Chapter 45

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-- Clatter clatter...

In the king's study, the sound of a spoon clinking against a dish echoed.

"......"

King Felix and Prince Egiedilus exchanged glances at the unusual sight. Prince Schuel, the potion drinker, was earnestly eating his meal. It was like a bolt from the blue or a premonition of a storm—certainly an extraordinary situation.

Even Iber, who stood by, sensed the strange change, though subtly.

"......"

The prince who had refused to eat no matter how many times he was advised, was now feeding himself. It was as if some kind of magic was infused in the food, making him eat like this.

"Phew... I ate it, didn't I? Eddie."

It was a sigh as if he had completed a task. Then, tilting the plate as if to say, "Look at this," Prince Schuel showed a full smile. It was probably a remarkable achievement since he started eating.

"......"

They were speechless at his gesture. What was all the effort to make him eat before for?

"...Eddie?"

Prince Schuel was smiling gently, perhaps satisfied with his own accomplishment.

...What is this?

...In the end, he just didn't eat because it tasted bad, didn't he....

Prince Egiedilus was exasperated with his older brother.

"Eddie...?"

Calling out again to his unresponsive younger brother, he didn't seem to realize that his brother was stunned by the fact that he had finished his meal.

"Ah... Yeah, Iber, bring out the dessert."

Thinking, "What's wrong with this brother...," he came to his senses and instructed Iber to serve the dessert.

Iber cleared the empty dishes and then, with a pleasant clatter, placed a pudding and a French toast in front of Prince Schuel.

The sweet, fragrant smell of butter and sugar, which Prince Schuel had never smelled before, made him squint his eyes.

"...This is..."

"The one on the right is pudding, and the one on the left is French toast."

Prince Egiedilus responded to Prince Schuel's questioning voice.

"......"

Prince Schuel smiled happily at the desserts he had never seen before. The pudding jiggled when touched with a spoon, and the French toast cut easily with a knife. The sweet, fragrant smell captivated him from the moment he saw it.

"Mmm~ Delicious!!"

After saying "Itadakimasu," Prince Schuel took a bite of the pudding and let out a joyful cry. Indeed, it was the first time he had cried out in joy over food.

"...So good!! What is this? So smooth, sweet, and delicious!!"

Prince Egiedilus also took a bite of the pudding and echoed the same cry, amazed at how eggs could change so much.

"Hey, Eddie... It's delicious, isn't it?"

Prince Schuel was savoring it slowly in his mouth.

"Wow!! I didn't know eggs could do this!"

All the dishes on the table used eggs. It was completely different from the usual options of boiling, frying, or just baking. Mixing eggs with milk and sugar and steaming them, or baking them to be so fluffy, was entirely new.

"...It smells sweet..."

King Felix, who was covering his mouth and nose, looked displeased. While the two who loved sweets were fine, the sweet aroma filling the room was not to his liking.

"Ah, I have some snacks for you, Brother Felix?"

Remembering the snacks he had prepared for his brother, he glanced at Iber.

"Good with wine..."

He placed a plate with crispy cheese on the table. Although it couldn't compete with the sweet smell of the two eating, the moment it was placed, a fragrant aroma of cheese tickled the nose.

-- Crunch.

King Felix put a piece in his mouth.

"......Wine"

He told Iber to bring some. The saltiness seemed to make him crave alcohol.

"No, Your Majesty."

Prince Schuel gently reprimanded him. It was still not the right time, as they were in the middle of their duties.

"Just a little, it's fine."

"Not at all."

"I'll take away your dessert."

"That's unfair, King Felix."

A small battle of wills ensued. But "alcohol" versus "dessert" was a losing battle.

"Iber"

King Felix said.

"Iber"

Prince Schuel also said, trying to stop him.

What was he thinking behind his usual expressionless face?

One glared, demanding it, while the other smiled, saying no. It would make anyone break out in a cold sweat. Should he respect the king's opinion or the chancellor's? What would Iber do?

"...What will you do, Prince Egiedilus?"

He left it to his youngest brother.

"......Huh!?"

He was about to spit out the pudding he was eating. Prince Egiedilus, surprised by the sudden delegation, couldn't remain a mere observer. A loud, heartfelt cry escaped his mouth. He glared at Iber, but Iber turned away.

...This guy!!

Prince Egiedilus was almost about to curse.

"Ed...Eddie?"

This time, both his brothers called his name in an unusually gentle tone, making him break out in a cold sweat. Their eyes communicated, "Bring it" and "Don't bring it."

...Whaaat...?

Prince Egiedilus never thought that being called by a nickname would make him so uneasy.