Chapter 53

"......Rina?"

Prince Schuzel, either oblivious to the atmosphere or simply not caring, spoke to Rina in his usual carefree manner.

"......Yes? What is it?"

Rina, already tired of Prince Schuzel's behavior, forgot to smile and answered with a blank expression.

"I made a freezer."

"Thank you."

Though she had never asked him to make one, she bowed her head and thanked him. There were many things she wanted to point out, but she couldn't deny that he had provided the opportunity for it to be made.

"Can we make ice cream now?"

Prince Schuzel smiled warmly.

"......"

"......Rina?"

Prince Schuzel......

You heard from Ed that ice cream can be made, so you had me make a freezer, didn't you?

You even disturbed everyone during their busiest time...

"......"

She was speechless with exasperation.

"......Rina"

Unaware of Rina's feelings, Prince Schuzel tilted his head and called out to her.

"Prince Schuzel"

"......Yes?"

"The freezer is made, but... we can't make ice cream right away."

"......Huh?"

"We can't make it right away."

"......"

At that moment, Prince Schuzel seemed to freeze, a sense of tragedy hanging in the air.

He apparently thought that Rina would make it immediately with the freezer.

Rather, why did you think it could be made right away?

There's a proper order to things, you know.

Besides, what would you do without the ingredients?

"......"

The shock of his high expectations was evident as Prince Schuzel visibly slumped.

"......"

"......"

An uncomfortable silence filled the air.

Can't you just give up and go home?

The chefs have preparations for lunch and other tasks to attend to.

"......"

Just go home.

"......"

No use. Ever since he realized it couldn't be made, it's like his soul has left him.

"Haahh......"

Rina sighed deeply, deeper than the ocean.

"......I can make it by dinner time."

Rina gave in to the sad look on Prince Schuzel's face and the pleading gazes of everyone else. She hadn't planned to make it immediately, but now she had no choice.

"......It takes quite a bit of time, you know."

Prince Schuzel, slightly more cheerful, finally spoke.

"There are many steps involved......"

If we had an ice cream maker, it would be different... she muttered.

If we could freeze it instantly, we could use ice magic to make it right away, but ice cream needs to be frozen while incorporating air, which naturally takes time.

"An ice cream... maker?"

Prince Schuzel, with his keen hearing, picked up on Rina's small murmur.

"......"

Why can he hear me?

"......Rina?"

"It's a tool for making ice cream."

Rina explained, giving up.

"......Your country has such convenient things, huh?"

Prince Schuzel nodded in admiration.

To Rina, the magic and magical tools in this world seemed more convenient. It was just a case of wanting what one doesn't have.

"Ah~"

But if I do "that," maybe I can make it with magic... Rina let out a small voice.

"What is it?"

Why can he hear me?

Prince Schuzel, sensing that she had an idea, smiled and asked. Rina had been noticing how he picked up on her murmurs.

She smiled back at him.

Ah, I see. I forgot, he's not just a gentle guy.

He's the Chancellor, after all.

Ugh, I can't escape his smile.

"Um, if someone skilled in ice magic for about 30 minutes... and a strong person... could come..."

"I'll bring them!!"

Just as Rina was about to finish or not, Prince Schuzel disappeared from the kitchen in a flash. He was gone.

"......"

Everyone was stunned. They were speechless and dumbfounded, without a word.

"Um... Ed?"

Confused by Prince Schuzel's quick action, Rina called out to Prince Egidius, who was standing next to her.

"......Pandora's Box"

"......Huh?"

"......Pandora's Box"

"......Huh?"

"You... seem to have opened Schuzel's 'Pandora's Box.'"

"......"

...Pandora's Box?

...What does that mean?

Is 'Pandora's Box' something an individual owns!?

...Isn't it a box that shouldn't be opened?

...Does it open automatically?

...Is there still hope left!?

Generally, why is there a Pandora's Box in this world!?

Hey!! Anyone!!

Rina shouted, knowing she wouldn't get a response.