Breakfast consisted of freshly baked bread, fresh yogurt, a vegetable-rich quiche, and corn potage soup.
As always, the wonderful aroma made it look delicious. However, the quantity and variety had significantly decreased. It was as if... it was just like a regular person's meal. Exactly, just enough for one person.
When I looked up, Mio smiled.
"Is this an appropriate amount?"
"…Yes! With this, I can finish it all!"
I was genuinely happy. Although it felt wrong to be happy about having less food, the joy was overwhelming.
"Oh, it's delicious..."
I ate at my own pace, finishing the meal when I was about 80% full. With my stomach still having room, I enjoyed the tea after the meal. The food in this castle is delicious, but the tea is unbelievably delicious. I was very happy to be able to enjoy this time.
"Excuse me, may I sit next to you?"
Mio said this and sat down in the empty seat.
Looking at me with a question mark, Mio smiled gently.
"Standing next to someone while they eat can be unsettling, can't it? I have duties during meals, but I can join you for tea."
I cheered.
This was something I had wished for since the first day I came to this castle. Even if it was said to be normal for nobles, it was a completely unfamiliar situation for me.
I was happy. I had always wanted to have tea with Mio.
-- This morning, it was Mio who woke me up, not Hanna or Ilza. When I asked if Lord Cyrus had already left, Mio shook her head.
"It's a shift change. Those two have been assigned to Lord Cyrus for now. ...It seemed better for everyone."
I sighed in relief. This realization made me realize that I had been more nervous than I thought.
They, unlike me, are real nobles and would be happy to serve Lord Cyrus. If it makes everyone more comfortable, then it's better this way.
Just as I took a sip of tea, the head chef, Toppo, appeared.
"Excuse me, my lady... Toppo is so happy that the prototype turned out well, I brought it here. If you have room in your stomach, would you like to try it?"
"I'll have it!"
As I answered immediately, Toppo's sky-blue eyes sparkled, and he brought in a silver tray. I thought it was another apple pie, but there were small plates lined up.
On the plates, hand-sized white objects jiggled.
"Blancmange—almond milk pudding. I used plenty of almond extract in the milk and set it with jelly and whipped cream to make it jiggly."
"Wow... it's really jiggly..."
"Please, Mio-sama, have some too."
As he said this, Toppo placed one in front of me and Mio, and another on the empty seat, then sat down himself.
Without a word, Mio poured tea for Toppo.
All three of us simultaneously scooped up a spoonful of blancmange and took a small bite.
Instantly, the aroma of almonds filled our mouths. The sweetness of the milk spread, and the softness melted away in an instant.
Next to me, Mio's eyes widened.
"Wow..."
"Wow, this is amazing—"
"Delicious! Toppo's cooking is the best in the world!"
Toppo shouted and gulped down the tea.
"The tea is delicious too!"
"Yes, it's really delicious! I'm so happy. I've always wanted others to try the tea Mio made. She's really skilled."
"…Is that so? I'm just doing what I learned from Mrs. Rieu-Rieu."
No, you're a master, a genius, we both praised Mio. Mio, as always, didn't change her expression and muttered, "Is that so?"
The small dessert was quickly finished, and Toppo's lemon-yellow eyebrows drooped.
"I should have made more. I'll go make some more right away."
Ahaha, I always think it's better to make more.
Just as Toppo was about to go, I suddenly stopped him.
"Hey, Toppo, are you going to make it for everyone in the castle?"
"Yes, that's the plan."
"Hey, Hanna and Ilza don't like milk. When I put milk in my tea yesterday, they said it would ruin everything."
"…Huh?"
Mio let out a low voice.
"So, can you make a version without milk for them? It might be quite different, but it could still be delicious with just the almond flavor..."
"Hmm? Hmm, I understand. Toppo will give it a try. Hmm, using plenty of almond milk, coconut, and fresh butter..."
"Thank you, Toppo."
I made a rather unreasonable request, and Toppo was seriously considering it. I hope it works out. It must be hard for them to see everyone else enjoying the food but not being able to eat it themselves.
"Lady Marie... you..."
Mio muttered. At that moment, there was a knock on the door.
Who could it be? There seemed to be a lot of visitors this morning.
Mio opened the door. The visitor was standing there with a large wooden box. From the top of the box, a pair of large, tawny eyes peeked out.
A tall, armored young man—Thomas, the gatekeeper.
"Thomas. What's the matter? It's unusual for you to come all the way to the manor."
"Ah, Lady Mio, I'm sorry, and Lady, I'm sorry for coming so early. I'll return to the gate as soon as I put this down."
"What is it? It's a rather large box..."
"It's a delivery for Lady. From your family, the Chedelan baron."
--Huh?
Before I could reach out to take it, Mio barked.
"Thomas! Why did you bring it here!?"
The first time I heard the maid's angry shout. Thomas, of course, and I and Toppo all jumped. In the shock, Thomas dropped the wooden box and stumbled, groaning. The box tipped over, spilling its contents onto the floor. It seemed to have been opened already.
Holding his toe and whimpering, Thomas said:
"Huh? Huh? B-because, isn't that the rule? Deliveries from Chedelan should only be given to Lady after Lord or the maids have approved it."
"If you knew that, why did you bring it here? Lord is still sleeping, and I haven't inspected it!"
"Huh? Huh? Huh? But Lady and the two maids... I just brought it to the manor. They opened it and said it was okay to bring to Lady..."
"Huh!? Who said it was okay!?"
At their feet, the contents of the box were scattered. I crawled on the floor and picked them up. Toppo, trying to help, pulled back her hands.
"What is this, it's dirty! Lady, don't touch it! No!"
I shook my head. It was dangerous for Thomas to step on and fall, and these were definitely my things.
...Gloves caked in mud. A quill pen deformed by years of use, a bottle of ink more than half empty. A damp, moldy rag. A diary that only listed the tasks done each day.
An old book with a rotten binding, gently stacked—“The Ragged Red Cat.” It was supposed to be carefully stored in a drawer, but it had been carelessly thrown in, its pages scattered, torn, and crumpled into a cushion.
At the bottom was a piece of fabric. Originally a pristine white, it was now stained with soot, grease, and mud, turning it irreversibly black. Riddled with holes and patches—this was the ragged dress I had worn for so long.
"Lady Marie!"
Just as my fingers were about to touch it, Mio snatched it away and hid it behind her back. A small card fluttered down from it. Even without picking it up, I could read the words written on it.
"Congratulations on your engagement. You forgot the things you need to work in the baron's household!"
It was my mother's handwriting.
Kusu kusu kusu—laughter came from somewhere. The voices of two women. Mio immediately threw the fabric away and ran out into the corridor.
In less than three seconds, screams of "Kyaa!?" and "Gyaa!" echoed.
Thomas's head swiveled between the door and me, still crouched on the floor.
"U-um, I'm sorry, did I do something terrible!? What is this?"
"Lady, Toppo will clean it up. Don't touch it, it's okay. Let's burn it all in the stove?"
"Yes, let's burn it. Please include those two as well."
Mio returned, holding Hanna and Ilza by the arms, one in each hand. She threw the screaming women onto the floor. Mio's eyes... usually clear like a lake, her large blue eyes, seemed to be burning red.