Chapter 43

Madeline, financier, cookies, and cherry pie. Are those scones and caramel over there? They all look so delicious.

Among the many sweets, one stood out. In the center, on a large plate, were neatly arranged small brown sweets, about the size of a thumbnail. Their surface was glossy, sparkling in the light.

"Chocolate"

Not only were baked goods prepared, but even chocolate. I've never eaten chocolate in the village, nor have I ever seen it sold in Slanita. It must be expensive and rare.

Without thinking, I murmured, and Carries smiled happily.

"Reni, you know about chocolate. It's very sweet and delicious!"

"Yep. I want to eat it."

"Sure!"

Hearing my words, Carries signaled to a woman standing by the table. She was one of the women in uniform who always encouraged Carries. The woman took a piece of chocolate from the large plate in the center and placed it on my plate.

The other two women were pouring tea and serving sweets to Samyue. From their uniforms and roles, they must be Carries' maids. As a princess, it's not surprising that she has such attendants.

After the maids served the tea and the first sweets, Carries cleared her throat.

"Then, let me reiterate. Without Reni, we would have suffered great damage. We are truly grateful."

"Yep."

I nodded in response to Carries' composed words. Despite her young age, she is so reliable, which makes me think she's amazing.

Then, the elderly man with gray hair sitting opposite me spoke.

"Let me also express my gratitude. Thanks to you, the precious princess and her subordinates were saved. I am the lord of this land, including Leoriga City. My name is Gailm Gailar, and I hold the title of count."

"Gailar Count"

It seems the elderly man with gray hair was the lord, Count Gailar. He had a pleasant expression and kind eyes.

"Let me also express my gratitude! I am Thomas, the mayor. When I heard that the princess was attacked on the way here, I was very worried. It's rare to have a member of the royal family visit."

The elderly man, Mayor Thomas, who resembled Santa Claus, placed his hand on his chest and sighed in relief. It was important that Carries was safe, but he probably also wanted to avoid any major incidents in his jurisdiction.

I nodded in understanding. Everyone has different positions and different worries.

"Reni, please enjoy your tea while it's hot."

"Yep."

Although the conversation seemed to continue, Carries quickly changed the subject and offered me tea. So, without hesitation, I drank the tea that was poured for me—

"Yep! It's delicious."

"Really!? I'm glad..."

"This tea has a floral scent."

"Yes! I made it with a rose scent!"

Carries' face lit up at my words. She must have thought about it a lot for me.

"I'll also try the chocolate."

"Yes!"

After telling Carries, I extended my cat's claw. Then, using it as a pick, I poked the chocolate.

...After all, it's a cat's hand.

Unlike human hands, it's difficult to pick up small things. Then—

"Oh, the inside..."

From the glossy surface of the chocolate, a sauce oozed out where I poked it. It seemed that the chocolate wasn't just solid; it contained a sauce inside. Red sauce was leaking from the side where I poked it...

I quickly put it in my mouth, and the rich chocolate and the smooth strawberry sauce went very well together. But...

"It's delicious. But, the sauce is a waste."

Indeed, it was delicious, but it was a waste.

Because I poked it with my claw, the sauce leaked out, but it should have been a perfect combination of chocolate and sauce when bitten into. Even if the sauce leaked, it could still be eaten, but it felt like the deliciousness was reduced. It was a shame...

If I had human hands, I could have just picked it up and eaten it, but cat hands aren't suited for that. What should I do?

I frowned.

Then, I heard a puffing sound from beside me—

"Reni-sama. Allow me to feed you."

Samyue's determined eyes and steady breathing.

Yep...

I can't take off the [Cat Hand Gloves].

So, if she offers to feed me, it would be very helpful. But, is Samyue okay...? She already seems to need deep breaths...

"...Samyue, will it be okay if you close your eyes?"

"Yes, leave it to me!!"

Samyue picked up a piece of chocolate from her plate and carefully brought it to me. Her hand was shaking, so she held the chocolate with her right hand and stabilized her wrist with her left.

"Deep breaths, deep breaths... I can do this, the elf... I will succeed, the elf..."

Samyue muttered to herself as she brought the chocolate to my mouth. Then, she closed her eyes tightly.

After confirming that Samyue had closed her eyes, I opened my mouth wide—

"Yep! It's different from before!"

I bit into the chocolate and broke it with my teeth. The scent of strawberries spread through my nose. The scent is great!

When I ate the one I poked with my claw, it didn't have this scent. It's definitely the right way to eat it by breaking it in the mouth!

"Samyue, it's really delicious."

I couldn't help but smile. I placed my hand on my cheek and giggled, looking up at Samyue.

There were her emerald eyes—

"A, ah... uh... hi..."

Oh... I called her name, so Samyue opened her eyes...

"...I'm sorry..."

Her breathing stopped and then resumed...

Usually, she would faint with her eyes rolled back, but now she must be on guard. She almost rolled her eyes, showing suspicious movements.

I apologized and looked away.

If I didn't, Samyue would be in trouble...

"R-Reni!"

"Hmm?"

At that moment, Carries called me, so I turned to her.

She was holding a piece of chocolate—

"Mine is... um... orange sauce!"

"Wow, that looks delicious too."

"Isn't it!?"

"Yep."

"Then, please...!"

Carries said and pushed the chocolate towards my mouth.

The chocolate in her hand was a different shape from the one Samyue gave me.

...Can I eat this as it is?

If I poke it with my claw, I won't be able to enjoy it properly, so this would be very helpful.

So, I bit into it in one go.

The taste was—

"Delicious!"

"R-Really!?"

"Yep! The tangy orange goes well!"

The sweetness and sourness were just right. And because I broke it in my mouth, the scent spread, making it very delicious!

I couldn't help but smile and place my hand on my cheek.

Then—

"Ah—!!"

A sudden loud voice.

Surprised, I turned to the source of the sound and saw a red-haired knight.

It seemed she had been watching Carries and me. Her expression was as if she had been struck by lightning, her eyes wide with shock.

"...I apologize."

The red-haired knight bowed her head. Her face was turning red, and she seemed to be sweating a little. Is she okay? Her body was trembling slightly...

One of the maids approached to check on her. It seemed she was fine, and Carries, after exchanging a glance with the maid, turned back to me.

"I apologize for startling you. She seems to be fine."

"Yep."

That's a relief.

"Reni, um... would you like... this?"

"I want to eat it."

"Yes! Of course!!"

Carries then offered me the next sweet.

This time, it was a Madeleine. It was small and shell-shaped, and its cute roundness was adorable. I might have been able to pick it up with my cat hands, but Carries brought it to my mouth, so I ate it without hesitation.

Yep! The soft texture and the gentle egg scent. It was delicious too!

"Reni-sama...! Reni-sama...! Could I have another chance...?"

Samyue, who seemed to have returned from her struggle with rolling her eyes, held a round biscuit.

"Reni, I want to eat that too."

"Yes!! Thank you!!"

Samyue, who was supposed to be thanking me, was enthusiastically expressing her gratitude.

The biscuit she fed me was clearly made with a lot of butter, and it was crispy!

"Reni, then, how about this next?"

"Reni-sama! This one!"

Thus, we took turns feeding me sweets, and before I knew it, I was full.

Being able to taste a little of so many different kinds of sweets was a real treat...

I placed my hand on my cheek and sighed.

"Carries, thank you. It's been so much fun."

"Yes...! I've... enjoyed it too!"

Carries said, and then, as if trying to hold back something, she furrowed her brows.

"I've... never felt this happy before."

The hand on Carries' lap clenched tightly.

Then, she whispered softly.

"...I've always been targeted by someone."