Today, I'm updating two consecutive episodes. This is the second one.
I couldn't help but chuckle.
And the answer came immediately.
"The Story of Iphandros"
Lord Cyrus let out a small exclamation.
"That's right... I remember that. Yes."
"...Yes, I remember it too..."
"Later, you should go to the library. It's full of things Mary likes."
"Thank you, sir."
"Yes. For now, let's continue with the word game. 'Monogatari' (story), ri... Ricotta cheese."
"Zucchini."
"Erhu. It's an instrument."
"From the Central Eastern Continent, right? I've never heard it."
"It's great. It looks delicate, but it makes a cheerful sound like an old man humming."
"What a comparison. Hehe... Co... Flour."
"Cornmeal potato pudding."
"Green peas."
"Soufflé."
"Lettuce."
"Another 's' already? S... Stroopwafel."
"Rooibos."
"Another 's'!? Mary, are you trying to win?"
"Well, it's a competition, after all."
Lord Cyrus's pouting face was hilarious. I tried my best not to laugh. However, his next answer made me burst out laughing.
"...Sweets."
"Ha ha ha ha! Lord Cyrus, you've been saying nothing but sweets!"
He seemed to realize it only after I pointed it out, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment and trying to argue back.
"No, if you think about it, Mary, you've been saying nothing but crops."
"Eh? Really? Seriously?"
"Seriously. I was trying hard not to laugh, thinking at least it should be fruits or flowers."
After saying that, he couldn't hold it in anymore. He burst out laughing, clutching his stomach.
I laughed while pretending to be angry.
"Well, it can't be helped. Flower seedlings are expensive! Fruits take time to grow. Vegetables are convenient and can be used in various dishes! And they're delicious!"
"Haha, that's not the point, haha."
"Stop laughing, stop it! The word game isn't over yet. Um, what's next?"
"It's 'tsu.'"
"Tsu... swallow."
"Egg."
No good, I'm about to laugh again. Even though Lord Cyrus avoided sweets, he's still talking about food.
And it's funny when simple words come out of Lord Cyrus. Because this isn't just a word game, but a rule where we say things we like. It's surreal to hear such words from his refined face.
But if I keep laughing, the game won't progress.
Next is 'ki.' Ki... Ki. Something I like that starts with 'ki'—
"Kyuu... Ki... ..."
"Hmm?"
Lord Cyrus looked at my face, which had fallen silent, with a very cheerful expression.
"What did you say? The last sound... didn't it end with 's' again?"
"Ki... ki, su. I said 'kiss.'"
I thought I had successfully covered it up, but Lord Cyrus narrowed his eyes even more and chuckled.
"I see, I see. Mary likes kisses, huh."
Oh no.
"But another 's' again, it's getting difficult. I can't think of any more food. S... souvenir."
"A... flax..."
"Mary."
Oh no, no, no.
And so, I would either faint or burst out laughing, and Lord Cyrus would exclaim "Another 's'!?" several times while we continued the game.
How much time had passed, and it was already late at night... when it started taking time to think of answers. Lord Cyrus said, "Mary Chedelain," which was a response that was out of bounds in many ways, and the game ended.
Just then, Mio poked her head in.
"You're still playing? I've already finished eating, even had seconds. Isn't the tea cold by now?"
The two of us exclaimed in unison.
Lord Cyrus hurriedly opened the pot and poured tea into a small glass.
Normally, the pot should be filled with hot water to about half. But the tea, which had become lukewarm and almost black, was far from enough, and when Lord Cyrus tasted it, he grimaced and leaned back.
"No good, it's over-steeped. ...It's bitter."
Out of curiosity, I also tried it. Ugh, this is... bitter.
"Can't be helped, let's mask it with milk and sugar."
Lord Cyrus said this and sent Mio to the kitchen, but only milk was placed. We tilted our heads in confusion, and Mio, with her usual expressionless face, said:
"You've both had enough of sweet sugar, haven't you?"
We looked at each other.
I didn't understand the meaning, but Lord Cyrus seemed to get it. He covered his face with his hands and seemed to be in agony.