Chapter 79

I apologize for the delay in the update.

I intended to post around 10 PM, but it seems that the submission page on Shosetsu became very slow.

With our weak internet connection and clunky computer, the page wouldn't load at all...

"Milady Letitia! Is the pot boiling yet?"

"Just a little more. As soon as it's done, I'll move on to arranging the sandwiches."

I turned my head away from the pot and replied to Gilbert.

I made sure to project my voice to be heard over the surrounding noise.

The kitchen before noon was bustling with activity.

The reason was that the construction around the palace was finishing today.

To show appreciation and celebrate with the carpenters, a small banquet was being held.

"The vegetable soup is complete, and..."

I checked the finished dish and quickly moved on to the next one.

It was a whirlwind of activity, but a fulfilling busyness.

Since there weren't enough cooks today, I decided to help out.

It's behavior that would be unthinkable in my homeland, but the palace staff are well aware of my love for cooking and seem to accept it as a hobby.

"Milady Letitia, if you have a moment, could you please check on the outside?"

"Of course. I'll go now."

After finishing arranging the sandwiches, I left the kitchen and headed outside the palace.

Today's completion banquet for the construction is being held outdoors.

Not only because there are many carpenters and the indoor space is too small, but also because...

"...Yeah! I must say, it's a magnificent transformation!"

I glanced around the palace grounds.

What I saw was a dramatic before-and-after transformation.

The quiet palace, which used to be nestled in the forest, has changed dramatically!

In front of the two-story building, there now stands a majestic griffin, its wings spread wide, calling to the sky.

"Kyaah!"

Seeing me, the griffin Fon flapped its wings lightly.

His beautiful fur, gleaming in the sunlight, and his regal posture, like that of a noble horse.

Behind him, a simple hut made of logs, his bed, had been built.

Its simple design blends well with the surroundings, enhancing Fon's presence.

The griffin's guard house, set up next to my palace.

As I walked around to the side, the trees opened up, revealing dogs running around.

"Woof! Woof woof woof!"

The dog run, completed earlier, was already being used by my companion beast, Gulu.

With his large, drooping ears bouncing, he was playing freely with a small dog.

The ground, leveled by the carpenters, was easy to run on, and the grass was neatly planted.

"I should thank I-chan too."

I-chan, the gardener cat, helped level the grass in exchange for food.

Perhaps because the strawberry season had ended and he had excess energy, he offered his assistance.

I-chan, who is obsessed with strawberries, seems to be exploring new culinary horizons, like sandwiches.

Originally, he came to me because he wanted to eat strawberry dishes, so he is very dedicated to culinary exploration.

For I-chan's sake, a path has been laid through the forest to the strawberry field.

The field has been expanded, so if all goes well, next spring we can have an even bigger strawberry festival.

"Milady Letitia!! You're just in time!! It's almost ready!!"

"Thank you!! I'm coming!!"

From the direction of the call, the smell of freshly baked pizza wafted over.

It was the sturdy stone oven in the palace's backyard.

Setting up a stone oven in the garden and enjoying freshly baked pizza is a realization of the slow life I used to dream about in my previous life.

While it might be more efficient to prepare everything in the kitchen, this is a bit of a romantic touch.

I helped build the stone oven with magic, and it turned out to be a bit of a luxury.

"What do you think of the pizza?"

I inhaled the fragrant smell and called out to the chef peering into the stone oven.

"It's a great success!! Thanks to several test runs, it turned out well."

The chef was just taking the pizza out of the stone oven.

I took over from the busy chef, placed the pizza on a nearby table, and started cutting it into bite-sized pieces.

The pizza, bathed in the early summer sun, sparkled.

Thanks to the seasonal tomatoes, the bright red color was dazzling.

The crust was chewy and elastic, in the Neapolitan style.

The cheese, with its golden brown color, and the basil, which stood out against the red tomatoes, were beautifully arranged.

The toppings varied from pizza to pizza, with sliced sausages, chicken, and spicy seasonings being brought out one after another.

I diligently cut the pizza and, along with Lucian, carried it to the banquet table.

"Milady Letitia, can I have a plate? I'll help carry it."

"Thank you. I appreciate your help."

I handed a plate with the pizza to one of the carpenters who offered to help.

During the construction period, I got to know the carpenters quite well.

Thanks to my efforts in serving sandwiches and helping with the construction using magic, I had many opportunities to talk to them.

But today, we part ways.

It's a bit sad, but they have their next jobs to go to.

Today's banquet is to thank them and see them off.

"Without the sight of Milady Letitia's beautiful presence, how will I live from tomorrow?"

Hans, with a theatrical gesture, spoke to me.

He started walking alongside me, but then...

"Oh! Is that Goo-sama? Did Goo-sama come here, attracted by the smell?"

His eyes sparkled at the sight of Goo-sama.

Despite his light flirtatious nature, Hans looks like a pure boy when he's with Goo-sama.

"Gooooo"

With a cry that seemed to say, "Your admiration is nice, but move out of the way," Goo-sama inserted himself between me and Hans.

"What's the matter, Goo-sama? Are you that interested in the pizza?"

I called out to Goo-sama, who was walking right next to me, feeling a bit disappointed.

I had plates of pizza in both hands, so I couldn't pet his fur, even though he was right there.

With delicious pizza in both hands and Goo-sama by my side.

Both the fluffy fur and the cooking are very appealing, but it's a luxurious problem that I can't enjoy both at once.

---

Today, a dramatic reading of this work is available on YouTube.

The voice actors' performances, especially the contrast between Letitia's public persona and the strawberry song, are outstanding!

There's a link to the YouTube video at the bottom of this page, so I hope you enjoy it.