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The air at the table froze.

There was no need to find the cause.

What? Suddenly throwing tableware?

The parties involved, Godwin and the always cheerful Flora.

The rest, excluding them, flinched reflexively.

Well, that’s only natural. No matter how well siblings get along, it’s a different story when the second son of the Duke’s family throws tableware at the heir.

It was no different from spitting in someone’s face.

However, Corvus merely fluffed his collar feathers.

No one pointed it out.

As mentioned earlier, the very person involved, Godwin, remained silent.

Not just that, he seemed completely unfazed, focusing on his fondue.

After a moment of gauging the atmosphere, Karem changed the subject with a question.

“Where did His Grace the Duke say he would go this spring?”

“Karem. Just a moment. I need a little time to quell the sadness of not being able to enjoy Amadeus to my heart’s content when we return from the Kingdom.”

“But you need to lose weight anyway.”

“Even so, there’s a big difference between being in a situation where I can enjoy it whenever I want and one where I cannot.”

Godwin spoke very seriously.

So seriously, in fact, that he was as serious as Alicia with the last slice of pie before her.

Once he murmured that, Godwin began savoring the fondue again.

Unwilling to back down, others also resumed eating Amadeus, and Karem blended in moderately while continuing his thoughts.

Kingsland.

This spring, they’re heading to the royal lands of Kingsland.

In his territory, the Duke reigns as if he were the real king. Unless there’s a special reason, he wouldn’t leave his land.

Going outside the castle is not leaving, right?

After all, people wander around for a breather, to meet friends, or to work on business matters.

In an Europian setting with underdeveloped transportation and a smaller scope of civilization than modern times, visiting other regions is almost like visiting a different country.

Given that cities and villages often have different cultures, it’s not entirely incorrect.

In severe cases, the dialect even changes, making communication impossible.

“Your Highness William. Were you aware?”

“What? That we’re going to the royal lands?”

Godwin casually uttered that, but William looked unenthused.

“Well, yeah? We were invited.”

William ate a strawberry coated in Amadeus with a subtle expression.

“Alicia is going too.”

“What about Your Highness Robin?”

“He said his studies are more important, so he won’t go.”

What a nerd. How many opportunities do you get to travel? Karem grumbled internally, but it wasn’t something he could just grumble about.

As mentioned before, leaving the place you live for another region is not so different from visiting another country in modern terms.

Yet, if the person is a Duke, it practically becomes a state visit-level event.

“So, it’s the first, second princes and the princess along with the Duchess?”

“My mother said she would stay in the castle with Elder Iona as a representative for my father. He has business with the king.”

“Then why are the three going?”

That’s even weirder.

“You’re supposedly going for work, right?”

“Well, it’s obvious.”

Gordon said while eating the fondue Flora offered.

“Networking, of course. For those noble folks who can’t just move around freely, connections are just as important as family and territory.”

“Networking? Ugh, just hearing about it makes me feel tired.”

“That’s just the Second Prince’s peculiar case.”

Anyway, one can understand networking.

Even in modern Earth, where democracy is the main trend, connections through alumni, regional ties, and blood relations still hold significant power.

However, in a class society where monsters are everywhere and transportation is inconvenient, the importance of these connections rises even higher.

Ultimately, it all circles back to trust.

Building that trust from scratch begins with face-to-face interactions.

“Why are you acting like this doesn’t concern you? You’re supposed to go with the prince and princess, too.”

“Me? Who?”

“You.”

“Me?”

“Yeah. The popular one.”

Before Karem could ask why, he paused to think.

Alfred Felwinter is a Duke of a nation.

Naturally, he would bring a large escort.

It’s only natural that so many people accompanied him when visiting Obsidianberry Port, just three days away from Winterhome.

Catherine was also part of the escort at the time.

“Oh.”

“Yeah. I don’t think I need to explain further.”

“Then shouldn’t you follow along as well?”

“Hey, I need to attend to my territory. I can’t stay here forever. I have to recover from the devastation…”

The Baron Bolton’s Territory, ravaged by a swarm of monsters.

Villages, cities, castle walls, outposts, farms, and all that jazz.

Gordon shook his head, forcibly trying to dismiss the overwhelming reality of needing to restore everything.

“But you should have at least one swordsman, right? I suspect Sir Giant Churchill might follow.”

“A swordsman?”

They just casually referred to a Swordmaster as a swordsman?

At William’s disapproving look, Gordon waved his hand.

“Come on, it’s a swordsman. If you have complaints, I’ll gladly call him a Swordmaster for you.”

Gordon accepted the piece of bread Flora offered just before the melted Amadeus could drip from it, wearing a relaxed expression.

Everyone else at the table (excluding Flora) was left speechless by the audaciousness that only a Swordmaster could commit.

*

*

*

It was already the bold words of one who had attained enough status, and Grand Prince Nabal indulged in his wish to enjoy Amadeus for a longer time. As for the journey to Kingsland, spring had yet to arrive.

Karem still had his duties to fulfill.

Taking care of Catherine’s meals and snacks.

Normally, it wouldn’t be a problem even if he leisurely chatted more in the greenhouse, but with some House Fairy on leave (punishment), the workload increased.

Though it wasn’t unwelcome.

However, Karem felt it was just a bother.

With Mary also on leave, the demand on him intensified, and Karem had to single-handedly prepare everything from start to finish for the first time in ages.

What was so hard about cooking for someone you love, you ask?

Cooking is about one-third done as long as you have the right tools.

With Mary, the all-purpose tool gone, Karem now reflected on how grateful he was for the all-purpose worker who worked exactly as ordered, through the strain of his own body.

Salmon Coulibiac.

An Italian dish made for the Russian royalty.

Though the name sounds grand, to put it bluntly, it’s a salmon version of Wellington steak, or one could also call it a salmon pie.

Karem laid sautéed mushrooms on pastry made by Mary, topped with seasoned salmon fillet, layered with crispy bacon bits and boiled egg as garnishes, and wrapped it again in pastry.

Next, he needed to brush it with egg wash and bake it in the oven to serve it with sauce; that would be the end.

“Oh, make the sauce with Amadeus.”

“Excuse me? What am I supposed to make that with?”

“Amadeus sauce.”

That should be it.

With Karem taken aback by the sudden order, he contemplated deeply.

However, thinking it over, it wasn’t impossible.

The combination of sweet and salty is unbeatable.

Adding spiciness to it would make it invincible.

Exactly.

When you think about it, the sauce for seasoned fried chicken isn’t so different. It’s merely that additional ingredients, aside from sweeteners, are included.

Instead of making a base sauce for seasoned fried chicken, he swapped honey for Amadeus.

He ensured the additional spicy and sweet tastes blended well together and added Gochujang, red pepper paste, and red pepper oil for a stronger flavor.

After tasting it, Karem finally relaxed and proudly served Catherine the Salmon Coulibiac with Amadeus sauce.

“Hmm…”

The pastry laid atop the deep brown sauce.

Garnishes and salmon wrapped in layers within.

Black, brown, white, yellow, and red—the various colors harmonized beautifully on the plate, making it visually tempting.

“This turned out better than I thought.”

“You can praise me for consistently producing fine creations even when faced with these sudden, unexpected orders.”

“Unfortunately, it’s a pity. It’s such a pity.”

“Why do you sound so regretful?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

Catherine glanced down at her plate, avoiding Karem’s narrowed gaze.

In fact, that was the truth.

“I’ve thought this before, but since you rarely make mistakes, you don’t leave any openings and thus it becomes less entertaining. Seems like this time is a failure as well.”

It was truly the heart of a cat knocking over a cup full of liquid placed on the edge of a desk.

Had she heard about the failure from the experiments earlier in the day, her reaction would have been different, but for now, she felt a bit sulky.

Mary shared the same sentiment.

Of course, separate from her feelings, Mary diligently served Catherine, the source of her own frustrations.

Crisp—swish—clink—

“Salmon pie, huh? Contrary to what I heard, it’s actually a pretty good dish.”

A stack of thin sheets creating a crackling sound as they crumbled under the layers of various filling.

The flavor of the sautéed mushrooms and onions cooked on high heat was even richer.

The salmon, too, was rich in flavor and aroma, as it was perfectly cooked.

However, it was a bit dry.

The salmon had become fully cooked within the pastry, and the moisture had evaporated, emphasizing the salmon’s texture.

Yet, the moment she tasted the sauce, the discomfort on her tongue quickly turned into a brief protest.

The spiciness that tingled her now-dry tongue.

Followed by the sweet and salty flavor of the sauce rushing in.

The thick, sticky sauce enveloped her mouth and tongue, compensating for all the shortcomings of the dish, amplifying the other disappointments Catherine felt.

“Alright. I will praise you as you wish. It’s a pity you didn’t make a mistake this time, but as the owner, I still must commend you.”

“In the end, you actually wanted me to mess up, didn’t you?”

“This could have worked as a main sauce too, right?”

No time to feel at ease. Karem felt a sharp glance shot his way. This was not the first time either, plus filling his stomach took precedence.

Especially since he liked salmon.

For a while, only the clatter of tableware echoed softly in the dining hall of the Mage Tower (except for the three attendants, it was nearly deserted).

“Oh, by the way, are we going out on a business trip this spring?”

“A business trip? What do you mean?”

“They say we’re going to Kingsland.”

Catherine, who had already finished her first piece and was now tackling her third, tilted her head slightly.

“Where did you hear that nonsense? I said I went to the greenhouse, right?”

“Yes. Well, I happened to hear it from Prince Godwin.”

“Oh. That makes sense. It’s not something that needs to be kept a secret, so I don’t mind discussing it.”

Catherine nodded after tasting the Coulibiac Mary offered.

“Well, to celebrate the Crystal Jubilee, the king is throwing a large event. He’s even sent invitations to all the Dukes from various regions.”

“…Excuse me, but what is a jubilee?”

“What? Ah.”

Catherine tilted her head for a moment before soon understanding.

Coming from a serf background, and even being someone reborn in another world, it was not surprising they wouldn’t know.

“It’s an anniversary. An anniversary. A celebration of King Theopon’s 15th anniversary of his reign.”

“That means, of course, our Duke is also…”

“Indeed. The Duke, wishing to meet a long-lost friend he hadn’t seen in ages, accepted it gladly.”

Suddenly, Catherine clicked her tongue lightly with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“However, that is merely the facade. The real purpose is for something else.”

“Another purpose? Perhaps the usual collusion of high-ranking individuals? Politics?”

“Well, you’re close to the mark. About four out of ten.”

“Then isn’t that practically a failing grade?”

“Exactly. What happened last autumn in the North?”

What happened? It’s not something that can be simply brushed off.

The massive invasion of the Undead Army.

The incursion of the rare Demon Tribe known as Shape Shifters.

Even signs of them having cooperated.

If circumstances hadn’t aligned, civilization’s frontline might have crumbled from the inside out—a situation that should never be taken lightly. Karem shivered.

Could it be that similar events occurred in other regions too?

On seeing the question in Karem’s eyes, Catherine snapped her fingers.

“Precisely. The purpose of gathering all the Dukes under the king’s jurisdiction is to discuss countermeasures for this.”

“Is it alright to hold a festival for such a serious matter? I thought it was a commemoration.”

“That’s precisely why it needs to be held, even more so.”

If they openly declare it as is, those with sinister intentions who wish for dominance may begin to act energetically.

While Iceland would be fine, Dukes from other territories might not possess as secure a grip on their lands as the Duke of Iceland does.

“In the end, while the justification can be hooked together, it wouldn’t do to treat a gathering of high nobles carelessly.”

“The present King Theopon’s Crystal Jubilee fits perfectly, doesn’t it?”

“Exactly. Still, since they couldn’t quite hit the mark, I’d rate it a 70.”

“That’s a pretty low score.”

Karem felt disoriented by the serious and significant backdrop and firmly resolved not to drop a holy relic this time.

‘Speaking of which, Kingsland.’

Even though it was a region filled with grim memories of Moston Village, he didn’t hold a complete aversion to Kingsland.

After all, Moston was the most rural of the rural areas, and their destination is where the king would be residing.

Then suddenly.

He recalled a certain careless remark from a date at the cafe.

‘-So please enjoy the trends that have come up from Servianus made at that very place!’

Mint.

Mint’s Affair.

Mint tea.

“I suddenly don’t want to go anymore.”

“What nonsense is this? Karem, my junior.”

A fleeting thought crossed his mind: it could be a dreadful abyss, if not as bad as Moston.

And it wasn’t entirely a wrong thought.

 

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