Chapter 25

And so, the conversation returns to the BBQ consolation party.

At first, Zaros (the rice) was being kept at a distance, but once Jin, a member of the royal family, took a bite, others gradually started to try it too... Yeah, it was a big hit. People were continuously enchanted by the harmony of the meat and Zaros (the rice).

"Princess Shina! It's delicious! It's delicious! My mouth is so happy!"

Kiri, who is so cute, is pressing her cheeks. It's because it's the sauce Kiri likes, with soy sauce in the grilled meat, hmm hmm. It must be delicious. It goes well with Zaros (the rice).

"Hmm. It's been a while since I made the grilled meat sauce. I think it turned out pretty well?"

I took a bite and gave my opinion. It's not as good as store-bought sauce, but it's pretty delicious. I mixed various vegetables, herbs, and fruits... Thinking about it, Japanese food manufacturers are amazing. They can make such delicious sauces at such low prices. If they could enter this world, they would make a fortune, wouldn't they?

"...Pretty good. Even in the tense situation where soldiers are glaring at each other over the meat at the grill, you're so relaxed, Lord Shina."

Prince Alan, holding skewers in both hands, said this without taking his eyes off the grill. Don't worry, I prepared a lot, so it's fine, right? Zaros (the rice) is piled high on a flat plate. I'm glad you like it.

However, it's impressive how even the royal family and nobility can look so elegant while gnawing on BBQ skewers. They eat very beautifully and quickly.

"Shina, are you eating? Do you want more skewers?"

Jin is trying to put the 10 skewers on his plate onto mine.

"I've had one. I've eaten a lot of other things too, so I'm full. Jin, you eat. ...Can you eat that much?"

The plate is piled high with Zaros (the rice) and meat, meat, meat. There are also fried chicken, French fries, salad, and smoked meat on separate plates.

"I plan to get seconds about three more times?"

Jin tilts his head in surprise. Does he have a black hole in his stomach or something?

While picking at the grape-like fruit provided by the Zain Trading Company and looking at the grills, I noticed that out of the 20 grills, 3 are for the royal family and nobility, 7 are for the soldiers, and 10 are for the commoners in the town square. I was told that if I went to the soldiers' or commoners' grills, it would cause a commotion, so I'm mixed in with the royal and noble grills. There are about 50 participants. Since the grills are large, one can serve about 15 people. I thought there might not be enough for the commoners, but they are adjusting the schedule so that people take turns visiting the square. The grill masters are the owners of local restaurants who are taking the day off to help with the BBQ. If they run out of ingredients, they are asked to let us know without hesitation.

The soldiers' grills are set up a bit away from the royal and noble grills. Occasionally, I can hear voices like "Since it's a free-for-all, the relationship between superiors and subordinates doesn't matter! That meat is mine!" or "If you want this skewer, you'll have to step over my dead body!" and the chorus of "Zaros! Zaros!" carried by the wind. If you need more, I'll make more, so don't fight! And no more choruses!

At the royal and noble grills, there are no such contentious voices, but the sharp eyes of the servants trying to secure meat for their masters are evident. So, there's plenty, so don't fight, okay? Servants, please eat too?

The BBQ consolation party is going well, and the meat and Zaros (the rice) are steadily decreasing, which is good. However, there are people who have nothing to do with the BBQ. Here it comes again. The matchmaking event. The heated battle of the young ladies vying for Jin's attention! It's a feast for the eyes with so many beautiful people!

Incidentally, Prince Alan is not a target. He has a beautiful and kind fiancée. What a real-life success story. Since the Marita Kingdom practices monogamy even among the royal and noble families, second wives and concubines are not allowed. Prince Alan and his fiancée are famously in love in the Marita Kingdom, so there's no room for anyone to intrude.

"Prince Jincret, this dish is truly delicious. Would you like to enjoy it at a more comfortable seat? I have long wished to speak with you, Prince Jincret."

A blonde young lady with a deep neckline whispers to Jin. She exudes a lot of charm.

"Well, you will spend time with me, Prince Jincret. Don't interfere."

A refined silver-haired beauty counters. She is delicate.

"Prince Jincret! I'm so happy to meet you. Let's talk over there."

A cute, lidded-eyed beauty. She seems natural (probably cultivated) and adorable.

Jin doesn't even look at or speak to the beautiful ladies. He's not just being cold; he's completely ignoring them. Is he not interested in matchmaking? Maybe he just hasn't found the right type? What a luxury!

However, they say that when three women gather, it gets noisy. They are making a lot of noise. It would have been better to watch from a distance like in the previous Eile Street, but my seat is between Jin and Prince Alan. The young ladies are friendly to Jin, Prince Alan, and other nobles but completely ignore me. They act as if I don't exist. It's unbearable.

Well, if a woman of unknown origin sits between the royal family, it would be annoying. I don't mind how I'm treated, but I'm worried about the young ladies.

After all, my seat is between Prince Alan and Jin. It's between the royal family. It's clear how I'm treated in the Marita Kingdom. The young ladies' attitude is making Jin, Prince Alan, Kiri, Barry, and even the kind and gentle Lord Kyrat angry. I hope they realize this soon.

However, I shouldn't interfere with Jin's matchmaking. It must be difficult to proceed with outsiders around. I'll go to the kitchen and check if there's enough meat. It's not that I'm bothered by the young ladies' "read the room" and "go away" looks. I'm worried about the meat.

"Prince Alan, I'll step away from my seat for a moment."

"Hmm? There's no need, is there?"

Prince Alan immediately rejected me with a cool face. No, I'm worried about the meat, please let me go.

Prince Alan has a pleasant face but ignores the young ladies. If they ask him something, he ignores them with a smile. It seems he finds their rudeness to me unpleasant. Don't worry about it.

However, this seat is uncomfortable. It's tense and unsettling. This isn't a fun BBQ. I want to join the Zain Trading Company group with the old man. There are children there, and everyone seems to be having a good time.

It's as unpleasant as when, in my previous life, I found myself at a table full of superiors and felt exhausted from pouring drinks.

"I want to go to the kitchen to check if there are enough ingredients..."

And I want to join the old man's group.

"Let's have Jean check."

Prince Alan doesn't seem to be fulfilling my small wish. He gives a quick nod to Jean, who bows and heads to the kitchen. Damn, I missed my chance to escape.

"This fruit water is delicious. I think you might like it, Lord Shina."

Prince Alan offers me some fruit water. It looks delicious, but...

"Shina, you prefer a refreshing taste, right? That one is a bit too sweet. You prefer something less sweet, like this one."

Jin glares at Prince Alan and offers me a different fruit water. Oh, it's refreshing and indeed more to my liking. It's delicious.

I smile and take a sip, and Prince Alan grins.

"Jincret is indeed better at understanding your tastes, Lord Shina. I can't compete with him."

"Of course. I won't make a mistake with Shina's tastes. I won't lose to my brother."

"Oh, Jincret. You're not being calm. You're 8 years older, so you should have more composure, or Lord Shina might get tired of you."

"8 years difference?"

The young ladies let out strained voices and suddenly become noisy.

I'm sorry, it's a case of looking younger. I'm an adult.

Ah! If I'm an adult, I can have fruit wine too, right? There's a sweet-smelling, delicious-looking wine!

As I try to reach for the fruit wine, Jin grabs my hand. Damn, did he notice? No, I'm an adult! It's legal for me to drink!

"Shina, that fruit wine has a strong alcohol content and a slightly bitter aftertaste. It's your first time drinking, right? I'll choose a suitable wine for your first time, so please wait a bit."

Jin said this kindly, but the expression is a bit unsettling. What does "suitable for your first time" mean? The wording is a bit off. Besides, in my previous life, I didn't like it, but I have had alcohol before.

"Your first time should be in a private setting, not in a public place. We don't know how alcohol will affect you. Let's have our first drink together in private."

Hmm? Is he worried about bad drinking habits or alcohol intolerance? Well, it's true that this body is drinking for the first time, so I don't know what might happen. If I turn out to be very weak and get drunk, it could be dangerous to start casting dangerous spells. The wording is a bit off, but Jin is observant.

"Understood. When that time comes, Jin... Prince Jincret, please take care of me."

Drinking is something to look forward to. If I can drink, the range of dishes that go well with alcohol will expand!

In high spirits, I didn't notice Jin's suspicious smile, the silent screams of the young ladies, or Prince Alan's amused smile. It wasn't until Kiri later warned me that making a private drinking arrangement with a member of the opposite sex is like publicly declaring a special relationship that I was blissfully looking forward to drinking.