Chapter 9

"Improvement Required"

In the early morning, the usually quiet library. Just as the self-study session in the familiar study space was about to begin, Prince Adelbard's cool voice suddenly echoed.

Shiraya and I exchanged glances and then turned to face Prince Adelbard.

"Improvement... in the content of the study session?"

When Shiraya asked, Prince Adelbard shook his head and continued.

"It's about our relationship. We are supposed to be friends, but all we do when we meet is study. Objectively, we don't look like good friends. Therefore, many people think there's room for others to come between us. There are more people I have to fend off than before, and it's becoming troublesome."

In other words, our role as friends is insufficient. Indeed, we might only seem to be studying together. Or rather, that might be the reality.

Shiraya, with a face like he was solving a difficult problem, continued.

"Are you saying we need to show that we are good friends?"

"Yes."

"…What exactly does it mean to be good friends? I used to be friends with Cynthia, but we met in secret behind the school, so it might not be a good reference."

"Hmm… Then, what do you think, Miss Cynthia? You must have some good friendships to refer to."

"No, I also missed opportunities to make friends due to certain circumstances, so I don't have any useful examples."

After all, I was hated as a villain. I didn't have anyone I could call a friend, and I've come this far. I have good relationships with relatives, commoners, and merchants, but I'm not sure if they can be considered friends.

"Prince Adelbard, aren't you skilled at building relationships? If you could guide us on what we should do as friends, we would do our best."

Prince Adelbard, who had been looking at Shiraya and me, crossed his arms and replied briefly, "I don't know."

"Didn't you entertain a noble guest from a neighboring country last month as a friend?"

"Only if you consider the cautious reading of hidden intentions behind smiles and words as a friendship."

"…I see. So, we are a group of beginners when it comes to friendship."

An awkward silence enveloped us.

The reason others think there's room to come between us is probably because of this kind of atmosphere. But how to resolve it is difficult for us beginners. How did I handle it in my previous life? It's a bit hazy, but… I remember.

"Having sweets together… or something like that."

"Sweets? I understand that eating can deepen friendships, but are you limiting it to sweet things? Well, fine. Let's practice at the school cafeteria for lunch today. Don't be late."

It wasn't exactly the way to invite a friend, but the plan for today's lunch was set.

I was planning to have a cozy lunch with Shiraya in the courtyard, but it's hard to say that. There's no choice. I'll have to make up for it tomorrow.

◇◇◇

When lunchtime came, Shiraya and I headed to the cafeteria, but there was already a crowd in the hallway. However, as we approached, the crowd parted to make a path for us.

"Here come the friends. Sit here."

As expected, Prince Adelbard was sitting at a table in the center of the crowd. The two middle-aged men standing behind him were concerning, but we followed his suggestion and sat down with Shiraya.

"It's become quite a big deal. I knew it would be a bit chaotic for Prince Adelbard to come to the cafeteria, but…"

"Not just a bit. This is the first time. I usually eat in a special room. So, I'm grateful to my friends for giving me this opportunity today."

Prince Adelbard said with a dazzling smile. The commoners, who rarely interact with the prince, let out small gasps of admiration at his perfect smile.

"Let's have some sweets right away. I've heard the dessert menu is extensive, and I'm looking forward to it. What's the most popular dessert?"

Skipping the main course and going straight for the sweets, but with all the attention, it's hard to enjoy a long meal. I want to finish the sweets quickly and leave.

"The most popular in the cafeteria is probably the ice cream shaped like animals."

"Then, let's have that…"

The moment Prince Adelbard said that, the middle-aged men behind him suddenly started shouting.

"The prince is eating ice cream! Raise the room temperature quickly!"

"Activate all the fireplaces! Is there a fire pit!?"

We and the other students were stunned as all the heating devices in the cafeteria, which wasn't even cold, were lit, and the room temperature rapidly rose.

It's hot… Shiraya quietly took off her jacket.

"If I were to fall ill, everything that could be a cause would be thoroughly investigated, and in the worst case, the school's chefs would be held responsible. For both our sakes, understand that this is a necessary precaution."

"Yes… Yes."

That makes sense. Since he usually eats in a special room, it shows how important Prince Adelbard's health is. After all, he is the future king.

Whispers from the surrounding students could be heard: "Even eating is a big deal…", "Interacting with the royal family comes with responsibility…".

"…I'll go order."

Shiraya stood up. Even as a student duke, he follows the cafeteria rules and waits in line to order. There's almost no line today, though…

"No, they will order. My meals are always served under strict security."

One of the middle-aged men bowed slightly and headed to the counter to order. Shiraya quietly sat back down.

"Normally, at least five people are assigned to transport the food. But for a meal with friends, that would be too much. Thanks to this, I feel lighter today."

This is considered light…? I tried to hide my feeling of heaviness and returned a smile.

The ice cream was soon brought to our table. Three cute ice creams shaped like cats, dogs, and birds. The room was hot, making them look even more delicious.

I want to try it right away, but Prince Adelbard doesn't seem ready to eat. I took a spoon, but as the lowest-ranking viscountess among the three, I can't eat first. Just as I was frozen, one of the middle-aged men who didn't go to order took a spoon and ate a bite of Prince Adelbard's cat ice cream.

"Poison testing…?"

When Shiraya asked, Prince Adelbard nodded and continued.

"There are also slow-acting poisons, so we will wait. You two can eat first. This isn't a formal dinner, so don't worry about me and enjoy your meal."

Even if he says not to worry… As a noble, I can't treat Prince Adelbard rudely. In the end, Shiraya and I just stared at the ice cream in silence.

Tragically, the ice cream started melting due to the heat. The students watching us started whispering again.

"Is it always like this when dining with the prince?"

"Still…! Oh, the prince's cat ice cream is melting…"

"If we have to wait this long, even hot dishes will be ruined…"

"Interacting with the royal family is… difficult."

The cat ice cream was melting, and so were Shiraya's dog ice cream and my chick ice cream. The cute ice creams were turning into scary monsters.

Finally, a new spoon was placed in front of Prince Adelbard.

"Please enjoy."

At last, the melted cat ice cream was brought to Prince Adelbard's mouth.

"The right amount of sweetness and coldness is delicious."

It might be just for show, but after Prince Adelbard smiled and seemed satisfied, we finally started eating our ice creams. The taste was good, but what to do with the melted parts at the bottom? I almost wanted to drink it from the plate, but that would be impolite.

Reluctantly, I used the small ice cream spoon to slowly finish it, bite by bite. Eating just one ice cream felt like a huge drain on my energy.

"It was a satisfying taste."

With Prince Adelbard's closing words, not only we but also the gathered students let out a sigh of relief. Everyone must have thought the heavy meal was finally over.

"Thank you… Then, this is…"

"Let's try other sweets. Bring all the dessert menu items."

"Huh!?"

I let out a lady-unlike exclamation, but Prince Adelbard didn't seem to care, and the other students probably didn't have the time to notice either, with all the desserts being brought to the table one after another.

"Wait, can we really eat all this amount with three people?"

"If it's not enough, we can order more."

"Not enough…?!"

My lady facade was completely stripped away, but I'm sure the others, except for Prince Adelbard, had the same reaction in their minds.

We took ample time for poison testing again and started eating the desserts that were declared safe. However, as expected, after eating about three cakes, we couldn't reach for the next dish.

What's the point of ordering so much? The desserts, after being tasted for poison, would be eaten by Prince Adelbard, and the gathered students might help eat them without showing disgust.

I looked at Prince Adelbard to suggest this, but he was calmly eating one dessert after another, adding to the pile of empty plates.

What is this person?

"You are extremely fond of sweets, aren't you?"

Without thinking, I said that, and Prince Adelbard replied with a curious look.

"Is that so?"

"Sweets are just right for overcoming fatigue. To give my brain nutrients, I consciously eat a lot."

No, that's too much! I couldn't say it, so I just gave a dry laugh.

"Any more…"

Shiraya's small voice reached me, and I remembered. After eating with Shiraya multiple times, I learned that he's not very good with sweets. One or two desserts might be fine, but consuming this much is too much.

"Shiraya, you don't need to force yourself. Your health is more important. If there's any left, we can discuss taking it back to the house…"

"Without this, it's not good."

"…This?"

Shiraya stood up and went to the counter, took a seasoning, and returned to the table.

"Shiraya, what is that?"

"I often use it on other things, but I like this."

A familiar seasoning container from the cafeteria. It's definitely this, but it can't be. Putting it on sweets…

Shiraya's cute cake was covered with a pile of red powder. Crushed red pepper.

Leaving me stunned, Shiraya put the red cake in his mouth.

"Delicious. I could eat this all day."

Shiraya is extremely fond of spicy things. In the game, these two are opposites, and it seems their taste preferences are also opposite.

"What are you doing? Putting red pepper on a cake…?"

A more shocked voice came from Prince Adelbard.

"Blasphemy against sweetness. This cake is perfectly sweet as it is. Are you going to ruin it?"

"But, sir, the best way to respect ingredients is to eat them in the way you find most delicious. If sweetness numbs your tongue, that's a blasphemy against the ingredients."

"Tongues don't numb. This sweetness heals my tired body and even sharpens my mind."

"Spiciness is more effective. Especially the red color and stimulating taste of this red pepper are like Cynthia, making the world shine as soon as it enters the mouth."

I don't understand what Shiraya is