Chapter 11

Today, I'm having lunch with Cerea at the table in the garden, as part of her princess education.

We're both so busy that we don't get much time together, just tea time and dance lessons, so we made an effort to have lunch together.

"Delicious!"

We both enjoy the new dish the chef prepared, which is fried chicken.

"This is such a luxurious dish... Cooking it whole in oil..."

When I say that, a maid informs us.

"It's called fried chicken. It's quite popular in the town right now."

"In the town?"

"Yes."

"..."

Cerea ponders.

Hmm? Is something wrong?

"I'll go get the pot."

The maid leaves to fetch the hot water for tea, leaving us alone.

"Something's off."

"What's wrong?"

"The potato chips before, and this... It's exactly the same as what I ate in my previous world."

"Really?"

"It's too much of a coincidence. There might be a heroine in this world who has memories of her past life and is spreading this knowledge."

"...Maybe."

In our country, there are no dishes that involve frying meat or vegetables in oil because the oil, which is extracted from grains, is very precious. It's not something that can be easily prepared at home.

"Could the heroine have been reborn as a restaurant owner's daughter?"

"Or maybe a merchant who deals with oil."

We might need to investigate this.

"Next time we go on a date outside the castle, let's try to find out more."

"It might be better not to get involved. If we run into the heroine, who knows what might happen..."

"We could go and observe without being seen."

"Shin-sama, you're quite curious, aren't you?"

"More information is always better, and it helps with planning."

"I'm a bit scared, though."

"Don't worry, I'll be with you."

In the afternoon, we have dance practice!

"Two by two, two by six! Two by eight!"

"Two by two, two by six! Two by eight!"

"Wait, what's with that chant!?"

The teacher, surprised, stops clapping her hands.

"It's the multiplication table."

"Multiplication table?"

When we were checking our progress in studies, I was amazed at how quickly Cerea could do calculations, even without writing them down. When I asked her how she did it, she explained that she had memorized the multiplication table from one to nine!

No wonder she's so fast! We usually use an abacus!

So, I decided to learn it too.

"Well, it's math practice. I'd prefer you to focus on dancing, but if this helps you enjoy it, then it's fine. Let's continue."

Quick, quick, spin, spin!

"Two by seven is fourteen! Two by eight is sixteen, two by nine is eighteen!"

"Ugh, I've memorized it too. What if I get called a calculating man?"

The teacher is always so entertaining. Haha!

"The fried chicken was delicious. I heard it's popular in the town?"

When I go to the kitchen and talk to the chef, he looks pleased.

"Thank you, Your Highness. While it might not be suitable for the palace, it is indeed delicious, and I couldn't help but try to replicate it."

"The potato chips too. Cerea really enjoyed them."

"It's an honor to hear that the young lady enjoyed them. It's just a bit of fun, really."

The well-built chef smiles.

"Since it uses a lot of oil, it can't be served every day."

"I understand. Is it being served in restaurants in the town?"

"Yes, that's right. As a chef, I can't afford to slack on taste. I always try to find new things. Recently, a new restaurant has been making a name for itself with its innovative dishes, so I went to try it out. I was quite impressed."

"What's the name of the restaurant?"

"Hans' Restaurant. It's on Platanus Street, Third Avenue."

"Thanks!"

This is suspicious.

To keep coming up with dishes that Cerea knows from her previous world... We need to investigate this.

On the weekend, we go on a date in the town again.

Of course, Shurigan and Bel are with us.

"I'm sorry to trouble you on your day off, Bel."

I bow to Cerea's maid, Bel.

"Don't be silly. Please raise your head. I was looking forward to going out with Shin-chan."

"Brother, what about me?"

What are you talking about, Shurigan? You were the most excited.

If Bel is coming, you're happy, right, Shurigan...

"Hey, I've been meaning to ask, Shurigan, why were you chosen as my bodyguard?"

"Well, I'm cheap, you know!"

What kind of reason is that? Did you really become my personal bodyguard for that reason? I wanted to complain to the personnel department.

"Imagine if thirty bandits appeared. Even the royal guard would need more than ten people to handle it. But with me, one is enough, so the pay is cheaper."

Shurigan is that strong! I thought he was just scary-looking!

Shurigan gives me a look like, "What kind of obvious question is that?"

Even the usually expressionless Bel is surprised.

"I thought having just one bodyguard for a prince was a bit negligent..."

"Having ten knights following you around wouldn't be a secret mission. It can't be helped."

You're amazing. What's with that confidence?

"Let's go, brother!"

You really love that setting, don't you? Whatever!

As usual, we go to the church for worship.

Since Cerea wanted to see the church in detail, we took more time today. After the service, we toured the church with the priest.

"Are weddings also held here?"

Cerea asks with sparkling eyes.

"Yes, we welcome everyone. This is a church for the people, with no class distinctions."

"Even homeless people?"

"We welcome them, Shin-sama. It's the church's duty to help the weak. We also provide regular meals."

"Charity... Should we do more?"

"That alone is not enough. We must provide jobs and help people become self-sufficient. People do not live by bread alone. The joy of work and the satisfaction of completing a task are also important. Just offering a hand is not enough; they must have the strength to stand on their own."

It's a complex issue. The orphanage my sister established has significantly reduced the number of homeless children in the city. Next, we need to address the homeless adults.

"I think we need to improve the schools."

Cerea says.

"Being able to read and write opens up many job opportunities. If all the children can attend school and learn to read, write, and do math, it will be beneficial for any career they choose."

...I remember that Cerea was hospitalized for a long time and couldn't attend school much.

"Compulsory education. Everyone goes to school and studies, as required by law. It's free, with no tuition."

Walking through the city, we see many children working.

Some are selling things, cleaning, or delivering items.

Children around our age are running around the city, working.

"To achieve this, we need the people's consent to use taxes for education, and it would be a major undertaking..."

"I never liked studying as a kid."

Why did you even join the knight's order, Shurigan...

"Over here, over here!"

We walk through the city, following the map I have.

"There's a popular restaurant nearby."

"Is it Hans' Restaurant?"

"Yep."

"I've been there many times. It's really good!"

"They say the fried chicken is delicious."

"Let's go, let's go."

Cerea looks a bit nervous, but we're just going to check it out.

It's bustling. There's a line in front of the restaurant.

"Wow, it might be a bit difficult today."

"...They also do takeout. I'll go buy some."

Bel offers to help.

"Sure, thanks. We'll wait outside."

I'd like to make Shurigan wait in line, but he's my bodyguard, so he won't leave my side.

Cerea, Shurigan, and I sit on a bench on the street and wait for Bel to return.

The chicken is freshly fried and looks delicious.

Cerea takes a bag, takes a small bite, and then passes it to me. She's checking for poison. How cute and thoughtful.

"Thank you."

It's crispy and juicy, with a soft texture!

"Delicious!"

We all eat it.

"It's in pieces with bones."

At the castle, the chef carefully removes the bones.

"This one, you can eat the small bones too. Try it."

As Shurigan says, the small bones are crunchy and edible.

This is amazing!

"..."

Cerea is also surprised.

"It's just like KFC."

"KFC? The one you mentioned before?"

"Yes, the small bones are edible because they're cooked in a pressure fryer."

"Ah, a pressure fryer?"

"Captain Sanders came up with it."

"Wow."

"He always wore white and stood in front of the store with fried chicken."

"...Does the store manager really have nothing better to do than to stand there and call out to customers? There must be other things to do."

Cerea giggles. Did I say something strange?

Cerea picks up a potato, takes a small bite, and offers it to me. Since both her hands are full of fried chicken and sticky, I open my mouth and eat it directly from her hand.

"Explode, you!"

What's with you, Shurigan?

"Bel, me too."

"Eat it yourself."

"Take a bite!"

"You don't need a poison taster."

I think you should just die, Shurigan.

The potatoes are thickly fried, different from potato chips. The crispy outside and chewy inside make for an interesting texture. It's great that everything can be eaten by hand.

We finish it all in no time.

The person who came up with this is no ordinary person.

"It's a luxurious dish, using so much valuable oil..."

"It's profitable because it's mass-produced and sold. The cost is covered."

That's a calm analysis, Bel.

Especially the idea of taking it out of the store and eating it on the go is brilliant. This increases the turnover of the product and generates more profit than the seats inside. It's a new idea in our country.

"Let's take a look inside."

Cerea tries to stop me by pulling my sleeve.

"Just a look. We're just hungry kids, so no one will think anything of it. Cerea, come with me. You two wait here."

"Brother, look both ways!"

Okay, okay, you're so noisy.

We cross the street and go to the front of the store, peering through the window.

The place is full of customers.

The staff are busy serving them. There are no waitresses; customers pay at the counter, take their food, and find a seat. It's a self-service system, which is unusual.

A girl is serving customers at the counter...

"That's her!"

I can't help but say it out loud.

That girl!

That girl!

The girl who saved me when I was being bullied with a cat when I was seven!

Her translucent pink hair! Her sparkling blue eyes! Her fair skin, her plump, beautiful pink lips. Her dazzling, wonderful smile!

It's definitely her! The girl I met when I was seven!

Next: "12. Coercive Power"