Chapter 48. Himolica is delicious (3)
I feel pretty good.
I don’t know if it was because the rain had subsided a little, because there were raw oysters for breakfast, or because I had a good sparring with Plants last night, but it was still raining, but I felt fine.
Thanks to this, Kalian was quite willing to give his answer.
“Yes, I like the offer, Lord Siegfried.”
Calian took a bite of the sauce mixed with lemon juice, olive oil, and a little garlic on top of his favorite raw oysters and looked at Slayman, who was sitting across from him. Slayman, who said he does not like raw oysters even though he lives in the south, was eating grilled scallops topped with minced garlic.
And Siona didn’t even pay attention to the salad containing mussels steamed with celery and onions or boiled shrimp, and only touched the steak with pomegranate sauce. I repeat, it’s an elf.
“But I’m a bit curious as to whether this is the Duke’s opinion or Siona’s opinion.”
The answer came from next to me.
“I said I was going.”
Kalian nodded with an elegant movement as he elegantly cut the lamb, which had a subtle rosemary scent, into his mouth. Just in case, I would like to add that it is indeed the prince who slaughtered the wild boar the day before.
Siona continued speaking.
“I brought this up because I thought it would be a good idea to stay in one place for a while to exchange letters with the Great Desert and share information with you. I also heard that the duke’s residence needs a swordsmanship teacher.”
“Yeah. That’s a good idea.”
Siona said she would stay at Duke Siegfried’s residence.
Of course, this does not refer to the current duchy, but to the duchy of Kairisis, where Demirea is located. He said he was going under the guise of being Lirie’s swordsmanship teacher in order to hide his purpose of investigating Zeon, but if he stayed there and taught someone else’s swordsmanship, he would get more attention from Demirea’s sword.
However, Siona was not of Kairis nationality, nor was she human in the first place. Even though he was a sword master, it was difficult to enter the capital with that alone, so he needed someone’s identity guarantee.
However, Slayman, who cannot enter the capital within this year due to Lemain’s punishment, cannot provide a guarantee. So, I was asking Kalian for a favor. Instead, he placed a condition that he would protect the palace so that Randel, Xeon, or Gray could not do anything special when Calian was vacant.
Taking care of Demirea’s sword and watching the palace with Alan on behalf of Calian, who will be away, are very welcome things for Calian.
“Isn’t there another purpose? I’m a precious person, so I shouldn’t sell my name carelessly.”
Siona, who could not have known that the name was so precious that it was sold for a few bunches of Dmirea’s bananas, nodded and answered.
“Why don’t you get rid of the habit of being suspicious of elves? If you don’t want anything to happen to that huge house of yours when you go to Secretia, wouldn’t it be better for me to be in the capital?”
“I know. That’s why I said I liked the offer.”
Even though Alan was there, the more people there were to guard the house, the better, so it was a good offer. Instead, there was one small problem.
“But I can’t open the moving magic circle. That’s not my authority.”
“Were you using a magic circle? I thought wizards had brought you here.”
“Even my master can’t move with people yet, so what can I do? I’m using a magic circle, so if you want to go with me, get permission from my brother. I’ll guarantee your identity so you can stay in the capital.”
Of course, it was not true that he did not have the authority to add an elf to the number of people using the moving magic circle, but Calian had never written his name on that side. When Kirie first used the magic circle to retrieve the cloud, she also went through Alan. It was to hand over to Balkan the right to use the magic circle that he had intended to make his own.
“It won’t be difficult. I understand.”
“good.”
Through this incident, Kalian was able to find the last Sword Master whose whereabouts were unknown, keep him around so that he would not be exploited by Zeon, and fill Kalian’s vacancy. Kalian felt a little better and ate more raw oysters. .
Then, looking at Slayman, who was eating grilled clam scallops with cheese and passing a glass of light golden wine, he opened his mouth.
“By the way, is there a good brewery nearby? I’d like to buy some Himolica and Sizlinu.”
When the prince, who had said he had stopped drinking, suddenly came to the brewery to buy hard liquor and wine, Slayman responded with a look on his face as if he knew why.
“There is a liquor store nearby so you don’t have to go to the brewery. If you are thinking of giving it as a gift to the Marquis of Manasil, I will prepare it.”
“It’s true that I’m giving this as a gift to my teacher, but I’d like to visit for a while to just look around. It won’t be possible to leave for the capital today, but it’s a bit frustrating to stay inside the whole time.”
In the end, he just said he wanted to get some air.
Of course, the quality of the alcohol prepared by Slayman would be better, but I wanted to prepare it myself for the first time to drink with Alan, so I made an excuse.
Besides, if Alan is next to me, it will be good no matter what the alcohol is.
* * *
Somehow, Plantz memorized almost all of Calian’s facial expressions.
I didn’t necessarily memorize everyone’s facial expressions, but after recognizing Calian, who was smiling excitedly with a face that looked as if he was going to die at any moment after being crushed by life, a long time ago, I decided to just memorize them.
Of course, it was Yan who provided the standard for that distinction. Kalian was smiling, and I memorized Jan’s expression by observing when it was okay and when it was not.
“My brother uses me really well.”
“It’s about making good use of people, not just your brother.”
And Calian paid little attention to Planz’s expression.
Is it green, boiled, or pickled? I just made a rough distinction.
Wouldn’t it be tiring if people were too attentive?
This is my second life, so I have to take it in moderation and live happily.
Thanks to Kalian’s positive attitude, Plantz was a bit annoyed today. Planz’s face wasn’t very green, but it wasn’t boiled or pickled, so Calian didn’t care and continued talking.
“This is a personality for public display that you worked so hard to create. Wouldn’t it be such a waste to just leave it lying around? Even in times like this, we should use it generously.”
Also, the second bottle of alcohol in Calian’s hand, which was humming, went into the space bag attached to Raven’s saddle. And Plantz looked like he had given up on getting angry at his younger brother, who had been barking all day, as if he was trying to resolve his resentment for not being able to bark all day.
So, that morning.
Kalian, who went to Niedlen after breakfast, gave all Balkans a one-day vacation, saying it was ‘Planz’s opinion’. Needlen, who had already been living a very satisfying day since the day he left the palace, looked puzzled.
‘I don’t know how we can rest any longer, Prince.’
In response to his sincere reply, Kalian again told him to go out and play as he pleased as long as he didn’t cause any trouble. He even gave me money to buy delicious food and drink in moderation. I gave a lot.
Plantz probably didn’t know that the rest of the crew, including Needlen, who was not only Kalian’s older sister but almost his aunt, was very excited about being allowed to drink alcohol. Of course, I didn’t know how much the members liked it when they heard that the vice commander really liked the conch shell.
Anyway, Kalian, who took such good care of Vulkan, immediately brought out Pea, who had been sitting awkwardly in the room.
I didn’t want to catch a cold on a day like this when photosynthesis was not even possible, so I covered the pea with a black robe with waterproofing and temperature control magic and placed it on Estina’s saddle. Afterwards, we boarded the Raven and set off with Estina, who had burned peas, to the brewery that Slayman had told us about.
‘My brother, who drinks a lot, says the scent is not good.’
‘My brother, who likes to drink, says it’s cloudy in color.’
‘My older brother, who is an expert in alcohol, said this would be best.’
And like this.
Plantz made very effective use of the ‘badass personality for public display’ he had worked so hard to create and bought a bottle of the best liquor from two breweries. Even though I didn’t taste it because I was planning to drink it with Alan, I knew it would be good because I had chosen it carefully and bought it based on my years of experience.
It’s not that I don’t know why Plantz acted like an asshole, but if you think about it since I woke up as Calian again, I must have endured one or two things that happened to Plantz. So, shouldn’t we at least use that idiot like this so that we can both feel a little lighter?
“It’s nice to come here with you.”
‘The flower-like three princes who are kind and pretty and are good at running errands for their older brother,’ Calian said with a bright smile, and Plantz let out a deep sigh.
“It reminds me of the old days.”
This time, I couldn’t get angry as these stories were added.
“Once you’ve bought everything, go.”
“yes.”
Since the duchy itself is so large, even though we only visited two places, it was already afternoon and the rain had stopped. I sat on two horses treading on the dirt road and looked around for a while, going back down the spiral path.
Even if you don’t hold the reins properly, Raven finds its way on its own.
Raven, you shouldn’t eat grass that looks like that. Raven: Stagnant water after rain is okay, but you shouldn’t drink stagnant water on a sunny day. Raven You have to be careful when walking on this road because stones may fall.
do.
Sometimes, when Calian said something to him, he would respond well, whether it was by moving his ears, making a purring sound, or raising his head.
Plantz, who was looking at Calian like that, opened his mouth.
“I think you might be frustrated too.”
Kalian was completely different when he was inside the palace and when he was outside. I’ve never seen someone like that in the palace talking to Raven in front of him. I knew I had a good mind, but I didn’t know that big and small days were piled up so neatly in my head.
Wouldn’t it have been frustrating to be trapped in the palace with memories of living like that? That question arose.
“I don’t mind if I continue to stay in the palace from now on.”
“why.”
“Perhaps it’s because I’m so tired of walking around that I don’t feel out of breath like my brother when I’m in the palace. I can run away on my own… And thanks to the first king’s careful attention to detail, there are many places in the palace where I can take my breath away. Isn’t it?”
A small laugh came from Kalian who said this. I didn’t turn my head, so I couldn’t see his face.
Could it be a lie?
This time, I couldn’t tell even from the sound of the voice.
“So, you don’t have to worry. Don’t think that I left you with unnecessary luggage. I don’t think so.”
“okay.”
Words that are answered after understanding the real reason for asking the question. This means that you should not worry about his stubbornness in not accepting the throne.
“There are many places in the palace where you can take your breath away, brother.”
And as if to emphasize it.
Calian said the same thing again.
“… Okay. Don’t forget.”
“yes.”
Calian nodded and stroked Raven’s mane.
“Brother, are you not able to eat raw oysters?”
“I haven’t tried it.”
“Then how about scallops?”
“I haven’t tried it.”
“……What about the temples?”
“why.”
“I want to eat it for dinner.”
“no.”
“yes.”
And I thought I should just eat meat for dinner.
I’m going to eat grilled cod anyway.
Then you can go and eat as much as you want.
* * *
I stood still, lowered my eyes, and gathered my thoughts.
– I checked what he said. You are right.
-……There are traces.
– I found and destroyed everything that could be evidence. We can’t make Lord Teylan do it, so our people have moved. You don’t have to worry about talking.
– okay. thank you. Thank you for your hard work, Arianne.
– But will you be okay?
I stood there as if nailed to one spot, recalling the conversation I had with Arianne before meeting Devlan.
– All you need is no evidence. Because you know best that you can’t do anything just by insisting without evidence.
– There was no evidence even when your brother overthrew former Queen Kairis. There was no evidence even when the Marquis was eliminated. Your Majesty will be the same. No, I will do more.
– Father knows very well that if he even lays a hand on you, the nobles will rise up. So, I don’t know that my mother is the only weakness that my father can control. I’m not the kind of person who would go out of his way to mess with my mother.
– How about making him turn his head back towards your brother?
After the hot wind passed, a cool wind began to blow.
– no. I need to make myself more alert.
– If you reach out to your mother, he’s going to make you more wary.
– Because I know my weaknesses, I will leave my mother alone. Just like he left me alone to deal with my younger brother. He is someone who knows that if he wants to hold me and shake me, he must not be hasty in harming my mother. So you just have to make me more alert.
‘…… Not yet.’
I spent some time in the middle of the garden, lost in thought.
– Ttogak ttogak.
Until you hear quiet footsteps.
Chase turned his head at the sound of small footsteps that had never sounded loud before. Louise, wearing a beautiful dress made of silk the color of an impersonal sky and decorated with silver thread and lace, was slowly approaching. Those following had already been bitten and walked alone.
“mother.”
A leisurely afternoon.
Chase, with a smile as if it were a private sky, pulled out a chair in front of the pure white tea table.
Louise sat down, holding out her hand and holding Chase’s hand tightly.
“It feels good to see the crown prince at a time like this.”
“I was worried that you might have just begged me to have a cup of tea while you were busy, but I’m glad you did.”
“No matter how busy I am, I can’t find time to meet the Crown Prince.”
Do you know how much I was worried when Chase, who I had seen in Devlan’s office two days ago, did not come out, and that it took a while before I returned to the villa after seeing the light in Chase’s room turn on?
Louise did not bring up such a story.
Just like Chase, he didn’t show anything and was just happy to see it. Still, I didn’t say anything else because I felt like the time was wasting away.
“I met Arianne briefly yesterday. I can’t tell you how relieved I was to see her still in good spirits even though she must have been very worried about Marquis Lin’s incident.”
Prison in the royal palace.
A prison for high-ranking nobles located above ground rather than underground.
Even though he was trapped, Chase was taking care to ensure that there was no personal danger or discomfort. In addition, since Devlan had no intention of harming Marquis Lin’s personal safety, Arianne was also trying to get along.
“I’ll take good care of you later when things are resolved.”
“all right.”
Louise, who spoke like this, drank a cup of clear black tea with nothing mixed in it. Then he silently put down the teacup and opened his mouth.
“Nothing makes me feel better than seeing two people getting along well. Since they have such a strong foundation to lean on, both the crown prince and Arianne will continue to do well in the future. I believe that.”
“Yes, mother. I will take extra care so you don’t have to worry.”
Chase nodded and answered:
Then, he quietly reached out and carefully pushed back Louise’s hair, which was slightly disheveled by the wind.
“I think it would be good for my mother to just watch over me for a long time. I am already grateful enough just to be by my side. So…”
Chase lowered his hand and took Louise’s hand again.
I opened my mouth while quietly looking into clear, sky-blue eyes.
“Please do not add anything else to your royal sleeping scent.”
A soft voice rang in Louise’s ears.
