Volume 3 Chapter 17 The First Late Night
After finishing the salmon stew, I watched everyone wash the dishes and clean up.
By everyone, I mean Sir Stefan and Sir Rail, who seemed to be working hard together to wash the dishes.
Sir Rail and Sir Roxas are close to Sir Stefan, probably because they are around the same age and the Girard family has known the royal family for a long time.
But it seems that their relationship has changed due to Sir Rail's illness, Sir Stefan's changes, and Sir Roxas's engagement to Francois.
"So, you mean you're childhood friends?"
"Yeah, that's right. To put it simply, we are childhood friends. Lydia, aren't you getting sleepy?"
"I'm still okay. I ate, so I feel better now."
"That's good to hear."
I sat in a chair, wrapped in a blanket, watching the dishes being cleaned up.
It felt really luxurious.
Sir Roxas, who was banned from cooking and cleaning, sat next to me, holding Arjuna, my dad, on his lap.
When Sir Roxas came over, Eir-Eir made a sour face and buried herself between my chest, then seemed to disappear.
I'm not sure where she went, but it feels like she's inside me.
There's no discomfort or pain, but it still feels a bit strange.
"Eir-Eir seems to not like Sir Roxas."
"Why is that?"
"Maybe it's because of a bad first impression..."
I pulled at the neckline of my nightgown to check on Eir-Eir, peeking down.
Eir-Eir still wasn't there. Maybe she doesn't feel like coming out right now.
Eir-Eir has been through a lot and has been trying hard.
With her sister Famine gone, she might be really sad.
"Lydia, you should wear clothes with better protection."
"Protection...?"
"You're too exposed. You should wear something that covers your neck."
"If I wear something that covers my neck, Eir-Eir won't be able to get into my neckline."
"Don't let her get in there."
"But it fits well, and Eir-Eir likes it here. I'll look for a dress that covers my neck but leaves my chest open next time."
I wonder if such a dress exists. I don't really understand what he means by protection.
At my suggestion, Sir Roxas covered his mouth and looked down, shaking his shoulders.
"Princess, that might be too dangerous for Roxas..."
Sir Rail, who was cleaning up the dishes, said sadly as he passed by.
Clothes with high protection also have high danger levels.
Fashion is really deep. I've only worn black clothes until now, so I'm a beginner at fashion.
Next time, I'll go to a clothing store with Mx. Margaret. Mx. Margaret is stylish.
"Ms. Lydia, it's honey milk latte. Would you like some?"
Sir Ciel, who was boiling milk in a pot, brought me a drink.
He said he can't cook, but he's pretty good at making drinks.
The steps of adding tea leaves, boiling water, and steeping it are a bit similar to when he studies monsters.
"Yes, thank you. ...It feels a bit strange. I'm usually the one making things, so being treated like this is a little embarrassing, but I'm happy."
"We've always relied on you, Ms. Lydia. ...We need to reflect on that."
"You don't need to reflect. I'll be taking a little break from Robelia for a while, but when I open the shop again, please come eat with us."
Sir Ciel placed a cup on the cooking counter in front of me.
When I looked up at Sir Ciel, he gently stroked my cheek.
His soft fingers brushed against my neck.
I felt a bit flustered and looked down.
"...Yes. It will take some time to recover the magic power that has run out. Please take at least a week to rest. During that time, I'll come check on your condition every day."
"Thank you, Sir Ciel. I'm sorry for bothering you when you're busy."
"No problem. I made you do too much. This is my way of making it up to you. I'll also buy something for dinner."
"Um, yes... thank you. Then let's eat together, Sir Ciel."
Sir Ciel is so kind.
I smiled back at him as he gently took his hand away from my neck.
"Ciel... what does this mean?"
Before I knew it, Sir Stefan, who had finished washing the dishes, was standing in front of us.
He looks angry again, Sir Stefan.
He used to be kind, but he often seemed angry too. I wonder what he's angry about this time.
Next to me, Sir Roxas crossed his arms and nodded in agreement with Sir Stefan.
"It's just strange, Ciel. Why aren't you excited about the cute Lydia right now? You should be as shaken up as Roxas. Bow down to Lydia's charm..."
"Sir Stefan, calm down."
"I'm calm, Lydia. You need to be more aware of the danger. You are an attractive 18-year-old woman, surrounded by single men in this unsafe town. What have I missed while I wasn't watching? I'm so worried I can't even sleep at night..."
Sir Stefan might still be confused since he just woke up.
What is he talking about?
"──I just got back with some drinks... wait, are you already drunk, Your Highness?"
"I'm not drunk, Lucian."
"Lucian, did you buy enough drinks to get through tonight?"
"I did. I'm glad the tavern I usually go to was still open. I also got the fruit wine that Sir Rail wanted."
I felt relieved that Mr. Lucian came back at a good time.
Everyone told me to rest, but since I had slept all day, I wasn't sleepy yet.
Plus, even though a lot happened, today was a celebration because we could return to our normal lives.
I suggested staying up late, and Sir Rail said he wanted to drink liquor, so Mr. Lucian went to buy it.
"I got liquor and some other things. Like fried octopus."
"Fried octopus at this hour feels a bit wrong, but it sounds great."
Sir Rail said as he rummaged through the paper bag Mr. Lucian brought.
"Lydia can't drink alcohol. Instead, I bought brandy cake. Do you want some?"
"I'll have some...! Wow, I'm so happy. Mr. Lucian, I like it."
"Ah, I like it too, Lydia."
"Lucian, your 'like' is different from Lydia's 'like'... Lydia's 'like' is like what a little child would say."
"I know, Your Highness. I understand that now."
"...If you want to ask Lydia out, you'll have to get past my dead body."
"Your Highness, are you drunk?"
"Your Highness, calm down. These 2 are always like this. You'll get used to it."
Sir Rail and Sir Roxas tried to calm Sir Stefan, who looked like he was about to challenge Mr. Lucian to a duel.
In front of me, Sir Ciel prepared a plate and placed the brandy cake on it.
The wonderful smell made me feel excited about staying up late and eating cake for the first time.
"Pumpkin..."
"Eir-Eir is too small, so no. It has alcohol in it."
"Alcohol. Is it there? I want to drink."
"Dad is a dog, so you shouldn't drink sake."
"I'm not a dog."
I petted Eir-Eir, who peeked out from between my arms, and scolded Arjuna, my dad.
We all held our glasses filled with sake, and I held my mug with honey milk latte, ready to toast.
The night still seems long.
Tomorrow is a day off. Let's relax.
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