Chapter 58

The dinner party began as scheduled.

My seat was initially supposed to be at the end of the table, but it was suddenly changed to next to Jin. The sudden change caused a lot of trouble for the maids, butlers, and various officials who had to make adjustments, but they all handled it smoothly without showing any confusion. This is what professionals are like. I secretly handed the ingredients to Narito and asked him to prepare a special dish to thank them. They must be tired from the preparations. Everyone, keep it up.

Prince Kanon of the Naris Kingdom is 8 years old. Despite his appearance, which is as cute as a girl's, he is a very mature child. It must be lonely for an 8-year-old to come to a foreign country alone, away from his family... Being a royal is tough.

Similarly, Prince Sirius, who is also a minor, seems to be like an older brother to Prince Kanon, taking care of him in various ways. However, I somehow felt that Prince Kanon was more mature in terms of mental age. While Prince Sirius acts like he's going to take care of everything, Prince Kanon accepts his help to give Sirius face. Prince Sirius, you're being glared at by Lady Luna. Notice it.

By the way, Prince Kanon is not the only guest from the Naris Kingdom. There are also many accompanying butlers and a dedicated recovery magician. They are all high-ranking nobles of the Naris Kingdom. Their attitude towards me can be summed up as polite but condescending. Their tone and manner are courteous, but they don't trust me at all.

"Who would have thought that such a wonderful magic as regeneration magic was created by such a young woman. I haven't seen the power of regeneration magic yet, but I'm sure it must be wonderful."

Adam, Prince Kanon's dedicated recovery magician, said this with a sarcastic tone. He looks to be in his 50s, a thin, bald man. Why does he have a full beard despite being bald? Is all the nutrition going there?

Why are the people of the Naris Kingdom skeptical despite having Prince Lute, a living proof of regeneration magic?

The answer is simple. They think Prince Lute's injury itself was a lie. Since he injured his arm, Prince Lute has not been involved in diplomacy. It's not because his arm doesn't work. Originally, as the third prince, he didn't handle as much diplomacy as Crown Prince Said, and after his injury, his foreign visits and diplomatic activities were taken over by Prince Alan, Crown Prince Said, and Jin. Prince Lute became more involved in domestic affairs. Also, because his arm didn't work, he participated less in social events that required dancing, naturally avoiding public attention. Several years passed without anyone actually confirming his condition, so when he suddenly announced that his arm was healed and that Prince Kanon's leg might also be healed, even if it was said by a friendly country, it was hard for the Naris Kingdom to believe it immediately.

Naturally, the people of the Naris Kingdom were divided into those who believed in regeneration magic and those who thought Prince Lute's injury was a lie. Therefore, there were many objections to Prince Kanon's visit to the Marita Kingdom, but if they had easily refused, it could have damaged diplomatic relations with the Marita Kingdom. So, Prince Kanon's security was tightened for this visit.

I was told this background information by Crown Prince Said, so I smiled and let their attitude slide. The reason my seat was next to Jin was partly because of our engagement, but also because I had to keep Jin from flying off in anger. I've been holding Jin's hand, which keeps trying to rise, and trying to calm him down. Calm down, I'm happy, but...

Since Jin was getting so agitated, I pulled his arm a bit harder. Surprised, Jin looked at me, and I gave him the ultimate puppy eyes, a technique passed down from my popular friend.

"Jin... You haven't eaten anything even though I made a lot of dishes for you. Wasn't it delicious?"

When I said this in a low voice, it had the desired effect. He shook his head and hurriedly started eating.

"There's no way I could be dissatisfied with Shina's cooking! ...This is really delicious! What is this? There's zaros (rice) inside the tarlos (dumplings)? It's delicious... too delicious..."

"That's great. I worked hard thinking Jin would like it. I also made some new dishes, so please try them."

I smiled as I watched Jin enjoy his food. Yes, Jin's attention has shifted away from the people of the Naris Kingdom. Just focus on your meal.

The conversation gradually died down, and the people of the Marita Kingdom were quietly eating. A silent dinner party. Is this okay? Don't they need to socialize?

"Delicious! I've never tasted pasta like this before!"

Prince Kanon's eyes were shining as he ate the lycry (tomato) pasta. Oh? Wasn't the dinner for the Naris Kingdom supposed to feature traditional dishes prepared by Chief Narito?

According to Barry, when they asked the Naris Kingdom about the dinner menu, they requested the same menu as the Marita Kingdom. Is it okay to use zaros (rice), which was originally considered a weed, and lycry (tomato) and karuno (broccoli), which were not used as food?

I looked at the people of the Naris Kingdom, worried, but they were quietly eating. I'm glad they like it.

"The Holy Lady's cooking is also popular in the Naris Kingdom. The cooking methods came from the Zain Trading Company along with the scent of monsters, and zaros (rice) is being re-evaluated. Now, lycry (tomato) and karuno (broccoli) too. Could you share these cooking methods with our country?!"

The greatness of zaros (rice) transcends national boundaries. Indeed, zaros (rice) is a soul food from Japan.

Seeing Prince Kanon's excited voice, I glanced at Barry. I'll leave the decision to Barry. He smiled and nodded, so it seems to be okay.

"Yes, if Prince Kanon wishes, I would be happy to."

Seeing the pleased expressions of the king and queen, it seems this was the right answer.

There are many ways to cook lycry (tomato), and karuno (broccoli) is delicious in stews or baked with cheese. Yay, what should I make?

"The Holy Lady is also knowledgeable about wild ingredients. As expected of someone who grew up on the battlefield."

The moment Adam said this sarcastically, the atmosphere on the Marita Kingdom side changed to a chilly one.

Everyone, please calm down. Adam's plate is piled high with wild dishes, so his sarcasm lacks impact. There's meat sauce on your beard, sir.

I was smiling, but to prevent the atmosphere from getting worse, I decided to counterattack.

"Oh! So the dishes I made, growing up on the battlefield, didn't suit your taste, Adam. I understand. Just in case, I asked the chef to prepare traditional Marita Kingdom dishes. I'll have them brought out right away."

Smiling Barry himself served, and the dinner menu prepared by Narito was brought out. Of course, I'll clear away the wild dishes.

"No! No one said they wouldn't eat...!"

"Oh, I wouldn't want to force you to eat something you don't like. Some people prefer familiar dishes to new ones, don't they?"

Looking around at the other people from the Naris Kingdom, they all shook their heads and praised the dishes. Thank you. It seems only Adam doesn't like them. Hehe.

"These dishes are also prepared by the chef with great care. Please enjoy them."

Smiling at Adam, he couldn't say anything more.

The lesson is that those who mock food don't get to enjoy delicious things. Haha.

I thought about giving Adam a different menu during his stay. Hehe.