Chapter 89

This time, the comic adaptation of this work has begun.

It will be published on the website "Gaugau Monster" by Futabasha, starting from the 6th, with the first chapter.

Once it's published, I plan to post a link, so I would be happy if you could read the comic adaptation as well.

After giving Ichiban the strawberry cookies, I returned to the kitchen.

This time, I was preparing large chicken thighs.

I sprinkled salt on the thighs, which had a thin layer of pink fat.

After confirming that the salt was evenly distributed, all that was left was to cook them.

"Last time, I cooked them well-done all the way through... today, I'll make them rare."

While heating the frying pan, I decided on the cooking level.

The meat I was about to cook was for the griffin, Fon.

Griffins like Fon, who have chosen humans as their masters, are said to be very happy when given meat by their masters.

I intend to strengthen our bond by giving him meat directly on a regular basis.

If I did it every day, it might make Fon feel pressured, so I do it about once every ten days.

And when I do, I cook the meat.

Usually, Fon eats raw meat, but cooked meat is also acceptable.

When I give it to him, I add a little seasoning, change the cooking level, and try to find a taste he likes.

The meat to be cooked is about 5 kg.

It's a bit of work, but I cook it in the frying pan one piece at a time.

I wanted Fon to taste what I cooked.

I felt like a zookeeper from a documentary I watched in my previous life.

"Every time I see it, it's impressive."

"It's enough for dozens of people if they were human."

While Lucian spoke, he efficiently placed the cooked meat into a bucket.

I also put several types of herbs into another bucket and headed to Fon's location.

While the ecology of wild griffins is largely a mystery, they are known to eat herbs along with their meat, so I was using the herbs as a substitute.

"Kyu!"

Click, click.

When Fon saw Lucian and me, he clacked his beak.

It's a habit he has when he wants meat. His beak is large enough to hold my head, so it makes a pretty loud sound.

At first, it surprised me, but it's a cute gesture, like a chick begging for food from its parent.

"Good, good, they're rare today. Enjoy~"

I inserted the meat and herbs into his wide-open beak.

Chomp.

The meat was swallowed in an instant.

Fon eats in one big bite.

It seems he liked the rare meat; today, he's eating faster.

After finishing a bucket full of meat, Fon came up to me, rubbing his head against me.

The fluffy white feathers tickled my cheeks.

"Mofu... paradise... but... overwhelming... smell of meat..."

"Kua?"

Fon is cute, but he smells very meaty after eating.

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After petting Fon for a while, it was time for training.

...Although, the one doing the training was Lucian, not me.

Fon already follows my instructions well.

However, I can't always be around, so we are training him to follow other people to some extent.

"Stop there, please."

"Kya!"

When Lucian called out, Fon stopped and made a chirping sound.

His front paws were neatly placed together.

Fon, who followed the instruction, was looking at Lucian intently.

"Yes, well done. Lucian, try petting him?"

"Yes. Well done, you're very smart."

"Kyi!"

Fon accepted Lucian's petting with a chirp.

Lucian, as a capable servant, is making the most progress among the few palace servants I've had practice giving instructions to Fon.

"Lucian, you're amazing."

"I can't compare to you, my lady."

"I've been recognized as Fon's master. No one else makes Fon follow instructions as well as you. Do you have any tips?"

"Tips, you say..."

Lucian's black hair swayed, casting a shadow over his narrow, blue eyes.

Standing next to Fon with his folded wings, they made a beautiful picture.

...I'll ignore the faint smell of meat.

I'm starting to feel a bit hungry.

"It might be a bit different, but... a sense of camaraderie?"

"With Fon?"

"Fon is a discerning griffin who has chosen you as his master. As someone who also recognizes you as a master, I think we can get along well with Fon."

"Kya!!"

Fon nodded in agreement with Lucian, and his two decorative feathers swayed with his movements.

"...Thank you. I'm counting on you."

I smiled at the well-coordinated pair.

Both Lucian and Fon are serious and principled.

Despite the difference in species, they might just get along well.

...Yeah, compatibility really does exist.

While Lucian generously praised Fon, he was a bit stricter with Ichiban.

He would comment on Ichiban's carefree actions, but still, in the end, he would do what Ichiban asked.

Ichiban, for his part, accepted Lucian's care without complaint.

That's the relationship between Ichiban and Lucian.

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After finishing the training with Fon and Lucian, when we returned to the palace, Rerena was waiting.

Her mouth was tightly closed, her fists clenched, and her tension was palpable.

"Rerena, what's wrong?"

"I have a request for Lady Letitia."

"Is there something you don't like about the food or clothes I prepared?"

I had tried to prepare everything to make Rerena's transition to this new environment as smooth as possible.

Perhaps there was something that bothered her, like the tomato-cooked white fish from yesterday.

"No, nothing like that!! The futon is fluffy, and the food is delicious... it's more than I deserve."

Despite her words of gratitude, Rerena's expression remained troubled.

...I have a feeling I know what Rerena wants to say.

"Lady Letitia is very kind to me. That's very, very much appreciated... but because of that, I don't want to just be pampered."

Rerena looked up and met my eyes.

"I have a request. While I'm here in the palace, can you let me work as a maid apprentice?"

Thank you for reading.

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I'll do my best to update to meet your expectations!