--Futa's private room .

　As usual, Futa was working on his muscle training in the center of the room, when a discreet knock sounded at the door.

　That boisterous cleaning maid would have jumped in without a second thought, "Meido! And then another maid came in.

　So maybe another maid came to tell her what she wanted, or...

　Futa looked up and replied lightly.
　He didn't have anything to hide, nor was he messy enough to be tidy.
　He was wearing a shirt today.

　After checking everything out, he turned around and saw the door just open.

　Two lovely chignons. Silver buns on either side, white brims that look like they're tucked in.
　A girl in a maid's uniform matching Corona's came in with a wagon full of food.

Did Lila make the meal today?
"Yes. Corona had run out of a very important seasoning, so she went to the store.
See you later.

　Meido!　We're out of spices!
　I heard that a maid ran out of the kitchen with a squeal.

　And now for breakfast.

　When I glanced at Lila, she was still staring at the wagon, looking unsure of herself.
　Is she a bad cook? Or was it simply her first time to serve it to others?

　I don't know where she was or what she was doing, so I can't make any judgments.
　However, as I've said many times before, I'm not considering the possibility that Lilah has harmful intentions towards Futa.
　That much is clear from the fact that Lilac let her enter the botanical garden.

Well, I'll look forward to your homemade breakfast, Lilah.
I'm not too ...... sure about that.

　The cloches were opened with a sigh of relief.
　The steam spreads softly and the aroma is gentle.

I'm ...... surprised. It looks delicious.
Is it ...... okay to be happy about that?

　I'm not sure what to make of it.
　You can find a lot of things that you can do to make your life easier.
　In the first place, for Futa, a meal is a meal, and the object of comparison is that boisterous maid.

　It was easy to see that her lack of confidence probably came from that.

"Wow, ......, that's a dish I've never seen before.
The meat is boiled and bound with eggs. The meat is boiled with eggs. The soup is made from the broth ......, so I couldn't do anything too fancy.
No, no, no, it's good enough.

　If I had to describe her cooking in one word, I would say it was simple.
　Focaccia baked in the basic way.
　Slow-cooked meat with eggs. There were no ingredients in the soup that smelled of seafood broth.

　When it was brought to the table, Futa took his first bite.
　The mild texture of the egg and chicken combined with the rich flavor of the soup was a nice change from the strong flavor of the usual Corona.

　If Corona is a meal that is supposed to be eaten with bread, this dish by itself is a gentle taste of Lira.

　This was because Corona, knowing that Futa was a healthy daredevil, had dared to serve a meal that would stimulate his appetite.
　In that sense, there is a big difference between her and Rira, who just did the best she could.

　Nevertheless.
　For Futa, who didn't know much about the situation, the meal was unusual, kind, and delicious.

...... is delicious, Lila.
"......, huh? That's good.

　It's a good thing." She gently hugged the back of her own hand and smiled with relief.

　It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your vacation.
　The soft expression on her face, as if she had lost her possessions. It's something I've never seen before - he thought and shook his head. Of course she's never seen it before. Because she's not the princess I love.

What can I say?

　Futa mutters as he picks up his cutlery.
　This soup also has a sinking feeling in the core of my bones, a simple taste that I want to keep sipping on.

It's just like I imagined, Rila-san.

　This flavor. The atmosphere of the food served. The natural taste of the ingredients brought out.
　It was exactly what I envisioned when I heard about Rila's cooking.
　Of course, he was not able to guess the specific dish. The food was new to Futa, and the taste stimulated a part of him that he had never touched with his tongue.
　But... It was a strange combination of her presence and the atmosphere of the dish that was formed from her image.

"...... Really?
"Yeah, ...... you look so surprised?
I thought you'd find ...... me rather surprising.

　She says, somewhat shyly or embarrassed.
　She looks away, but Futa doesn't know what she really means.

"Wow. That's just the way I see you, Lila. ...... Can I ask what kind of food this is?
It's nothing to hide. It's not something to hide. It's probably served in many restaurants (taverna). It's a home-style dish in King's Landing.


"Wow. By the way, I've never had this country's home cooking. Is this what it tastes like?
I'm sure you'll find something even better.
Be confident. I like it a lot.
...... Oh, really?

　As if the way of escape had been blocked, Lira's eyes swam as if she were unaccountable. This is a great way to make sure you are getting the best value for your money.

　The home cooking of the royal capital. You can say that it is a local dish.
　You can find a lot of people who are looking for a way to make their lives easier.

　Futa thought about this, and poured the warm soup down his throat.

Corona is a bit too special, though. I think it's good to have someone who can cook like this.
"What?
"Oh, no, I don't mean that in a weird way.

　No, I didn't mean it in a weird way." Hurriedly, Futa made up his mind.
　Futa hurriedly made up his mind that this was like hitting on her.
　It's easy to forget because of Corona, but we are guests of the royal family and maids. If I use the wrong words, I could get her in trouble.

But you seem so used to it, why were you so unsure?

　As if to change the subject, he asks while carving the meat.
　The question touched on her past, which she had avoided earlier, but Futa didn't have time for that.

　However, she didn't seem to be offended and answered him easily.
　As she put the laundry in the basket beside her, she said.

"Three, right?
"Three?
"Three?" "Yes. One is that it will be compared to the food in Corona.
"Oh, my God.

　I can only agree with that.

One, it's been a long time since I've had ...... food.
Is that so?
Yes. In the past, I used to make my own food. I only had an old, worn-out recipe book, and it took a while to get it right, but I'm glad my ...... body remembers.

　Lila smiled softly.
　If you dig it up, it will bring back memories of a time when you were half imprisoned and alone, unable to trust anyone, and so scared that you had to make your own meals.

　If I'm being honest.
　I'm sure the man in front of me doesn't know that I was struggling with nausea as I ate even the cold food that I had been eating since I became busy, after letting him watch me poison myself.

　She didn't know how precious his warm meal of homemade pasta was to her.

　In other words, she is afraid to even bring something that someone else has made to her mouth, even if they are out somewhere together.

The last one is similar to that.
I wonder.
It was the first time I'd ever cooked for ...... anyone.
What?

　That was a surprise.
　If you call it home cooking, then you must have served it to someone.
　This is the first time I've made a home cooked meal.

You're right.

　Even Futa realizes this.
　I used to make them myself. I've never made anything for others.
　That's proof that I've always been alone.

　Futa doesn't know how much hard work was behind that soft smile. I don't know. He can't even ask yet.

　But somehow, he could understand why Lilac was holding her in her arms.

"So... Can you make me another one?

　So I told her.
　She blinked her eyes, and I smiled gently.

"It's so good. I want you to make it again. I want you to make it again. And I think Lilac and Corona would like it.
"What? What?
I think so. Since we're going out of our way, maybe we can do it at the tea party. I'll ask Lilac-sama. I'm sure she won't take it lightly.
Excuse me.
It's all right. If Lilac-sama brought me and Lilah together, it means she approves of us. She's the one who said my cooking was good.
No, that's not what I meant.
Did you hear that?
Yes, I did!　I heard it!　From His Highness!


"Oh?

　It wasn't a surprise, but... The words, which she had half-expected to be revealed, hadn't even crossed Futa's mind.

　But," she said, shaking her head.

I know you don't like to eat this kind of food, and ...... it's fine.
Is that so?　I don't think it's a waste.
No, no.

　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one.
　--Yes, it was getting lighter.
　The words that came out of her mouth, the weight on her shoulders, everything.

If it makes you happy, that's all that matters.
"Oh.

　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

It's not like that.

　I'm sure you'll be able to understand what I mean.
　I'm not sure what you mean by that.

I'm sure you're right. Haha. I'm a little confused.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry. That was weird.
It's okay. I'm happy for you.

　I meant it.
　Maybe it's because we have the same voice.
　For some reason, her words felt good in my ears. And they pierce my heart in a strange way.

"Lilah.
"Yes, what is it?

　I felt as if I had to say it.
　And then, for some reason, the words spill out of my mouth with surprising spontaneity.

"Me.

　It was almost as if we were meeting for the first time.
　And yet, for some reason, we are close.
　The fact that she feels closer than the lilac, which is supposed to be the closest to her, is something that Futa doesn't know, but he instinctively senses it.

　So, when he senses her loneliness, he tells her.
　Even now, he feels that he is not part of any circle, so he says it.

　Right up front, straight up.

"I'm glad I met you.
"......
I don't know why. I don't know. Ha, ha.
Oh, really?

　Twinkle, twinkle, twinkle.

Lilah?

　Holding a laundry basket.

"Hey, Lilah?

　Rilla staggers out.

　The door slammed shut, and I watched helplessly.

I haven't finished my meal yet. Can you come get it for me at ......?

　The murmurings disappeared.

　Against the closed door, the maid's uniform slips down.

　Burying her vermilion-red face in the laundry basket, she muttered.

I don't understand. ......

　I'm not sure why Lira can talk so honestly.
　Why does Futa always give Lira the words she wants?

　I'm not sure what to say.

"I envy you .......



　--I'm sure we'll see.

　I'm sure that's when Lila began to visit him without telling Corona.