𝐃𝐚𝐝 𝐣𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐬
“Hello. What a lovely tea party. May I join?”
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A sense of déjà vu envelops me upon the sudden appearance of the lord knight during the holiday.
Arthur emerges from the shade of the trees, his silk-like golden threads flowing gently. It’s as if a refreshing sound effect could play.
For some reason, all eyes are on me, so I reluctantly bow and start speaking.
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“Good day, Dahlia-sama. Are you suggesting you’d like to frequent this place?”
“Yes. Another person wanted to come, but I thought it might be a bother for Miss Norchev if both of us showed up. I won here fair and square in a duel, so it’s just me.”
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Is not coming an option? And why the duel?
Since everyone averts their gaze with an air of guilt, it seems something might have been discussed among the lord knights.
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“Anyone who spends their holidays at Miss Norchev’s grows remarkably. I’d very much like to receive an invitation to this wonderful tea party as well.”
“If everyone has grown due to their time spent here, then I’m delighted. However, it’s not just me here, so could you please wait a moment?”
“Of course.”
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It feels awkward to discuss this in front of a smiling Arthur, but giving the green light now might set a bad precedent. We gather beside the table and whisper among ourselves.
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“Ah, sorry, Alice. I can’t stop him. Arthur was envious to the point of shedding blood tears.”
“Blood tears?!”
“I ended up bragging too. . .Delicious food, pleasant times, and even training partners—it’s all perfect. I mentioned the dry curry, and he was shedding blood tears.”
“Are blood tears so easily shed?”
“I talked about the wonderful time spent with Miss Alice, the excellent tea and cake that were filled with kindness and consideration. No blood tears were shed, but he was biting his lip so hard that it bled.”
“That’s scary. So, in other words, nobody objects to Dahlia-sama coming here?”
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Everyone nods, so I turn back around, figuring it’s okay.
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“Sorry to keep you waiting. Dahlia-sama, feel free to come whenever you like. I think you’ll find that everyone is more relaxed here than in the knight order, so please bear that in mind.”
“Certainly, feel free to relax yourself as well, Miss Norchev.”
“That’s why I hope everyone can be their true selves here as much as possible.”
ㅤ
Edgardo doesn’t hide his love for sweets from Arthur, and it seems Rene has stopped pretending to be something he’s not within the order. My secret isn’t a problem for the members of the Fourth Knight Order anymore, so it’s mostly irrelevant.
Arthur smiles, seemingly pleased that I’ve listened.
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“Understood. I have prepared a secret about myself to reveal.”
“That’s. . .very thorough, isn’t it?”
“Actually, I’m told I’m a disappointment when I speak. My family and lord say the same thing. So, I act like a reticent nobleman in public. But the truth is, I’m disappointing! If I make a trendy joke, it falls flat. Despite my looks, I’m told not to open my mouth. Now, please listen to my all-out joke.”
“Huh?”
“Buying coffee with public funds! Crunch at lunch!”
“Th, this is. . .!”
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Dad jokes. . .! I’m not sure when to laugh, so I’m at a loss on how to react to these puns!
I initially thought it was something like British humor, but it’s totally different. If someone who seems like a prince says a dad joke, of course everyone will be taken aback.
I still don’t know how to react, but I feel like I can say things I wasn’t sure about saying in this world.
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“The futon. . .flew away.”
“! Miss Norchev. . .!”
“A mandarin orange on top of an aluminum can.”
“Miss Norchev!”
“This is about all I can say, but Dahlia-sama, feel free to make your own puns as well. I may not react, though.”
“How wonderful! Thank you, Miss Norchev! The effort I put into preparing for the duel since yesterday was worth it!”
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My hand is grabbed and vigorously shaken up and down. Edgardo steps in and separates our hands as I’m being swung around by the momentum. Rolf has a worried look on his face.
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“You’re not good with the opposite sex, right? And you might get tired if there are too many people. Are you okay, Alice?”
“Thank you for your concern, Rolf-sama. I’m really fine. Come to think of it, you, Rolf-sama, also appeared the same way.”
“Huh.”
“Now that you mention it, that’s true. Rolf was secretly watching Miss Alice and me, suddenly came over here, and declared he would be joining us from now on, right?”
“. . .Is that what I’m like?”
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Everyone laughs at Rolf’s pitiful voice, including Arthur, who naturally starts teasing Rolf. It’s a scene that shows the good relationship among the four of us.
Both Rolf and Rene call Arthur, who is of higher social standing, by his first name, so they must have been friends from the start.
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“Dahlia-sama, please have a seat. If you don’t mind, please taste the sample dishes and share your thoughts.”
“Sure, of course. Just call me Arthur. Don’t mind my title, and feel free to speak to Miss Norchev as well.”
“Understood. Since we’re all here, why don’t we prepare something for everyone to eat?”
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I feel like eating something made of flour or noodles.
Every morning, the knights are supplied with a day’s worth of freshly baked bread. Since the daily ingredients list doesn’t specify staples like noodles or bread, it’s okay to serve such items, but I end up serving the bread so as not to waste it.
I made the sauce, so I want to eat okonomiyaki for the first time in a while! However, I don’t think making okonomiyaki in a frying pan will be enough to fill the stomachs of the four knights (lord knight). After some thought, I decided to mainly make yakisoba and just a few pieces of okonomiyaki. Of course, one piece is for me.
Yakisoba goes well with alcohol, so Rolf and Arthur are drinking beer, calling it a welcome party. When I teach Rene, who is sprinkling curry powder on his yakisoba, about yakisoba bread, he seems to like it and starts eating heartily. Edgardo eats yakisoba between bites of cake. Consistent.
Yakisoba is delicious, but it’s still not quite what I was aiming for. I have no plans to serve it in the restaurant, but I will continue to pursue it as something for me to eat.
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