Betrayal from within.
"…I t seems we have grown quite accustomed to our daughter's behavior. I must apologize. My daughter is, shall we say, a bit peculiar, or perhaps eccentric."
"Otousama!?"
A betrayal from my own family!? What an unexpected backstab!
"Please do not take my daughter's actions as the standard for young ladies in our country."
Ugh, I can’t argue with that!
Which means I can’t deny the eccentric comment either! This is painful!
"Even I can understand that much. That is, if her appearance matched her age, of course."
Sorry for not acting my age! Jeez!
Well, mentally, I’m in my thirties… or wait, if I count this life too? … Ahem! Never mind that.
That said, given my appearance, my behavior is far from ordinary. It’s no wonder I’m seen as odd… No, wait! My own family should at least defend me!
Okaasama and Oniisama, could you stop nodding in agreement and support me instead!?
Your overwhelming understanding feels like it’s cutting me off at the knees…!
"My daughter, due to her excessive magic capacity, seems to grow more slowly than average and retains a somewhat youthful appearance. However, she is currently enrolled in Adelia Academy this year."
"Oh, now that you mention it, I saw her wearing the same uniform as the other young lady she visited with recently. That must have been the academy's uniform… Compared to her, she does seem a bit younger."
He seemed to recall the time I was with Mariel-chan and scrutinized me with a look of understanding.
Sorry for my lack of development, okay!?
Since mastering magic circulation, I’ve grown a little, you know! Hmph!
While I simmered quietly, Otousama continued with a wry smile.
"And, well, my daughter’s hobby is cooking… Recently, she used the spices and, um, aphrodisiac ingredients she brought back to make a dish."
"Cooking… with aphrodisiacs… really?"
Prince Kaldor’s suspicious expression prompted Otousama to retrieve a small box from his breast pocket. He opened it to reveal the chocolates that were confiscated yesterday.
"When she made something like this, we discovered unexpected effects during the tasting."
"What… is this?"
Prince Kaldor frowned at the box of chocolates.
"Umm… she made this from the aphrodisiac ingredient she received, and, er, what was it called again?"
When Otousama looked to me for help, I replied, "… I named it chocolate."
"My daughter calls this recipe ‘chocolate.’ Do your people not consume it in this form?"
Otousama looked curiously at Prince Kaldor.
Uh-oh. Wait, weren’t old aphrodisiacs supposed to be in some liquid form?
I never thought about how Samonar handles theirs, but crafting it into something like this probably isn’t common.
"No, in our country, it’s consumed as a crushed and ground substance for drinking. To think it could take such a solid form… May I taste it, with your permission?"
"Well, I suppose that would be fine…"
"Your Highness!? No way, don’t do it! This might look different, but it’s still an aphrodisiac, right? Plus, who knows what else is in it!?"
"A small amount won’t affect me. Isn’t that right?"
"Ugh… I’m the food taster! I don’t want to embarrass myself in another country!"
"Then I’ll—"
"Fine! Fine! I’ll eat it, okay?!"
As I watched the lighthearted exchange between the prince and his attendant, the latter reluctantly took a tiny piece of chocolate from the box.
"Here goes nothing!" he declared, popping it into his mouth.
"...…"
We all held our breath, watching as he closed his eyes to savor the chocolate.
"Tika?"
"It’s… delicious! This is amazing!"
When Prince Kaldor called out to him, Tika-san’s eyes shot open, shining brightly as he answered with a beaming smile.
Wait, that disappointing chocolate was *that* good!?
"Delicious? Surely you mean bitter?"
"No, it’s bitter, but it’s also smooth and sweet… there’s so much sugar in it! It’s luxurious!"
Tika-san’s sparkling enthusiasm left Prince Kaldor visibly baffled.
"If you’re so doubtful, Your Highness, you should try it yourself! Here!"
"Mmff!?"
Tika-san grabbed another piece and shoved it into Prince Kaldor’s mouth.
Tika-san, isn’t that disrespectful behavior!?
While we watched nervously, Prince Kaldor furrowed his brows, but as he tasted the chocolate, his expression gradually softened.
"This… is delicious. What is this? The aroma and flavor are entirely aphrodisiac-like, yet it’s completely different."
"Right? It’s amazing, isn’t it?"
"This surpasses anything we’ve produced in my country. Incredible."
Both of them were flushed and excited.
Are they thrilled by the taste or the aphrodisiac effect… or both?
"Excuse me, are you both feeling all right? Considering the ingredients…"
I timidly asked, and both men straightened up as if snapping out of a trance.
"Ahem, yes. We have a certain tolerance, so this small amount isn’t a problem. But still… this is leagues ahead of our methods. Does this mean my country lags behind even in utilizing its own resources?"
Prince Kaldor slumped, defeated, while Tika-san anxiously hovered nearby.
"If your handling of materials is so advanced, it will be hard to gain an upper hand in negotiations. I heard that during the last visit, our ambassador returned furious after being served atrocious food."
Ah, the overly greasy dishes from last time.
"So, my brother sent me, the second prince, to see if we could regain an advantage by threatening to cut off trade if served poorly again. But… damn it, he must have set me up!"
Prince Kaldor spat the words bitterly, and Tika-san looked at him with distress.
… Something about this feels fishy.
"Prince Kaldor, I hope it’s not too forward to ask, but could you share your circumstances with us?"
Otousama seemed to share my suspicion and inquired directly.
"… Fine. It’s embarrassing, but it doesn’t matter anymore. I am the second prince, but I’m the illegitimate son of the current king and a farmer’s daughter he seduced during a tour."
Oh dear, this reeks of familial drama.
"My mother was essentially abducted to the harem upon her pregnancy being discovered. She gave birth to me there. Tika is the son of her cousin, who was forced into service as a maid and caretaker, so we grew up together in the palace. However, we were both scorned by the queen and my elder brother."
Prince Kaldor clenched his knees tightly as he spoke.
Seriously!? Why are royals so careless!?
Whether it’s Sei or Prince Kaldor, how can parents put their own children through such misery!? Unbelievable!
What do you think about this chapter?
