Volume 3, Act 22: Festival Prelude and Honey Lemon
A few days after Cordelia heard about Christina from Cyrus.
Cordelia was holed up in her laboratory the day before the Founding Festival started. Emina, her maid, was in the room with her.
Ojou-sama, would you like another cup of tea?
Thanks. Yes, please.
Neither Ronnie, who worked as her experimental assistant, nor Lara, the small apprentice girl, were by her side. Both of them had gone out to town that day.
The period before and after the Founding Festival were holidays for the servants of the Pameradia House.
Of course, not all of them took time off at once. Every year, around this time, Elvis would stay at the castle, so there were no visitors, and the schedules were easy to set up.
The basic idea for the servants was that they enthusiastically made it through the work, even if the workload increased a little since they would get holidays in turn.
She told Ronnie, before he went out today, that it would be a loss if he didnt go to see the bustling streets while the Founding Festival was on, even though he lived in the Royal Capital and Elvis had told him to rest.
According to Ronnie, a lot of street stalls were already set up, even a day before the festival started.
(I also want to go if I hear something like that.)
Cordelia resented Ronnie a little since she had finally decided to wait until she became an adult to go to the Founding Festival, but there was a horrible adult who was weakening her resolve.
Of course, it wasnt like she could go, even if he didnt, so she wanted him to enjoy it as much as he could if he went; but she wanted him to give her delicious fruits if he found some.
( But, I am extremely reluctant to stay home when I think that I might find a caravan that sells Japanese things, like the fox mask Gille-sama had.)
She did miss those things, and she was also curious because she might find something interesting.
(Even so, Ill control myself. But I want to hear them talk about it later.)
Vernoux-sama and Gille-sama will probably go to the festival. Vernoux-sama will probably come around for sweets as always, and Gille-sama will probably tell me cheerfully about the festival. And, if I remember the things they tell me, then I can have a good time at the festival in the future.
Cordelia thought that, and she became worried about one thing. That was that Emina was currently not scheduled in for any holidays.
The festivals finally here, so I dont mind if Emina takes some time off.
She was extremely thankful that Emina, who she was familiar with, was by her side, but it wasnt like she couldnt do anything without Emina. Other servants didnt understand Cordelia as well as Emina did, but they were all considerate people.
Thank you for your concern, Ojou-sama. But, its fine.
Its finally time for the festival, you know? Or do you dislike busy places?
Its bad if shes mindful of me, but it also feels uncomfortable to force it. Emina continued smiling at Cordelia who had tilted her head in curiosity.
I will take a proper holiday.
She said, and Cordelia couldnt comprehend the true meaning behind those words, and was hesitant to keep on asking.
(Emina also didnt rest during the Founding Festival last year, or the year before that either, did she?)
Though I would keep pressing her to take a holiday if she shows a little reservation. She thought, though if Emina didnt seem reserved at all, then the correct thing to do was rely on her favour.
I dont mind, if thats what you say, Emina But instead, you have to take a proper break, okay? Its a promise.
Yes, thank you very much.
Alright, its a promise. If she still doesnt take a break, then Ill get Otou-sama to order her to. She thought, however, she recalled that Emina had taken a little break last year, at the end of the Founding Festival.
( People who dont like taking breaks dont exist, right?)
The reason why it had changed slightly into a question was that half-way through thinking, she remembered how Elvis worked. Thus, she became unsure.
(I wonder if I should say selfish things to Otou-sama after the Founding Festival is over so that he doesnt collapse from overworking himself.)
Of course, I dont intend to trouble him, but its vital for him to rest his body. If he doesnt, then he might have health problems.
(I wonder if I should tell him that I want to have lunch with him next time.)
She handed Emina the empty cup and decided. Alright, Ill definitely get Otou-sama and Emina to take a break.
However, that was after the Founding Festival. It wasnt something she could do right then.
That being the case, she had no choice but to treat them like usual until then.
Emina, I want to write a reply to Isma-oniisamas letter. Can you get me a pen and paper?
Understood.
Emina immediately prepared several types of paper and pens in compliance with Cordelias wish. She chose a white, floral embossed paper, and began to slowly write out the letters.
It was the first time she had received a letter from Isma that wasnt a reply to her own. She was also surprised that Isma, who would always accompany her when he came home, would write a letter to her, which was different from usual.
The contents of the letter were a request to Cordelia.
A junior knight in the 2nd Imperial Guards, where Isma worked, got athletes foot.
When she had first heard that, she felt that there was a massive gap between the image of a knight and getting athletes foot.
No, its not like I dont understand. A knight is also human. They can catch athletes foot. She re-thought and once again read the letter; apparently, this junior knight had caught athletes foot during his northern mission.
It seems like he has no idea that he has athletes foot. But he wont say his feet hurt, because he doesnt want to look bad; so it seems like hes really enduring it. I dont know how itchy it is for him, but he is clearly putting up with something.
A feeling of sympathy was flowing out from the words Isma had composed.
(I wonder if during his northern mission means that he didnt bother to change his socks.)
If so, then I cant be impressed since it would have been smelly, Cordelia thought. Also, there was nothing desirable about leaving athletes foot as is, since it was highly infectious. Fortunately, Isma had taken that knight to the infirmary at once, but then a problem occurred.
He did receive medicine, but he has anti-magic. The magic medicine that the Royal Palace is so proud of doesnt work well on him.
Anti-magicwas a unique ability from birth, which made it hard for magic to affect that person. Therefore, they didnt receive much damage from attack magic as combatants, but they were incompatible with the military treatments, as they used magic.
Their anti-magic abilities also manifested when they use medicines mixed with magic, so the effects of such medicine were hindered.
Its not like the medicine isnt working at all, but he lacks sleep because it keeps itching. It would be troublesome if this were to spread, so the army is trying to mix some medicine that would work for him. However, it seems like that would take some time.
Sorry, but could you ask the Head Magician if she knows of any medicine that is good for this? Although we also use magic to refine medicine in our house, it might be effective if the procedure is different.
The magic of the Pameradia House, who were originally an equestrian tribe, was different from the militarys medicine.
The military would change the flow of magic to aid medicine once it had entered a body, but the Pameradias used a method that boosted the power of the ingredients, before applying it.
(If that was all Isma-oniisama wanted, then he could have sent the letter to the Head Magician directly But asking me to do it to cause less trouble, and at the same time checking how I am, sounds like something he would do.)
At any rate, she had to do this task, since he had asked her to. The memo which described the present medicine recipe and patients symptoms had already been delivered to the Head Magician.
The Head Magician, who saw the description of the symptoms, said, Shall we prepare the medicine which is often used in Ertiga? and immediately began to compound it. It seemed that even commoners in the Royal Capital get prescribed medicine that is a little similar to the ones the army used.
(I really dont know anything about medicine.)
However, even Cordelia could recall a method to soothe an itch. She finished writing her letter, stood up and headed to the cupboard.
Then, she took two small bottles from out of the cupboard: one containing roman chamomile essential oil and the other containing tea tree essential oil.
I might as well send him oil for a foot bath to cope with the athletes feet.
She muttered, as she went back to the desk and wrote the usage onto a small piece of paper.
I see, so he came to remind me, she concluded.
She had known for a few days that her parent would be gone from the mansion, but Elvis was still worried about her. However, this wasnt the first year that this had happened. This had happened last year and the year before that; it was the same exchange she had with him every year.
Fortunately, it had never been a problem before, thanks to Hans and the other servants. Nevertheless, it was still reassuring to know that she didnt have to hesitate if something suddenly happened.
However, there was one thing different about Elvis, who was always reliable.
Otou-sama, mm
Whats wrong?
Your voice is a little
Itll heal soon.
She could usually feel the pressure behind his voice, but today it was a little hoarse.
Is it because hes swamped? It seems that Otou-sama, who is incredibly trained, can also get sick. However, is he not worried because it always heals before it gets worse?
But, his days are going to get busier from now on.
Otou-sama, do you have a little time? I will prepare something gentle for your throat.
You will?
Yes. I was just making it before.
Elvis didnt reply to that. Instead, he sat down onto a nearby chair.
Cordelia watched him as he did and quickly began preparing.
The lemon which had been warmed by the fire was brown on the surface. It was still warm, but she cooled it down a little with her magic. Then, she took a fruit knife and removed the skin, served it on a plate and mixed it with honey from the cupboard.
Please have some.
The forks on the edge of the plates were ones that Lara had bought from the market, and it was a little fancy for Elvis to use, but she wanted him to overlook that for now.
Elviss expression didnt change, even as he used the cute fork and brought the lemon to his mouth.
Does it suit your tastes?
.. Yeah, its not bad.
Cordelia laughed lightly at his awkward compliment.
Im glad. If its fine with you, then I would like to send you some to eat at night too. Otou-sama, your throat is important.
Okay. So, you can cook too?
She certainly did do something; she had preparedsomething, but she didnt feel like she had reached the levels of cookingit. However, Elvis was dead serious, and he wasnt teasing her, so she felt it difficult to refute him.
(Ive never held something like a kitchen knife, ever since I was born as Cordelia, but I think I can cook more dishes. I just dont have the chance!)
Should I try to make something once to raise Otou-samas assessment a little more? From his reaction right now, it doesnt seem like hes frowning because hes worried his daughter is cooking or something.
In front of the troubled Cordelia, Elvis ate one lemon after the other.
It tastes nostalgic.
He uttered, and Cordelia tilted her head.
It was an unexpected sentiment. She had never seen Elvis eat anything like that before, and she had never seen him eat honey.
Nostalgic?
He might have tasted it a long time ago because it was a nostalgic taste. However, Cordelia had never seen something like this presented at the mansion until now. Was this food popular before or something? She thought curiously, but she didnt get a definite reply.
I thought I couldnt eat it anymore, but the future is a mystery.
Otou-sama, do you not dislike this taste?
I dont.
Then, Ill always make it for you. You can tell me whenever you want to eat it.
It was also hard for Cordelia to imagine that Elvis would say that he wanted to eat honey lemons. If he was someone who would say something like that, then the chefs would have made it by now.
However, if it was easier to say that to her than order a chef to make it, then it was easy to gift it to him if he didnt dislike it.
Elvis didnt reply to Cordelias offer. He ate up all the food on the plate and stood up.
Im leaving.
Please take care. I will wait for you to return.
And then, Elvis left, and Emina came back.
Emina restrained Cordelia, who was trying to clean up the plate, by taking it.
If you had waited, then I could have made it for you.
Otou-sama was here. He looked like hed caught a cold, so I prepared it for him.
Actually, she left aside the fact that she had prepared it because she had wanted to eat it herself; as she said that, Emina looked convinced.
Say, Emina. Otou-sama had said that the taste of honey lemon was nostalgic to him, but is it the same for you?
Nostalgic, you say?
Emina looked as if she was thinking about Cordelias question for a bit.
Im not very familiar with it, but I hear that there is an area to the south where they often drink honey tea. I heard that Master visited there a lot when he was younger so he might have eaten it there.
I see.
Ronnie, whos from the south, might know about it more.
Then, I think Ill also treat Ronnie to it next time.
At any rate, it was a bit cute to put Elvis and honey together.
Well, I guess Ill have to practice more so that I can treat Otou-sama to it again. Shall we eat together Emina?
Yes. But Ojou-sama, I will make it this time.
Its fine once in a while, right?
Emina didnt agree with Cordelia, who was laughing because she wanted to practice, and the lemon went into Eminas hands. Apparently, it was okay for Cordelia to make it for herself to eat, but Emina didnt approve of Cordelia making it for Emina to eat.
And the honey lemon that Emina made, as she was used to cooking, tasted better than the one Cordelia had made.
(Shes a wonderful role model.)
I made a promise to send Otou-sama some honey lemon at night, but should I get Emina to direct me from now? She thought as she carried the lemon into her mouth.
In any case, Emina was an excellent maid whom she could rely on.
Translator: Blushy
Editor: SenjiQ