A Failed Attempt?
So we’ll be together for the foreseeable future. That much is clear.
Still, I decided not to think too deeply about it.
Grandfather looked like he was struggling with the situation, but it was probably best not to press him any further.
“All right, then. Ashl, Rayvan, or Lukas—take your pick.”
Even though the White Dragon was on my shoulder, he suddenly flew in front of me.
“Are you picking at random?”
“No, I’m not. I gave Atre three name options too and let him choose, so it’s the same.”
Hovering mid-air in front of me, wings flapping, the White Dragon said,
“Hmm… Ashl Street, Rayvan Street, Lukas Street… All sound good. I’ve decided. My name shall be Lukas.”
“Got it. Lukas, I’m counting on you from here on too,” I said—and in that instant, a brilliant light showered down around both Lukas and me.
“Hey, Lukas—what are you doing?! That was a familiar contract!”
“I don’t know why it became a contract either,” he said, tilting his head. “Well, it’s fine, isn’t it? Nothing’s really changed.”
At those words, Atre suddenly hurled an ice ball at Lukas, who promptly toppled to the floor.
“Atre! That was harsh! Aren’t we both companions under the same master now?”
“… …” Atre seemed to say something to Lukas, but I couldn’t hear it.
“Atre, what did you say to him?”
“… I just called him a calculating schemer,” Atre muttered, turning his face away with a pout.
Atre is so cute.
I picked him up and began vigorously patting his head.
“Hardt, what are you doing?”
“Well, I just thought you were adorable.”
“… …” No reply to my words—he simply stayed quiet in my arms.
I’ve been so busy lately, I haven’t been able to give him much attention.
I’ll have to be more mindful going forward.
Before I knew it, Lukas had returned to perch on my shoulder, so I looked toward him.
“Now that we’ve made a familiar contract, we’ll need to make a nameplate for you too.”
“Oh! One of those shiny ones everyone wears? Make mine sparkly too!”
… He has zero resistance to this.
This dragon really is strange.
Watching our exchange, Grandfather muttered,
“Hardt… There’s going to be another uproar at the royal castle.”
“I think it’ll be fine. Last time we went, Lukas already declared he wouldn’t come back.”
“That’s not what I meant…”
“Grandfather, worrying too much isn’t good either. When the time comes, we’ll deal with it then.”
“… I now understand what Alfrecht has to deal with,” Grandfather sighed.
Are you lumping me in with the problem children too, Grandfather?
This wasn’t even my fault this time! I didn’t want to make the contract—it just happened!
“Grandfather, there’s no point standing around talking here. Shall we return to the mansion?”
“Gerald, yes, let’s,” Grandfather said in a tired voice.
Ah, right—before we head back, I need to grab the hot spring eggs. I hope they turned out well.
---
Back at the mansion, I headed straight to the kitchen.
Even when I told Brother Gerald and Grandfather where I was going, they didn’t say anything, so it should be fine.
“Head Chef, do you have a moment?” I asked, interrupting him as he was starting to prep for dinner.
He rushed right over to me.
“Young Master Reinhardt! Have you come up with another new recipe?” His face lit up with excitement.
I cracked a hot spring egg onto a plate.
The white looked melty and soft, and the yolk seemed slightly set.
When I sliced it with a knife, the yolk slowly spilled onto the plate.
“Is this… a failed boiled egg?”
“Nope! It’s a hot spring egg, made by soaking in a hot spring. Try it and see.”
I offered him the plate.
Usually, he’d dig in without hesitation, but today, he cautiously scooped the egg with a spoon and took a bite.
“… Has a slight natural saltiness. It’s edible, I suppose.”
His reaction was… underwhelming.
So he doesn’t get the appeal of hot spring eggs, huh?
Now, for dishes featuring hot spring eggs…
Beef bowls are out—we don’t have rice or soy sauce.
Keema curry? I don’t know the recipe.
Hamburg steak? I don’t know what sauce to use.
… So I can’t make any of those.
Every time I deal with food, I regret not knowing more about cooking.
There’s gotta be something… something…
Wait, what about hamburger curry?
Even though the Saintess from 150 years ago introduced all kinds of recipes, why didn’t she bring hamburg steak?
Maybe she didn’t know the sauce either, just like me.
I really wish she had.
What do you think about this chapter?
