by Yu Sakurai
There was so much hostility and hatred, with one blow landing on me after another.
But despite it all, Lucian’s unwavering support broke through my shell and warmed my heart. I felt like I could finally stop and take a breath.
“I must have terrific luck to be blessed with a loyal servant like you.”
“Thank you, my lady. I will strive to be worthy of such praise.”
Through the courtesy and respect for me in his smile, I could also make out Lucian’s deep affection for me. I returned his smile. Feeling a little less glum, we carried on with more peaceful topics of conversation. It was a quiet way to pass the time. Eventually, we felt the moving carriage slow to a halt.
We had arrived in the eastern region of the capital city, where my family resided.
The grand mansion came into view through my window. With it, I felt my mood start to sink again.
“Don’t be so upset, my lady. Please remember that you’ll always have me on your side.”
Lucian knew just what to say to me.
I didn’t think my change of mood was visible on the outside, but as my servant of many years, perhaps he was just that good at seeing through me.
“I’m sure the idea of telling your father, the duke, about the end of your engagement is daunting… But knowing Duke Gramwell, I can’t imagine he’d blame you for something that wasn’t even your fault, my lady.”
“…I think you’re right about that.”
With a hesitant smile, I turned my gaze away from Lucian.
The more I imagined Father’s disappointment when I told him about the day’s events, the more my mood worsened.
…But that wasn’t even my most pressing concern at the moment. Though it was over something that would seem trivial to many, something was weighing heavy on my mind now that I had my past-life memories again.
I stepped out of the carriage. The sun was already creeping lower in the sky above me.
My dreaded dinner was drawing near.
◇ ◇ ◇
I went to my room and changed into one of my dresses.
After some time, a knock came at my door, and one of the maids informed me that dinner was ready.
I gave her my usual, distinguished noblewoman’s smile.
But on the inside, I was filled with dread as I followed the maid to the dining room.
…Solemn background music was playing in my mind.
I made my way down the vast halls of my mansion, letting the song continue to play out until we arrived at our destination.
The maid pulled out my chair at the grand dining table. It could easily seat ten people. I lowered myself into the chair, and it was then that the kitchen door opened.
“…!”
An intense smell stung my nose.
It was coming from my dinner, or more specifically, from the extreme amount of spice in my dinner. The food wasn’t even in front of me yet, and the scent was already overwhelming.
…Yep, this is a bad one, folks.
I was resorting to mental commentary to distract myself from reality. More and more dishes of food were being brought into the dining room all the while.
In our kingdom, it was customary to serve every part of a meal, from the main course down to the soups, all at once on the same table.
The potent smell was inescapable. Hesitantly, I reached over and took my fork.
First, I tried the appetizer. It was a salad made from local vegetables harvested just outside the capital city. However…
The problem was the thick layer of glistening dressing on top of said salad.
It oozed over the greens, reminding me a little of the gravy I used to eat in my past life, but only in appearance.
At first bite, the difference was evident. My tongue was bombarded with an intensely spicy, acidic flavor.
The sauce was so strong, I couldn’t even taste the freshness of the vegetables underneath.
To be honest, not one part of this salad appealed to my palate, but I kept my cool and forced each bite down anyway. My training as a noblewoman, as well as my past-life experience as a corporate drone, was being put to the test—determining how much control I could wield over my facial expressions.
To my further disappointment, I spotted the same sauce from the salad covering the meat that was to be my main course. Naturally, the ingredients had been altered to reflect the different dishes underneath…
But once again, the seasoning was so strong that I could barely tell what I was eating. My meal didn’t feel like meat—it felt like a clump of spices that slightly resembled the texture of meat.
Back in Japan, this probably would have been the highest grade of meat you could buy. However, that quality was completely lost in tonight’s dinner. It was an utterly disappointing meal.
…Not that it was inedible or anything so extreme.
From the meat to the vegetables, and even the spices, too, any ingredients on a duke’s table would be the absolute best the kingdom has to offer.
…Yet, it still didn’t actually taste good. Both my heart and stomach were left unsatisfied.
The dinner was a complete waste of spices that never needed to be used so abundantly in the first place.
The words too much of a good thing seemed fitting.
There was an actual reason for the excessive spices used in every dish. Forty years ago, our kingdom of Elltoria discovered a brand-new sea route that stretched all the way to a southern continent.
When travelers returned home with ships full of these new kinds of seasonings, the people of our kingdom took to them immediately.
Compared with Japan, this world doesn’t have much diversity when it comes to its cuisine, nor have we managed to selectively breed many vegetables for consumption. That’s why spices are used in such high quantities to compensate for the flavor and make the foods easier to preserve.
With the people hooked on these new seasonings, noblemen and noblewomen began to build up their own stocks, and soon, an abundant use of spices became a show of one’s status. This display of fortune turned into a fierce competition of its own.
As a result, I was now staring at a table full of dishes that tasted only of spices.
Of course, commoners and less-wealthy noble families didn’t eat such rich meals, but I was a duke’s daughter, after all.
Just about every dish I ate at this table was completely overseasoned.
It was all the more painful now that I had the memories of my past life, where my hobbies were cooking and eating out at various restaurants.
…In this world, the average person’s palate isn’t that different from what it was on Earth.
I still remembered some of the food I ate in town all those years ago. They were simple yet tasty meals.
Additionally, present-day nobles tend to drink wine that’s light and crisp with dinner. We often drink lemon water at the table as well.
…Though, to me, both drinks just feel like a way of getting much-needed relief from those extremely rich meals.
This overseasoned food only served to benefit the reputations of the upper classes. My theory was that it all came from underdeveloped methods of cooking and a culture that didn’t value the raw flavor of the ingredients as something worth relying on.
“Spices are delicious.”
Thus, if you use lots of those spices, it will only make your cooking taste better.
…That logic brought about the use of even more spices in food, little by little, until everyone’s taste buds were completely numbed.
It wasn’t only Elltoria that was seeing such a trend. To different extents, our entire western continent was going to seasoning extremes in their cooking. I could hardly think of any countries that didn’t share this culture among its highest ranks.
One exception that came to mind was a neighboring nation, the kingdom of Raiolbern.
Their borders housed vast stretches of farmland, and because the population thought highly of their locally grown fo
od, their aristocrats ate meals that used a moderate amount of seasoning. I was very jealous of it.
There was more I envied than just their cuisine. Two years ago, the Raiolbern Kingdom experienced a political shake-up, and the new crown prince was said to be an incredibly capable man. As a result, the land had started to earn itself a great reputation for the improvements to public safety.
Light meals, a talented prince, and a peaceful life for its citizens.
After having my mouth accosted by all those spices and being cast out of my home because of Fritz’s idiocy, jealous was practically an understatement.
…If I have to leave, then I hope I get to live in Raiolbern or some other land with delicious food.
Keeping a blank face, I continued to chew my overseasoned dinner, now with the most earnest of desires in mind.
◇ ◇ ◇
FATHER asked to speak with me once I was finished with dinner.
Gardocia Gramwell, the head of the Gramwell family.
My father bears a regal-looking mustache and gives off a powerful, dignified aura…perhaps to a fault.
He has the kind of face that’s terrifying enough to make even children cry. Many people feel pressure and uneasiness just by looking at him.
“You’re telling me that your seat as the future queen was stolen by a baron’s daughter?”
He furrowed his brow as he stared at me. His voice was deep and cold.
“…That’s correct. I’m very sorry I ruined the engagement you arranged for me, Father.”
I bowed my head. Regret pricked at the inside of my chest.
The reason I worked so hard to be a good fiancée for Fritz was originally for my father’s sake. As his daughter, I dreaded the thought of casting shame upon him, so I studied hard to become a wonderful crown princess who had both intelligence and poise to boast of.
“Don’t apologize, Laetitia. You’re still a duke’s daughter, so stand up tall and proud.”
“…Yes, Father.”
“Since there’s no escaping your punishment now, I’ll work to find a suitable country for you to live in. It will probably keep me all the busier, so we might not have much time to speak in the coming days.”
“I’m ashamed to have caused you so much trouble…”
I meant every word of it too…
…when I looked at Father’s face.
His usually piercing eyes were now bloodshot, with dark black circles underneath. It only made his face ghastlier in appearance—he was discernibly exhausted.
It reminded me of the days I spent as a corporate drone, surrounded by my pale-faced coworkers. I recognized that look completely.
“Of course I’m going to get the best care for you. You’re my daughter; I won’t let any harm befall you. …Now that you’ve fallen out with Prince Fritz, I think you know better than to show your face at that school anymore, yes? I want you to wait here at home until I find a place for you to go.”
“I understand. I’ll do as you wish.”
I nodded and watched a bit of relief form on Father’s face.
His gaze was still as piercing as ever, but as his daughter, I could tell the slightest changes in his expression.
“If you’re not going to be the crown princess, you have no need to study for that role anymore. I know how hard you’ve been working on your education, staying up late for so many nights… Tell me now if there’s anything you need. If you want something to occupy yourself here at home, I can send away for it.”
“Something to occupy myself…?”
I thought about it for a bit.
My request might be struck down immediately, but I decided to ask it anyway.
“Would you allow me access to the kitchen?”
“The kitchen? What for?”
“I’d like to try my hand at cooking. I know it’s not proper for a noblewoman, but…what do you say, Father?”
Women of high status in my kingdom are not supposed to occupy their kitchens.
Some ladies prepare small desserts for teatime, but other than that, almost no one cooks actual meals.
I didn’t have much hope, but I decided to ask Father’s permission anyway.
“All right. I’ll allow it.”
“Huh?”
The response slipped out of my mouth involuntarily. His words were just so sudden.
“Father? You really mean it?”
“What’s the matter? I thought you were serious. Were you joking?”
“…No, I was serious. I’ve been wanting to take up cooking, so I’m quite pleased.”
“Is that so…? I’m glad you’re pleased, but be sure not to let anyone from outside see you in the kitchen. And don’t do anything stupid when you’re using fire or knives. I hope it’s something to entertain you while you’re here at home, but don’t neglect your safety either.”
He gave his warnings in a clear, deep voice. I felt my heart swell with gratitude.
Despite his harsh words, he was only looking out for me.
It couldn’t be seen on the surface, but deep down, Father was an awkward yet kindhearted man.
“Thank you, Father. If I prove to be a good cook, will you join me for a meal?”
“…Of course. I’m looking forward to it.”
He nodded. It was our promise.
With that, I returned to my room.
Closing the door behind me, I made sure no one else was around before collapsing onto my bed.
“Ugh… I’m exhausted…”
My engagement was over, I was expelled from the kingdom, and I regained the memories of my past life.
…There was a past-life “me” and a present “me.”
Our personalities were polar opposites, but neither one felt completely foreign.
I didn’t have any of these memories until today, and yet, I didn’t feel as if they’d had much influence on my character either way.
“I guess I’ve been on edge quite a lot lately…”
The burdens of being a duke’s daughter and the future crown princess—I was never free of them for a single moment.
Whatever happened next, I decided I wanted to live a freer life where I could pursue the things I wanted.
“…But for now…I should…get to sleep…”
So many things had happened to me that day.
But tomorrow, at least, would be my day to cook up something delicious.
With that last thought, I gently shut my eyes.
Chapter 2: A Craving for Ice Cream
THE next day, I stood at the kitchen counter, wearing an apron dress borrowed from one of the maids. My blonde hair was tied back.
It was a little past noon. My staff had finished cleaning up after lunch, and it wasn’t time to get started on dinner yet either, meaning the kitchen was open for my use.
The ingredients and utensils I would need were laid out on the counter in front of me.
Eggs. Cream. Sugar. A bottle of honey.
Metal bowls, cups, a large pot, trays, and a wooden spatula.
Finally, there was a pile of scrap iron that my servants had gathered for me.
…It looked quite out of place, but the metal had an important purpose.
Taking a fistful of the iron, I set it in front of me, closed my eyes, and began to focus on the inside of my body.
I shifted that concentration to my hands, and then to my legs, followed by my chest, stomach, and head. Once I felt the magic swirling throughout my whole body, I concentrated on that energy.
This was Earth Magic. I recited my spell in its entirety, careful not to omit anything until the ritual was complete.
“That should do it…”
The magic exited me and made its way to the countertop.
The scraps of iron disappeared, and in their place now rested a shiny metal whisk.
This is called “transmutation,” a form of Earth Magic.
It’s used to reshape dirt or minerals into another form desired by the caster.
&n
bsp; The spell appears handy at first, but few sorcerers actually practice transmutation due to a couple of reasons.
First, it requires a large amount of magical energy to cast. Even transforming a handful or two of scrap metal is a mid-tier spell in terms of energy use.
The second and most problematic reason is that transmutated items lack any real durability. In fact, most items start to fall apart after only an hour or so. Practicality is a big obstacle with transmutation.
…Fortunately, that wouldn’t be a problem for the amount of time I needed with my whisk.
If it fell apart, I knew I could just build it again from scratch.
I picked up the whisk and felt its cold weight against my hand.
“Hmm. It’s a bit heavy. And the head might be too small?”
I had been trying to create something like the stainless-steel whisks I always used when I lived in Japan. With many years of experience under my belt, I really believed I could make it perfectly on my first try.
But seeing the tiny flaws in my beloved whisk just bothered me all the more.
“I guess I’m starting over.”
A heavy whisk would quickly tire out my hand, so I decided to try again from square one.
Using magic on an already-transmutated item would be difficult, so I turned my attention to the unused pile of iron instead. After four or so more attempts, the whisk finally looked and felt just how it was supposed to.
“There we are.”
I gripped the whisk’s handle. A smile formed on my face at the feeling of the familiar weight. With a perfect replica of my favorite whisk, I was positive the rest of the work would be smooth sailing.
Today’s menu was ice cream.
It was the first food that sprang to mind when I considered the things I most wanted to eat.
I passed on from that previous life before I had a chance to taste my homemade ice cream, so the craving still lingered.
If only I could make strawberry ice cream. That would be perfect.
As far as I could tell, real strawberries didn’t exist in my kingdom. Fortunately, we at least had various berries that were similar in taste, but I decided I would keep up my search for the real deal until I’d found them.
