Chapter 102: Tea Party with Eleonore
This is the twelfth time in my life I’ve been to the royal palace. For some reason, the number of times I’ve been summoned here has skyrocketed recently.
That’s because Claudia and Eleonore summon me to the royal palace at every opportunity.
“This way, please.”
“Yeah.”
And the place I’m led to is a private space for the royal family, located deep within the palace. I was nervous at first, but I’ve kind of gotten used to it.
“Thank you for coming, Dee.”
“Princess Eleonore, I, Dietfried Baumgarten, have come as summoned.”
Eleonore greets me with a composed face, looking just a little bit happy.
Today, I’m the only one Eleonore summoned. Claudia wants to meet with Cornelia and Lily too, while Eleonore prefers to meet with me one-on-one.
“Please, have a seat.”
“Excuse me.”
Unlike at the academy, there are many maids watching, after all. I don’t act too casually. Among those maids-san, there were a few girls I’d seen at the academy.
They’re probably working as maids in the royal palace as etiquette apprentices. Or perhaps they’re daughters of impoverished nobles who are short on money? Maintaining appearances costs nobles quite a lot of money, you see.
Maybe I should send Cornelia and Lily to the royal palace as etiquette apprentices too.
Since we weren’t taught by a proper instructor, I’m not very confident in our etiquette…
“Excuse me.”
Just as I sat down on the chair while thinking about such things, a middle-aged maid-san served tea and sweets. This middle-aged maid-san is probably the highest-ranking among Eleonore’s attendants. She has a kind smile, but I can somehow sense a certain dignity about her.
Today’s sweets seem to be cookies. The aroma of wheat and butter wafts gently.
The royal palace’s sweets are delicious, so I’m looking forward to them.
First, Eleonore picks up a cookie, eats it, and drinks her tea. Though it’s mostly a formality now, this is her tasting for poison. She eats the tea and sweets she had prepared first to prove they aren’t poisoned.
Well, nowadays it’s mostly recognized as part of etiquette, though. It only really means something like, “Be careful, as it’s a breach of manners to touch the sweets before the person who prepared them does.”
“Please, Dee, have some as well.”
“Thank you very much.”
After confirming Eleonore had finished eating, I immediately reached for a cookie. They’re small cookies, the kind you can eat in one bite. It’s probably a consideration to prevent clothes from getting dirty with cookie crumbs.
When I pop a cookie into my mouth without breaking it and bite down, it crumbles delicately, and I immediately taste the fragrant aroma of wheat and the rich sweetness of butter. Delicious. As expected, the skills of the royal Chef are outstanding.
“Fufufu.”
As I was eating my second or third cookie, I heard a soft laugh. It was Eleonore. Eleonore was laughing, and her expression was so gentle that anyone who knows the usual Eleonore would think they were mistaken. It was almost like the smile of an ideal mother towards her child, or a special expression one would only show to a lover.
Seeing such a smile, I felt my face grow hot and my heartbeat quicken.
What is this? This feeling that’s both embarrassing and happy?
“Is something…?”
“Dee, you always eat a lot, don’t you? So, I had them prepare extra today.”
Indeed, the cookies arranged on the plate as if forming a pattern seem more numerous than usual.
Or rather, Eleonore remembered even that?
“I was worried about what to do if there were leftovers, but I’m glad you seem to like them.”
“Thank you very much…”
This is somehow a little embarrassing…
“This is also a wife’s… No, it is my role, after all.”
Eleonore says, smiling cheerfully. Is she talking about how it’s natural for a host who invited someone to entertain them? As expected of royalty. She’s so composed.
Still, for Eleonore to make such a gentle face… Anyone who knows the hard-to-please Eleonore from the academy would surely be shocked by the sheer difference. Even in the game, she always looked so sharp and stern.
But, I find that Eleonore endearing. Certainly, Eleonore might not be exactly like the game character I had a childhood crush on. However, to me, the current, real Eleonore seems far more charming.
The current Eleonore, naturally, has a human touch, or rather, a warmth to her. Of course, I also admire the cool and stylish Eleonore from the game, but I love Eleonore’s smile.
“Dee, you surprisingly like sweet things, don’t you? That’s cute.”
“Princess Eleonore, you’re cuter.”
Before I knew it, my mouth had moved on its own and blurted that out.
Eleonore’s face instantly turned red. My head also instantly grew hot.
“N-no, um, what I mean is…”
“I’m happy…”
To my flustered ears, Eleonore’s soft murmur reached me.
Looking down slightly, her face bright red, Eleonore smiled, looking up at me.
What is this adorable creature!