After four days, my fiancé was sitting in a chair in the dining room, bending his tall frame. He rested his cheek on his hand and turned to look at me. He was wearing simple clothes, probably his room attire. He gave an impression of being tall and slender, but the thickness of his wrist peeking out from the sleeve made me flinch. His sharp features and green eyes were illuminated by the candlelight. He narrowed his eyes, framed by black lashes, and gazed at me.
"It's been four days. ...You look different. You've become even more beautiful."
"...I am flattered. I sincerely thank you, Lord Granado."
I bowed deeply.
After a few seconds of silence, he spoke in a low voice.
"I told you to stop calling me by my family name and title."
"A... I'm sorry. You're right."
"Cyrus is fine. We are engaged, after all."
"...Yes... Um, what is Lord Cyrus doing at such a late hour?"
When I asked, he showed me a small glass. It was alcohol? No, it seemed to be tea. I could smell the fragrant tea leaves. It appeared he had just finished work and was having a cup of tea after bathing.
"I was so busy that I missed dinner. I was trying to eat something before going to bed. What about you, Marie?"
"I... just couldn't sleep."
"I see. Then, sit here."
"Huh?"
I let out an odd sound. My fiancé frowned in confusion, and I hurriedly shook my head. I quickly walked around the table and sat diagonally across from him. ...After all, it was a huge table that could seat twenty people. Sitting directly across from him would be awkward, and sitting next to him would be even more awkward.
He stood up and walked around the table, just as I had done, and sat next to me. He then reached out and started drinking the remaining tea as if nothing had happened.
—Hmm?
"Mio will be back soon. Wait for her to make your tea. She makes it better than I do."
...His soft, low voice tickled my right ear.
Oh... It's a man's voice. C, close.
Usually, I wouldn't pay much attention to a man, but it was the middle of the night, and I was in my nightgown. At such a close distance, I didn't know how to face him.
I glanced at him with just my eyes. Green light entered my field of vision, and I quickly turned my face away.
Facing the opposite direction, I spoke quickly.
"W-Where did Mio go?"
"To the kitchen. To see if there's anything for a midnight snack—speaking of which."
Mio, holding a candle, came from the back of the dining room. I felt relieved to see her usual expressionless face.
She must have heard our voices, as she didn't seem surprised to see me.
Instead, we were surprised. Mio had the head chef, Topo, behind her. He must have been trying to hide behind her, but Topo was about three times wider than Mio, and most of his body was visible.
"Topo, you're awake too?"
"Yes, I am. Welcome back, sir. I've brought you a midnight snack."
Topo placed a plate on the table and opened the lid. A unique aroma rose.
Lord Cyrus exclaimed in delight.
"Oh, chicken and sweet potato salt soup. Great, it looks delicious. Marie, have you tried cilantro before?"
Suddenly turned to me, I hurriedly shook my head.
"I see. It's a herb with a bit of a kick, but if you like it, it can become a habit. You should try it. Topo, please get a plate for Marie too."
"Sure thing."
Topo shrugged and returned to the kitchen to get a plate for me. I looked up to thank him, but he said,
"Please. It might not suit your taste, Lady Marie."
...I felt a slight sting and could only bow my head slightly.
The steam rising from the hot soup had a wonderful, appetizing aroma. I gently inserted a spoon and took a bite.
"Wow...—It's delicious!"
The soup was probably seasoned only with salt and the flavor of the chicken. Despite being almost colorless and transparent, it had a rich, deep flavor.
The herbs added a nice accent. I could smell a hint of olive oil.
The sticky, chewy sweet potato was also delicious.
I wasn't really hungry, but I couldn't stop eating. As my stomach warmed up, my appetite seemed to increase.
I ended up eating all the substantial ingredients.
"...Um... Did you like it?"
Topo asked when I had eaten about half of it. I nodded vigorously.
"It's really delicious!"
"R-Really... That's good to hear."
"Great. I like this too."
Lord Cyrus was eating at the same pace as me.
"But only Topo can make this taste. I don't know much about cooking, but the ones I've had outside are different."
"Perhaps it's because it's simple that the personality comes through."
"Most of the time, Topo's cooking is the best. He's been invited to cook at ducal mansions and even the royal court, but there's no one better than Topo."
Lord Cyrus said decisively. I don't have much experience to compare, but I could tell I couldn't make it myself.
I fully agreed with Lord Cyrus's opinion.
"It's really delicious. The food in this castle is always so good..."
I finished it enthusiastically. As I placed the cutlery down and said "Thank you for the meal," Topo made a sound in his throat.
He looked down at me with a resentful expression,
"...Then, why do you always leave so much, Lady?"
As he took the plate, Topo turned his back. He didn't leave, but he bowed his head and muttered, fidgeting his shoulders.
"Every day, no matter what I make, you never say it's good enough. I try different things, using different ingredients and techniques, but—"
"Um..."
"It's fine, this Topo's pride. Even if I were praised as the best in the country, I wouldn't take it seriously. If a baron's chef were better than Topo, I'd be jealous, but not resentful."
"But! The ingredients! The meat and vegetables that gave their lives to be eaten! It's so sad, so sad!"
"Um, if you please! Wait, I didn't leave it because it was bad!"
I shouted loudly. Topo turned to me with large tears in his eyes.
Oh no! There must be some terrible misunderstanding!
"Lady... What did you just say?"
"I didn't leave it because I didn't like it. On the contrary, I was thinking the same thing. It's a waste of food!"
"But..."
Topo looked at me, then at Lord Cyrus, and then at Mio. Mio looked at Lord Cyrus, and everyone's gaze focused on him.
Lord Cyrus looked at me.
"I told you to serve a variety of dishes because I didn't know Marie's preferences. I wanted her to choose what she liked and not serve what she didn't. —Marie, did you not tell Mio your preferences?"
"...Um..."
"I only heard that everything was delicious from Lady Marie."
Mio answered and then advised Lord Cyrus.
"I was planning to tell you today... Lady Marie generally can't say she dislikes something. I think it's better to stop the 'serve everything and let her choose' strategy. For both meals and dresses."
"...Is that true, Marie?"
Lord Cyrus looked puzzled. I shook my head vigorously.
Indeed, I'm not good at asserting myself. But that's not the issue here.
"I didn't dislike any of Topo's dishes. They were all really, really delicious!"
"Lady... Is that true?"
"It's true. I just couldn't finish because I was full!"
At my assertion, Topo was dazed for a moment, then his charming eyes widened. Soon, tears started streaming down his face.
"Oh!"
"—I'm glad. I'm so glad... Lady, you were satisfied. I'm so glad!"
Head Chef Topo started crying.
Oh no. I've never seen a man cry except for my brother.
Eh, is this my fault? What should I do?
I turned to Mio in distress, but she had her usual expressionless face. She walked to the kitchen to prepare tea after the meal.
Lord Cyrus was patting Topo's back. He didn't seem particularly surprised.
"Topo's tear glands are weak. It's a common occurrence."