Chapter 64

Today is our first day off since we started working part-time together.

Where are we going? It’s already decided.

Today is the day of the lord’s wedding.

Actually, this place, Merpearl, is the territory where the former student council president, Eleana Stradis, is getting married into the Bistrius family! The wedding of Eleana, a graduate of our school, and the eldest son of the lord, Duke’s son Larode, is scheduled to take place grandly at a church in the city. Many citizens will gather to catch a glimpse of the lord’s heir.

The town is in a festive mood. There are many stalls, and music bands and street performers are competing for attention. We enjoyed walking around and watching everything together.

Noble carriages line up in front of the church, and the ladies in dresses and gentlemen in tuxedos enter the church.

We, the citizens, watch them with a sigh.

If we were to be honest, we could have attended as friends and schoolmates, but it seems that the duke’s family did not send out invitations to the royal family, so we didn’t receive any.

If that’s the case, let’s crash the party and celebrate for them. As ordinary citizens, in a modest way.

The wedding seems to have ended successfully, and the church bells ring.

The two of them come out onto the church terrace and wave to the citizens surrounding the church. Eleana looks stunning in her white wedding dress.

If we don’t stand out, they won’t notice us.

Serea unfolds the cloth she was holding. I tie it to the handle of the deck brush I was holding and raise it up. I wave it from side to side—it’s a flag with the royal family’s emblem!

The two of them are shocked to see us. Their mouths are wide open!!

Not many citizens in this town would recognize the royal family’s emblem, but when they realize it’s us waving the flag, they are utterly surprised.

We came all the way to this town, blended in with the citizens, and made a statement as the royal family, celebrating their wedding.

When they notice us, we lower the pole, fold the flag, and clap with everyone else.

Before they go back inside, they bow deeply to us.

Did they receive our congratulations?

Before the newlyweds leave, Serea and I put a finger to our lips.

We’re here. We’re in town, but it’s a secret.

They smile wryly, wave, and disappear into the back of the terrace.

The cheers of the citizens celebrating the lord’s son’s wedding continue for a long time...

During our school days, we repeatedly offended the student council president, Eleana.

Will she forgive us?

I’m sorry for everything. Please be happy...

“Shin, I’m sorry, Serea, for that wedding we had when we were ten...”

“It’s not like that at all. I was very happy. I was probably happier than at any other wedding... I was the happiest ten-year-old in the world...”

Serea gives me a goodnight kiss.

Our part-time job is nearing its final day.

Today, on the weekend, we’re making the restaurant’s signature dish, cream pie!

We start the oven early in the morning, burn the wood, and reduce it to embers.

“Wait a bit longer. It’s not ready until the smoke stops!”

The heat control is crucial. We have to be careful, very careful.

“Alright, let’s put them in!”

We put the pie dishes in one after another, timed to coincide with the evening rush of customers!

The restaurant is almost full for the weekly cream pie night!

Serea takes orders and serves the customers.

The customers are varied.

Young couples finishing their dates, elderly couples, families with children, a grumpy old man for some reason, and tired civil servants. They are all people who look forward to the restaurant’s food.

We plate and prepare each dish carefully and quickly.

“Shin, your skills have really improved!”

The owner is impressed. I’ve really come a long way.

When Serea, who is cute and elegant, serves the food, the customers’ faces relax.

It’s heartwarming to see them enjoy their meals. Being a chef is such a rewarding job. Not many jobs allow you to see your customers’ reactions directly. In most stores, customers are happy after they get home.

Even the grumpy old man, who was frowning all the time, becomes cheerful by the time he finishes his meal. Chefs are amazing.

Clang, clang, clang.

A customer opens the door and enters.

Oh no, it’s Schwarts!

“I’d like the signature pie and dinner.”

...Serea takes the order nervously!

We couldn’t escape. No, they’ve been watching us the whole time.

He must have known everything and came here on purpose, especially on our last day of work. He must have reported everything to the king about our three weeks of disappearance. I wonder what he’ll say later... It’s scary.

“Shin-sama”

“Hmm?”

Serea smiles a little.

“Your bangs are burnt.”

“Whaaat!”

When I touch them, they’re definitely crispy and burnt!

“Aha, if you’re glued to the oven all day, it’s bound to happen!”

The owner laughs too. Oh well...

After washing dishes late into the night, we finally finish.

“You both did a great job for over two weeks. I really appreciate it. I wish you could stay longer, until my kids are old enough to help. What are your plans for the future?”

“We’re planning to go back to our hometown.”

“I see... But if anything happens, come to me first. I’ll always hire you and teach you more. You have the potential to become a great chef.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re both so young, and you already have to work as a married couple. It feels a bit unfair. At your age, many are still in school...”

“Thank you for everything. We really appreciate it.”

As we walk through the darkened streets, Schwarts is leaning against the wall outside the restaurant.

“Good evening, Your Highness, Lady Serea. Did you enjoy your vacation?”

“...Did it look like we were on vacation?”

“Not at all.”

I wish he would stop that smirking...

But I feel relieved to see Schwarts after a long time. It feels like everything is okay now.

“We’ll be back tomorrow. Let us rest tonight.”

“Of course.”

The next morning, we pack up the small apartment where we spent three weeks, throw out the sleeping bags and pillows, and pick up the clothes we had sent to the laundry. We pack our belongings and get ready to leave.

Just like when we arrived in this town, we put on civilian clothes, put our bags on our backs, and stand up.

“Let’s go home!”

“Yes!”

We walk to the station for the carriage.

No matter what happens from now on, I’m confident we can make it through together.

It was a summer filled with confidence and a bond with Serea.

Of course, the royal palace was in an uproar due to the prince’s absence, but the king managed to cover it up by saying he was on a diplomatic mission.

Of course, the palace staff asked about the reason for his absence.

“We went to the wedding of Eleana Stradis, with whom we have a long-standing relationship, and Larode Bistrius, in disguise, to offer our congratulations,” we lied.

We missed a lot of official duties...

At the hospital, clinical trials of penicillin, led by Spalutz, have begun.

It seems they are testing it on elderly patients with worsening pneumonia, with the consent of their families.

The results are as expected. It has stopped the progression of symptoms, and patients who were waiting to die have shown signs of recovery. It appears to be effective.

They are also considering prescribing it for tetanus and other sexually transmitted diseases like syphilis. The existence of the syphilis bacterium is still unknown, and it cannot be cultured independently, making it a mysterious disease. If left untreated, it is fatal and contagious, so they plan to conduct clinical trials actively.

It is a very dishonorable disease for nobles and clergy, and many have been secretly dismissed or disinherited due to it.

It is still a very expensive drug, requiring a lot of labor to extract. It is a new medical technology, completely different from drinking herbal decoctions. They plan to treat the wealthy first.

Unfortunately, it is ineffective against rabies. As for smallpox, it is rapidly being eradicated in our country, so they plan to conduct clinical trials abroad. Foreign trainees who have learned the technique of vaccination will be given freeze-dried crystalline penicillin to take back to their home countries and treat smallpox patients, monitoring their progress.

I received this report from Spalutz at the academy.

According to Serea, “Smallpox and rabies are viral diseases, so they cannot be treated with antibiotics.” However, it is important to confirm this. It is crucial not to waste penicillin on diseases it cannot treat, so these clinical trials have a significant purpose.

The second semester started after the summer break.

I was surprised! Hartis is completely tanned!

That pale, short, and cute Hartis!

“I was invited to Jack’s territory and went through a boot camp!”

I see... He even cut his long hair, which he used to tie back, and looks much neater. Even from behind, he still looks like a short-haired girl.

He says he trained with the troops under Jack’s command and now looks more masculine and rugged.

A summer can change a person a lot. The girls’ reactions were divided: some preferred his previous cute look, while others found his sudden manliness exciting.

“His roles have switched.”

“Jack, do you understand what you’re saying?”

“No, I don’t get it either. Do you understand?”

“I don’t understand either...”

Well, as long as everyone had a fulfilling summer, that’s good.

Next: "64. The Cat, the Cool One, and the Brainy One"