t even eat much.”

First, we were directed to the room.

I didn’t notice it from the outside, but the road to the inside was quite long. It’s a structure designed so that no matter what you say inside, you can’t hear it outside.

I put my ear to the wall as a test. I think there was someone in the next room.

“I can’t really hear you.”

Only faint babbling sounds are heard.

I thought my listening ears were on the bright side, but I couldn’t understand it at all. Rocks seemed to do that, Hera continued with a laugh.

“Stories that are difficult to share in the imperial family often come and go here. We don’t have anything to talk about in such a secret way.”

“There is none. I haven’t heard anything from my father. Did your remarriage work go well?”

Romance rumors are by far the best gossip in aristocratic society. It is a secret that only the two parties and their children, us, know that Coltman and Shilyn’s remarriage is a deliberately made up lie.

Coltman should be back in Tarum by now, but the time has come for the competent Cilyn to take care of it.

“Ah, that’s it… … .”

However, Hira answered in a trembling voice.

“It has become ambiguous.”

“Has it become ambiguous?”

“As expected, the Islands nobles opposed it. The imperial family’s response was strange. that is great. To do it quickly… … .”

“Why are you like that? Rather, the imperial family should be more in check than the nobility.”

“According to my mother, I did not know that Aindarok was so trusted. I thought he didn’t like Aindar Locke very much because he didn’t give much support.”

In fact, Aindarok has received very little support from the center.

It is indispensable, and the armed forces are enormous, so the imperial family should always keep an eye on its movements.

Even if it’s trust and trust, it’s all good to hear. Fundamentally, doesn’t power come from lowering the opponent and raising oneself?

“I heard that His Majesty the Emperor even said that he would place the margrave on the duchy only on the condition that Yuxilla be incorporated.”

“So you mean you want to turn it off? My father will be angry when he hears. It’s the exact opposite of your intentions.”

I narrowed my brows.

It’s not a good thing to be called a duke.

In effect, it was recognized as an independent territory, so the imperial family could easily avoid responsibility.

It’s your land, it’s monsters, it’s a barrier, you guys are responsible for everything, something like this.

The unfair thing from Coltman’s point of view is that it wasn’t like that originally. Even a small amount of support can be cut off.

“Not even that.”

Hira shook her head.

“At the previous regular meeting, it was very tight to set the budget for the training school that Her Highness Ainim said, but when I asked the Minister of Finance, he said it was because of the support to be sent to Aindarok.”

“Thank you, but I really just believe in you. Why is the imperial family a flower garden in your head? … .”

Suddenly, the smiling child’s face comes to mind. I couldn’t really deny it.

It seems that Hira had the same thought.

“Did you think of Your Highness, Ai-nim?”

“uh.”

“… … Hmmm. I am worried.”

Could it be hereditary?

What if the child is smart and is at least a nobleman?

How did these guys become an empire?

“There’s no way that would be the case, but can you stop it if you rebel with stupid words?”

“No.”

If Yuxilla, the ruin of the empire, and Aindarok, the shield of the empire, work together to devise something, even with the Duke’s throne on their backs.

Without exaggeration, it could split an empire in half.

“Uh, it’s a bit scary when Rox says that… … you know?”

“That’s what it says. in conclusion?”

“The transfer was rejected as unacceptable. Didn’t the previous head of the family say that Yuxilla’s name should be left to posterity?”

Around then, the appetizer came out.

Only the legs of the young octopus were lightly blanched and mixed with colorful vegetables such as onions, tomatoes, and paprika.

The rounded shape is cute, and the fresh lemon scent seems to tickle your eyes and nose.

“I saw that Jinridang did it with shrimp.”

“Isn’t it because octopuses have different likes and dislikes? It is a very good ingredient for health.”

In the meantime, I hadn’t eaten enough, and it was difficult to come in contact with it on a regular basis, but I couldn’t just enjoy food that looked good and tasted great.

The fresh vegetables are crispy, and the unique chewy texture of the octopus whets your appetite.

“Why are you just watching? It’s delicious.”

“Eat slowly. Because there are still many.”

There is a saying that you get full just by watching, but Hira seemed to enjoy watching me eat rather than eating her portion.

No matter how ‘extraordinary’ personality you have, there is a corner of embarrassing because you just eat quietly.

So, let me finish what I said before.

“Actually, they say they do that, but isn’t there anything wrong with remarriage?”

Hira, who had just picked up a tomato, widened her eyes.

“Yes?”

“Assuming that the transfer is something to think about later. If the imperial family had expressed their stance that clearly, the imperial aristocrats would have turned to us one by one.”

“Is Rocks still okay?”

“The doctors of the two of you are important, but I don’t know if you don’t have a friendship at all. I am also acquainted with I will do it if necessary.”

“It’s not like that, personally… … .”

Fidgeting with a fork, Hira hesitated before speaking up.

“My father was always pressured by my mother. I can still see him sighing in front of me at the age of five.”

Cilyn Yuksila divorced her husband, whom she brought as her son-in-law, not long after. It was only natural that it would have been a family that fell short of Yuxilla, just to have children.

And Coltman Aindarroch is a widower who lost his wife a long time ago.

“I didn’t receive any scolding, but I didn’t get any love either. So even if my mother remarries, it’s okay. Rocks.”

As for Rockstrin’s mother, nothing is known and nothing has been established.

It’s all about one line, that she died shortly after giving birth to Rockstrin.

“I don’t remember anything.”

“Ahh… … . It’s a big question in the social world. Are there any fairies in the north who are alive and married?”

“Only my father knows. Even if you really remarry, there is not much resistance. But, well, it’s not up to us to decide.”

It’s up to Coltman and Cylin to figure it out.

Since the imperial family welcomed it, there was no reason to view it negatively.

‘Nothing bad.’

There are only a few corners to improve, though.

I don’t know if it’s a level where you can use the special lease in the system.

I should have received the support I didn’t have, but since I’ve captured the Battle Mage, the eighth episode isn’t a problem.

The remaining episodes after that take place inside Summer Turge, or bigger problems take place in kingdoms other than the Empire.

“If you really do… … .”

“What if?”

In the meantime, soft bread and very clear consommé came out following the appetizer. No matter how many times I strained the grease, it was enough to slither off the plate.

“I think it will be fun.”

“Well. Will anything change?”

“Even though I mostly imagined that I wish I had a younger brother.”

We fight over trivial matters.

They reconcile quickly and play pranks.

If I sleep late until the sun rises in the middle of the sky, I go to wake him up.

When the chefs complain that the food they prepared with great care is not delicious, they nag… … .

Hira must have been dreaming of such an ordinary daily life. But the premise seems wrong.

I asked after taking a bite of the soup.

“Um, I wonder if that will happen.”

“why?”

“Wouldn’t they be separated even if they remarried?”

“ah… … ?”

Do you really need to live under one roof?

“I can’t imagine your father not being in Tarum, and your mother will have to stay in the system.”

“Yeah, that’s right! Yes!”

Hira panicked in a voice that was clearly caught off guard. What I thought was natural, it didn’t seem to be the case.

“I don’t know. After graduation, I won’t be very busy. If my father allows me to stay in the system, I can stay that way.”

“I wish I could graduate soon.”

“If we were really going to remarry in the first place, wouldn’t we probably ask each other to get engaged?”

Both are precious only children.

I also have the right of succession in Hirado, so if no one doubts the union of the two families, I can definitely take advantage of it. His Excellency Duke, it’s good to hear.

“I do!”

“no.”

“why… … .”

He immediately replied to Hira who shouted vigorously.

Unlike marriage, in the Empire, engagement is fairly lightly abused, so it shouldn’t be burdensome. Hira’s sullen shoulders drooped.

“It looks too artificial. At least not after graduating from Summer Turge. We’ve only met for a few months.”

“yes? I think it’s been a few years, haw… … .”

I laughed bitterly.

it makes sense That’s not the real reason though.

“This is the main.”

Finally, the main dish came out.

Kung, something unusually large was placed on the tray. When I opened the lid, steam rose.

“Duck and eel barbecue.”

The red-hot meat, the eel with the side swollen. Above all, my heart trembles at the familiar name.

“How amazing. There are no ducks or eels near the islands.”

“Ducks are caught from some eastern regions, and eels are imported from the Areas coast every week and salted.”

“Ohhhh.”

“Great for rejuvenation.”

The meat, which the waiter even boned himself, was piled up on the plate in front of him. My mouth was full of saliva.

Since he is dealing with the children of the greatest aristocrats in the empire, he seems to be cutting it with dignity in his own way, but he is dying of frustration. What Hera said earlier makes a little sense. Ten seconds equals one hour.

“You can eat it with salt or wine sauce.”

First, take a bite of the large duck meat.

Since ancient times, duck oil itself has been recognized as a food ingredient, so it drips. Oily taste without moderation. That’s right, this kind of thing can’t come out in the truth party.

My tongue was almost paralyzed by the flavor that spread throughout my mouth. happy.

“I am very, very happy.”

“I am happy to see you. I didn’t know you would like it that much.”

“Excess is delicious.”

It’s like that when you eat the original food.

Terribly spicy is delicious.

It’s terribly greasy and delicious.

It’s terribly sweet and salty.

It is a pleasure without responsibility that dare not go beyond the desirable diet of Somerset that considers the nutritional balance of students.

But expensive restaurants are usually like that. The quantity is not that great. The meat on the plate disappeared like a crab hiding its eyes.

“Can I get mine too?”

“Are you okay though?”

“I came here to eat Rocks from the beginning.”

“It’s good that you take care of it too.”

“From next time.”

Hira conceded to me what he couldn’t even empty. Didn’t refuse twice. Young girls often make up for the lack of calories with desserts.

How resilient the eel is. Thanks to the crude refrigeration magic, it did not lose its texture even after importing it. It felt more like sticking my teeth into it than chewing on lean meat.

With oily fish, I counted them again, and my mouth became even smoother.

“I am alive.”

He said it with soft lips.

Charm level 10 can be like this.

The salads and desserts that followed were delicious, but what remained in my memory was the meat. I never thought there would be such good things in the outside world.

“I almost would have done it if I hadn’t brought it, really.”

“Thanks to you, I know something good. I thought all Jedo restaurants were tiny and only served dishes with a few dots of sauce on the plate.”

“It was like that in the past, but these days, they say they prefer large quantities.”

“It’s a world done right.”

With a thick stomach, I walked out of the room with heavy steps. There was nothing to come again unless I could afford it, so I had no choice but to make a promise for the distant future. I’ll have to keep the smell a little longer.

“Were you satisfied with the meal?”

“It was great.”

“Take it.”

Hira handed something to the waiter. The wide-eyed waiter lowered his head.

“Go, thank you!”

“Next time Rocks come, make sure to give them plenty.”

“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”

When I came out, it was 3:00 PM when the warm sun was pouring in. In the weather that is closer to summer, my stomach is full and my back is warm and languid.

It would be nice to have a day like this, but if you think about the future just a little bit, wind and rain, storms, blizzards and sand dust will blow away. let’s not think

“Weren’t you going back?”

“Did you come to the island? I don’t know Rocks well, so I’m going to have a look.”

“Is there anything interesting?”

“There is a theatrical performance this week.”

Hira led me in the opposite direction to the parking lot where I had parked. It was a narrow road that seemed difficult to move on a horse-drawn carriage.

It caught my attention when I was in the car, but even more so when I got out and walked. Many people even bowed down to their waists.

“Can I walk around like this?”

“It’s because it’s Rocks. Institutional aristocrats roam frequently, and Summer Turge students are common. I don’t do that.”

“Hmm.”

I noticed it as I was walking quietly.

It is a long way to walk quietly. It seems to have moved in a circle, but it seems that I was able to move by car enough on the main road.

“Is that on purpose?”

In a crowded system, nothing goes faster than word of mouth. Just walking with me by his side is like showing off friendship, so it’s a good thing for Hira.

You stupid boy.

“Oh, I heard you.”

it’s a goofy laugh

I don’t hate that I would like to do some service.

“If you’re going to do it, do it right.”

“Right?”

Hesitating for nothing seems rather subtle. I grabbed Hira’s hand.

Hick, Hira flinched in surprise.

“why? You would think of them as siblings anyway.”

“Yes Yes! I bet!”

He walked, waving his arms.

For some reason, it seems to have gone round and round around the theater, which was the destination.