TMHLBQ_ARCHIVE_C72: Chapter 72: The Rude Princess Gives....

Chapter 72: The Rude Princess Gives….

Chapter 72: The Rude Princess Gives….

 

Thank you for coming. Princess Pryde, Sir Stayle, Lady Tiara.”

After stepping down from the carriage with my father, we were immediately greeted with warm smiles from Prime Minister Gilbert.

My father exchanged a handshake with him, and with a smile that radiated warmth, Prime Minister Gilbert said, “Thank you,” his demeanor truly embodying gentleness.

Following his invitation, we entered the mansion. His home was magnificent, as one might expect from a prime minister.

Most of the guests were already at ease, and when we entered, everyone stood up in respect. I couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed. It wasn’t exactly as “homey” as I had hoped.

Despite the vastness of the mansion, the number of guests was relatively low, possibly due to their limited presence. My maids, Marie and Lotte, and the guard Jack looked a bit uncomfortable and out of place, but they seemed to enjoy conversing with the castle maids and guards who had cared for and protected Maria in the castle’s hidden chambers.

Among the knights were the captain of the knights and Arthur, who had recently joined as the top recruit. There were also higher-ups from the Legislative Council, most of whom had supported me even when my reputation was at its worst, but a few recent ones seemed to be trying to get closer to me. Aside from the staff of Prime Minister Gilbert, there were only a handful of people, barely a dozen. For a party like this, I had imagined that his family would be present... but according to the game’s setting, Prime Minister Gilbert had no family. Curious, I casually asked him about Maria’s family.

“For the sake of a good party, I’ve kept them away.”

Prime Minister Gilbert said this with a pleasant smile, but I sensed a subtle darkness behind his words, likely hinting at some deeper reason.

Maria, who had been reclining on the farthest sofa, slowly stood up as soon as she saw us and greeted us.

“Maria, thank you for inviting us.”

I handed her a small bottle that Tiara had beautifully decorated.

Maria tilted her head slightly, puzzled, and I smiled wryly as I explained.

“It’s apple jam… It’s the product of a collaboration between the four of us.”

Maria’s eyes widened in surprise, and as she started thinking about the "four" mentioned, Stayle and Tiara subtly indicated Arthur, who was discreetly nodding toward her from among the knights. When I glanced at Arthur, I noticed that the knights, including the captain, were engaged in conversation with Prime Minister Gilbert, allowing Arthur to give a subtle nod in my direction without being noticed by others. I quickly returned his gesture with a smile.

“…Thank you so much!”

Maria murmured softly, her eyes sparkling as she looked at the jar of jam with genuine joy, holding it tightly as if it were a treasure.

…Yes, it was indeed a collaboration, even if I didn’t do much.

After my disastrous apple incident, the three of them comforted me and decided to make the apple jam. While jams existed in this world, we used my knowledge from my previous life. Since there was a risk of the jam turning into a liquid mess if I touched it, I merely gave instructions while the three of them did the cooking.

To make matters worse, all three of them were actually good at cooking. Stayle, while not an expert, was quite good for an average person. His dexterity made it easy for him to follow my instructions without issue. Arthur, on the other hand, was exceptional—far more skilled than I had expected. I had thought he was only good at swordsmanship, but he was quite adept in the kitchen. When I asked him, he revealed that his mother ran a small restaurant and that he had often helped out. He was probably better than I was in my past life.

And then there was Tiara, the youngest at just eleven years old.

She was truly remarkable, the protagonist of an otome game.

Despite this being her first time cooking, she expertly peeled apples without hesitation, handling knives and utensils like a seasoned professional. It was hard to believe that she had never cooked before, and when I guided her to make an omelet, she did it flawlessly, turning out a perfectly rolled egg. “Thanks to you, big sister!” she beamed, and the others also expressed how delicious it was, but I felt conflicted since I had hardly done anything. Tiara, after all, had made sweets as gifts for the capture targets in the game, and I remembered that in one of Gilbert’s routes, she had lived among commoners and had managed to cook very well. If I was the “cheat” with my overpowered skills, then Tiara was certainly the “cheat” when it came to feminine skills. If anything I touched turned into a blackened liquid mess, anything Tiara touched would surely turn out perfectly.

Next time we make something from my world, I’ll definitely ask for Tiara’s help.

By the way, the apples we cooked included both the ones I had ruined and the ones Stayle, Tiara, and Arthur had peeled. Each of them peeled the apples and carefully added the fruit to the mix, doing so with such natural care that I could barely hold back my tears.

Thanks to the help of Tiara, Stayle, and Arthur, the apple jam turned out quite delicious. Father had already given the royal gift to Prime Minister Gilbert, but I felt that the jam was a wonderful gift in its own right.

Maria smiled happily, and I couldn’t help but be reminded of Tiara five years from now. I felt like I glimpsed the reason why Gilbert had come to love Tiara in the game.

After receiving Maria’s thanks, we chatted for a while before stepping away. At that point, my father began talking with Maria, and I realized it had been a long time since I had seen him so relaxed, speaking with an adult without tension. As per our usual royal manners, we dispersed and mingled with the other guests.

But… as I walked in the opposite direction from Stayle, I felt a sense of unease about where he was headed.

  

Eun: Now I feel like having some cinnamon toast with apple jam and some black forest tea🤤.

PAYPAL

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