After getting changed, we gather in the dining room. We’ll now confirm our plans for the next day.
“Sue, you’re going to buy a souvenir for the Northern Margrave’s daughter, right?”
“Yes. I’d like to buy souvenirs as early as possible.”
The original reason we stopped by the Viscountcy was so Sue could buy a souvenir for the Northern Margrave’s daughter. It looks like Sue will also be buying the souvenirs she’s aiming for early tomorrow.
“In that case, let’s buy souvenirs in the morning.”
“I’m okay with it. Let’s do our shopping before noon.”
“Shiro is going to buy souvenirs too!”
“Me too! I’ll buy souvenirs!”
“Then let’s all buy souvenirs together.”
“““Yeah!”””
Their cheerful voices overlapped, filling the room with excitement.
Since Shiro and the others were eager to buy souvenirs as well, our plans for the morning were settled. If I remembered correctly, the daughter of the Northern Margrave was about the same age as Shiro. Perhaps the two of them could become good friends.
“In the evening we’ll need to visit the lord’s manor, so even if we go out to play, we can’t stay out too late.”
I reminded them.
“That’s true. I heard there are sightseeing boats on the lake. I’d love to enjoy that.”
Sue added.
“Ooh, I wanna ride a boat!”
““Boat, boat!””
“Then it’s decided—we’ll take a sightseeing boat on the lake.”
“““Yey!”””
Their voices rang out in unison, the thought of the boat ride sending their excitement soaring.
At some point, Sue had picked up a sightseeing brochure, and now she was pointing out that she wanted to ride one of the excursion boats. It would be my first time riding a boat in this world, and somehow the idea felt exciting.
With our plans for tomorrow thus settled, a knock sounded at the front door. A staff member’s voice followed.
“Everyone, thank you for waiting. Dinner is ready.”
“““Ooooh!”””
Apparently, the food had been packed inside a special magic bag. Dish after dish was pulled out and quickly arranged upon the table.
Shiro and the others let out delighted cries at the sight of the food, while I couldn’t help but wonder—wasn’t this all a little too extravagant?
“Um… isn’t this meal a little too luxurious?”
I asked, blinking at the table that looked more suited for a noble’s banquet than an inn’s dinner.
The staff member gave a wry smile.
“In truth, the deputy manager had been secretly ordering ingredients so he could have the chefs prepare elaborate meals for himself. The chefs disliked him, but they couldn’t let the food go to waste… so they used it all to prepare a fine meal for you instead.”
“Oh… so the deputy manager was even requisitioning ingredients on his own?”
I muttered.
Apparently, even the kitchen staff is not fond of him.
Well, there is no point in refusing. Best to gratefully enjoy what we’d been given.
“Tomorrow we’ll take breakfast and lunch separately, so just dinner will be fine.”
“Understood. After you’ve finished eating, I’ll come by later to collect the plates.”
“Got it. Thank you.”
After we’d given the staff our plans for tomorrow’s meals, she bowed and returned to the management building. The dishes we finished later could be washed and treated with life magic. For now, there was only one thing to do—enjoy the dinner spread out before us.
Shiro and the others were practically bouncing in their seats, their eyes sparkling with anticipation.
“Well then, shall we eat?”
“Wai~, it’s delicious!”
The three of them chorused with happy voices.
The table was lined with dishes made from the local specialty—freshwater fish from this domain. We’d had fish at lunch, and even eaten what we’d caught ourselves earlier, but that didn’t bother Shiro and the others one bit. They dug in with delight, savoring each bite.
“As expected of cuisine meant for nobles. The flavor is refined.”
“Yes, though I quite enjoyed the fish at lunch as well. It must be that the fish here are simply so fresh.”
Sue replied with a smile.
Skillful cooking, paired with the finest ingredients—that was what made this meal so satisfying.
There had been more than a few complications before we finally reached this cottage, but in the end, the day had closed on a pleasant note.
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
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