Volume 4 Chapter 5 Gift Of The Holy Night
Mr. Lucian warmed up the pot in the kitchen.
In a big white bowl was onion gratin soup. There were big croutons with cheese on top, and some parsley sprinkled for color.
Then, he roasted a big piece of meat and sliced it into roast beef.
The roast beef came with smooth mashed potatoes.
In a tall, thin wine glass, some berries were sitting at the bottom, topped with a slice of lemon in a clear, fizzy fruit drink.
Mr. Lucian lit the candles with magic and sat right in front of me.
Everything is perfect.
I looked at Mr. Lucian with admiration.
Ms. Famine also looked happy, sitting on a thick napkin that was prepared on the table. Eir-Eir was sitting next to Ms. Famine.
For Eir-Eir and Ms. Famine, there were small pieces of roast beef on white plates with gold edges, placed in front of them.
Such thoughtfulness.
I always let Eir-Eir eat whole pieces.
It was cute to see her take big bites, so I never thought to cut it up for her.
Mr. Lucian really takes care of everything.
"It looks delicious, Mr. Lucian. You're a great cook. ...I'm starting to feel a bit less confident about my cooking in front of such a good cook like you..."
"I think nothing tastes as bland as my own cooking. Plus, I don't usually make fancy dishes. I often eat at the knight's cafetaria. Today, I wanted to make you happy, so I got a bit carried away. ...It's a little embarrassing to let you know I was trying so hard."
"So you really went out of your way for me. ...I'm really happy."
I like the food I make for myself, but I love delicious food.
Whether I make it or someone else does.
"Thank you, Mr. Lucian, for making this for me. I'll enjoy it."
"Ah. Please, go ahead."
I put my hands together and said a prayer before the meal.
Then, I took a spoon and had a sip of the onion gratin soup.
Making consomme takes a lot of time, so onion gratin soup is also quite a task.
Roast beef takes time to cook too.
I wonder if Mr. Lucian prepared this yesterday or earlier.
Even though we didn't plan this ahead of time. And he seemed a bit unsure about inviting me over.
Mr. Lucian looks so skilled and everything seems perfect, but maybe he was actually nervous.
Thinking about that makes me feel a bit relieved and warm inside.
"...It's really delicious. Mr. Lucian's food is always tasty. ...The taste is great, of course, but... knowing you made it for me makes me feel... so happy."
"...I'm glad you're happy. Cooking and setting the table for someone... no, for you, makes me happy. I didn't think I'd feel this way again."
"Mr. Lucian. ...Are you okay now? Do you still feel sad sometimes?"
I don't know everything about Mr. Lucian's past.
But I know he must have gone through a lot of sadness. A little boy living alone in a town after a disaster.
Eventually, he was found by survivors from the Kirschtein royal family and the Moon Soul Cult. But before that, he was probably all alone.
"It's okay. ...I have you. With you here, ...when I look around, there are so many people. The knights and the townspeople. ...And then, there are Ciel, Sir Roxas, Sir Rail, and maybe Fox Mask at your shop. Also, Margaret and Tsukuyomi. ...I think spending time with everyone is fun right now."
Mr. Lucian frowned a bit and said, "It might be sad to leave His Highness out, but including His Highness here might be disrespectful..." He looked thoughtful for a moment, then smiled.
"Being with everyone is fun, but sometimes, if I can have you all to myself, ...that would be even better."
Mr. Lucian watched me happily as I ate.
I was smiling while enjoying my delicious food, but I felt a bit shy and glanced at Eir-Eir and Ms. Famine.
Eir-Eir was happily munching on roast beef, while Ms. Famine was eating delicately, taking small bites.
I thought Ms. Famine didn't eat meat, but I guess I was wrong.
Maybe she was upset before because I wasn't being fancy enough.
She might have wanted me to serve food on cuter plates and arrange it more nicely. I should be careful about that.
"I'm having fun with Mr. Lucian too. Your room is really stylish and gives me good ideas. I need to make my shop and my room cuter... I'm aiming for a cute shop from now on."
"I see. If there's anything I can help with, just let me know. ...Yeah, I do like keeping my room tidy. My mom loved beautiful things. She always had flowers in the room... She liked collecting and displaying pretty things, so maybe it runs in the family, and I picked it up too."
"Was your mom... kind?"
"Yeah. She was a good mom. ...And a good dad too. I was lucky. ...You usually realize how lucky you are only after you lose something. ...So I don't want to lose anything anymore. I want to cherish the dream you gave me and live it well."
"Mr. Lucian, it's not a dream. It's real. The delicious food... and my first happy Christmas festival. It's real. Mr. Lucian. ...Lu...ci...an?"
"Just Lucian is fine. I don't need my old name anymore. ...Thank you, Lydia. I appreciate you. And I love you."
"Ah, love..."
"There are many kinds of love, right? What I offer you is all of me. ...Please let me protect your peace. During the Christmas festival, if you wish for something, the goddess will grant it. I want the right to protect you by your side."
I was a bit surprised.
But love.
Affection. It's the same feeling I put into my cooking. I want people to enjoy it and be happy.
I want them to smile and say it's delicious.
Mr. Lucian is a knight, so he wants to protect me.
"...Thank you. I also want to protect everyone. So that sad things don't happen. I want everyone to be able to laugh and be happy, just like today during the Christmas festival."
"I want to be the knight who protects you, the kind-hearted one who wants to protect everyone. ...Always."
I nodded.
I felt a bit guilty. But I was really happy.
I don't want to just be protected; I want to be stronger too.
I want Mr. Lucian to feel a bit better when he's lonely or in pain, by enjoying delicious food.
Let's aim for a stylish and cute restaurant.
After lunch, we all explored Mr. Lucian's room and went up to the rooftop to look at the town.
There were potted plants on the rooftop, making it feel like a little garden.
Then, we walked down the sunset-lit street together.
When I got back to Lobelia, my dad was waiting for me with the guard dog.
While keeping watch, Sir Roxas, Mx. Margaret, Mr. Tsukuyomi, Sir Rail, and FraFra were drinking and eating together.
When I'm not around, letting people inside makes me think that it's not really being a guard anymore.
But since everyone is friends, it's okay.
"Sis, I've been waiting for you! It's your cute little sister, FraFra! I missed you so much, sis!"
As soon as I step into the place, FraFra hugs me tightly.
FraFra is wearing a nun's outfit.
"I started working at a clinic! I can use healing magic, so I'm working with Mom. Right now, I'm living there, but I plan to rent a house next to yours soon!"
"Really, FraFra? I'm glad to see you're doing well."
"I'm happy too, sis! But what's up with this place? There are so many scary guys here! I have to protect you from the beasts!"
"Everyone is nice, FraFra. They're friends. I'd be happy if you get along with them too."
"If you really want me to, I'll try my best to get along!"
While I watch FraFra cling to me, Sir Roxas looks really annoyed.
He's grumpy even on the night of the festival, just like always.
"Princess, it's the festival. I thought we could celebrate together, but everyone showed up. You were out with Lucian, right? Nothing bad happened, did it?"
"Nothing bad...!"
Grumpy Sir Roxas drops his drink.
Sir Rail calmly fixes the broken glass and spilled drink like nothing happened.
"Um, that's a secret, right, Mr. Lucian?"
Mr. Lucian keeps his home a secret, so it's better not to say anything.
"Yeah, it's a secret."
Mr. Lucian puts a finger to his lips and nods.
"Okay, it's a secret then..."
"W-What did you do, Lucian?! Lydia, what happened?!"
"Sir Roxas, nothing happened..."
Mr. Tsukuyomi and Mx. Margaret are eating the food I made this morning, saying things like, "You're still so young..." and "It's fun to see interesting things here."
Besides that, there's also fried octopus, cream cheese-wrapped salmon, and prosciutto on the table.
FraFra, looking pale, pulls on Mr. Lucian's tie and says, "If you do anything bad to my sister, I won't forgive you!"
I put the Mimosa flowers I got as a gift on display in the shop.
Even though it was just that, the shop felt warm and beautiful.
After everyone ate and started drinking, Mr. Lucian and Sir Rail took Mr. Tsukuyomi and Mx. Margaret home.
FraFra said she wanted to stay, but Sir Rail told her, "It's an important festival, so why not spend it with your mom?" So, she was going to be sent home.
In the now-empty place, I thought about the fun memories of today while getting ready to sleep with Dad, Eir-Eir, and Ms. Famine, then went back to the bedroom upstairs.
Oh, I remembered they said there would be fireworks at the castle tonight.
When I opened the window, a cool breeze came in, and a loud sound echoed.
The castle is far away, but maybe because the fireworks are big or go really high, there are huge magic flowers lighting up the night sky.
Eir-Eir and Ms. Famine sparkled with excitement in my hands.
"...Today, the Saintwise people said they would work overtime to set off fireworks."
I think Mr. Leavis said it was a bit easier than guarding the dinner party when he came to eat.
Maybe that's why Sir Ciel didn't come today, because he's setting off the fireworks.
"They're beautiful..."
I wonder if Sir Stefan is watching the fireworks at the castle too.
"I hope we can all gather for the New Year festival..."
Today, I went out with Mr. Lucian, and then we all had dinner together. It was so much fun.
There are definitely going to be more fun things ahead.
I hugged Eir-Eir and Ms. Famine tightly in my arms.
Dad mumbled a bit unhappily, "That place should really be mine, the cutest one..."
After sleeping soundly, I woke up to find a lot of gifts at the head of my bed.
The message card said, "With love from the hero. For everyone too."
It looks like Sir Rail, who is great at unlocking things, brought them. I didn't even notice.
When I was little, I used to think every year that maybe I would wake up to gifts from the goddess.
But that never happened, not even once.
I touched the beautifully wrapped gifts.
A smile appeared on my face. At the same time, a few tears started to form.
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