𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐬𝐤𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮
Early in the morning of the day I was to go out with Roa-sama, I put in extra effort to make a lunch box. I had prepared curry the day before and, with Roa-sama’s permission, borrowed plates used by the knights.
With a plate that not only retains heat and cold but also neutralizes poison, everyone can eat with peace of mind.
I put rice and curry into small lidded plates and top them generously with cheese before baking. Then, I make dough for bread using a convenient cooking appliance and wrap it around the curry.
The regular bakery won’t be coming today as the knights are off, but as long as I have this handy cooking device, I can make bread. Once you know this, it becomes harder to return to your original form. It’s a dangerous magical tool.
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The curry bread fries up nicely with a satisfying sizzle. After it turns a fox-like color, I take it out and start making pork cutlet.
Once the pork cutlet is well-fried, I place it on a tray to drain the oil.
In a lidded plate of a different color from the baked curry, I place rice, curry, and the pork cutlet. Bread may be popular among the knights, but for Katsu curry, rice is non-negotiable for me.
I tried eating one of the curry breads that burst, and it was delicious. This should be fine. Probably.
If there are leftovers, I can take them home and put them in the time-stopping magic bag that Edgardo gave me. I can casually bring it out during tea time, and everyone can eat.
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I pack everything into a basket, and after some thought, decide to also bring bottles of tea and coffee that are ready to pour.
By the time I include cups and hand towels, it’s almost time to meet up. I rush out, heading to the meeting place at the fastest speed that still appears graceful.
At a spot a little distance away from the back entrance of the knights’ quarters, Roa-sama is already waiting. Standing aimlessly, looking somewhat restless with his long legs.
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“I apologize for being late!”
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Roa-sama’s eyes widen just a bit, but quickly soften.
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“No, it’s fine. You were making lunch for me, right? It smells good. I’m looking forward to it.”
“I ended up making all things curry, but I hope you’ll enjoy it.”
“We have a bit of a walk to our destination. Let’s take it slow.”
“Yes.”
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The Fourth Knight Order are located quite deep in, so wherever we go, the distance is significant.
As I walk a bit behind Roa-sama, he looks back at me with a troubled expression.
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“Would you mind walking beside me?”
“Certainly.”
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I line up on Roa-sama’s left and we walk through a small path in a somewhat wooded area. The well-maintained trees have been appropriately thinned, and flowers bloom beside the path. The wind feels good.
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“Miss Norchev, let me carry the luggage. It must be heavy for a lady.”
“Thank you. I appreciate the thought.”
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I can’t have a high-ranking noble carry my luggage! If someone saw this, my dad would lose his head!
. . .And I mean that literally.
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“Please let me carry it. I was told to take a break from training today, but I can’t seem to calm down.”
“In that case, all the more reason I can’t let you carry it.”
“But. . .”
“Roa-sama, look. What beautiful flowers.”
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I forcibly change the subject and direct his gaze to the flowers blooming along the path.
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“Even the flowers blooming here are blue. How beautiful.”
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Blue is the color of the royal family, so you won’t see it outside the royal castle.
The flower looks like a small lotus, but its color is a pale sky blue. The contrast with the fresh green is beautiful.
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“Then, this is for you, Miss Norchev.”
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Roa-sama knelt down and picked a flower.
Gently brushing off the dirt from its stem, Roa-sama tenderly placed the flower in my hair. Behind his large hand, Roa-sama blushed.
A little above my ear, the color of the beautiful sky swayed.
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“It’s a gift from me.”
“Hmm. . .”
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Blasphemy. . .!!
He touched the blue flower that only the royal family is allowed to touch directly! Not only touched but also picked it!!
And I got dragged into this! Ah, it’s scary, the swaying flower in the corner of my vision is terrifying. . .!
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“I, I didn’t see anything. Please quickly destroy the evidence!”
“Huh?”
“Quickly! Throwing away the flower. . .or burying it will leave traces! Ah, what to do. . .! Roa-sama, please dig up the roots of the flower you picked earlier. Let’s burn it all.”
“W, Why?”
“If the royal family finds out, Roa-sama might get killed!”
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Roa-sama looked puzzled, but eventually shook his head slowly.
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“The place we’re going to today requires permission from the royal family. Everything I do today has been approved by the king.”
“. . .Really?”
“Yes. Neither Miss Norchev nor the Norchev family will face any punishment.”
“What about any discrepancies, like punishment being seen as a reward?”
“I swear on my name.”
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Swearing on his name? But Roa-sama, that’s a fake name. . .
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I inadvertently looked up at Roa-sama with skeptical eyes.
Roa-sama, seemingly forgetting he’s using a fake name, looked surprised but eventually burst into laughter.
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“Hmm, hahaha. . .burning it to destroy evidence, hahaha! Miss Norchev, you think quite boldly!”
“I don’t want to hear that from Roa-sama, who just ripped off a flower!”
“You said earlier that I picked it off, hmm.”
“You did rip it off. Snapped it.”
“A normal young lady would say ‘picked the flower,’ but. . .ah, I can’t hold it in, pfft.”
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Roa-sama burst into hearty laughter, leaving me annoyed.
Does Roa-sama have a hearty laugh? Since yesterday, he’s been rolling with laughter because I’m not a typical young lady, but I have some shame, so I wish he’d stop.
After his bout of laughter, Roa-sama took the basket from my hands.
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“As an apology, I’ll carry the basket. Please cheer up.”
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Roa-sama started walking, and I reluctantly followed. Noticing Roa-sama walking quite slowly, it dawned on me.
. . .He’s matching his pace to mine. Given Roa-sama’s status, he could make me run, but without complaint or arrogance, he’s matching his pace to mine.
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At the corner of my vision, the sky-blue color swayed, reminding me of the flower we failed to destroy.
It should be burned because getting caught would be blasphemous, but for now, I want to keep it a bit longer. I certainly can’t burn it in front of Roa-sama after all.
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