Episode 119

Karem was just as dumbfounded.

It was one thing for Elizabeth, who forced a diet on her child.

But he never expected Alfred to agree so readily.

But Alfred was convinced that this would also serve as a valuable experience for Godwin.

In extreme cases, there were many nobles in this world who didn’t care about the thoughts or circumstances of the common folk and who thought of them as less important than a delicious steak in front of them.

Of course, such extreme cases were rare, but it was true that many nobles, focused on lineage, honor, and power, ignored the common people.

“Who are the commoners to teach nobles?” they would say.

However, there were many rulers in Europa who disagreed with this and practiced benevolent governance. Alfred was one of them.

Alfred’s first concern regarding Iceland was the people’s food situation, a concern that dated back to long before he was confirmed as the heir.

He was so concerned that he secretly left Winterham and visited the outer castle, now known as the Inner Keep, to eat the commoners’ staple foods himself.

It was then that Alfred was introduced to oats.

And, as expected, he was shocked.

How could anyone eat something like this?

Until then, Alfred had never even seen oats.

No matter how harsh Iceland was, he was a noble.

And not just any noble, but a high noble.

He was even the direct heir to the Duke’s family, the eldest son.

He had eaten black bread and barley bread, and when that wasn’t enough, he went hunting.

Even if he had to starve, he never ate oats.

The reason was simple.

He was a noble.

He was raised that way.

However, there were far too many people who couldn’t even eat oats and were forced to eat tree bark and roots, or even starve.

He was in Colden.

The capital of Iceland and its largest city.

Even in Colden, this was the case—what about the towns and villages in the outskirts where his influence didn’t reach?

That was when it all started.

It was when Alfred, eating oats, began to turn the entire noble class of Iceland on its head and focus on local goods.

This continued before he became the heir, after, and even after he ascended to the position of Duke.

And the opportunity quickly arose.

In the early years of his rule as Duke of Iceland.

A merchant who had spent a fortune to meet the young Alfred.

The merchant was not the bastard of a noble, nor a fallen noble with diluted blood; he was just a commoner.

Had he been a typical noble, he would have extorted things under the guise of taxes, testing the waters. But Alfred bet everything on that brave merchant.

Fortunately, that gamble bore fruit and changed the fate of Iceland.

And it all began with one thing.

A bowl of porridge made from roots, tree bark, and oats, which was hardly better than animal feed.

Of course, he no longer ate oats.

Though it couldn’t be helped, even by his standards, it wasn’t exactly appetizing.

In any case, Alfred wanted Godwin to have some sort of awakening, even if it wasn’t the same as his own.

On the other hand, Elizabeth’s reason was very simple.

Elizabeth, sitting on the sofa, narrowed her eyes as she looked down at Karem, who awkwardly tried to act polite.

“Are you saying that just changing the staple food to oats will have that much effect?”

“Ah, of course, mayonnaise is a given, and all kinds of desserts and greasy foods should be forbidden.”

“That’s a given. But surely, you’re not saying he will only eat oats, right?”

“I plan to serve it with properly prepared dishes.”

“Hmm, so you mean he’ll focus only on the food without oats?”

“That’s why someone is needed to attend to Prince Godwin and control the situation—”

“Victoria would be enough. She’s already his attendant—”

(From her perspective) He’s gained far too much weight already.

Especially in such a short period.

Many couldn’t understand.

Elizabeth didn’t particularly want to make them understand.

No, rather, Elizabeth thought Godwin’s diet had been delayed more than she expected, because Alfred had opposed it for so long.

It wouldn’t have been allowed if, after a month of summer, Alfred hadn’t been shocked by the cost of changing Godwin’s clothes.

“Hmm, Duchess. Shouldn’t we delay it a bit?”

“Athanitas, what do you mean?”

“Little one. No, in a little while, the evening banquet at the Great Hall will include a reward ceremony and an appointment ceremony. Have you forgotten?”

“Oh, the appointment ceremony?”

“Iona, rescue team, Gordon?”

As the words were mentioned one by one, Karem finally realized that Gordon’s appointment ceremony was just around the corner.

“Ah, certainly.”

Alfred, also recalling the fact he had momentarily forgotten, stroked his beard.

It was because of the shocking mention of oats.

The first reward ceremony for successfully retrieving the Duke’s chamberlain.

(The second will be held once the hunting squad returns.)

And there was also the appointment ceremony of a swordmaster.

Of course, the scale of this banquet wouldn’t be as grand as Wintersend.

But with the title of Duke, it had to be grand and magnificent.

Naturally, the number of attendees would correspond to that.

And, of course, there would be extravagant and dazzling food.

Especially the dessert should stand out.

After all, this had to be pushed forward for the stability of Alfred’s envisioned Red Witch’s Finger and the late addition of the vanilla business and distribution.

“Duchess. For the sake of the schedule, Godwin’s diet should—”

Alfred, having finished his thought, turned to Elizabeth and began to speak casually.

“No, that’s precisely why it’s even more necessary to finalize the diet.”

“Luckily, you understand too, don’t you? Duchess?”

“Fred, we need to make decisions quickly and decisively, not drag it out like a tangled rope.”

Otherwise, all sorts of side effects would overflow all at once, wouldn’t they?

Before Alfred could even respond, Elizabeth turned sharply and looked at Karem.

“Karem. From what you’re saying, you mean that the food will have more elegance than the sorry diet I requested for Godwin, right?”

“Well, oats themselves can’t be avoided, but the dishes accompanying them—”

“Then there’s no problem.”

“Uh, Duchess? Is that really okay?”

“Of course!”

Elizabeth nodded firmly, filled with strong determination.

“Right now, Godwin is sticking to the diet, but as time goes on, other thoughts will start to arise. You know that, Fred.”

“Well, isn’t that what most people do?”

“But it’s only been a short time since the diet started. What happens if we compromise already? Today is the reward and appointment ceremony, tomorrow is the Sabbath, and the day after could be an excuse for a vacation, right?”

“Uh, hmm?”

That much? Alfred was a bit taken aback.

Of course, Godwin had gained weight compared to last year.

He didn’t think it was enough to make a difference, but clearly, his beloved wife, Elizabeth, had different thoughts.

“Well, if the other dishes at the evening banquet won’t overshadow it, I guess it’s fine? Although, I did eat too much mayonnaise. And besides, my wife has never been so forceful about it.”

“Certainly, it’s not a good look to compromise from the start, even if it’s fine later.”

“Then, Your Grace, may I prepare it?”

“Sure. Karem. I can’t help but know your skill. However, I don’t think I’ll be able to help. I might actually need your help since the banquet is right around the corner.”

Although not as grand as Wintersend, various powers would attend for different purposes, and the amount of food to prepare had to match their status and number.

In other words, for a long time, all the kitchens at Winterham Manor had been preparing for the banquet in addition to their usual tasks.

Normally, this would have been just a bit challenging, but there was no choice.

A significant number of people were away on business, so things were still barely hanging by a thread.

In other words, things were already overloaded.

Of course, Karem was aware of this part.

“Yes, it’s certainly possible.”

“Alright. I trust you. Oh, and one more thing. Share the recipes for the dishes Godwin will eat with the kitchen staff.”

“Ah, of course. Though it’s just a recipe.”

“If it’s only placed in front of Godwin, it’ll make the banquet look unnatural, so it’s necessary to complement it as much as possible.”

“In that case, Your Grace, I think we need to go to the manor’s kitchen. Would that be alright?”

“Hmm? You mean the kitchen?”

“Yes. If I just hand over the recipe, the already busy kitchen might become even more chaotic, so I must reluctantly show a sample.”

“Ah, I had temporarily forgotten about that. But, are you planning to present a new recipe?”

“Since Prince Godwin is on a diet, most of the existing dishes cannot be eaten. I’ll need to come up with new dishes tailored for the prince.”

Alfred was impressed.

Seeing the fire in Karem’s eyes, it was clear he was sincere.

“Hah, you’re willing to do such troublesome work yourself.”

“No, it’s what a chef does. There are new dishes to be made, but I’m also thinking of some things I learned from the head chef.”

Catherine, who had been watching Karem with a lukewarm gaze, couldn’t stop herself from shaking her head but was secretly pleased.

After all, new menus were always welcome.

However, there was something bothering her.

“But little one.”

“Hmm, yes?”

“Well, Prince Godwin is one thing. But you don’t intend to serve that on other tables, do you?”

“Oh, you mean that?”

“You mean the dish that will be part of Prince Godwin’s diet in the future?”

“Oats porridge? I’m not sure.”

No one would allow that, would they?

With that in mind, Karem shifted his gaze from Catherine to the Duke and Duchess.

Alfred immediately waved his hand.

“No, I can’t allow that. No matter how it’s prepared, I cannot allow oats to be served at a banquet.”

“Even so, the prestige of the Pellwinter family must be maintained. If it’s a private family table, it might be acceptable, but to serve that at a table full of guests at the banquet hall… I can’t even imagine what people would say.”

This time, Elizabeth couldn’t help but agree, waving her hand.

It wouldn’t be seen on the main table at the banquet hall, so it didn’t matter, but still, she couldn’t serve oats to such valuable guests of the Duke’s family.

“Well, little one, that’s too bad…”

“Huh? What do you mean by that?”

“Your wicked plan to feed oats to everyone. Ugh, just hearing it is terrifying.”

“Huh? When did I ever think that? And why would you call it evil?”

“Isn’t that so? It’s oats! Your masters allowed it, but if you said that to any regular noble, you know you could end up with your head on the chopping block?”

“It’s the way oats are consumed that’s the issue.”

“The perception of oats has been set in stone for a long time.”

“Ah, right, Alicia—”

Alfred, who had been silently listening to the two servants’ banter, couldn’t help but interrupt.

“Alicia? Why is she being mentioned here?”

“Well…”

So why is our cute and adorable Alicia suddenly being brought up? Wait, could it be that you fed that to Alicia?

Alfred didn’t say it out loud, but it was clear enough.

The terrifying father who only wanted to feed his precious youngest daughter the best was clearly expressing everything through his expression.

And Elizabeth, sitting beside him, shared the same sentiment.

Karem’s actions were swift.

“I will apologize without any excuses!”

Under the look that dared him to make an excuse, Karem, facing Catherine’s shocked gaze, described the situation as it happened, as honestly as possible.

Thanks to his previous achievements, he was finally forgiven.

Though he was warned, being forgiven was already something.