Limited Time, Kitchen Maid of the Fourth Knight Order ~I Got a Job Because I Don’t Want to Get Married~ – Chapter 19

𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐬

“What’s with this tea? It’s so weak!”

“There’s a more bitter option too, which would you prefer?”

“This is fine.”

ㅤ

It’s refreshing yet unfamiliar to see Rene in the place where I usually have tea time with Edgardo and Rolf.

Rene, who crossed his legs and set down his cup, squinted his big eyes like a cat and rested his cheek on his hand.

ㅤ

“So, what are you planning to do?”

“Should I serve cookies or cake?”

“Huh? No, not that.”

“If you’re hungry, I have some experimental dishes too.”

“That’s not it! What do you plan to do with me? You can threaten or exploit weaknesses, you know!”

“Ah.”

ㅤ

For some reason, Rene gets angrier at the deflated response.

ㅤ

“If people hear that I’m actually nasty or that I’ve been talking behind their backs, it’ll tarnish my reputation! I’m a Viscount and the youngest person to join the knighthood, you know how much envy and jealousy there is?! Do you get it?!”

“No, I didn’t know. Kukura-sama, you’re quite the knight.”

“Argh! You’re throwing me off!”

ㅤ

Rene gulps down his weak tea in one go and glares at me. There’s no angelic facade left.

ㅤ

“Even if you say so, doesn’t everyone put on a facade? How would you threaten someone with that?”

“. . .So, you’re putting on a facade too?”

ㅤ

In his skeptical gaze, there’s a hint of expectation. I clear my throat before speaking.

ㅤ

“A workplace full of only men, and good-looking ones at that? No way. Super creepy. If I had the money, I would never work here. Money is the most important thing in the world.”

ㅤ

I give Rene, who is flabbergasted, a lady-like smile.

ㅤ

“I may not be on the level of Kukura-sama, but I do have quite a big cat that I put on.”

“I’ve never heard a noblewoman speak like that.”

“Exactly.”

ㅤ

Even the young lady wouldn’t know these words. My past self is shouting ‘say more!’ deep inside my heart, but I suppress it.

ㅤ

“Just to clarify, the Norchev family has nothing to do with this. No one knows that I can talk like this. Where I learned it is. . .”

ㅤ

I hesitate, and then convey with a smile that I won’t answer the question.

ㅤ

“A lady’s secret.”

“Where’s the lady in you. . .”

ㅤ

Rene slumps over and lays his head on the table.

ㅤ

“How about we keep today’s events between us?”

“. . .If you’re okay with it, then sure.”

“If you ever need to vent, you can come here.”

ㅤ

Rene slightly lowers his head and gives a small nod.

ㅤ

“. . .Okay.”

“If you do come, could you please taste test my cooking? I’m researching flavors for commoners. Oh, should I get the cookies?”

“I’d prefer the experimental dishes. I’m hungry.”

“It’s already lunchtime. Please wait a bit while I prepare.”

ㅤ

Maybe because we’ve shown our true selves, my tone naturally becomes more casual around Rene. Even when spending the longest time with Edgardo, who is a lord knight, it took quite some time for the slight tension to fade.

ㅤ

“Ah, can you make the dish super spicy?”

“Don’t you prefer medium spicy, Kukura-sama?”

“That’s just to maintain my image. Just because I have pink hair, people think I like sweet things. Sometimes I want something really spicy.”

“How about curry?”

“Yes! For some reason, it’s addictive. I get the urge to eat it periodically.”

“It’s curry, after all.”

“Curry really is amazing.”

 ㅤ

Ah, I forgot to ask dad about the curry even after I got home.

ㅤ

ㅤ

When I served dry curry made with curry powder, Rene hesitated a bit at the sight of the soft poached egg served on the side.

Eating raw eggs is not common in this world, but they are edible raw. I thought I’d eat it myself if Rene didn’t, but Rene was courageous.

ㅤ

“A man must have guts!”

ㅤ

Stuffing his cheeks with the egg, curry, and rice all at once, Rene’s eyes widened.

ㅤ

“Delicious. . .!”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

“Why not serve it in a curry shop? Curry is mystical, and even the nobles would be drawn to it.”

ㅤ

Wait, you were serving that for the knights’ dinner?

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