The Stain of Suspicion Doesn't Wash Away Easily
I returned to my quarters and immediately rolled up my sleeves before stepping into that magnificent kitchen.
It really was an excellent kitchen.
A spacious work counter and a large hearth.
Cooking in a place like this made me so excited that I almost forgot about running away.
“…Alright then. Let’s get started.”
I began by thoroughly cleaning the chicken I had bought. Then I rubbed salt evenly over the inside and outside of the bird.
“What are you doing? You’re salting it right from the start?”
Victoria had somehow sidled right up beside me and was watching with curious eyes.
“This is the first secret. If you salt it ahead of time like this, the seasoning soaks all the way through and the meat stays much juicier.”
“Oh? So it’s not just sprinkled on the surface.”
Victoria kept staring intently at my fingertips with interest.
While waiting for the salt to penetrate, I prepared the next step. I mixed finely chopped herbs and garlic into softened butter, creating a fragrant herb butter.
“Now. This is where the real secret begins.”
I gently separated the skin from the breast meat with my fingers and carefully spread the herb butter into the gap.
“…You’re putting butter in there?”
“Yes. This way the butter melts slowly while it roasts, keeping the meat moist instead of drying out. The flavor also penetrates deep inside.”
“…Goodness. You think of everything.”
Victoria let out a string of impressed exclamations.
I stuffed the cavity with halved lemon, garlic, and herb stems, then tied the legs neatly with string to shape the bird.
“…There. All done.”
Finally, I lined a wide pan with thick slices of potato and carrot—the very vegetables Victoria had personally picked at the market.
“Ah, those. I chose them myself, did I not?”
“You did. When we roast the chicken on top, the drippings soak into the vegetables and make them incredibly delicious.”
“So the ones I picked will be used that way.”
Victoria looked rather pleased with herself.
I placed the chicken neatly on the vegetables and slid the whole pan into the large hearth.
Now came the waiting.
“…Is it not ready yet?”
“Your Highness, I only just put it in.”
“…Then what is that smell? It already smells so savory.”
Victoria refused to leave the hearth, pacing restlessly around it.
She seemed unable to calm herself as the aroma began to drift through the air.
As time passed, the savory scent grew thicker inside the quarters.
Inside the hearth, the chicken was slowly turning a mouthwatering golden brown.
I basted the bird with the juices that had collected, keeping the skin from drying out and giving it a glossy sheen.
“…Alright. It should be just about done.”
At last I pulled the beautifully roasted chicken from the hearth.
“…Ooh.”
The moment the bird emerged, a gasp escaped Victoria’s lips.
It was understandable.
The chicken gleamed with a perfect golden-brown skin, steam rising gently from it.
Combined with that rich, savory aroma and the vegetables glistening with rendered fat, the sight was irresistible.
“…Now, it’s almost ready, so—”
“—Yes! Let’s eat right away!!”
Victoria’s eyes sparkled as she rushed toward the table.
“Ah, Your Highness, just a moment.”
“…Why? Did you not say it was done?”
“We need to let it rest a little longer like this. That way the juices settle inside and won’t run out when we carve it. It stays moist.”
“W-what? You want me to wait even though it’s right in front of us?”
Victoria’s face fell into a sulky pout.
The way she stared longingly at the chicken without being able to touch it was so restless that I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Haha, it’ll only be a moment. In the meantime, could you get some plates?”
“…Ugh. Fine, fine. But it really must be only a moment!”
Victoria grumbled but hurried off to fetch the plates with quick steps.
Watching her excited back, I felt a strange sensation settle over me.
It was just making one dinner.
Yet spending this ordinary moment with her in the new residence made something in my chest feel oddly warm and relaxed.
Even though I kept telling myself I had to run away.
Somehow, as these moments kept accumulating, my heart seemed to be drifting in a strange direction.
= = = = =
Finally, the torturous wait ended.
Kyle placed the perfectly roasted chicken on the table and sliced into it with a large knife.
At that moment, clear juices flowed out from beneath the golden skin.
…Gulp.
Victoria swallowed unconsciously.
Faced with such an appetizing sight, she could no longer maintain the dignity of a princess.
“…Here, please try some.”
The moment those words left his mouth, Victoria picked up a piece and brought it to her lips.
Crunch.
First, the crispy skin shattered pleasantly in her mouth. The savory chicken fat burst forth, wrapping her tongue in a salty, rich flavor.
Then, the instant she bit into the meat inside—
‘——!!’
Warm juices flooded out from the perfectly cooked, tender flesh.
Mixed with the subtle aroma of herbs and butter, her mouth filled with deep, savory richness.
…Delicious.
Just saying “delicious” couldn’t possibly capture it.
Victoria’s spoon—no, her hands—moved faster and faster.
She swallowed one piece and immediately reached for another. Then another, and even the accompanying vegetables.
“…Mmm! Th-this vegetable too.”
The vegetables, roasted until golden and soaked in chicken fat, were so sweet and tender.
Moreover, these were the very vegetables she had personally chosen at the market.
That thought made the flavor feel even more special.
Victoria lost herself completely in the dish.
Stuffing her cheeks until they bulged, she chewed happily, her mouth working busily in pure bliss.
She had been completely absorbed in eating for quite some time when—
…Suddenly, she felt a gaze and slowly lifted her head.
It was Kyle.
The man sat with his chin resting on his hand, simply watching her without touching his own food.
His eyes were filled with nothing but warmth and affection.
“……!”
In that instant, Victoria froze completely.
Only then did she realize what she must look like.
Her cheeks were puffed out like a squirrel’s, oil glistened around her mouth, and the supposed princess had been devouring food without a shred of decorum, like some frantic little animal.
And this man had watched the entire thing from beginning to end.
Heat rushed to her face…!
Victoria’s cheeks flushed bright red in an instant.
“…H-how can you stare so openly!”
She hurriedly wiped her mouth and snapped at him in a shrill voice.
“…I-if it looked unsightly, you should have said something earlier!”
“Ah, no. Unsightly? Not at all. It’s just…”
Kyle scratched the back of his head, looking somewhat embarrassed.
“…It’s just that watching you enjoy the food so much made me feel happy without realizing it.”
“H-happy to watch?”
Victoria found herself at a loss for words.
That single casual remark made her already burning face grow even hotter.
Unable to meet his eyes, she dropped her gaze to the innocent plate instead.
‘…Ugh. What is this man even saying?’
Her heart pounded uncontrollably.
…Yet strangely, beyond the embarrassment, a warm feeling was filling her chest.
…Looking back, it had truly been nothing special.
They had simply gone to the market together and eaten the meal he prepared.
They had bickered over trivial things… just an utterly ordinary evening.
…So why did this moment feel so deeply, achingly happy?
Once, no matter what she obtained, her heart had remained empty.
Even holding the entire world in her hands, she had always felt hollow somewhere.
…Yet now, sitting at this small table, Victoria felt as though the empty corner of her heart was being filled.
‘…Ah. So this is what it was.’
Happiness. It was something so small, yet so warm.
Victoria hid her flushed face as best she could and quietly picked up another piece of roast chicken.
Even so, a smile she couldn’t quite suppress spread gently across her lips.
= = = = =
Victoria herself had personally chosen Kyle’s new residence.
From the moment Celine heard the news, an indescribable fear had risen in her chest.
…In her previous life, it had been none other than Victoria who took Kyle away.
Knowing that fact, Celine couldn’t possibly feel at ease.
That woman had personally selected Kyle’s quarters and was now hovering around him.
What if this was the beginning of some sinister plot?
An ominous premonition kept pressing down on her heart.
‘…No. I need to go check right away.’
Celine set down the documents she had been holding and hurried off.
Her usual composed steps were gone; before long she was nearly running.
…In that single dash, Celine finally arrived at the entrance to Kyle’s new residence.
She was out of breath from running, but the anxiety churning in her chest refused to settle.
‘…Please, let it not be too late.’
Celine reached for the door handle with trembling fingers. Just as she was about to open the door—
“…Haha. Your Highness, you’ll get indigestion if you eat so fast.”
“Hmph. I know what I’m doing, so hurry up and cut another piece.”
…From beyond the door came voices that sounded far too warm and cheerful.
Celine’s hand stopped dead.
These voices… this atmosphere…
Unable to open the door, Celine carefully peered through the gap instead.
…And in that moment, Celine doubted her own eyes.
Kyle and Victoria sat facing each other across the table.
Steam rose gently from the food between them.
…Yet Victoria’s face—
Her cheeks puffed out like a squirrel’s, she was chewing happily with the brightest, most innocent smile.
That was not the face Celine knew.
The always haughty and cold-eyed princess.
The empress of her previous life who had ruled over everyone and never let anyone close—an ice-cold woman.
…Yet the woman sitting there now looked like nothing more than an ordinary, happy person anyone might see anywhere.
‘…Is that really the princess I knew?’
Celine was speechless.
She couldn’t believe it.
Was that person truly the same Victoria who had driven Kyle to his death?
The same woman who was now smiling so openly and unguardedly?
If so, then perhaps this princess really had… changed somehow from her previous life—
‘…No.’
Celine shook her head sharply.
She was being too hasty.
She couldn’t let her guard down just because of one scene.
A person’s true nature didn’t change so easily.
Especially with a woman like Victoria, who knew what hidden intentions might lie behind that gentle smile?
Once suspicion took root in the heart, it wasn’t something that washed away so easily.
‘…Yes. I should step back for now.’
Celine quietly released the door handle and silently took a step backward.
Her expression had already grown cold again.
Whether that scene was genuine or another mask, she couldn’t tell yet.
But one thing was clear.
From now on, she would have to watch that princess even more closely.
…And if that woman ever tried to harm Kyle again, Celine would stake her own life to stop her.
With that resolve, Celine quietly left the area.
…Meanwhile, inside the residence, the warm laughter of two people continued to ring out without end.
Even as she tried to deny it.