Chapter 34

Chapter 33

The Tearful Tasting - 3

The reason the Three Kingdoms side couldn't handle the snacks made by just six people was simple: they couldn't bear the idea of eating snacks after having a separate meal and still feeling full. Weaklings. They should have been prepared to eat the snacks as a meal, not with such half-hearted intentions, to challenge the stronghold of the baking club.

Of course, it's abnormal for me to eat snacks as meals, and the Three Kingdoms didn't challenge the stronghold of the baking club but rather got hit by a one-sided hit-and-run. That's why I couldn't push back when Villar, with a gloomy look, appealed to me.

In the end, I found myself back in the position of having to handle the majority of the snacks. Still, it's a gain that a few more mouths are eating, even if only a little. Yes, that's enough. I'm satisfied, I am.

Even though I have to eat cookies during the regular video reports with the minister, I'm satisfied.

- Come to think of it, the exposition is coming up soon.

"Do you remember that?"

- I went to the academy, unlike others.

"Damn."

After a few exchanges about such events, the minister, stroking his chin, brought up the exposition.

I wondered why he knew the exposition period when he wouldn't even attend, but asking would only get me a Tai Chi push. In any conversation about the academy, I'm at a disadvantage. I had momentarily forgotten that.

Feeling disheartened, I bit into another cookie, and the minister, watching me, spoke.

- Don't you hate cookies?

What's he talking about all of a sudden? He should know I don't picky eat, having rolled in the field with me. I roughly chewed and swallowed the cookie in my mouth. Why does he have to talk when I'm eating?

"I don't hate them. I just don't go out of my way to eat them."

- You haven't had them in your mouth for two years.

"Sir."

The minister clicked his tongue at my reaction and waved his hand.

- I get it, I get it. Don't look at me like that. I said something unnecessary.

"I'm sorry. I overreacted."

- You know that, don't you?

An awkward silence fell. I was embarrassed by my overreaction, and the minister probably felt awkward for bringing up a bad topic. Actually, I shouldn't react this way, but emotions can't be controlled.

Scratching my head awkwardly, I decided to continue the exposition talk. I hadn't mentioned the collaboration with the Three Kingdoms' forces yet.

I informed him that we had decided to bring some of the Three Kingdoms' forces into the booth to focus on protecting the key figures. It would be a headache if they wandered around outside and got hurt or clashed with imperial nobles. The minister nodded a few times, apparently thinking it was a good measure.

- A multinational club booth, what an unimaginable exposition.

"Foreign students were not uncommon, right? This is the first time high-ranking officials have come, though."

- In my time, the atmosphere wasn't right for foreign students to enroll.

I nodded, half-listening to the minister's old stories. They weren't particularly important, and he seemed to mention them without much thought.

- Well, do your best. Many people will show up during the exposition.

"Yes, I understand."

- A few from the administration will also come, so don't be surprised.

"Really?"

With that, the minister unilaterally ended the call. Seriously, how can you casually mention the most important thing at the end? Maybe he's senile.

'Please, just die somewhere.'

It's a wish I've harbored for a long time.

The next day, the second report session was held during club time. Unfortunately, my report isn't just for the minister.

"I'll need help during the exposition period, so I've asked for some assistance. Don't worry, it will be familiar faces."

On the surface, we have an advisor-club member relationship, but in reality, I'm like a nanny who has to clean up after these people. Double reporting is truly a nightmare.

Anyway, when I told them that some of the Three Kingdoms' forces would participate in the club booth, the reactions were varied. Louise was happy that there would be more hands, and Erih and Ainter took it in stride. The problem was the other three.

Louise didn't object, but her expression was far from pleased. Maybe they're worried about lower-rankers being around where their (one-sided) love affairs are blooming. Or maybe they're just wary of any outsiders who might interfere with Louise.

'They're all crazy.'

I wonder if these guys realize how much Villar suffered before accepting my proposal. Even if they've had lower-rankers around them like NPCs or pets since birth, they should treat them a bit more kindly.

"Since they've agreed to help with such a difficult request, we can't show a lack of effort. Everyone, do your best during the exposition period."

In simpler terms, it means don't wander outside the booth and stay put. We've gathered the protection forces, so if they go out and get hurt, Villar and I might really go crazy.

"We've been looking forward to the exposition, so we won't slack off. Don't worry!"

Fortunately, they understood this level of talk. If these high-born people couldn't understand such simple instructions, it would be a problem. Thankfully, they didn't show me the basement.

'What a mess.'

It's frustrating that I have to feel relieved by such a situation. What sin did I commit to have to experience the feeling of being a section chief even at the academy? At least in the inspection department, I had a deputy chief and Section 5 to rely on.

Feeling bitter, I glanced at Louise. When our eyes met, she smiled and made a fighting pose with clenched fists. Yes, that's right. Fighting...

I awkwardly smiled and made a fighting pose with one arm. The anger in my heart subsided pointlessly.

"Let's start. We've gotten used to it from making so many."

With Erih's words, the baking factory started up again. It's fortunate to have six members. Other clubs usually have more than ten, and if that were the case here, we'd have a lot of wasted snacks.

'They smell good.'

It's fortunate that our skills are improving. Indeed, performance improves with practice in any field. I felt a bit happy.

Even after setting aside the snacks to send to the Three Kingdoms, I had more to eat than usual. You need to improve the taste, not the quantity.

Fortunately, a kind benefactor appeared to eat these terrifyingly piled-up snacks with me. This time, I didn't invite Villar as a daily companion.

"Karl Youngshik, do you like desserts?"

For some reason, Margareta visited after club time and was surprised to see the snacks piled on the desk.

"No, I don't. I was eating them because it would be a waste to throw away what the members made."

Margareta nodded and carefully sat across from me. Even someone who loves snacks wouldn't eat this much. Margareta had a good reason to be surprised.

"By the way, what brings you here?"

"I came to see if Karl Youngshik is available."

Smiling, Margareta spoke, and my head tilted slightly.

Until now, Margareta only visited in the morning. She said she would handle things in the morning because I would be busy in the afternoon. Even though there wasn't much to do in the afternoon except for club time, she still respected my afternoon schedule. Why now?

'I don't mind, but...'

I wonder why the princess, who sticks to her word, is changing her mind.

"Yes, I'm fine. What's the matter?"

"Now that the exposition is approaching, I thought I might need Karl Youngshik's help in the afternoon as well. It's not urgent, so it's okay if you refuse."

Karl Youngshik's help in the morning is enough.

After a moment of thought, I nodded. It's not urgent, but she probably wants to finish work early to have some leeway in case of unexpected issues. I can understand that.

"It's not a difficult request. I'm fine."

"Thank you, Karl Youngshik."

Margareta, still smiling, replied. As I looked at her, my gaze naturally fell on the snacks on the desk. Their overwhelming presence was unavoidable.

'Hmm.'

I alternated my gaze between the snacks, Margareta, and the snacks again. It would be polite to offer something to a guest.

"Margareta, would you like to have some?"

"Did Karl Youngshik make any?"

"No, I didn't."

"That's a shame."

Seeing Margareta chuckle, I also smiled. My role is to eat. If seven people start making snacks, it would be a disaster.

"Then, would you like something Karl Youngshik likes?"

"Sure."

I hesitated for a moment before picking up one of Louise's cookies. It's the tastiest to me, but from the reactions of other tasters, it often doesn't suit their tastes. Is it okay to give this to Margareta?

But my hesitation was short-lived. It's good for me, and it might suit Margareta's taste as well.

"Here you go."

"Thank you."

In the end, Louise's cookie went into Margareta's mouth. She ate it quietly and elegantly, without any change in expression.

"It's good."

She even nodded and evaluated it calmly. Yes, I thought it would suit someone's taste. Encouraged, I offered a few more, and Margareta continued to eat without refusing, her expression unwavering.

'This is normal.'

Those who want Louise's love should show this kind of reaction. Not the sharp advice-giving Margareta, but the hopeless five. Indeed, this club, where the original gang has gathered, is abnormal. Just a slight shift in focus within the club reveals something so normal and peaceful.

"I'm sorry, Karl Youngshik. I offered, but it seems I can't eat any more today."

Having held onto Margareta longer than I intended, she got up after eating a few more. Oh, did I get a bit carried away?

"Not at all. I'm the one who overstepped."

Seeing a two-eyed person in a one-eyed den was too refreshing.

***

That night, at Margareta's residence.

Margareta, lying on the bed, was trembling slightly.

"Sniff, sniff..."

After returning from the club room, Margareta collapsed on the bed, sobbing and wetting the pillow with tears.

It was greed. The greed to spend more time with Karl led her to break her own words and find Karl in the afternoon, even with an excuse. She was a bit embarrassed, but if she could be with Karl, she could endure that embarrassment.

Fortunately, Karl didn't seem to mind and even offered desserts, creating a warm atmosphere. It must have been like that.

'What do I do, he must have hated it...'

It was a terrible taste. She couldn't refuse as he kept offering with a smile, and she couldn't express that it tasted bad, fearing he might be disappointed. She desperately tried to maintain her composure while eating.

All sorts of thoughts came to mind. Was he scolding her for breaking her own words, for being a greedy princess who troubled a tired inspector? Was he pushing her away by offering these terrible cookies?

As her thoughts turned negative, tears welled up in her eyes. She barely managed to get up and leave the club room.

Had she only caused hatred by being greedy? Reaching this conclusion, Margareta, feeling even more sorrowful, hugged the pillow and buried her face in it.

The next morning, when Margareta, hesitantly, found Karl smiling, the misunderstanding melted away like snow in spring.

Margareta Varenti, a princess with overflowing confidence and sensitivity.

Author's Note

It's already the last day of the preliminary round. When I first entered the contest, I never imagined I would receive such overwhelming attention. I've already thanked the readers many times, but I will continue to do so because it's never enough.

Starting tomorrow, the works that will advance to the main round will be selected, and no one knows which works will make it. Regardless of the outcome, I will continue to bring a new chapter every day to the readers.

Thank you for reading this chapter!