Chapter 68

"Saikiduke... This is the appetizer."

With the signal of "itadakimasu," the servants began to bring out the dishes.

...Some kind of simmered fish? Grilled eggplant? Tamagoyaki...?

Dishes that resembled Japanese cuisine, which I had never seen in this world, were lined up.

"In the Imperial Kingdom, we use these to eat. If you would like to try, please do so."

The servant said this and placed in front of me... chopsticks.

Robert, who had never used chopsticks, gripped them one by one and spoke to the prince.

Unlike his rude behavior towards Emma, this was a proper demeanor for a public setting. Despite his usual behavior, he was born into a ducal family and was accustomed to it.

"Prince Tusk, how do I use these?"

"These are called 'chopsticks.' You hold two of them in one hand like this to pick up food."

The prince, with a smile, began to explain and demonstrate to Robert and the others at the same table who had never used chopsticks.

"Whoa... This is difficult."

"No, don't grip them like a fist. Look at my fingers, like this."

"Prince, is it like this?"

"No, close, but not quite. It's not good if the chopsticks cross. Hold them like a pen..."

Indeed, this is cultural exchange.

The prince was teaching Robert, Beatrice, and Prince Edward, who had never used chopsticks, with great care.

"Ah! Miss Emma, you are very skilled."

When the prince noticed that Emma hadn't asked any questions, she was just about to eat a piece of tamagoyaki with her chopsticks. Her chopstick technique had been strictly taught by Yoriko.

"Miss Emma! That's amazing. Have you used chopsticks before?"

"Emma is very dexterous."

Arthur and the prince were surprised by Emma's chopstick skills and praised her. On the other hand, Emma, having put a large piece directly into her mouth, couldn't respond immediately. The timing was terrible.

After hurriedly chewing and swallowing the tamagoyaki, she smiled and replied.

"Yes, I've used them a little before."

She should have pretended to learn chopsticks like everyone else, but the sight of Japanese cuisine after a long time was irresistible, and she ended up eating it.

The tamagoyaki with kelp dashi... She wanted to savor it more.

Moreover, sticking out would probably get her scolded by her grandmother. Being a noble is so troublesome.

"Prince Tusk, the sauce on this eggplant has a mysterious flavor. I've never tasted anything like it before."

Beatrice, not wanting Emma to stand out, commented on the dish.

She seemed to have given up on chopsticks and was using a knife and fork.

"Ah, that's 'miso.' Well... 'fermented soybeans...?' 'koji fungus...?' I'm sorry, I'm not used to the words, but it's a common seasoning in our Imperial Kingdom."

The prince struggled to explain miso.

Since the Imperial Kingdom had just established diplomatic relations, he might not have had enough time to study the language thoroughly. He apologized for not knowing some of the finer words.

"Miso? It has a rich flavor and is delicious."

"Indeed, it's a flavor I've never tasted before, but it's delicious. This is an ingredient we don't have in our kingdom."

Arthur and the prince seemed to enjoy the grilled eggplant.

The prince smiled, looking frustrated.

Ah, this smile... I know it.

Suddenly, memories from her past life resurfaced. Emma, or rather, Mikado, recognized it.

The single noble Mikado often traveled alone. Her favorite destination was Kyoto. For some reason, Mikado was frequently asked for directions by foreigners there.

She was never asked in her daily life, but in tourist spots, she would be approached with "excuse me." Was this the fate of someone with a 100% Japanese face?

In school, her English grades weren't bad, but speaking was much more difficult.

Just trying to say, "Go straight and turn right, you'll see the shrine, and if you pass it, you'll see the station," would make her anxious, and the words she had studied for years would elude her. She often felt frustrated, unable to convey what she wanted.

Wasn't her smile back then the same as the prince's?

"Your Highness, 'miso' is made by fermenting soybeans with koji fungus. Soybeans are a familiar ingredient in our kingdom as well."

Without thinking, Emma continued the prince's explanation.

Even though she might get scolded by her grandmother for sticking out, her mouth moved on its own, triggered by the memory of that day.

"Soybeans... Miso? I had no idea. Emma, you're very knowledgeable?"

"Fermentation, like yogurt. You really know a lot."

"Women shouldn't stick their noses in."

"..."

The prince and Arthur praised Emma sincerely, while Robert complained, looking unamused. Beatrice looked at Emma with surprise. Finally making eye contact, Emma smiled back.

"Um, I'm sorry. What did Miss Emma say just now? I couldn't understand many of the words..."

The prince, noticing the reaction to Emma's words, asked apologetically.

He could have laughed it off, but as a prince, he was trying to understand the conversation properly.

What a good boy.

Unlike Robert, he wasn't jaded and didn't belittle women. Robert, take a lesson from him...

It seemed the prince had researched in advance how to introduce himself and teach chopstick etiquette, but he still needed more study to reach a level where daily conversation wouldn't be a problem.

"Prince Edward said it was an ingredient we don't have in the kingdom, so I explained that miso is made by fermenting soybeans with koji fungus, and that soybeans are a familiar ingredient in our kingdom."

To make sure the prince understood, Emma translated her explanation into Japanese and repeated it.

...

...

...

Huh? Why did the hall suddenly become so quiet?

...

...Ah!

She realized that "itadakimasu," "miso," and "fermentation" just happened to be the same in Japanese and the Imperial Kingdom's language, but the two languages weren't the same. Oh, that would be so embarrassing...! Did I just start speaking in a language no one understood?

"Um... Well, just now..."

Did I mess up? I can't think of any excuses or ways to cover it up.

At this formal dinner... again... did I mess up?

"Miss Emma? Could it be that you speak the Imperial Kingdom's language?"

With a thud, Prince Tusk stood up, moved to Emma's seat, and firmly took her hands.

"Um... I... Did I get the words right?"

Encouraged by the prince's words, Emma timidly asked. The prince leaned even closer, nodding vigorously, looking excited.

"Perfect. The pronunciation, grammar, and even the honorifics are all perfect. I was told that our language is difficult for people from the kingdom to understand and that conversation is challenging, but this is the first time I've met someone who can speak it so perfectly!"

He seemed so happy that he was about to hug her.

Confused, Emma looked around, but the prince, Arthur, Robert, Beatrice, and even her grandmother were all staring at her in surprise. Someone, anyone, please help me before the prince hugs me!

If this were her past life, she could have pushed the prince away and told him to calm down, but it was the middle of a formal dinner, and her grandmother and everyone else in the hall were watching. On the other hand, if she were hugged, it would be a disaster for a lady...

It's not me causing a scene, right? The scene is coming to me?

As if in response to Emma's silent plea, the prince was pulled away from behind, and she was finally released.

Looking up, she saw that the king had heard the prince's excited voice and had pulled him away from her.

But,

"Hey, Emma! You can speak the Imperial Kingdom's language!?"

Now the king grabbed both of Emma's upper arms and asked anxiously.

Why is the king joining in the commotion? Grandma, you're really scary!

But, if it's the king, maybe being hugged would be okay... It could even be a chance to be hugged!

Tensing up, she was about to wait and see, but the king was also pulled away from behind.

"Your Majesty! Please don't grab Emma's right arm! It affects the scar!"

Seeing Emma's upper arm being grabbed, the prince, who had recovered from the shock, pulled the king away from her.

For a moment, she thought he was being meddlesome, but seeing his genuinely worried face, she felt guilty.

The prince had seen her wounds before treatment. The upper arm the king had grabbed was the deepest and most severe.

Sorry, Prince. Actually, I'm completely fine. I said I have some aftereffects because I don't want to dance, but I'm fully recovered. There's no need to worry at all. She apologized silently.

"Aaa! Emma! Did it hurt? Are you okay?"

The king, realizing his mistake, looked at Emma with concern.

Royalty shouldn't apologize so easily... Your Majesty... Your face, your face! Even without words, your face is apologizing too much. I'll gratefully store this expression in my mental folder of nice guys!

The grip was firm, but it didn't hurt much.

However, the reactions of the prince and the king were strange. They said it was rare to speak the Imperial Kingdom's language, but Emma had only heard of the Imperial Kingdom today and still didn't understand the situation.

"I'm fine, Your Majesty. Please don't worry."

She tried to smile reassuringly, but she was now the center of the commotion. She was too scared to look at her grandmother. Cold sweat and trembling came over her.

The prince and Arthur supported her from both sides, gently helping her sit down, but the more attention she received, the more cold sweat she produced. She was sure she would be scolded today.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm fine. I'm really fine. I can even do squats if you want to see.

She tried to stand up but was pushed back into her chair by everyone, so she couldn't show her squats.

"Are you okay, Emma?"

Eek!! Finally, her grandmother's hand was on her back, locking onto her...

She thought the lecture would start right there and lowered her head, but her grandmother wasn't angry.

What do I do? She's so worried. Her eyebrows are even inverted... I'm fine, Grandma. Please don't make that face!

Seeing her so worried is painful...

It would be better to be scolded!

I want to scream, "It's okay, I'm fine"!

Panic begets panic, and she could feel beads of sweat forming on her forehead.

When school starts after the break, will I be called a sweaty lady and pointed at?

"Grandma, everyone, I'm really fine. Please, go back to your seats."

In the strange tension, she forced a smile, but no one returned to their seats. Not only her grandmother, but everyone's eyebrows were in a worried frown, looking at her.

Ugh, is there a hole I can hide in?

"Your Majesty, may I take Emma to a different room to rest?"

As if hearing Emma's wish, the prince bowed to the king and asked for permission to leave the table.

"Of course, take her to rest."

Thank you, Your Majesty! Nice assist, Your Highness!

At least, this would help her escape the atmosphere. Deciding to leave, she was about to do so when her body floated up.

"Then, I will take my leave."

The prince bowed to the king and hurried towards the exit of the hall.

He was carrying Emma in a princess carry...