Please tell me!
After dinner, we moved back to the reception room to discuss Idika, which seemed to be the rice of the Samonar Kingdom.
"Prince Kaldor, could you please tell me as much as you know about Idika?"
Honestly, it would be faster if we had the actual product on hand.
Since they wouldn’t likely bring livestock feed out, I decided to ask some questions to determine if it was something like the Thai rice I knew of.
"Hmm. From what I’ve heard its cultivation is not much different from Lars. It’s harvested twice a year. Therefore, not only is there plenty to feed the livestock, but the poor even grind the surplus into flour for their own consumption."
I see, it’s a double-cropping variety.
I had someone bring some unpolished brown rice and polished white rice from the kitchen, placing them in small dishes for comparison.
"This is Lars as it is when purchased and processed for easier consumption. Could you tell me about any characteristics of Idika or differences from Lars that you might notice?"
When I asked, Prince Kaldor picked up each small dish with interest, closely examining and sniffing them.
"Ah, yes… First, the shape is different. This Lars is somewhat round, but Idika is more slender. I haven’t seen it in a dehusked state like this, but it’s clearly distinct."
Hmm, as I thought, it seems to be a long-grain type, like Thai rice.
"Then there’s the fragrance. Unlike Lars, it has a strong aroma. If it’s this different even before cooking, it might be hard to eat it in the same way as Lars..."
It seemed that Prince Kaldor, while noting the similarities, had concluded that Idika was a distinctly different product, leaving him visibly dejected.
Seeing his dashed hopes of "maybe it could work" gave me a sense of his earnestness.
I must find a way to make it delicious at all costs.
From what I’ve heard, it seems like it could be a variety close to jasmine rice, so it should work.
"Prince Kaldor, if the Idika you speak of is what I imagine, I believe it can be made easier to eat using methods different from those for Lars… Probably."
"Really!? What method is that? Please, tell me!"
Prince Kaldor eagerly leaned forward toward me, but under the intimidating presence of Kurogane and Mashiro standing behind me, he froze with a stifled "Guh!"
Tika-san let out a frightened "Eek!" and became immobile. Some guard he is…
"Kurogane, Mashiro, calm down. Prince Kaldor, I apologize for my attendants. Regarding cooking Idika, if we had the actual grains, we could test and verify methods directly. For now, all I can do is write down potential preparation methods based on speculation."
Without the actual product, even my knowledge from a past life has its limits.
"The actual grains… If it’s Idika, I did bring some! Would it be possible to try with that?"
Wait, really?
"Yes. Hearing that Lars has become scarce in recent years, I brought some thinking it might be added as livestock feed. However, it was rejected, as it might differ from Lars, and livestock might not eat it..."
As Prince Kaldor spoke regretfully, Tika-san patted him on the shoulder in encouragement.
They seemed to have an easygoing relationship, more akin to siblings than master and servant, likely due to being raised together.
"If you have the actual grains, could you share some with me? I’d like to try several preparation methods..."
"You’ve already thought of some methods just from our conversation?! Of course! I’ll present all the Idika I brought this time! So, please..."
When Prince Kaldor bowed his head in earnest, I hurriedly asked him to raise it.
And so, I was tasked with figuring out how to cook Idika.
However, since the grains were managed by the trade caravan, we decided to retrieve them with Tika-san tomorrow, bringing today’s meeting to a close.
Incidentally, Leon-sama watched the proceedings with a smirk, saying only, "I’ll come back tomorrow," as he returned to the castle.
… Should I prepare any food for him tomorrow?!
After escorting Prince Kaldor to the guest room, we returned to our respective chambers—
"We’d like to have a detailed discussion, Cristea,"—or so I thought, but I was stopped.
Surrounded by Otousama, Okaasama, and Oniisama’s archaic smiles, I realized I couldn’t escape unnoticed and resigned myself to being led to the office.
"Well, let’s just say it’s partially our fault for proceeding without caution this time."
As soon as we sat in the reception area of the office, Otousama spoke with a sheepish expression.
Ah, the cacao thing.
The adults were so excited about it, after all. Haha.
"However, you do understand that it was a mistake on your part not to consult me when Prince Kaldor summoned you, correct?"
"Y-Yes..."
"Even with Kurogane and Mashiro accompanying you, you must refrain from reckless actions."
"Yes..."
Otousama was right about that.
I could have at least informed him and discreetly increased the number of guards.
Fortunately, since the other party was royalty, this time it was forgiven on the grounds that any major mishap could have turned into an international incident.
"I heard that Shin summoned you, but upon closer inquiry, it seems a servant accompanying him as a porter was almost held hostage. I intend to file a formal complaint with Prince Kaldor about this. However, if it allows us to gain an advantage in future dealings, we might let it slide."
Otousama smiled wickedly.
What a devious grin...!
Although it was Prince Kaldor’s fault, it seemed he might face some unfortunate consequences. Poor guy.
"I could lecture you endlessly, but let’s stop here... Can you really handle this Idika?"
Otousama asked with a worried look.
"Well… I remember reading about something similar to Idika when I was researching Lars at the academy. If it’s that, I’ve thought of a few cooking methods that might work."
That’s a lie. I’m sorry.
"I see… Your passion for food is truly remarkable."
"Haha… It’s not that impressive."
As my Otousama and the others stared at me in exasperation, I subtly averted my gaze.
"Very well. As for Prince Kaldor’s stay, Leon-sama will discreetly inform His Majesty. Whether he moves to the royal palace or continues to stay here will be decided. Until then, remain here and do not return to the academy."
"What?"
Why? Once I demonstrate how to cook Idika tomorrow, Prince Kaldor should swiftly—er, promptly—move to the royal palace, and I’ll be relieved of my duties, right?
"The head chef mentioned he’s still uncertain about the spices you’ve instructed him on. Your presence here would be reassuring. I’ll inform the academy director that you’ll be taking a break at the royal family’s request. Understood?"
"Y-Yes…"
Under the pressure of my Otousama and Okaasama, I could only respond with a trembling voice, like a frog being stared down by a snake.
Oniisama offered a faint, sympathetic smile as if to say, "It can’t be helped." Ugh…
However, since it wouldn’t look good for Prince Kaldor and me to stay together for an extended period, Oniisama would remain with us too.
Thank goodness! That’s a bit of relief!
Ah… I was supposed to return to the academy with Mariel-chan…
Hmm, I’ll need to ask Sei to escort her back instead.
Freed up for the rest of the evening, I rushed to my room to write letters to Sei and Mariel-chan in preparation for tomorrow.
What do you think about this chapter?
