𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐤𝐞𝐲
“I’m borrowing this room from the school to conduct my research!”
ㅤ
The room the girl led me to was the furthest one from the first-floor entrance. The room, likely unused at the moment, was filled with various items.
ㅤ
Herbs drying on the walls hung in abundance. Small bottles, just big enough to fit in your palm, were neatly lined up on the shelves. Each one had a label, clearly treated with care.
Arthur placed a handkerchief on the chair for me and I sat down, being escorted.
ㅤ
“I’ve brought my portable stove, so I’m going to make some tea right now!”
“Don’t worry, just talk normally. You are. . .”
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By the way, I haven’t introduced myself yet.
ㅤ
“I am Tianne. And you are?”
“I apologize for the late introduction! My name is Marina!”
“I told you to speak normally.”
“Ah, okay, understood!”
ㅤ
Trembling, she quickly bowed her head. Her pigtails whipped around like a whip and hit Edgardo’s stomach.
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Arthur and Roa-sama made faces as if holding back laughter. I’m sorry for the surprised Edgardo, but I’m also trying not to laugh by tensing my stomach.
Edgardo, slightly blushing, coughed and stepped forward.
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“Excuse me. I don’t mean to doubt you, but I’d like to see you make it.”
“Of course! Are there any ingredients Tianne-sama dislikes?”
“None in particular.”
“Please wait a moment!”
ㅤ
As Marina boiled water, she blended herbs into the teapot. Her movements were smooth, no doubt accustomed to making herbal tea.
Edgardo picks up the tea that came out after a while.
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“Ojou-sama, excuse me.”
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Edgardo takes a sip of the tea. The part where his lips touched is wiped away with a gloved hand. The teacup is rotated, and the opposite side where Edgardo drank from is offered.
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“Please, Ojou-sama.”
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For a moment, I hesitated to drink.
I had heard about such practices and had practiced being served food and drinks many times. Yet, the embarrassment never really goes away.
Before it would seem awkward for not moving, I take a sip from the teacup.
ㅤ
“It’s delicious. . .”
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A refreshing taste with a hint of sourness. The aftertaste is clean, making it very easy to drink.
The scent of orange and lemon is also refreshing, a smell that makes you want to keep sniffing.
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“You’re pretty good at this.”
“Thank you!”
“Are you researching anything else?”
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My eyes shift to bottles containing dried garlic and rock salt. She must be researching food as well, not just herbal tea.
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“That’s right! I’ve been making herb salts that go well with meat and fish, and I’ve been trying to make a toner, but it’s not going well. . . Especially since everyone’s skin is different, sometimes there’s irritation. . . The issues differ from person to person; it’s different if it’s skin trouble or pores, so I try different blends.”
“Makeup is a deep, bottomless world. Have you tried aloe and sponge gourd?”
“Not yet! I’ll try it!”
ㅤ
In my previous life, I often heard about things like aloe toner and sponge gourd water.
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“Thank you, Tianne-sama! You complimented my herbal tea and even gave me advice. . . I speak like this and I’m a country bumpkin, so other than the people who occasionally care for me, no one talks to me. . .”
“What did you come to this school for?”
ㅤ
Lower-ranking nobles who own land away from the capital often don’t attend school. Marina, being a female, must have faced resistance to attending school from the countryside.
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“In my family, all the children are girls, so I, the eldest, am slated to inherit. But what I really like is researching herbs and vegetables that I grow on my land. My family saved money to allow me to pursue my interests in school, hoping that maybe someone might take notice. But here I am. . . alone. . .”
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Reaching out to Marina, who is slumped in the seat across from me, I gently pat her shoulder a few times in comfort.
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“I’ll have some of your herb salt.”
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If it’s good, I’d like to regularly stock it when I own a store.
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“Thank you, but I don’t need your pity. . .”
“It’s not pity. If it’s not tasty, I won’t buy it again.”
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Marina lifts her face slowly, her eyes wavering.
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“I’ll buy your herb salt and herb tea. And if they don’t suit my taste or if I get bored with them, I won’t buy them again.”
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Despite the harsh statement, Marina smiles.
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“Wow, thank you! That’s just fine with me!”
“You are what you eat. So your attempt to make people healthy through food and drink is a good thing. I’ll pay right away.”
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I’ll have to pay from my pocket money since I’m not carrying any cash; I’ll have to have it delivered later.
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“No rush on the payment. If it’s okay, can you tell me what you think after you eat?”
“I have plans tomorrow, so I’ll pay the day after tomorrow. I’ll let you know what I think then.”
“Yes!”
ㅤ
After that, I said goodbye to Marina, who thanked me several times and saw me off, and returned to the girls’ dormitory.
Upon entering the room, I bow my head to everyone.
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“Thank you for indulging my whims! I’ll pay with my own money!”
“It’s rare for Alice to be this enthusiastic. The herb tea must have been that good.”
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Feeling warm at Roa-sama’s affirming words.
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“It was really delicious. Also, there were various ingredients in the room. I think she’s researching combinations. If we have Marina’s help, our ramen would be even better.”
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Edgardo’s eyes sparkle.
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“We also grow herbs in the lands belonging to Rolf and me. I thought it would be useful for the household, but to make ramen tastier. . .”
“There are many flavors of ramen, you know.”
“Really?!”
“What you’ve all had is soy sauce ramen. There’s also salt, miso, pork bone, dipping noodles, Szechuan noodle, chicken white soup, tantanmen. . . and even more blended varieties.”
“There are that many types. . .”
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Edgardo’s throat makes a gulp sound.
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“Since we have a cooking device, preparing should be easy. Whatever we buy from her will surely make it tastier.”
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That night’s dinner consists of soy sauce ramen and various dishes using the herb salt. We sprinkle it on meat and fish, grill or steam them, and share our thoughts as we eat.
Everything was delicious, confirming Marina’s skills.
ㅤ
Finally, the day of the tea party arrived. How much information can I gather, whether other young ladies at the tea party will invite me as well, this tea party is important.
As I try to muster up some enthusiasm, I’m stopped by the bodysuit.
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