How is the progress?
"... So, how are things progressing?"
After our morning classes ended, Alicia-sama and I moved to a café to have lunch together.
Since Alicia-sama lives in a different dormitory, the only time we can exchange information is during lunch or after school.
"Well, I received some materials about the Samonar Kingdom from my family the other day, and based on those, I’ve made a few prototypes…"
"Oh my! You've already made prototypes!?"
Alicia-sama was surprised by my words.
Come to think of it, since Alicia-sama is helping me gather information, I should have invited her to the tasting. I completely forgot about that.
"As expected of the Ellisfeed Ducal Household… Not only quick in gathering and analyzing information but also already working on prototypes… That decisiveness is something I need to learn from…"
"No, um, my father started working on it even before His Highness requested it, so that’s why it was so quick."
When I hurriedly explained, Alicia-sama suddenly looked embarrassed and lowered her head.
"I-I'm sorry. My mother taught me from a young age that I mustn't lose to the Ellisfeed family, so I…"
Alicia-sama apologized with her eyebrows furrowed.
Does Alicia-sama's mother have some sort of grudge against the Ellisfeed family? … Not that I could ever say that out loud.
It seems that Alicia-sama's hostility towards me since the beginning of our enrollment wasn't just about being a potential candidate for Crown Prince Raymond's fiancée, but also partly due to her mother... Maybe I should ask Okaasama about it next time I visit home.
"I’m the one who should apologize. I’m sorry for proceeding without saying anything, even though you’re also helping us, Alicia-sama."
When I apologized, Alicia-sama shook her head.
"No, please don’t worry about it. It’s a recipe for dishes that will be served to royalty. It would be odd not to be concerned about it being leaked to the enemy Ducal house. Of course, I have no intention of doing such a thing…"
"Not at all! I never thought that Alicia-sama would do anything like that! After all, we're friends, aren't we!?"
If anything, I was just thinking, “Oops! I forgot to invite her to the tasting!” I wasn’t even slightly worried about information leakage!
"Oh… Haha. Thank you. Yes, we’re friends. I wouldn’t do such a thing."
When I called her my "friend," Alicia-sama’s eyes widened, then she blushed and gave a shy smile.
So… cute!
"Cu-cuuute…"
Mariel-chan, you've been letting your inner thoughts slip out a lot lately!
But I totally agree!
"As a friend, Cristea-sama, I’d like to give you this. It might be too late now, though…"
Saying this, Alicia-sama handed me a stack of papers.
"What’s this…?"
"I did some research in the library. There were records of exchanges between students from our country and those from the Samonar Kingdom who had studied abroad in the past. Unfortunately, those records were not allowed to be taken out, so I copied what seemed useful."
"Alicia-sama…!"
The stack of papers she handed me was quite thick, so she must have spent a considerable amount of time on it.
Meanwhile, we were just leisurely tasting food... Ugh, I feel so guilty!
"Thank you! You’ve put in so much effort, Alicia-sama. I’d love for you to join the tasting! Let’s have a tasting session in the salon building tomorrow at lunch!"
When I grabbed both her hands and pushed forward, Alicia-sama seemed a bit flustered but answered, "Y-yes."
Alright, tomorrow's lunch will be a tasting session!
"Um,Cristea-sama?"
"Yes, what is it?"
When I answered cheerfully, Alicia-sama spoke hesitantly.
"For the tasting session, shouldn't you invite His Highness Crown Prince Raymond and Norman-sama instead of just me? I can't possibly eat before His Highness."
"Oh… Yes, you’re right."
Y-yes, that's right.
We can’t just ignore His Highness and Oniisama can we…? We'll have to invite them.
… Let’s hope His Highness doesn’t demand, "Serve curry!" or something.
If that happens, I’ll have to firmly say, "This is a family secret recipe and can't be given to the royal chefs!"
I remember Otousama boasting that when His Majesty asked for the curry recipe, he said, "It's a family secret, so I can't give it away, haha." So, I’ll stand my ground too!
As I nodded to myself in agreement, Alicia-sama gripped my hand tightly and smiled.
"I don't need an invitation since you invited me directly, but please hurry and send an invitation to His Highness. Even if you're close, you mustn't be discourteous,Cristea-sama."
"Y-yes…"
Pressed by Alicia-sama’s cheerful but firm demeanor, I quickly promised to write and send a proper invitation.
It seems Alicia-sama believes that we should always treat the royal family with respect and maintain proper decorum as their subjects.
Unlike the common trope of a villainess who’s overly familiar with the prince, I find her behavior admirable in this regard.
But if she’s aiming to be a potential fiancée, she could be a bit more assertive, I think.
"Cristea-sama! What are you daydreaming about!? Time is limited, you know, so act quickly!"
"Y-yes!"
And so, after parting ways with Alicia-sama, who had an elective class in the afternoon, I spent the rest of the day running around, preparing for the tasting session the next day, including arranging the salon building, mixing additional spices, and writing invitations to Oniisama and Crown Prince Raymond.
What do you think about this chapter?
