Chapter 64
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: The Couple Who Danced at the Festival... (2)
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It was right after preparations for running the teahouse were complete.
Elena stared blankly at the clubroom, then soon tilted her head.
"So, what am I supposed to do from now on...?"
"Knowing you'd ask that, I've prepared everything."
I pulled a neatly folded sheet of paper from my pocket and handed it to Elena.
She unfolded the paper she'd received, then shifted her gaze back to me.
"What's this?"
"The booths at this festival. I've marked the food ones with asterisks up front, and underlined the sights."
I'd figured Elena would be like this. She works hard enough, but when it's time to relax, she has no idea what to do. Probably because she'd never really played with anyone before.
"By the way, I've prepared one more thing."
"There's more besides this...?"
"Yes. The more thorough the preparation, the better."
I spoke proudly as I pulled another sheet of paper from my pocket.
Elena checked its contents and made a face like she could scarcely believe it.
"Is this what I think it is...?"
"If it's what you're thinking, then it's definitely right. But my drawing skills are so abysmal that I'd like to explain it in detail—is that okay?"
"Yes, go ahead."
"This map ranks the places you'd like and lays out optimal routes. There are six maps in total, and I've noted any peculiarities for each route at the bottom."
"When on earth did you find time for this...? I'm too amazed to even speak."
When on earth? Obviously by cutting into my sleep.
I was a little tired because of it, but I didn't mind or find it a hassle. Doing one's utmost for one's master was the mark of a good servant, after all.
"Luke, thank you so much."
"If you enjoy the festival, Your Highness, that would be a greater reward than anything."
"You really..."
Elena beamed a bright smile as she clutched the papers to her chest like something precious.
It might sound like polite lip service, but I'd meant every word.
If Elena ended up enjoying the festival because of me, she'd surely remember it forever. I could even see it as an investment for the day I'd freeload off her.
This was retirement planning—what else could it be?
As I quietly basked in self-satisfaction, Erze latched onto Elena.
"Miss Elena, I'm curious about that too. Would you mind if I tagged along?"
"I don't mind at all, but is that alright with you, Princess?"
"Of course. Miss Evie is handling everything for me today."
"In that case, allow me to accompany you."
"No need to 'accompany'—let's just have fun together."
Erze flashed a warm, beaming smile.
Unlike her, Elena scratched her head awkwardly, but she didn't seem displeased. If anything, it felt like a positive reaction.
Maybe she just felt awkward because it was the first time someone had approached her so proactively.
"Luke, Evie—take good care of the clubroom. We'll be off now."
Erze waved grandly as she stepped out, and Elena gave a small wave before following belatedly behind her.
And so, the only ones left in the clubroom were Evie and me.
"Evie, you hungry? Want a sandwich?"
"Right now...? Won't it make us late?"
"We've got plenty of time. Don't worry."
"Then... yeah!"
Evie, who'd been sitting across from me, shot to her feet and leaned in close.
The distance between us shrank in an instant, our faces less than a handspan apart. A sharp citrus fruit scent wafted over me.
I stood, thinking the smell was strangely nice.
"I'll whip something up quick."
"I'll help!"
After that, Evie and I made and ate sandwiches in the kitchenette off to one side of the clubroom.
They say familiar flavors are the best. Nothing fancy, but they tasted better than anything to me.
How much time passed after we'd filled our bellies?
One by one, people started filling the streets visible through the window until there were quite a crowd.
No need to check—the festival had finally begun.
"Lu-Luke, what if a ton of people show up...?"
"It'll probably be fine. We don't have that many seats anyway."
Was it Erze's consideration as the one handling the interior? The clubroom was spacious, but there were hardly any tables or chairs.
Even if customers poured in like Evie feared, we'd only be busy at first—after that, things would ease up. Nobles weren't as rushed as twenty-first-century moderns, so turnover would be low.
'Well, meticulous to a fault, as always...'
I couldn't help clicking my tongue at the calculating side hidden behind Erze's smile.
That was when the clubroom door—which had been closed—swung open, and someone stepped inside.
A young man in luxurious attire. Plump all over, he embodied noble decadence from head to toe. No telling just how wealthy his family must be.
He slowly scanned the clubroom, then spotted Evie and went wide-eyed.
"Evie Douglas...!"
"H-Hiiik?!"
Evie, who'd recognized his face in turn, startled violently and grabbed at my clothes.
Judging by her reaction, they clearly weren't on good terms...
Still too soon to say for sure. I'd have to watch a bit longer.
Soon enough, he started striding toward us, and I stepped forward in Evie's place.
"I'm Luke Nineheart, in charge of the Horticulture Club teahouse today. No need to come all this way yourself—please have a seat, and I'll serve you."
"Nineheart...? Never heard of them. Where's your fief?"
"We're a barony, so we don't have one, but we're imposed on Duke Frozenheart's territory."
"Far north, then. I'm the third son of the Alphonse County—Schnell Alphonse."
Schnell...? No wonder he was so plump—must've scarfed down a mountain of chicken.
I stifled an internal laugh at the ridiculous thought and gave a light bow, my face still plastered with a business smile.
"An honor to meet you, Schnell."
"The honor is mine. That said, my business is with Miss Evie, so if you'd kindly step aside?"
I was the one in charge of this teahouse. And he wanted me to step aside? What kind of nonsense was this?
He might pull that in his own territory, but not here.
"Sorry. Customers will be arriving soon, so I need Miss Evie's help."
"Luke Nineheart, I won't say it twice."
Why was the very first customer such a problem? My heartfelt condolences to every self-employed soul in this world...
As my patience inched toward its limit, the clubroom door opened again, and someone else entered.
"Shavel, it's the festival—do we really have to come to such a quiet spot?"
"Yes, we really do."
It was Shavel from the Swordsmanship Department and Adella from the Magic Department.
Shavel was responding to Adella's petulant grumbling in his usual businesslike tone.
I was glad to see friendly faces, but more importantly, their arrival was a godsend. With other customers present, Schnell... well, Schnell Alphonse wouldn't be able to act out as freely.
Was that the right call? Schnell tsked in annoyance and plopped down in the nearest seat.
I worried for a second that the chair might splinter, but it held up fine. Princess-made furniture was built different, alright.
I pulled my gaze from him and whispered quietly into Evie's ear.
"Evie, mind taking the professors?"
"Y-Yeah...!"
Evie stepped forward, looking thoroughly tense. The tips of her ears seemed oddly flushed, but it was probably my imagination.
I watched her go with a worried look, then turned to Schnell.
"What can I prepare for you? Tea, pastries, and..."
"Your best."
"...Understood."
His sly grin made it obvious. He'd order my best, then complain about the taste to put me in my place.
But he could say it a hundred—no, a thousand times, and I wouldn't bat an eye. After all, the only tongue I needed to satisfy was Elena's.
"Please wait just a moment."
I said that and headed for the kitchen. Troublemaker or not, he was a customer. Putting in my best effort was the right call—for now.
'My best, huh...'
The pastries were the usual fare you could get anywhere, and the tea wouldn't wow anyone. That left sandwiches.
Luckily, I had a way. A secret recipe I'd never shown anyone—not even Elena. My personal ace in the hole.
I wondered what reaction Schnell, who'd only ever eaten this world's bland slop, would have...
A smile tugged at my lips unbidden.
"Luke, two teas and two sandwiches... Um, is something wrong? Your face looks super scary."
"It's nothing. I'll have it ready quick."
"O-Okay..."
Fear filled Evie's eyes.
Of course, I was completely oblivious.