Chapter 83

I'm running now. And at a tremendous speed!

It's because I encountered a strange person. Yes, that strange person.

It happened early in the morning.

Since I woke up early and had nothing to do, I was curious about the field said to be in the castle, so I decided to stop by out of interest. On the way, I met a very beautiful woman. It would be rude to speculate about her age, but I can tell she's not my age. I think she's about the same age as my mother, but she has a strangely youthful beauty. It felt like she had a beautiful presence that came from living as she pleased.

I stared at her for a while. It wasn't exactly that I was entranced. How to put it, this person is a bit strange.

She entered the herb garden, where herbs that Totog might cultivate are lined up, and started sniffing them one by one. She doesn't show any elegant gestures like picking herbs and bringing them to her nose to smell. Instead, she bends down and presses her nose to the herbs to sniff them. It's a kind action for the herbs, but not for herself. Especially not for a woman who looks so well-bred and beautiful.

Unable to hold back, I spoke up.

"Excuse me, what are you doing?"

"Huh? What do you mean... I'm smelling the herbs?"

She said it as if I was the strange one. In other words, in her mind, sniffing herbs is normal, and I'm the one who's strange for questioning it.

"Is that so? Why are you sniffing them in such a position? It doesn't seem like something a lady should do."

"After doing it for so long, I can do this much. You can't yet."

Is it a matter of level? Do you lack the experience as a noble?

"I didn't know that."

"Isn't it? This is a secret, okay?"

This wonderful secret shouldn't be spread. I have no intention of spreading it. Even if I did, it wouldn't become popular.

"Do you like herbs? I know a little about them too."

"Oh, I don't particularly like herbs. Rather, this field feels like an enemy's territory."

I have no idea what she's talking about!

"Then what are you doing?"

"I'm smelling the herbs."

The conversation isn't progressing!

"…If this field is an enemy's territory, are you maybe doing some reconnaissance? Comparing them to your own herbs?"

"Hehe, you figured it out without getting flustered. But you're only half right."

She was aware that she was making me flustered... How about that? It's my fault for getting involved with this elegant strange person.

"The herbs here are growing really well. I could ask the person who's growing them honestly, but it would be frustrating, wouldn't it? That's why I came early in the morning to uncover their secrets. By the way, what I'm growing isn't herbs. It's something more delicious."

"Ah, so you're growing vegetables. So you're Tsukimi-san??"

Finally, she turned to face me.

When I looked at her face directly, I saw a resemblance. Not just a resemblance, but almost the same. It felt like she would look like this if she aged naturally.

"Eliza's mother...?"

"Yes, that's right. And you must be Kururi-kun, right?"

"You know me?"

"Of course. Half of the letters I get from my daughter are about you."

"R-really...?"

It's a difficult piece of information to react to. It's a bit embarrassing. ...Really, really embarrassing. Kyah.

"Do you take good care of Eliza?"

"Take good care... We're not in that kind of relationship. Friends? Yes, we're very good friends! Yes!!"

"Friends... I see..."

Don't narrow the distance and look at me with those narrowed eyes! And don't get so close! I feel like you can see right through me! I can't stop sweating. Hey, you're too close!! Too close, too close, too close!

"I'll stop teasing you for now."

"Hehe, thank you..."

She was aware that she was teasing me. Why am I thanking her?

This person is a real troublemaker! She really has a lot of experience being strange.

"Kururi-kun, are you free now? Can you help me?"

"Sure. I was just going to see Tsukimi-san's field, but it's not a big deal."

My ear was pulled. Ouch, you can't say cheeky things to her.

"You know a lot about herbs, right? Then help me find the secret."

"I'm not that good at identifying them by smell alone..."

"Just do it!"

We bent down and sniffed around the ground. The secret to the herbs growing so well? There's no way I could figure it out. I could only smell the earth and the pungent scent of the herbs.

"Did you figure it out?"

"No, it's too ambitious. Let's just ask them honestly. If you don't want to, I can ask for you."

"No way! This is a battle. Who would ask an enemy general about the strength of their troops!?"

What's with that analogy... Do you have a competitive spirit?

Is it because the sun hits the herbs just right?

"Ah! Tsukimi-san, the one you're smelling now is edible."

"Hmm...?"

"That's something my herb-savvy friend often nibbles on when they're hungry. It's crunchy and delicious, apparently."

I often see Totog munching on it in the greenhouse. When I asked if it was delicious, he said, "Well, it's just okay." But let's say it's delicious.

"Oh, that's good to know."

Tsukimi-san snapped off a stem. Then another. She held the herbs in her hand and turned to me with a sly smile.

"I'm going to eat it. Maybe the secret will be revealed."

"You already looked like a thief, but now you're a real one."

"It's fine, it's fine. I shared some carrots with you last time, so this makes us even."

I don't know if it's even, but I feel guilty.

"If it's edible, why is it called a herb?"

"Apparently, special processing is needed to use it as a herb."

"Hmm..."

Tsukimi-san looked at me as if to say, "You're more useful than I thought." It's just my impression, and I don't know if it's true, but it probably is.

"Let's head to the kitchen."

Her subsequent actions were incredibly agile. She didn't seem like a noble lady at all. She didn't seem like someone her age at all.

Her terrifying speed as she started running.

"Hey, wait! You're so fast!!"

The distance between us quickly widened. I had to run with all my might to keep up. I don't know the kitchen, so I'd be in trouble if I got left behind! ...Would I be in trouble?

I'll think about it later. Right now, I have to catch up.

She's incredibly fast. Why is she running?

I think I understand why Tsukimi-san is said to be unpredictable. I ran. I ran desperately. At a tremendous speed.

"Ha ha ha, why are you running!"

"Ha, I want to eat it quickly!"

We finally reached the kitchen. I was so exhausted I had no appetite.

"You can eat it raw, you know."

"Yes, I plan to eat one raw. I'm going to fry the other one."

...So that's why she picked two. I thought she picked an extra one for me. Hehe... hehe.

"I'll wash it with water and cut it into bite-sized pieces with a knife."

She talked to herself as she skillfully arranged the herbs on a plate.

She munched on them. Her chewing mouth was cute. Maybe that's a bit rude to say.

"Hey, you're not eating?"

What! Do I have a portion too!?

I don't really want to eat it, but I was really happy.

I munched on it too.

...Yeah, it's just okay.

"Just okay."

Of course. I shouldn't have said it was delicious.

"Should we try the fried version too?"

Tsukimi-san continued to cook skillfully. She seemed very good at cooking.

"Is Eliza good at cooking too?"

"...Why don't you just ask her? You'll find out."

"...Right."

I'll ask for some nikujaga!!

The fried version was also ready, and I had a portion too. Sprinkled with salt, I took a bite. The crunchiness was gone, and it had a fluffy texture. Still...

"Just okay."

"Just okay."

"Did you figure out the secret to the herbs growing so well?"

"Not at all."

Of course not. If you could figure it out just by eating, that would be an amazing talent.

"Fine, I'll just ask directly."

"Are you going to ask the enemy general about the strength of their troops!?"

"Don't say cheeky things!"

You said it first!

"Kururi-kun, are you free after this?"

"Yes, I only have the task of seeing Tsukimi-san's field."

Ouch, my ear was pulled again.

"Then come to my house. Eliza will be there too."

Is it okay!? But I'm nervous. Is it okay!? Really.

"You get along well with Prince Lassar, right? Come with him."

"Sure, I'll come... "

"Yes, see you