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Translator: Nonon
Proofreader: Silavin
POV: Gray
“Are you also going to the capital, Lady Apricot?!”
“Yeah, that’s right, my disciple!”
Dusk in winter when the days were getting shorter.
I received a joyful report from Lady Apricot, who visited my house looking as beautiful and dignified as ever, wearing a cloak that made her look like a black witch.
Apparently, Lady Apricot would also be coming to the capital with us. Normally, the space distortion stone (the warp stone) requires an application and funds, so even if we went together, we would have to go to the capital separately. It was thanks to Lord Ash’s kindness that she is now able to use it and come to the capital with us.
In other words, the implication is something like ‘why not come and observe the school festival and consider enrolling?’.
I have to thank Lord Ash for this.
“However I remember you said that ‘the capital is a corrupt space dominated by the conspiracies of many races and it didn’t suit you’…”
“I certainly said so. But sometimes it is also important to be broad-minded. It is possible that a new path of magic can appear in a place seething with grudges.”
“I see. I expected nothing less from you, Lady Apricot!”
I don’t really understand it, but I guess it means that there are some things you can see only when you go to places that don’t fit you. I’ve heard that there is a training method that involves using magic of other attributes in order to improve one’s magical aptitude, so it must be something like that. Probably.
“Fufufu, besides, I’ve heard that there is a devil cry of endless battle at the school festival, where the outsiders can also participate. It would not be a bad idea to participate and show off my power.”
“You will definitely be the winner, Lady Apricot!”
“Fufu, do not praise me too much. But one must be careful to not be arrogant. Even the rulers and Gods of the past have ended up perishing because they let their guards down.”
“Oh…! My apologies, I did not consider that far…!”
“Do not worry about it. You just have to make use of this experience in the –future-.”
“Lady Apricot…!”
Ah, what a reliable person she is. She possesses a different kind of strength than Lord Clo and Lady Violet. She always shows me different worlds. I’m sure she’ll show me new and fun things in the capital and at the academy this time too.
“You really do like Apricot, Gray.”
Just as I was enjoying a conversation with Lady Apricot, Lady Amber, who was brewing tea instead of me, said with a smile on her face.
“Yes, of course! Lady Apricot is an important person for me as a mentor both in magic and life! Ah, you even made tea for me. Thank you very much.”
“Fu, good answer, my disciple! Ah, thank you for the tea.”
My feelings are closer to respect than love, but it doesn’t change the fact that I like her.
When I honestly admitted my affection, Lady Apricot looked satisfied and bowed without forgetting to say thank you.
“Besides, I also have other goals in mind besides the school festival.”
“Oh? What do you mean?”
“The capital’s cuisine is popular. I also plan to explore novel flavours using new seasonings that are not readily available in Shiki.”
“You do love cooking, Lady Apricot.”
“If you cook half-heartedly, your mana also won’t be good. I am not going to force you, but you should also try to improve a little, my disciple. Your cooking doesn’t taste very good.”
“Ugh… still, I think everybody would be worse compared to you, Lady Apricot. I don’t know anybody who’s better than you.”
I don’t know many chefs outside Shiki, but Lady Apricot’s cooking skills are unmistakably among the top-class in Shiki. I admire her skills because she’s able to produce anything from delicate flavours to deep flavours and ask her to teach me occasionally, but unfortunately, I can’t seem to improve. Although Lady Apricot told me with a kind expression that the more I’ll practise the better I’ll become.
As I was sipping my tea, I suddenly noticed that Lady Amber’s expression was more grim than usual. It’s unusual for Lady Amber to have that kind of look on her face.
“… Gray, are Apricot’s cooking skills… that good?”
“Yes, to the point that Lady Violet thought it was delicious and asked her to teach her.”
“Ms. Violet improves quickly, so it’s worth teaching her.”
“… Is that so.”
Lady Violet, who lived in the city, also praised Lady Apricot’s cooking, saying that it was on par with the city’s chefs. I’m sure her skills will stand out in other places as well.
“Well, even I can’t compete with my disciple’s skills in brewing tea and coffee. Even with the same leaves and beans, they taste different when brewed by my disciple.”
“…”
Lady Amber’s expression became even more mysterious as she thanked Lady Apricot with much more fervour.
“Thank you so much”
“Come to think of it, I also think that milady scent (expression) is the best when Gray’s the one who brews tea instead of me and my brother… Maybe she also prefers Apricot’s cooking more than mine…”
Just as I thought that she had a mysterious expression on her face, she put her hand on her chin and took a thinking pose. She was perhaps pondering something. But, as if she couldn’t put her thoughts together well just in her mind, she muttered something quietly.
“—Ha! Could it be that I wasn’t able to bring out the best fragrance (expression) Milady could ever produce!?”
I don’t know why, but for some reason it seems like Lady Amber was going in a strange direction.
“Apricot.”
“Y-yeah. What’s wrong Ms. Sunshine? You’re suddenly very close.”
Lady Amber suddenly approached Lady Apricot, grabbed her shoulders and drew closer. Even lady Apricot couldn’t hide the confusion in her voice and expression due to this sudden development.
Is it just my imagination or was Lady Amber referred to as something strange just now?
“I will pay if need be. Please teach me how to cook.”
“I don’t really need money, but… what happened so suddenly?”
“I am embarrassed of myself! Until now I thought that I was able to draw out the best fragrance from that person with my cooking, but I realised that maybe that was just my complacency!”
“M-Ms. Amber, what do you mean by drawing out fragrance?”
I was also at a loss by her sudden change, unable to do anything.
How strange. What happened for this woman, who’s usually calm, except for when she occasionally hugs me, to change so much?
“In other words, I would like to improve my cooking skills for Milady’s sake. I would like to ask you to teach me.”
“I don’t mind if that’s the case… but I’ve heard that you’re quite skilled. What should I teach you?”
“Specifically, please let me smell you while you’re cooking, Apricot. I will steal your cooking skills with the taste of your scent.”
“What are you talking about?”
I wonder what’s driving Lady Amber?
Author’s note:
In Burnt’s case:
“Please let me hear your heartbeat while you’re cooking. I will steal your cooking skills with the taste of your sound.”
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