Chapter 8

There are many shops lined up, but it’s probably because many merchants dealing in silverware come here. Not only taverns that double as bars, but also shops with a calm atmosphere, with names written in gold above their doors, are lined up.

However, if you’re worried about your budget, you shouldn’t choose too expensive a place here.

Looking around, Eris chose a shop that was about average among those lined up and pushed open the old wooden door. A bell jingled, announcing the arrival of a customer, and a cute little girl came running out from the back of the shop.

"Welcome! How many people are you?"

"Two, but are there any seats available?"

It’s rare. She has black hair and black eyes. Her hair is tied in two at the shoulders, and her appearance is like she has returned to Japan, making Eris open her eyes wide in surprise.

However, it seemed the same for the other person. She stared at Eris as if captivated, but after a while, she fidgeted and readjusted the tray she was holding.

"Um... this is a commoner’s cafeteria, so I’m sorry, but we don’t have a private room for nobles..."

"Oh, that’s fine. I came intending to eat with everyone, of course."

"Huh!?"

At the girl’s voice, everyone around turned to look, their eyes wide open.

"But, the only thing we can serve is commoner’s food, you know?"

"Long live commoner’s food. Rather, it looks very delicious. So, I want to heal my tired body from the journey as soon as possible with your cooking."

Apparently, by this point, the girl realized that Eris hadn’t entered by mistake.

"In that case, um, that’s your seat..."

It seems that the arrival of a noble is rare.

The reason everyone is looking at Eris, who is being guided, with a buzz, is probably due to this.

The gaze is annoying, but as she walks, the fragrant smell of roasting meat wafts from the back of the shop. Potatoes and carrots. And the white soup, mixed with milk, being served to customers, is it the same taste as the dish I used to eat often in my previous life?

"Please bring the same as that. Gito?"

"I’ll have the same as Eris-sama."

"Yes! Aqua-lack stew, right!"

(Indeed, stew!)

I don’t know why this world has stew, but it was my second favorite dish before I was reincarnated.

'The best is meat and potatoes, the second is stew! And curry! This is the food of the gods!'

'Okay, okay. That’s all the same method except for the seasonings.'

The memory of being casually corrected by a friend when I was insisting on it before reincarnation is nostalgic.

So, I picked up the spoon with a smile as the dish was served.

(To be able to eat a warm dish without all the court etiquette and tasting for poison, it’s been so long!)

Scooping up the white liquid with the spoon and putting it in my mouth, a blissful warmth spreads.

(Ah, I’m glad I quit being a queen!)

Thinking this from the bottom of my heart at the familiar taste. If stew is a commoner’s dish here, I should have asked the chef to make it for me.

"Gito?"

Suddenly, I noticed that Gito was making a slightly strange face while chewing the stew.

"Something... the vegetables are a bit hard. And the flavor is different from usual."

"Really?"

I hadn’t noticed because I had just eaten the potatoes, but now that he mentions it, the vegetables in my mouth do seem to have a bit more texture than usual.

It’s not bad, but...

"I’m sorry. Recently, due to poor harvests in this region, vegetables are very hard to come by."

"Poor harvests?"

It seems to be part of the set. After bringing water to the glasses from the back, the black-haired girl placed them on Eris’s table with a thud.

It’s an old wooden table, but from the way the tabletop reflects the shadow of the glass, it’s clear how much the owner cherishes this place.

However, while her reflection appeared on the tabletop, the girl looked troubled.

"Yes. Due to the cold damage that has continued since last year, vegetables have become very expensive... Most of what is harvested in this area is eaten by the farmers themselves, and the rest goes to the wealthy, so we use dried vegetables that are transported from far away."

"Dried... Ah, because there’s no other way to transport them..."

In the other world, there would be methods like cutting and freezing, but in this world without refrigerators, it’s impossible. So, to prevent damage during long-distance transportation, dried vegetables are the norm.

(Poor harvests in the Shreiban region—come to think of it, I’ve heard about it from Reinhart a few times...)

However, I didn’t expect it to affect the lives of the citizens like this.

Noticing the slight lowering of Eris’s eyes.

"But, they’re still delicious, even if a bit hard. Especially shiitake mushrooms, the umami is more concentrated in the dried version. It’s winter, so we’re trying our best to recreate the original flavor of the vegetables by cooking them thoroughly."

"That’s... even though I didn’t know, I’m sorry for saying something inappropriate."

"No, it’s true that the texture is different. Rather, I appreciate customers who ask without getting angry."

She must deal with various customers in her daily life. It’s somewhat endearing to see Gito blushing as he answers the girl, who is used to it.

"By the way—"

Turning around.

It seems they had been secretly watching until they were noticed. Several people hurriedly averted their eyes when Eris turned to look at them.

"Have we been getting a lot of attention since just now?"

There’s nothing particularly strange. The dish we’re eating is apparently a staple of this shop, and it’s not as if I’m traveling alone because Gito is here.

I’ve taken off all the hair accessories for the ball and am wearing a long coat over my dress, so there’s no way I should be recognized—

Puzzled, Eris tilted her head, and the girl laughed.

"Because, customer! If you wear such luxurious clothes, you’re bound to stand out!"

"Luxurious?"

She blinked at the words. True, if the entire dress under the coat were visible, the high-quality silk dress made for a ball might stand out in the city. But the dress she’s wearing now isn’t puffed out with hoops, and it’s rather plain, to the point where the queen is known for her understated taste among the nobles—

Moreover, only the hem of the dress is visible under the coat.

However, the girl laughed.

"Here, you don’t see dresses with so much silk pleats. And the lace is subtly used. If you show such a beautiful hem, anyone can tell how high-class you are, even without saying a word."

(Oh no, I slipped up!)

It was a shock as if she had been hit on the head.

For seventeen years since she was born in this world, she had been surrounded by frills and flounces every day, and her senses had completely numbed.

"Yeah... maybe a bit..."

(Not a bit! In the original world, it’s like walking around the city in a wedding dress!)

In such a state, it’s impossible to avoid attention. Rather, being in a commoner’s cafeteria with a man makes it even more conspicuous.

"Um... so, what’s your relationship? From the looks of it, you’re probably running away—"

(And it’s even being seen as a runaway!)

It’s impossible not to be concerned.

A priest and a noble princess on the run.

(It’s like telling Reinhart, ‘Here I am!’)

This is no joke. Gito is blushing and turning red, but if they are caught and charged with adultery, both will definitely be executed!

(He would do it...! Even though he’s not interested in me, he would definitely be furious at any betrayal!)

If such a story spreads, it won’t just be a matter of being confined.

"Hey"

So, she quickly grabbed the girl’s hand.

"I’ll give you a good tip. Please, can you take me to a pawn shop secretly?"

"Pawn shop?"

It was probably an unfamiliar word. The girl tilted her head at the word used in another world, so Eris hurriedly corrected herself.

"Ah, sorry. I mean an antique shop. Please? We’re traveling without being seen by anyone, so..."

She deliberately left the words vague and looked at Gito. The girl’s face lit up.

"Really! Please wait. I’ll ask the master for some time since it’s not busy now!"

The girl ran off excitedly.

(That’s good)

She sighed in relief. She didn’t expect to stand out so much just because of the hem of her dress. But if she gets some used clothes from an antique shop, she shouldn’t be recognized anymore.

Looking ahead, she clenched her fist.

(Absolutely! I won’t be caught by Reinhart!)

She will definitely escape to the border and return to a peaceful civilian life, Eris clenched her raised fist tightly.