𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐥𝐞
The scent of grilled meat mixes with the aroma of curry spices. I transfer the well-grilled meat onto a plate.
ㅤ
“Ah, it smells good.”
ㅤ
Roa-sama smiles warmly.
During our nightly conversations, when I casually mentioned to Roa-sama that I was thinking of making something with a curry flavor, he was unexpectedly interested.
Roa-sama had no hesitation in eating the curry the first time it was served. Unlike Arthur, who was puzzled, or Rene, who courageously volunteered to be the taster, Roa-sama happily indulged.
As always, somehow, Roa-sama seems to know about events that happened far away. Perhaps that’s why he had heard that the curry was delicious. Still, the way he eagerly put something that didn’t look very appetizing into his mouth made me appreciate the largeness of his character.
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I place the plate in front of Roa-sama and sit in the chair next to him. Roa-sama elegantly maneuvers his knife and fork and puts a tender piece of lamb meat into his well-formed mouth.
After chewing a few times, Roa-sama smiles with satisfaction.
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“Delicious. Miss Norchev is good at cooking.”
“Thank you.”
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Making curry powder was thanks to Thor.
When I make curry, I always use yogurt and tomatoes. But this time, I wanted to use curry powder. If I could make the curry powder, it could be used in anything. However, I had never made curry solely from spices before.
Though I struggled with the complexity of the spices, Thor came to the rescue. He was going home for the first time since he started school, so I went home too for the day off.
While we were enjoying talking about our new lives, I mentioned the curry powder to Thor.
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“. . .I can probably make that curry powder.”
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He told me so.
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“Really?! Thor, you do like curry. I sometimes fail at making curry, so maybe I’ll use the curry powder you made from now on.”
“. . .That’s why I kept it a secret. Even if you fail, I want to eat the curry you made.”
“Thor. . .!”
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What a cute little brother!
I hug him tightly, and Thor hugs me back. He’s grown a bit taller and seems to have gained some muscle. That night, while learning the recipe for curry powder from Thor, I made curry.
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The curry powder, filled with such memories, seemed to be well-received by Roa-sama too. There’s nothing left on the plate he finished.
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“I’m glad Miss Norchev came here. I can eat what I like here.”
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Nobility mustn’t show their weaknesses, right?
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“If you have any requests, I will make what Roa-sama likes. You prefer strong flavors, slightly sweet, and heavy on the garlic, right?”
“Yes. But at home, they serve it a bit milder and spicy.”
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Even though he’s likely high-ranking nobility? It wouldn’t be strange if dishes with different seasonings were served to suit each family member’s taste.
Perhaps my question showed on my face; Roa-sama let out a small bitter laugh.
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“It’s the king’s favorite flavor. If we don’t even match that, some people would start raising suspicions of treason.”
“Huh. . .Soon enough, they might say that even being of a different gender is treason!”
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Roa-sama burst out laughing at my deflated reply.
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“It’s hard to say for sure. I’m keeping an eye on every detail of the embroidery.”
“Would it make sense if I were completely naked?”
“You would happily attack me, wouldn’t you?”
“It’s quite difficult, isn’t it?”
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Without thinking, I spoke from the heart. I don’t know the slightest bit about how difficult things are for Roa-sama.
Roa-sama smiled at me without showing any anger or irritation.
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“You’re the only one, Miss Norchev, who would say that.”
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I don’t think it’s the case, but it’s true that I don’t have to worry about things like the connections between aristocrats or the meanings of words.
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“I am honored.”
“That’s how you are, Miss Norchev. You’ve changed, in a good way of course.”
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Brown eyes filled with warmth narrow slightly, and beautifully shaped lips form a curve. As the head tilts, the fluffy hair sways along, creating a soft atmosphere.
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“You’ve started to smile and become more natural. You’re much better now. Has there been a change in your feelings?”
“A change. . .you say?”
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When asked, I think about myself.
The biggest change is that I no longer resist as much when interacting with the opposite sex. Considering the future, it’s a good tendency. It helps that all the lord knights are good people.
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And this is thanks to my parents, who raised me to be able to accept these changes.
When I first became conscious in this world, I was confused and crying. A stranger came rushing over and picked me up, so I was terrified.
That stranger was my dad, and when he tried to kiss me on the cheek, I cried and resisted with all my might. I feel bad about it now because he looked like he was going to die at that time.
My dad, who loved me without despising me. My mom, who said I was her most precious treasure, even though I was different from a typical baby because of my memories.
Thanks to my parents, I can believe without a doubt that I am loved.
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Around that time, Thor was born. I was hesitant because he’s my brother, but Thor was a fresh baby. Gender doesn’t matter; he’s a small life struggling hard to live.
I never expected him to become a siscon, but having a brother made every day enjoyable. I never thought I’d actually feel what it’s like to have a family.
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Naturally smiling, I look back at Roa-sama who’s waiting for my answer.
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“It’s thanks to my family. Because I have people who will love and support me no matter what happens, I can face changes without fear. No matter how much I change, there are people who will still love me.”
“. . .Yeah, family is a good thing.”
“Yes.”
“I have an older brother too, and he’s quite a worrier. I wish he’d take care of himself more, rather than fussing over me.”
“Well, Roa-sama has to put this into practice first. Why don’t you prioritize yourself over your brother?”
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As I point it out with a chuckle, Roa-sama looks as if he’s been caught off guard and slightly deflates.
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“You’ve got me there. Now I can’t even bring this up to my brother.”
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Seeing his exaggerated dejection, I laugh even more. Roa-sama also laughs, filling the room with bright laughter.
That night, it felt as if a small wall between us had disappeared.
Translator’s Blog
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