Chapter 78

Chapter 78

Translator: Yonnee

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“So, what is this?”

“It’s a dish called sujebi, and it’s made of hand-torn noodles and some seafood. The soup is cool to the palate and the ingredients are chewy.”

“How can this be cool when it’s warm?”

Well, it’s the kind of a cool, refreshing feeling that only Koreans knew… It’s true that Koreans even exclaim, “Ahh, refreshing,” while dipping into a scorching hot bath—but if I say that here, they’ll just think I’m a madwoman. I corrected myself.

“A slip of the tongue, Prince. It’s because Your Highness’ appearance dazzled me so.”

“Seems like you’re being yourself now.”

“It’s best to eat this dish while it’s still warm. Oh, and the Baron helped a lot in making the noodles, that’s why it tastes amazing. I just wanted to mention it.”

“……”

I felt Schubert’s piercing gaze at the back of my head as I hurriedly noted his contribution. Liam, who had just been listening to this exchange quietly, blinked in a daze and spoke.

“Do you usually converse like this?”

“Absolutely. I continually praise His Highness’ appearance and serve him delicious food all the time. I will never hurt the Prince.”

Now might be a good time to resolve that strange misunderstanding, so I quickly added,

“I am a loyal servant to His Highness, and I have no intention of doing anything that c—”

“Baron Bergen.”

Ah, maybe it’s a mistake. Albert cut me off mid-sentence.

Albert looked towards Schubert and smiled benevolently.

“Yes, sir!”

Startled by the sudden mention of his name, Schubert quickly knelt in front of Albert and bowed his head.

“I heard that you successfully spread false information around Rosteratu’s knight order. Well done.”

“If it’s to the benefit of Your Highness, I will do anything.”

Emotionally, Schubert nodded. What false information were they talking about? Every word that he said made me realize that the coup hasn’t started yet.

And, I felt a bit left out.

Liam was sitting on the sofa across Albert, and Schubert was kneeling before the prince. There was a balance of arrogance yet ascendancy in the air that surrounded him as compared to the two other men.

The conversation between the three of them felt like a different world to me. And I knew well enough that I would need to get used to this unmistakable distance between us.

I tried to be enthusiastic as I curtsied.

“Then, I’ll be leaving now.”

Blanc’s tail fluttered across my hair.

As I straightened my posture again, I felt Albert’s smooth fingers touching the back of my hand.

“Where will you eat?”

“I will be eating in the kitchen.”

“If you’re going to eat anyway, just do it here.”

“It seems like you’re still in the middle of your conversation with His Grace the Duke, so I’m fine going to the kitchen. It might put everyone in a difficult spot if I listen.”

Liam treated me like that when I was leaving the room earlier, so what more if I stay here.

“We’re done talking. Liam, you must be tired, so you may retire now.”

But right now, Liam was occupied by the sujebi I brought in. He was staring intently at the hand-torn noodles amongst the seafood, a frown on his lips.

“…What is this?”

“Hand-torn noodles, sir.”

“Seafood in a dish like this…”

It seemed like Liam really did like seafood. He seemed upset that his favorite seafood had been used in an unfamiliar dish. Maybe he’s quite the connoisseur.

Even a duke was a human being, so he must have his likes and dislikes. Still, it’s a little sad that he hasn’t tried tasting sujebi just yet. I worked hard to make this!

It’s not the kind of dish that’s eye-catching and fancy like the food that the protagonist of this novel, Seo Ina, cooks, but it’s still tasty.

“Rosé, bring your bowl here, too.”

“No, Your Highness, I’m alright.”

Now that Liam wasn’t showing any signs of leaving the room easily, and with Schubert here, I absolutely have no intention of eating here. It’ll be better for me to go back to the kitchen and eat comfortably there.

“Then I’ll be o…”

I was going to say ‘I’ll be off’ right then, but Albert took a spoon and scooped up a spoonful from the bowl. The well-cooked octopus and soup went into his lips. As he savored the food, a strange silence enveloped the room.

It suddenly felt like I’m in the finale of Master Ch*f.

“Delicious.

Albert said only one word, but it gave me a warm, proud feeling in an instant. Because I knew that the way he lifted one corner of his lips like that meant that he really liked it.

It made me even more happy to hear this because I made this dish while thinking about Albert. It’s the kind of happiness that you could only get by giving a present that fits the other person perfectly.

Liam gaped at Albert in astonishment. However, Albert was looking at only me.

“But it’s lonely eating alone.”

“…Pardon?”

“Pardon?”

Albert’s words elicited an identical reaction from both Liam and Schubert.

“I usually have someone I eat together with, but now…”

There’s nothing I could do in protest when it’s come to this already. It’s really hard to say no to Albert.

“I’ll get some more food and come back right away, Your Highness.”

I’ll go out and give some sujebi to Blanc, too. The moment I was going to say that, a thunderstorm from a certain place suddenly resounded throughout the room.

Grumble, grumble.

“……”

“Hmm.”

Albert crossed his arms and took a good look at Schubert and Liam.

“Rosé.”

“Yes.”

“Bring two more bowls along with yours.”

“Yes, I understand.”

At such a late hour, I was about to have a strange meal with these three men.