Chapter 57
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: The Princess, and Fate (2)
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Pat pat pat.
Even at Erze's sudden question, the stream of water from the teapot didn't waver in the slightest. Just like before, it steadily filled the teacup at a constant pace.
It was only natural, really. My father had drilled into me how to pour without spilling a drop no matter the situation, and I'd been working as a servant for over ten years since then.
And above all, there was no reason for me to get flustered by that question.
"I have to tend to the guests here, don't I? Wandering around the festival with someone? That just wouldn't do."
I wasn't exactly against the idea of strolling through the festival myself. I wanted to see what the other clubs were up to, and grab some tasty snacks along the way.
I'd heard there were quite a few clubs showing off their cooking. It'd be a shame to miss out.
But the problem was that I'd become the owner of this club—more precisely, the teahouse the club was running.
The pre-made pastries and sandwiches—just stack the ingredients and drizzle on some sauce—those were fine. The issue was the tea. The brewer's skill directly affected the taste.
"There are seven of us in the club, including you. We can rotate shifts and have plenty of time to spare."
Seven people...
I glanced sideways at the club members.
First up, Yubel, Cain, and Evan. The three dimwits wore awkward expressions.
They'd never even brewed tea, let alone made a sandwich. Handing things over to them? The results were obvious. If this were a real shop, it'd be shut down on the spot.
'Next up...'
My gaze shifted to Elena and Ivi. For some reason, they were staring at me with eyes full of doubt.
Leave the shop to those two? It'd turn out decent, no doubt.
Ivi was reliable without question, and Elena was a jack-of-all-trades who excelled at everything. It almost felt unfair comparing her to the dimwit trio.
Which left Erze as the last one...
'No need to even consider her.'
No matter how equal academy students were supposed to be, I couldn't let a princess work.
What would the guests from outside think if they saw? They'd be trembling in their boots at best—running away would be a miracle.
"I'm fine. You all enjoy the festival."
"I want to say no way, but you're right—it probably won't run properly without you."
"Thank you for understanding..."
"But we can't just play around either. We're part of the Horticulture Club, after all. And conveniently, I've got a great idea."
Erze flashed a grin.
She always made that face when she was about to pull a prank on me, so it set me on edge. What mischief was she planning this time?
Soon, Erze's gaze swept over everyone in the Horticulture Club.
"Okay, everyone, pay attention. We're picking shifts for the festival now. We'll split it into morning and afternoon slots..."
Erze's plan was this:
The festival lasted three days, with one person per morning and afternoon shift. That made six slots total, perfectly matching the six others besides me.
Pretty reasonable. No one would object. Even if it wasn't, they wouldn't dare.
Argue with the princess? You'd need two lives for that.
"And here's some good news for you all. I'm planning to work two shifts."
Erze wiggled two fingers lightly, like flashing a peace sign for a photo.
Her doing two meant someone else got a free pass.
I'd braced for a bloody deathmatch, but...
Ironically, nothing of the sort happened.
"Then I'll do two shifts too."
Ivi shot up from her seat, answering as if she'd been waiting.
Everyone turned to her in surprise—
"Me too. I'll take two."
Elena rose from across the table, like it was a competition.
I was endlessly grateful. A thousand times better than working with the dimwit trio.
But it also sat uneasy with me. They were the great princess of the empire and my devoted lady, after all.
Ivi? Just plain grateful for her.
"Lady Elena's doing two shifts...?"
"Y-Yeah. I could take one for you..."
"We're truly grateful for Lady Elena's consideration, but work should be shared fairly..."
Yubel, Cain, and Evan blurted out in order, scrambling.
These guys, desperate to get time with Elena during the festival. Her volunteering for two must've hit like thunder.
They'd dawdled even tending the garden plots, yet they sure could talk. You could tell they were nobles just by their speech.
"It's fine. Please, enjoy the festival."
Elena nailed it shut with a smile.
Of course, two shifts were still just one full day, so chances weren't zero. Competition would just get fiercer.
I'd love to watch them struggle, but alas.
Then Erze clapped, drawing all eyes.
"Alright then, me, Lady Ivi, and Lady Elena make three. We could do back-to-back shifts or mix them up—which do you two prefer? I'm fine either way."
"I'd prefer back-to-back."
"Mixing them sounds better to me."
Ivi and Elena gave opposing answers to Erze's question.
Each had merits, but their minds clearly weren't aligned.
"You two decide and let me know."
Erze bowed out of it.
Which naturally led to...
"Milady, wouldn't it be better to knock out a full day and rest the others?"
"That's fair. But with all the crowds, can you really work morning and come back fresh for afternoon?"
"Looks can be deceiving—I've been training my stamina. I can handle it, no problem."
They'd seemed cordial at first, so how'd they end up like sworn rivals? I couldn't make sense of it.
Erze just grinned the whole time, oblivious.
Or maybe this was all her plan.
"Luke, tea's all yours. Just teach us how to make sandwiches. We'll prep the pastries together the day before."
"It'd be an honor."
How many people get to teach the princess how to make sandwiches? Definitely an honor.
Did my answer please her? Erze smiled and lifted her teacup.
The lengthy debate between Elena and Ivi ended in a compromise.
Day one: Ivi morning and afternoon. Day two: Elena morning, Erze afternoon. Day three: swapped.
Honestly, as the one working nonstop, I didn't care.
Time passed, and the next day arrived.
"While we learn from Luke, you three manage the flower beds and vegetable plots."
At Erze's command, the dimwit trio headed outside, faces full of regret but unable to defy her.
Left in the clubroom: Ivi, Erze, Elena, and me—four total.
Under their collective gaze, I sighed inwardly and stood.
"Then I'll explain how to make sandwiches. First, the bread..."
No big technique needed. Stack bread, ingredients, more bread—done. Sauces prepped ahead, no worries.
After the explanation, practice time. Veggies and bread on the table; everyone crafted sandwiches diligently.
I didn't make any—just supervised. Which was mostly wandering around.
A bit later.
"Looks done...?"
"Same here. Shape's a bit off, but I followed the steps."
"Weird. It doesn't look as pretty as Luke's."
Plaussible sandwiches sat on their plates.
A little sloppy, as Elena said, but no big deal. Taste would be the same.
"Want to taste your own? It should be close to mine..."
"Luke, I'd rather you try mine."
Before I finished, Erze cut in, smiling mischievously—another prank.
"May I have such an honor?"
Not hungry, but no choice.
Princess says eat? I eat.
I polished off Erze's sandwich. Tasted just as expected—same as mine.
Then the trouble started.
"Luke, try mine too."
"Mine too, mine too."
Elena and Ivi shoved their plates at me. Erze had seen this coming.
'If she weren't the princess, I'd...'
I grumbled inwardly but took their plates with a bright smile.
"It'd be an honor."
Looks like skipping dinner tonight.