It was around 4 p.m. when Emperor Taue, Flora, Erza and the others left the hot springs in Kaina Village.
The summer day still had the brightness of noon.
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The group slowly returns to Nido Castle to cool off for the evening.
By this time, some villagers had finished their work in the fields and were coming back.
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"Oh, Jin, you're here!
"Jin, it's been a long time. Are you a visitor?"
As we passed by these people, they would call out to us one after another.
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"Hello, it's a beautiful day, isn't it?
Emperor Hilde greeted them,
"Good afternoon, visitor. Please make yourself at home!
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And..,
"Hello, miss!
"I'm not ," she said.
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"I'm not ......, am I? You must be Flora."
I mean, who do you mean by <
As one would expect, Emperor Taue (Hilde) was not so brazen as to think that she was a
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She is 56 years old this year, though she is still a bachelor.
But...
"Would you like to try some of this, young lady?
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a farm woman offered him a basket of freshly harvested mulberries,
"Oh, me?"
Flora took a pinch of a clary before she could stop her.
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"Oh, they're delicious!"
"It is, isn't it? Tree-ripened clarys are a delicacy this time of year. Would you like one, my dear?
This time it's for Flora.
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"...... Bon appétit."
Flora takes a piece of clary in her mouth, just as the Grand Emperor Hilde did.
It is delicious.
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The farmer smiled at her.
"Well, have a good time. See you later, Jin.
"Thank you, Aunt Susan."
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Jin also thanked the farmer ...... Susan.
"Aunt Susan is very good at working in the mountains, this time of the year she goes into the mountains to gather berries," Jin explained.
Jin explained.
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The berries ...... she collects, in short, strawberries and mulberries ......, are eaten fresh, dried to make dried fruit, or boiled down to make jam.
"...... nice people, aren't they?"
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Emperor Taue (Hilde) was in a good mood when he called her "Miss.
* * * *
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The dinner that night was prepared in the style of the Kaina village at the request of the Emperor.
The emperor said, "In this village, they cook these ingredients in this way.
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Barley porridge, grilled river fish, vegetable soup, steamed lily bulb, and wild vegetables. Tea is also made of kaina tea.
As an aperitif, plum wine, so called "plum wine" made from plums soaked in distilled liquor, was served with water.
It is correct in the sense that this is what they always eat in the village, but the number of dishes is about 40% more than usual, which is unavoidable since they are for guests.
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The soup stock and seasonings have been refined since Jin's arrival, and the taste has become much better.
Even the salt used for salted fish is made of salt from the island of Horai.
I thought it would taste simple, but this is delicious. It's as good as court food." That may be an exaggeration.
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That may be an exaggeration, but since it was prepared by the staff of Nido Castle (butlers and golem maids), there was no doubt that the food was refined.
"It's really, really good!"
Flora also praised the food.
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As promised, we had tea time in the
I made hojicha (roasted green tea). I made hojicha tea because I didn't want to drink tea with too much caffeine, which would make it hard to sleep.
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However, the best quality tea leaves are roasted and brewed immediately, so it has a nice aroma.
For tea, I prepared dried fruits.
They are not too sweet, so they go well with the after-dinner tea.
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"Oh, it's really relaxing, isn't it?
A summer evening. Gazing at the sky that is dusky red, the emperor sighs a small sigh and smiles.
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"Your Majesty ...... has been very busy, hasn't she?"
"Yes, I have. But I think it's a blessing to be able to spend such peaceful days in the latter half of your life.
She muttered in a small voice, her expression truly full of contentment.
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As the sun goes down, a cool breeze blows from the direction of the Erme River.
"Oh, it feels so nice!
The temperature is currently about 22 degrees Celsius.
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Hilde and Flora are now wearing yukata and tanzen. They were prepared as summer nightclothes.
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"Please be careful not to catch a cold, Master Hilde, as it will be cooler at dawn.
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"Yes, I understand.
Hilde let out a small yawn.
"If you are tired, please go to bed.
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Jin said, and the Emperor Taishang nodded his head.
"Yes, I think I will.
It was 8:00 p.m., and it was no wonder that she felt sleepy since she had had a very productive day.
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Hilde got up and went to the drawing room. Flora followed, of course.
They were taken care of by Ruby 101 and Ames 101, who were ready to assist them in case of any problems, They are standing outside the room so that they can provide support in case of any problems.
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Jin went back to his room.
"Thanks for your help."
There, he was greeted by Elsa, who was taking care of the twins.
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"Where are Yu and Mio?"
"They were awake until just now."
I looked over and saw them sleeping peacefully under the covers.
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Jin was tempted to peck them on their soft cheeks, but he held back, as he felt sorry for them if he woke them up.
Instead, he poked Elsa on the cheek.
"...... already."
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Elsa's cheeks puff out at Jin's childish poking. Jin reaches out to peck her again.
"No."
"Ah!"
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Erza takes Jin's index finger in her mouth with a snap.
"Oh!"
Elsa quickly caught Jin's hand, which she pulled away in a hurry,
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"Don't play tricks," she said.
and pulled Jin to her.
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The night at Nido Castle passed quietly.