Chapter 16

Tension ran between Alexei and Eleonora.

"Do you dare to advise me? State your name."

Eleonora gracefully performed a lady's bow and announced her name.

"…I am Eleonora, daughter of the Duke of Purpureus."

Alexei furrowed his brow.

"Are you the sister of that Sophia woman?"

"…Yes, I am."

"The Duke of Purpureus seems to have quite an education. Do you think you can speak to me like this and get away with it?"

Eleonora stared straight at the intimidating Alexei.

(He doesn't seem to be really angry. Upon closer inspection, his face looks a lot like Ham-chan's. But his eyes are cold, unlike Ham-chan's.)

Eleonora, though not as adept as with animals or magical beasts, could somewhat understand human emotions.

"…No. I came prepared to die. Pie is the second most important food to me."

Eleonora's statement, as beautiful as a goddess, was so incomprehensible that Sergei interjected.

"Milady Eleonora, this is my fault. Please apologize to His Majesty."

Alexei silenced Sergei and asked Eleonora again.

"You say pie is your second favorite. Then what is your first?"

"…Ham."

(Ham-chan values food and eats even what she dislikes with great effort. She mustn't become an adult like His Majesty! No, she's already an adult. But she should be a kind and wonderful adult, not like His Majesty.)

Alexei was surprised by her answer. Pie and Ham. The combination was too unnatural to be a coincidence. He vividly recalled the image of Ham, with her green, squishy skin, always hugging him, and dying with a smile.

He still harbors affection for Ham. For some reason, he saw her reflection in Eleonora, who looked nothing like her.

"You are unusual. Ham is an ingredient, not a dish."

Eleonora shook her head.

"…It is a complete dish."

Their conversation should have been devoid of any romantic undertones, as they had only been talking about food. However, Alexei felt something that drew him to Eleonora. He couldn't pinpoint what it was. She was indeed the most beautiful person here, but beneath the skin, everyone is the same. Alexei was not swayed by outward beauty.

"What do you like about ham?"

In response to Alexei's question, Eleonora wanted to answer passionately. However, years of education made her hold back her intense feelings.

(Ham has so many good qualities! But to me, Ham is Ham-chan! Ham-chan's ham! Ham-chan is the best! The best in the world!)

Eleonora smiled gently and answered slowly.

"…Everything. Its very existence is precious."

Alexei was overwhelmed by a feeling he had never experienced before, as Eleonora spoke of Ham with the tenderness and affection of a mother.

"Then what about pie?"

Sergei, listening to their conversation, thought they might be using ham and pie as metaphors. However, this was their first meeting. Could they really use ham and pie as metaphors right away?

Ignoring Sergei, Alexei asked Eleonora about pie.

"…Pie is the most precious thing given to me."

(I got my name from Ham-chan! I'm not a monster anymore. It's a beautiful name. Pie is the most beautiful name in the world!)

Eleonora's eyes sparkled, and she answered with genuine happiness.

Alexei felt a sense of nostalgia at her expression.

"What kind of pie do you like?"

Alexei asked, his eyes burning with interest.

"…Any kind of pie. I find all things named pie equally delightful."

(Apple pie, custard pie, rabbit meat pie, herring pie, I love them all!)

Eleonora thought of many pies and felt an intense desire to eat one, glancing at the table.

(There's pie right there, but I can't eat it! Pie, let me eat you!)

Seeing her gaze, Alexei wanted to let her eat the pie.

"Understood. Then I will keep the pie on this table."

Alexei narrowed his eyes, looking at Eleonora with affection, and she couldn't hide her joy, her cheeks blooming as she bowed and expressed her gratitude.

To coincide with the release of "My Mother Was the Former Villainess Who Was Exiled: A Plain-Jane Glasses-Wearing Commoner's Rise to Power" on August 25th, a special website (URL below) has been launched.

blog.over-lap.co.jp/site_watashino/

Additionally, this work will be adapted into a manga on Square Enix's Gangan ONLINE.

Thank you very much for your support!

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