Chapter 42

The day after Duke-sama returned from the Bergenion extermination operation, I finally had to greet everyone at Midleag Castle.

(Although it feels a bit late, I have to make sure I do this properly!)

Since this is also a kind of debut, the lively trio of ladies have prepared an appropriate dress for me. It's a very elegant one, with a teal fabric adorned with white lace. It's the best dress I brought from Marshall Raid, so I don't think it will be considered impolite. To match, I've styled my hair in a complex, ladylike manner befitting a noble daughter. The hair accessory I chose is a one-of-a-kind piece that matches the dress.

(I can't just say, "I'll be feeding everyone delicious monsters from now on!" That would be too much.)

I had been thinking about what to say in my greeting all morning. Standing in front of the main servants lined up, I have to give a proper greeting... Hmm, this is quite difficult. Should I use simple, common words, or something more personal? I've been thinking about it a lot, but I can't seem to put it together. I didn't even eat lunch properly due to nervousness, and before I knew it, it was evening.

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As the sun sets in the dim sky, the sound of trumpets rings out, competing with the calls of birds returning to their nests. The dinner at Midleag Castle starts early. As the knights wake up to the sound of the trumpet and prepare for their night shifts, the off-duty knights gather in the dining hall all at once. The kitchen, which supports the stomachs of the six hundred knights, looks very busy.

"Is the soup ready?"

"It's off the heat already!"

"Good! If you're free, help with the meat."

"Yes, Head Chef!"

A petite woman, smaller than me, picks up a large platter piled high with raw meat and runs over. She stands in front of a large iron plate and starts arranging the meat with practiced hands. The sizzling sound of the meat cooking fills the air, and the delicious smell spreads, making my empty stomach growl. It seems the hungry knights will soon flood the dining hall. Everyone checks the clock while finishing the dishes one after another. The pile of meat in front of me grows rapidly, and I can't help but swallow hard.

"The first group is coming! Quickly, plate the cooked meat."

Following the instructions of the portly Head Chef, the cooks in their white uniforms start lining up large platters of food on the serving counter. The well-cooked meat is placed on plates with vegetables. The cooking is perfect, and the sauce has a nice char, making it look delicious.

"Hey, Dad, is it ready? The smell is driving me crazy!"

"Meat, meat! It's meat today!"

The first group of knights arrives at the serving counter. The slightly pale-faced knights are eagerly peering into the kitchen, waiting for their food. I hide where they can't see me and observe them.

"Can't be helped. It's a bit early, but... Alright, let's serve. Reina, turn off the big pot."

"Sure thing!"

The petite woman, who had been busy in the kitchen, turns off the fire under the large pot of soup.

"Yay! I want a big serving of meat!"

"Me too!"

"That's not fair! Reina, I want a big serving too, please."

The dining hall becomes noisy all at once. I stand there, unsure how to greet everyone in this chaotic situation.

"Um, Duke-sama, maybe after everyone finishes eating?"

"I thought it would be better when the shift changes. We can do it all at once without repeating the same thing."

"But, Your Excellency, Melfiella-sama is not a noble. I told you, just the leaders of the towns and the main captains would be enough. Melfiella-sama doesn't need to greet everyone here, does she?"

Chaos helps me out. I hadn't expected this to happen during dinner. When I heard about a noble dinner, I imagined a long table and a solemn meal. When I was led to the dining hall, I thought Duke-sama had come to check the quality of the Roiamoodler and Zanas dishes (he had asked the kitchen to prepare them because he really wanted to eat them). I didn't expect to have to give a greeting here. When I entered the kitchen's storage room, I felt something was off.

(But, at least I got to see Midleag's kitchen. I confirmed that all the knives and pots are from the Lusseville Forge. Captain Blanche said she would tell me, but yes, I really want my own set of knives.)

The tired-looking knights, who have just finished their work and are now off-duty, are piling their plates high with food. Everyone is shouting, "More, more!" and "Fill it up!"

"Quite lively, isn't it?"

"The dining hall and kitchen are like a battlefield every day. Do you dislike the noise?"

"I'm not used to it, but the meals we shared on the journey were delicious and fun. Does Duke-sama always eat here with everyone?"

"Yes. It's faster to come here than to have it brought to my room. Plus, eating together creates a sense of unity."

That's true. Sharing a meal with someone creates a special intimacy. Duke-sama, the knights who ate monster food, and the three members of Captain Blanche's team who shared the Scrimwood. I felt a sense of solidarity from eating together.

"Most of the seats are about to be filled. Should we go, Your Excellency?"

Chaos checks the dining hall and turns back to me. I follow his gaze and see that most of the seats are taken.

"Alright. Let's go, Melfi?"

"Y-Yes, I'll do my best!"

I follow Duke-sama and Chaos out of the storage room. Just then, I hear a remark that catches my attention.

"Hey, I don't need much vegetables!"

I look at the serving counter. A knight is holding a plate piled high with meat, facing off against a petite woman holding a bowl of vegetables. Many people dislike vegetables. I want everyone to eat everything, but even at Littlefort, the vegetables were often left until last.

"No way, if you want a big serving of meat, you need a big serving of vegetables too!"

"Aww, come on."

"Reina is as strict as ever."

"Everyone says that. If you leave any vegetables, it's ten days of only vegetables."

"No way!"

"Che, can't help it if the assistant chef finds out."

The knights grumble but reluctantly take the plates of vegetables to their seats. The petite woman, called the assistant chef, looks disappointed.

(Vegetable aversion can lead to health problems... This is a serious issue.)

Winter will eventually come to Garbrey, even in the height of autumn. Vegetables are full of nutrients that boost the immune system. Root vegetables, in particular, are packed with nutrients. Especially, magic trees and magic herbs are known to have nutrients comparable to medicinal herbs. I know this from experience. When a cold outbreak hit the Marshall Raid territory, I barely got sick while the servants were falling ill one after another. A knight's strength lies in their body. Is there a way to cure the knights' vegetable aversion?

Hiding behind Duke-sama, I exit the kitchen and head to the dining hall entrance. Chaos stops at the entrance and claps his hands.

"Everyone, quiet down!"

The noise is too loud, and his voice doesn't seem to reach. It gets a bit quieter but then starts buzzing again.

"Ugh, always..."

I don't know what "always" means, but Chaos looks very frustrated. Duke-sama takes my hand and leads me to a spot where the dining hall is well visible. My figure is slightly hidden behind Duke-sama, so the knights can't see me clearly. Voices like "Is Your Excellency eating too?" and "Today's soup is amazing!" come from the knights.

"Everyone, I'm sorry to interrupt your meal. Please pause for a moment."

When Duke-sama raises his hand and speaks, the noisy dining hall falls silent. Impressive. He didn't raise his voice, but it carried clearly. Chaos quickly explains.

"As you may know, our Duke's engagement has been successfully arranged. The young lady is very kind, but please be on your best behavior. Duke-sama?"

"Yes, I apologize for interrupting your delicious meal. Please give me a moment. As you know, I have long desired a duchess and have finally found a suitable woman who has accepted me."

The knights cheer, "Oh!" and hundreds of eyes turn to Duke-sama. I've never been the center of so much attention, and I get nervous. But I see the faces of the knights who came to fetch me, including Mullan, Zeph, and Ambry. Their presence calms me a bit.

"Let me introduce you to my fiancée and the future Duchess, Melfiella, the eldest daughter of the Marshall Raid family. She will be living here in Garbrey to get used to the life until our official marriage. She is a precious presence, willing to join the harsh and unique environment of the Garbrey duchy. Please take good care of her."

Duke-sama looks at me. I nod, and he gently pushes me forward. The knights' eyes are intimidating, but I must gather my courage and greet them as a fiancée. I look forward nervously, but my short stature and the knights' large frames make it hard to see the other side of the dining hall. I look up at Duke-sama.

"Duke-sama?"

"What is it?"

"I can't see everyone. Should I stand on a platform?"

"Hmm... I don't want to show you off, but it can't be helped."

Duke-sama sighs and lifts me up. The sudden action makes me cling to his neck to avoid falling. I'm carried like a child, and the knights' eyes are immediately drawn to me.

"Really, she's so cute!"

"See, I told you!"

"Wow, she's a princess!"

"Your Excellency, what sweet words did you use to bring her here?"

The dining hall erupts in laughter. I guess this means they are welcoming me. It's embarrassing to be carried by a grown man, but their reactions suggest they will accept me.

"Quiet. I followed the proper procedure, of course. Melfi, ignore their comments."

"Y-Yes."

Suddenly, a whistle is heard.

"Your Excellency, don't show off!"

"Wow, Your Excellency is a man!"

"Princess, please say something!"

"Let us hear your voice!"

Surprised by the atmosphere, I clear my throat. The knights quickly quiet down and focus on me.

"Thank you for introducing me. I am Melfiella. I am honored to accept Duke-sama's proposal. I know nothing about the life and customs here, but I am determined to make Garbrey my home. I will strive to become a worthy Duchess, and I humbly request your guidance and support."

Good, I managed to say it properly! Even though I was being carried, I curtsy with my dress. I wonder if this is an appropriate way to greet them. When someone says, "Your voice is cute too!" and toasts start breaking out everywhere, I guess it went well.