I-I’ve done it now–!?
Feeling like I couldn’t just watch silently any longer, I hurriedly slipped past Mariel-chan’s attempt to stop me and called out to Alicia-sama from behind with brisk steps.
“Oh my, good morning, Alicia-sama. Would you mind if I accompany you to the classroom?”
“Cristea-sama?! G-Good morning… Yes, that would be fine.”
Alicia-sama seemed a bit surprised by my sudden appearance, but she quickly caught on to the fact that I had intervened on purpose, given my unusual smile and tone, as well as the sight of Mariel-chan and the others chasing after me from behind. She promptly went along with it.
However, the senior young ladies, though flustered, tried to intervene.
“W-Wait! Alicia-sama is in the middle of a conversation with us!”
“A conversation, you say? Alicia-sama… Did I intrude?”
When I asked with deliberate unease, Alicia-sama shook her head.
“No, not at all. I was merely being approached by these individuals. Now, let us not be late for class… Seniors, would you please step aside?”
“Wha–!”
The senior young ladies glared at Alicia-sama, displeased by her refusal to comply.
Hmm, they’re still trying to push back.
I stepped forward toward the group that still wouldn’t budge.
“… By the way, I overheard something about a Repulsive food eating young lady earlier. I was surprised; rumors like that are still circulating?”
Realizing that she had been addressed by me, the young lady who made that statement visibly showed a reaction akin to “Uh-oh!” but quickly regained her composure and adopted a defiant posture.
“Oh… Well, isn’t it the truth rather than just a rumor? A noble young lady willingly eating livestock feed is something unheard of.”
Hmm, it’s tough to wriggle out of that one when it’s the truth.
As I remained silent, my counterpart seemed to revel in their victory, sporting a triumphant smile as if the tables had turned.
“Furthermore, it’s said that you even cook the livestock feed by yourself and make the servant eat it. Poor things, the servants are forced into a situation where they can’t defy you and have to pretend the livestock feed is delicious…”
The surrounding entourage nodded along in agreement with the sobbing act of the young lady.
… But all the servants said the feed was delicious and filling, and they seemed genuinely happy. If it was just flattery, it would be incredibly sad, but considering the reactions of the chefs and, in fact, the fact that they always seem to be eagerly awaiting my new recipes when I step into the kitchen, I don’t think it’s a misunderstanding on my part.
Moreover…
“I’ve heard that originally, Lars was imported from Yahatul as a food source, but in the Doristan Kingdom, it was repurposed as feed due to a lack of knowledge on how to cook it. But in reality, there’s no problem with us eating it; it’s actually a delicious grain, you know? And did you know that now, there are popular menu items using Lars in the cafeteria on campus? Were you not aware?”
Well, I did teach them that menu too.
With a smile, as if to say, “Huh? You didn’t know that?”, they took it as a provocation, their face turning bright red, and they clenched the fan they held so tightly that it creaked.
“And besides, Prince Raymond himself has enjoyed dishes made with Lars. They were so delicious that he even asked for seconds.”
Oh, absolutely.
At first, he teased me, saying, “Are you really a Repulsive food eating young lady?” But now, he has become utterly captivated by curry.
“W-What did you say?! His Highness is?!”
“Yes. Oh, yes. He happened to be in the special dormitory with my Oniisama last night, so I invited them to stay for dinner.”
“Ehh!?”