12

“According to Kansas-san’s daughter, it is apparently still one of the better places in Kirk. But when compared to this mansion, I suppose it would be natural for Lady Arabetta to think that.”

From Ains’s perspective, having lived in a tiny hut, both the Kansas mansion and the Arabetta mansion felt equally luxurious.

“We have arrived at the bathhouse. Who would like to enter first?”

The four of them stopped in front of the door with a bathhouse sign hanging on it.

“We can go later. Ains, you got soaked in seawater, right? Why don’t you go in first?”

“…Talidge, so you are capable of showing Lord Ains a small amount of consideration. Truly only a small amount, though.”

“You really always have one unnecessary thing to say, don’t you?”

Sophia and Talidge immediately began bickering.

“In that case, I’ll go in first.”

After seeing Ains’s body, Valeo tried to offer his assistance, but Ains refused.

“In that case, I shall guide these two to the guest room. Lord Ains, please relax at your leisure.”

Valeo left the front of the bathhouse with Sophia and Talidge.

Ains quietly enjoyed the hot water alone.

After getting out of the bath, Ains was shown to the guest room by Valeo.

It was not as large as the Brandy mansion’s, but it was still a spacious guest room, so Ains took a look around it.

In the end, he settled down on the bed. Between the journey to Elias and the trouble he had been dragged into immediately after arriving, fatigue had built up in Ains, and he fell asleep just like that.

“Lord Ains, it is time for dinner.”

“…Sophia?”

Ains woke up to Sophia’s voice knocking on the door.

When he sat up, the view outside the window showed that the sun had completely set.

“Lord Ains, are you awake?”

“Isn’t it fine? He’s asleep, right? Why don’t you just let him sleep?”

Talidge seemed to be there as well, and his voice could be heard from the hallway.

“I just woke up, so wait a moment, both of you.”

Ains said that and got out of bed in the dim room.

On the other side of the door, Sophia must have jabbed Talidge in the ribs with her elbow again, because a small “Ow” could be heard.

Ains put on his jacket and stepped out into the hallway.

The hallway, lit by lamps, felt dazzling compared to the guest room.

“I have asked Valeo-san where the dining room is, so I shall guide you there.”

Sophia bowed to Ains, whose hair was sticking up from sleep, then started walking as she guided him. Talidge followed behind her while yawning.

“Lord Ains, have you awakened?”

Waiting for Ains when he arrived at the dining room was Valeo.

He had brought several maids with him and was in the middle of arranging the meal.

The dining room was simply built. The table was wooden, and no cloth had been laid over it.

“Lord Ains, and you two as well, I apologize for keeping you waiting. …I was running around dealing with the aftermath.”

The beautiful Arabetta with the gallant features Ains had seen when they met was nowhere to be found. She looked so exhausted that her fatigue was plain to see.

“I’m sure you were. Forgive my rudeness, but I can tell just by looking at your face. I’m sorry for showing you these half-asleep eyes of mine.”

Ains scratched his head with a wry smile and sat in the seat offered to him. Sophia sat beside Ains, while Talidge sat across from him.

“Hahaha, how embarrassing. After all, it still has not completely ended, so I cannot let myself relax…”

“That sounds difficult.”

“It certainly is. But my work only truly exists at times like these. Even if the dark circles under my eyes grow too deep to hide with makeup, I must still do what needs to be done.”

Though she was exhausted, there was still strength in Arabetta’s eyes.

Ains thought that being a lord must be difficult. There was no doubt that he would not be able to govern perfectly.

“No, forgive me. This is meant to be a dinner where Lord Ains, who assisted us, may enjoy Elias’s prized fish dishes as an expression of gratitude. If I speak only of such gloomy matters, even delicious food will taste poor.”

When Arabetta glanced at Valeo, Valeo gave instructions to the maids.

Dishes were efficiently lined up in front of everyone.

“Now then, Lord Ains! These dishes were prepared with all the skill of the Elias family’s chefs. Please enjoy them to your heart’s content!”

Arabetta raised a glass filled with grape wine and drank it down in one go.

Perhaps the recent disturbance had placed an extraordinary mental burden on her, because she held the emptied glass in one hand and savored the rich aroma and lingering warmth of the alcohol.

“In that case, I’ll gladly accept.”

When eating high-quality food, it had become almost natural for Ains to manifest his right arm and use a knife and fork with both hands.

Valeo and the other maids widened their eyes in surprise at Ains’s suddenly appearing right arm, but since they had heard from Arabetta that Ains was skilled in magic, they soon returned to their usual expressions.

Faced with the feast, both of Ains’s hands moved busily. The tart appetizer, the thickened soup, and the poêlé with crispy skin and tender, flaky flesh all made Ains groan in delight.

The highlight was the raw fish topped with a citrus sauce. It was a dish that could only be eaten in Elias, where fresh fish could be caught.

“This is it! Ahh, it’s delicious!!”

The waves were rough in places far from the harbor. Fish that swam through such violent waves developed firm flesh. The springy texture, the perfect amount of fat, and the refreshing flavor of the citrus sauce came together and bloomed all at once in his mouth. The fat melted further on his tongue, carrying a savory richness that was not heavy.

Even Sophia, who usually ate quietly, could not help letting out, “…It’s delicious.”

“Talidge, what do you think? This is Elias’s fish cuisine!”

Wanting to share his excitement, Ains asked Talidge without stopping his hands.

“Yeah! This really is irresistible! Above all, the wine’s amazing!”

“Talidge, you can drink grape wine anywhere. Lord Ains was talking about the food.”

Talidge had initially been drinking from a glass after having it poured for him, but perhaps having to wait for refills had become too bothersome, because he had taken the bottle and was now drinking straight from it.

“No, Lady Sophia, Lord Talidge’s words make me happy as well. Elias is famous for its fish dishes, of course, but our grape wine is actually quite good too.”

At Arabetta’s recommendation, Sophia also drank some grape wine.