Chapter 88

As promised, I made pancakes for Album.

"Wow~!"

"Don't get too close to the fire. You'll end up being roasted."

"Ha~i"

I whipped up the meringue to make the fluffy batter. At the same time, I had the cook of the marquis's household make a sugar simmered dish with golden forest apples.

"Wow~, it smells so good~!"

"Hey, Album, you're in the way."

Album, who was peering into the pan where the pancakes were being cooked, was not supposed to get on the counter.

"Amelia, I'm sorry, but could you move Album back?"

"Qu~"

Amelia picked up Album with her beak and moved back.

"Kyaa~, Album-chan, don't eat it! It's not delicious at all~!"

Album's voice faded away. Amelia did a good job. With the troublemaker gone, I resumed making the pancakes. I flipped them to prevent burning, and cooked both sides until they were golden brown. Once the heat was through, I served them on a plate. I stacked three freshly cooked, warm pancakes and poured the freshly made forest apple sugar simmered dish on top—completed! I thought it looked delicious.

"Albu~m! The pancakes are ready~!"

"Yay!"

I shouted down the hallway, and he came immediately. I placed them on the table that the maid had brought and offered them to him.

"Is this all for Album-chan?"

"Yes, it is."

"Thank you~"

He said thanks and started eating. He cut it into bite-sized pieces and ate it with the forest apple sugar simmered dish.

"Wow~, so delicious!!"

He pressed his cheeks and wagged his tail. It seemed he was very satisfied. He finished eating in no time.

"Do you want more?"

"Already full."

"I see."

There was some sugar simmered dish on the corner of his mouth, so I wiped it off for him.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

At first, I thought Album, the fairy, was just a nuisance, but recently, I couldn't help but find him a bit cute. He even helped me look for snowdrops. I felt grateful for that.

"Um, pancake girl?"

"What is it?"

Album, fidgeting, spoke to me.

"If it's okay, would you make a contract with Album-chan?"

"Huh, isn't that impossible?"

After all, Album had a contract with the marquis. I had never heard of such a transfer.

"The marquis is scary, so no way! Pancake girl is better."

I also refused to be adopted by the marquis because I found him scary, so I understood how he felt. But, what could I do?

"Please, pancake girl, I'm begging you!"

"No, I don't want to. I'm also scared of the marquis."

"Please, somehow!"

Album muttered something, and a magic circle appeared. Floating from the center was—

"Ah, the snowdrop fruit!"

"I'll give it to you!!"

"..."

My heart wavered. In fact, I wanted the snowdrop fruit.

But, what was that magic just now?

"It's just a storage technique?"

"What is that convenient magic!"

As I was about to ask for more details, a voice came from behind.

"Mel, don't be fooled."

Lieselotte had entered the kitchen.

"This child is the bad fairy who suspended you in mid-air."

"That's true, Album-chan is also reflecting on it."

Album apologized with teary eyes.

"If you want the snowdrop fruit, let's go find it together."

"Unfortunately, Lise, the snowdrop fruit can't be found without Album's help."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

Lieselotte said that if you wanted delicious fruit, you could ask a merchant to bring it.

"Well, there might not be anything better than the snowdrop fruit."

"No, I want the snowdrop fruit."

"It was that delicious?"

It was delicious. So sweet, it made me feel so happy. But, I wasn't going to eat it.

"I want to take it to Zara."

"Oh, I see."

It had a fatigue recovery effect, so it would surely make her feel better. I really wanted to get it. I made a proposal.

"Album, is it okay if I just talk to the marquis about the contract?"

Album, who had been lying down, suddenly sat up.

"Sure, it's fine!"

"If so, let's go ask the marquis right now."

Earlier, the servants had come to make the marquis's tea. He had just returned from work.

"Mel, are you serious?"

"Yes."

Lieselotte gave Album a stern look. She was always strict with fairies.

"Then, I'll go ask quickly!"

"Yay~!"

Despite the piercing look from Lise, I picked up Album and marched down the hallway. I caught the butler and asked if it was okay to go to the marquis's room.

"It's fine."

"Thank you!"

I knocked on the marquis's room door.

"Please!"

I shouted, but a low voice from inside said, "Come in," and sweat popped out on my forehead.

"Sh, shall we go in?"

"Y, yes."

The heavy door creaked open, and I entered. I immediately met the marquis's eyes, who had his arms crossed. I froze like a stone. Album, who I was holding, patted my hand, urging me to speak.

"Sit down."

"A, yes."

Like a dog commanded to sit, I sat on the sofa. The room was deathly silent. I averted my eyes from the marquis and spoke.

"Excuse me, I have a small request."

"What is it?"

"W, well, it's about Album..."

Album, who was in my arms, let out a "Kyaa!" The marquis's sharp gaze was piercing Album.

"Um, Album wants to... make a contract with me."

"A contract cannot be broken unless I die."

"O, oh..."

A shocking fact was revealed.

"Why do you want to break the contract?"

"..."

"..."

I couldn't say it. Because the marquis's face was scary, I wanted to break the contract. Album covered his face with his hands.

"You were probably bribed with food."

As expected of the marquis. He knew Album well.

"You just laze around in the house, eat three meals a day, and are completely useless."

"Y, yes..."

Even though Album was being scolded, I felt down too. We were both food lovers.

The marquis snorted. Album and I were trembling in fear. But, he made an unexpected decision.

"If you want to go somewhere, do as you please. However, if you cause trouble, expect my iron fist."

"!"

"!"

What! The marquis gave Album permission to go out.

"Can, can I go with the pancake girl?"

"Do as you please."

"Thank you~"

However, with the condition that I would supervise him.

"If you cause any trouble, don't hesitate to pour holy water on him."

"No, I'll die! Album-chan will die if you pour holy water on him!"

Album was happy, saying, "Yay, I can leave this place!" Apparently, due to the marquis's magic, he couldn't leave on his own. When we needed to find the snowdrops, Lise had asked to have the magic removed. He seemed very happy and went to report to Amelia before leaving the room.

"He probably won't cause trouble, but keep a close eye on him."

"Yes, thank you."

I bowed deeply to show my gratitude.

"Ah, and, um, please, I would also like to ask for your help with magic lessons."

I mustered my courage and said it. I was worried that the marquis might have forgotten about the magic lessons, but he nodded firmly when he saw my face. I was relieved.

"Be careful and watch him closely."

"Yes, thank you."