Volume 1 Chapter 3 The Villainess Me, The Saint's Sister
Mr. Lucian released my arm and put his hands together, saying, "God Ancestor Theobart, and Lydia, thank you for today's meal," as he prayed politely.
Usually, men who love to fight are rough and violent, but the Holy Knight Order Leonsroar swears loyalty to God Ancestor Theobart and the Bernard royal family. So, when they join the order, they are taught proper behavior and manners.
Because of this, the mornings when the Holy Knights take over the diner are quite peaceful.
Even though it's a bit strange to see all these muscular guys in armor drinking milk tea from cute floral cups, I still can't get used to it.
"Mr. Lucian, the name of my diner is Lobelia Diner House, you know..."
Even though he has good manners, Mr. Lucian stuffed half a fried egg into his mouth in one bite and swallowed my homemade sausage, which is about the size of my thumb, in one go. I reminded him firmly.
I would be in trouble if he spread any more weird names.
"Did you know, Lydia?"
"What?"
"The language of the lobelia flower means malice."
Mr. Lucian chewed and swallowed the sausage, then said with a serious expression.
"At the palace, Lord Stefan is preparing to marry your sister, Lady Francois. You know the engagement has already been announced, right?"
"I know... I wish it would all just fall apart..."
"Well, calm down, Lydia. No, you don't have to calm down. If your hatred and resentment are what make your cooking effective, then maybe you should let that hatred burn even brighter?"
"Please don't say that with a bit of happiness, like it's no big deal! It is a big deal! But... I'm even lower than a fried egg person, so just leave me alone..."
"Lydia, I think it's great how you suddenly get angry or cry. It seems like it would really boost your cooking."
"My emotions have nothing to do with my cooking...!"
I rubbed the tears that had gathered at the corners of my eyes with the back of my hand.
"Anyway, we are somewhat close to the royal family. That means we hear about Lady Francois's movements."
"I don't want to hear about it..."
"Come on. Lady Francois is treated like a saint at the academy and is loved by everyone. She goes around saying things like, 'My sister bullied me, but now she regrets it and has left the priest's family to live like a commoner. Even though my sister acted like a typical villain, please forgive her'."
Mr. Lucian said this while dipping a Cursed Demon Bread into his milk tea to soften it before munching on it.
It sounded just like her. His impression of Francois was really spot on.
The slightly sad tone and the loving smile that mocked me were also very similar.
"That rumor has spread around, and now your shop is called the Villainous Lady by everyone... But really, giving the shop a name like Lobelia, which is a bad omen, is just wrong."
"Mr. Lucian, the flower language of the lobelia means humility, chastity, and always being lovely... I think it suits me perfectly. I believe it's a fitting name for me, a forever chaste iron maiden..."
"...At this point, it must be a talent. Lydia, 'iron maiden' is the name of a torture device."
"N-No, that's not it...! My heart, which has decided to stay single for life, means 'iron wall maiden'...!"
"Lydia. You shouldn't keep saying 'maiden' over and over from the morning. Everyone knows you are a maiden."
"That's something no one needs to know, and how would they even know...! Mr. Lucian, I could be playing with countless men at night, you know...?"
"You just said you were an 'iron wall maiden.' That's contradictory, Lydia. More importantly, today's breakfast was amazing...! I feel so energized. I could hunt the magic beast Ornyx right now."
After elegantly finishing his milk tea, Mr. Lucian opened and closed my hand.
To me, he just looks like someone who finished breakfast.
I can't tell the difference.
"I've researched various things and found out that the effect of your cooking lasts about 6 hours. So, if we eat breakfast and then go out to hunt monsters, the effect will wear off by early afternoon. That won't do. Ideally, I want you to accompany us on the expedition and cook for us."
"I don't want to...! I'm still young, I'm only 18...?"
"Is there a law that says 18-year-olds can't go on expeditions?"
"Isn't it scary to think about what would happen if a young girl like me went on an expedition with a bunch of guys who are like wild beasts?"
As I hugged myself, the knights in the room burst into laughter again.
Mr. Lucian was also covering his mouth and laughing quietly.
I wasn't even saying anything funny. Not at all.
"Lydia, I think you're a cute young lady, but I teach my subordinates to handle those kinds of desires at proper places if they don't have a girlfriend. There won't be any mistakes. There are no beasts in the knight order that would attack a woman."
"Men are the worst, I get it...!"
"No, I only told you that because you seemed worried..."
"Mr. Lucian, how big should the size of that annoying sausage I want to crush be?"
"Well, if I use myself as a reference, it should be about this big."
Mr. Lucian bent his fingers to show a cylindrical shape about 10cm (≈ 3.94 inches) long.
The knights in the cafeteria started saying things like, "That's pretty realistic," and "Captain, being serious is good, but if it's too realistic, it kills the appetite..."
Thanks to the knights, my morning was not refreshing at all.
I tightly held Mr. Lucian's hand, which was making the cylindrical shape.
"Mr. Lucian, I'll prepare it that size by tomorrow. That was helpful, thank you."
"That's great to hear. More importantly, Lydia, how about working with me in the knight order? I will protect you and cherish you for life."
"As a housekeeper."
"If that's what you want, I don't mind a different arrangement."
"I'm really feeling some calculations here...! Since you've finished eating, please go home..."
When Mr. Lucian says something that sounds like a love confession with his handsome face, I can't help but feel... not a thing.
I don't want to live my life being treated like a useful tool next to Mr. Lucian.
If possible, I want to quietly live alone in this shop.
I don't dislike cooking.
I don't mind when people say my food is delicious.
But──deep down,
I really wanted to marry Sir Stefan normally and be happy in a normal way.
That dream can't come true anymore, though.
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