Chapter 4

My brother brought me to a cafeteria for the people who work in the castle, telling me that everyone from the commoner knights to the prime minister uses this place.

As I stepped in, looking around with great interest, the cafeteria, which had been bustling with noise, suddenly fell silent, the air tense. I was surprised.

So, this is what it means to be strict with outsiders, huh?

"Lord Yuen! You shouldn't bring a lady to such a shabby place!"

At that moment, a sharp-eyed uncle poked his head out of the kitchen and said this, to which my brother replied with a sigh.

"No, I'm not on a date with a lady."

"A, a sister!"

"Yes, my youngest sister. Alteina, this is the head chef of the cafeteria."

I bowed politely.

The head chef hurriedly took off his chef's hat and bowed to me.

"My sister can't speak right now, so she will just nod in greeting."

As the head chef was stunned by my brother's words, my brother glanced at the menu and muttered.

"Alteina, what would you like to eat? The hamburger set? The pork ginger set? There's also the Meat A set."

Brother... Just hearing the menu makes my chest feel heavy.

"Lord Yuen, those are heavy dishes for a lady."

"Ah... Is that why there are so few women here..."

My brother stroked his chin, looking troubled.

I showed him a note I had written: "If my brother helps, I can eat anything."

"Is that so? Then..."

The head chef, who had been watching us, pounded his chest and said,

"Lord Yuen, leave it to me! I'll prepare a special lunch for you."

"But—"

"Leave it to me."

My brother sighed and ordered the Meat A set and the special lunch.

After a while, a tray came out with a mountain of brown meat and a large portion of rice, a small soup, and another tray with a meat sandwich, salad, soup, and a dessert pudding. I was surprised. Where will my brother put all that food? Is he going to perform a magic trick?

"Alteina, is this amount enough for you? Do you want me to share some?"

I shook my head vigorously.

It's more than enough.

I bowed to the head chef again and followed my brother to an empty seat.

After sitting down, I received the tray my brother brought over, clasped my hands in prayer, and then looked at my brother.

My brother, without paying any attention to me, opened his mouth wide and took a big bite of the meat.

I picked up the sandwich, opened my mouth wide, and took a big bite.

The sandwich was wild and juicy, with a flavor I had never tasted before.

The salad was dressed with a rich sesame dressing.

The soup was full of vegetables, and by the time I reached the pudding, my stomach was quite full.

Well, dessert is a different stomach, so I finished it.

Ah, I'm so happy.

I was so engrossed in eating that I didn't notice everyone was staring at me.

No way, do I have sauce on my face?

I hurriedly looked at my brother, but it was his mouth that had sauce on it.

I had never seen my brother with such a face.

It was so endearing that my lips curved into a smile.

I took out a handkerchief and wiped his mouth for him.

"Oh, I'm sorry."

I shook my head.

I was able to see a rare side of my brother.

I even felt like I had gained something.

I took out my notebook and wrote, "Is my mouth okay?" and showed it to him.

"Yes, it's fine."

He smiled at me.

Relieved, I started writing a thank-you note to the head chef: "Thank you for the delicious lunch. Everything was so delicious that I ate too much. Thank you for the happiness." I showed the note to my brother, and he nodded.

While my brother was serving the trays, I tore out the note and handed it to the head chef, who cried.

"I'll treasure it."

It's a bit exaggerated.

But if he's happy, that's good.

After my brother led me to wave goodbye to the head chef, we left the cafeteria, and the noise suddenly returned.

Maybe I was a bother?