‘That slippery little b*stard…’
Burning hot.
Vanessa felt her face flush and secretly glanced at her hand mirror.
Hmm.
Maybe it’s because she put on a bit of makeup, but it doesn’t show too much on the outside.
She felt slightly relieved.
“Are you feeling a bit hot, Your Majesty?”
“Not at all!”
How dare they mock me at a time like this?
Vanessa, slightly irritated, turned her head away from Aslan.
‘You look exceedingly beautiful today. You seem to resemble the Empress more and more as time goes by.’
‘To think that such a stunningly beautiful woman is the Empress of the Empire! It’s an honor to meet you! I…’
‘You have grown so beautiful that I hardly recognize you! The late Emperor will be pleased! Regarding this, I am preparing a project to glorify the late Emperor’s achievements, but…’
It’s tiresome. So tiresome. I’ve heard compliments about my beauty since childhood.
So she thought she was completely used to hearing such praises.
…But that wasn’t the case.
Whenever everyone praised her appearance, the darkness within her would creep out.
Whether the compliment about my beauty was true or not, it meant that they were hiding other intentions rather than giving pure praise. Everyone lives that way.
Unless one is an innocent and pure-hearted child, everyone flatters others to gain something for themselves.
‘But that damn Aslan Vermont didn’t show any signs of darkness at all…’
However, Aslan’s words, casually thrown out with a calm expression, were not mixed with such malice at all.
Looking at his appearance, anyone would think he had some ulterior motive for flattering me.
But he is more transparent than anyone else?
The gap between his exterior and interior was so large that it felt jarring.
I must have grown accustomed to it.
No matter what he says, his vicious face will lead to overinterpretations and misunderstandings.
Perhaps he has simply learned to express his thoughts without thinking too much.
‘What a shameless b*stard…’
How could he speak of the Empress’s appearance without any context?
Moreover, he wasn’t even dressed up!
What an impudent and insolent brat…
‘He says I look more beautiful now than when I’ve made an effort to adorn myself… so that’s it…’
He likes natural beauty…
He has a talent for making people happy.
Although I treated Aslan dismissively, for some reason, I couldn’t help but smile and feel good.
“We can’t let the main characters who rescued the finicky princess of Ester go without proper treatment. If there’s anything you want to eat, just ask. There are no ingredients missing in the palace.”
Arriving at the palace restaurant, the Empress calmed her mind and showed a gentle smile to the children.
The sight of the children’s mouths agape as they gazed around the luxurious and vast dining hall was simply adorable.
‘Who is that child…?’
In the meantime, a masked guard caught Vanessa’s eye.
He was taller than Charlotte and Julia but didn’t seem too old.
She wondered if he was one of those the Count Vermont didn’t care much for.
But from the way the Count frequently glanced in his direction, that didn’t seem to be the case.
In those glances, thick concern and interest dripped.
‘The situation seems a bit complicated.’
Does he want to hide the fact that he’s concerned about that child?
Why? Does he have circumstances he can’t share with others?
“Food! I’ll order!”
“Okay. Speak up.”
“Um, caviar? And a flower ribeye with bluefin tuna sashimi and white truffle? Please!”
“…?”
“I’d like grilled matsutake mushrooms? Did I hear that right, Aslan? Uh-huh. And then the special palace vanilla ice cream with the 30-year-aged… bourbon? Bourbon whiskey, please.”
“…”
Charlotte and Julia mumbled in uncertain voices.
Vanessa’s eyes narrowed at the strangely specific menu selection.
She soon spotted Aslan Vermont, crouched down behind the children, whispering softly, and bit her lip.
This brat.
How dare he use the children’s mouths?
“…I’m not asking you.”
“Oh. Caught me.”
“Tsk. You’ve got a thick skin. I’ll ask again. What do you want to eat, aside from that obnoxious menu you whispered?”
“Um. Would it be okay to ask for what Aslan suggested? I’ve never heard of any of these dishes before…”
“I want to try them because I’m curious!”
“…”
With confident eyes, Charlotte and Julia cheerfully exclaimed.
‘Dishes I’ve never even tasted at the mansion! It seems you can only eat them at the palace! I’m so excited!’
Caviar? Bluefin tuna? Names I’ve never heard before popped up.
If I hadn’t even tried them in the mansion, where delicious food was served in rotation daily, then it meant they were dishes that even Mister didn’t often get to eat.
So that means they’re only available here!
I absolutely want to try them! It would be a loss if
I could!
Before I knew it, drool was flowing from the corners of Charlotte’s mouth.
‘I’m not that interested, but… since it looks like Aslan really wants to eat…’
It was the first time I saw Aslan show an interest in food.
He didn’t seem to have any particular favorite dishes, and he didn’t eat much, so I sometimes wondered if his taste buds were damaged.
But seeing him so eager to eat like this, I couldn’t just let it go…
B-But the biggest reason is that I want to try it myself!
It’s definitely not for Aslan’s sake!
Julia shook her head vigorously.
“Hah. What dutiful daughters you are. I was so upset that I didn’t want to give you any food, but since the children said this, I’ll forgive you.”
Vanessa chuckled and handed a note to the attendant.
Soon, the kitchen began preparing the food.
The Empress usually ordered meals that could be consumed quickly and simply, with the least amount of nutrition possible.
Thus, when the chef received the menu, there was a moment of disbelief in his eyes.
The food was quickly prepared and served in the dining hall.
It was the moment the Empress’s yearly food budget vanished.
“Wow, it looks delicious…!”
“All the dishes look so fascinating!”
“Eat as much as you like. Well, I’m not sure if they’ll suit a child’s palate, though…”
“Yuri…! Yuria, come here! Let’s eat together!”
“Ah, uh? Yes?”
“Sit here. We’ve been through this together.”
Charlotte, with her mouth full of steak, called out to Yuri.
Julia welcomed her, tapping on the empty seat.
Just as Yuri hesitated slightly, Aslan pushed her from behind, forcing her to sit down.
‘A bra strap…’
As Yuri admired the aroma of the food, Aslan squeezed his eyes shut and shook his hand that had touched Yuri’s back.
I earnestly hoped it was my imagination.
Could he really be a cross-dresser even at the workplace?
That brat is the Hero?
This world is over.
I felt like tears might come out.
“Hmm? Is this caviar? It just tastes salty…?”
“This matsutake mushroom… the aroma is strange…”
“This truffle, the smell is really terrible…”
The faces of the children, who had been eagerly anticipating the food, began to wrinkle as they tasted each dish.
Yuri, who slightly pulled back her mask to taste the food, also grimaced.
What on earth does this taste like?
From Aslan and the Empress’s reactions, it seemed like expensive ingredients, but I couldn’t understand why it was so costly.
Every time I said I was hungry, the maids secretly made me egg cheese toast that was much more delicious!?
The children, with their subtle expressions, glanced at each other.
Soon, they spotted Aslan calmly devouring the food.
It was around the time Aslan was about to pour whiskey over the vanilla ice cream.
“Count Vermont. Step forward. The chef should take the new menu from the children and prepare it again.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Cream pasta! Pasta with very thick cream!”
“I want an omelet…!”
“Hmm. Um. A bit of fried rice…”
As Aslan stood up, the children finally began to pour out their desired menus.
Vanessa shot a piercing glare at Aslan.
Yet Aslan’s expression remained completely calm.
“Thank you for the meal. I’m sure the children enjoyed tasting such precious dishes.”
“You shameless b*stard… Wasn’t it all what you wanted to eat?”
“It’s a delicacy that’s hard to eat even once in a lifetime, so it’s a good experience for the children, isn’t it? One must know something to enjoy food. Right now, it’s just salty and uniquely aromatic food to them, but when they eat it again, they will fully appreciate the depth of the flavor. I am very grateful for the opportunity to lay that foundation, Your Majesty.”
“…”
He speaks so smoothly.
Vanessa glared at Aslan with a displeased look and clicked her tongue.
Again. Again, a transparent mind without a hint of darkness.
He was such a shockingly honest man.
If it’s for the children, I suppose there’s nothing to be angry about.
“You really… Hah. It’s nothing. But why does your guard follow you without any weapons? Are you that confident in your magic?”
“Oh. I have a sword.”
“…?”
“Sylvia. Show her once.”
“Yes.”
“…!?”
As Aslan tilted his head slightly, Sylvia’s hand slipped into Aslan’s mouth and, swish, the sword handle popped out, then went back in.
Vanessa’s face turned to one of horror.
“What on earth is that…?”
“It’s a rather unusual sword. It seems I’ve become its storage box.”
“…I order you to undergo a thorough inspection. I’m seriously worried about whether there’s any health issue. Putting that aside, the reason I called you separately is to discuss compensation.”
“What compensation?”
“The compensation stated as a condition for the request. You inquired about the whereabouts of Neomium, correct?”
Ah, finally?
Aslan’s eyes trembled slightly.
“Yes. That’s correct, Your Majesty.”
“The Imperial Intelligence Bureau has been consistently monitoring the black market, and the last bid for Neomium was seven years ago. Upon investigating the disguised identity of the bidder, it was revealed that the owner is Irene Vermont. She has been identified as your sister.”
“…!”
With the unexpected name surfacing, a look of bewilderment spread across Aslan’s face.
