CH 39

Chapter 39: Dinner with me

She were guided to the dining hall, which was an exclusive space only for royalty.

A Druid and Courtesan - Neverwinter...

Unlike the grand hall for banquets, the room was small but still unbelievably spacious according to Ernesta’s common sense. The carpet and curtains were of deep colours, creating a calm space to relax in.

However, when she saw the person waiting for her, Ernesta’s heart thumped so hard she thought it might burst.

“You’re here.”

“…I’m sorry for keeping you waiting.”

Ivan shook his head and indicated for her to take a seat facing him. Ernesta tried not to make any awkward movements and managed to sit down on the carpet without incident.

The meal was already prepared, and a variety of dishes were laid out on the carpet. The steam rising from them made them look delicious, and she knew they tasted even better in reality.

However, unfortunately, Ernesta was not in the mood to enjoy the food.

[It’s very lovely that My Queen admires His Majesty so much]

The words that Dasha said earlier are racing through Ernesta’s mind.

It can’t be true. It shouldn’t be allowed. Even though she desperately tries to think otherwise, she can’t think of any evidence to deny it and becomes entangled in her confusion.

“Uh, umm! This is my first time having a meal with Ivan!”

In her rush, she blurts out something that sounds like sarcasm, and the heat in her blood gradually subsides from her flushed head. However, Ivan doesn’t seem offended at all and instead smiles self-deprecatingly.

“Not long ago, I thought you wouldn’t want to eat with me or the werewolf tribe. When I visited Bral, you didn’t even show your face.”

Ernesta’s eyes widened at this new piece of information. Although the princess’s personality that she heard from Engeberg didn’t give the impression that she was someone who would be afraid of anything.

“I’m sorry. I’m…”

“It’s okay, it’s not your fault.”

When she tried to apologize, she was cut off. However, this kind-hearted Werewolf King couldn’t have had no thoughts about the treatment of his future wife. When Ernesta tried to speak up, she received a smile that seemed to say “It can’t be helped.”

“I am not in a position to give you forgiveness regarding this matter. Although the country is taking steps towards reconciliation, as an individual, I backed off in fear. If I were to fulfill my duties as a husband, I should have talked more.”

Isn’t that an inevitable thing? Perhaps Ivan has always sacrificed himself, so he couldn’t look back at his personal life.

“I backed off in fear.” She doesn’t want to hear self-deprecating words like that, even if they come from his concern for his wife.

“In that case, why don’t we call it even? I also apologize for not greeting you. So let’s call it a draw, and end this conversation, okay?”

After saying it impulsively, Ernesta cursed her own audacity.

Who could even say even? One’s own sins cannot be forgiven no matter how much prayer is offered.

“We’re even. That’s a cute thing to say.”

Ernesta turned bright red this time.

Since her conversation with Dasha, her emotional ups and downs have been too much, and she’s been having terrible palpitations. It wouldn’t be strange if her heart jumped out of her mouth right now.

Anyway, she needs to calm down. Ivan probably jokingly teased her for using a childish expression. It’s probably nothing more or less than that.

“Let’s thank my generous wife and start eating before it gets cold.”

“Y-Yes. Let’s eat.”

Anyway, she’s relieved that the conversation is over.

Ernesta took the plate with a firm hand. She let out a sigh of relief that she didn’t drop it, then spoke to Ivan.

“Can I get you anything?”

“You don’t have to worry about that. You can ask me to get something for you when it’s closer to me, so just let me know if you need help.”

“Eh?! I can’t let Ivan do that.”

The style of dining here involved several large plates being prepared, where people could take and eat whatever they liked. Ernesta was used to the practice of having each serving portioned and served individually to each person, and then eating together. So, she was completely unfamiliar with how things worked here. At least in Bral, there is no such thing as ordering a man to take the food for you.

“It doesn’t matter. Unless it’s a banquet, there are no servers here. The best way to enjoy the meal is to eat whatever you like without worrying about it.”

Ernesta began to realize that they were a simple and strong people. All of their actions were reasonable, and nothing was done without purpose. Although it takes time to get used to their ways, she found their way of thinking very appealing.

For now, let’s enjoy the meal they have prepared. Nodding timidly, Ernesta decided to start by serving some dishes on her plate.

First, she took a dish of mixed fragrant vegetables and cheese. The taste of the sharpness of the vegetables and the mellowness of the cheese had become her favorite over the past three weeks.

But as she was enjoying the food, Ivan seemed to have something to say as he gazed at her. Ernesta tilted her head and looked back at him.

“Is something wrong?”

“Well, I did say to eat as you like, but… don’t you want to try putting the khachapuri in there?”

Ivan pushed a plate closer to Ernesta. On it was a flatbread called khachapuri. It was the first time Ernesta had heard of it.

“You mean to put something in it?”

“Yeah, that’s the usual way to eat it.”

“I see! I have to try that.”

The khachapuri was very chewy and had a delicious texture. Ernesta thanked Ivan and took a slice, sandwiching it with a mixture of fragrant vegetables and taking a bite.

“Mmm, this is delicious! It’s perfect!”

Please forgive her for being bad at expressing things. When people encounter delicious food, they lose their ability to use language.

“Anything else? Is there something else you know that I don’t?”

As she asked excitedly, Ivan seemed to be absent-minded for some reason and nodded slowly.

“Well… this tsukemari sauce goes well with everything, be it meat or vegetables. Have you ever tried it?”

Tsukemari is a type of plum and is one of the national foods of the country. Ernesta’s eyes shone with curiosity as she was unaware that the sauce that often appeared on her plate was made from Tsukemari.

“I’ve had it with vegetables before.”

“Then, try putting it on meat. This is hashrama.”

On the large plate held out, boiled meat was steaming. Ernesta thought it was a slightly bland dish, but apparently not.

Like Ivan, Ernesta also took a piece of meat and put tsukemari sauce on it. As soon as it entered her mouth, the flavor spread. The sour sauce blended exquisitely with the oil-drained meat.

“D-Delicious…!”

While savoring the taste and the emotional rush, the air beyond the dish suddenly wavered. Ernesta looked up, and was struck with amazement that made her entire body freeze.

It was because Ivan was smiling so softly, a smile that he had never seen before.

“You really enjoy your food.”

Completely different from his previous smiles and wry smiles. That smile, like the summer breeze, was genuine, and it was clear that it was directed towards Ernesta.

Heat rose to her cheeks. She felt like she was about to say something strange, so she quickly turned away.

“Ivan, have more, please.”

“Oh yeah, let’s do that.”

Ernesta’s heart was suddenly in a flutter, and she couldn’t look Ivan in the eye. Ivan continued to smile and started eating the hachapuri.

“Here, robio, tityla is also recommended. Eat it as much as you can.”

Ernesta was presented with a dish of beans and chicken at the same time, and she put it in her mouth to hide her blushing face. It was not just embarrassment, but some kind of feeling that dominated her whole body, and her heart was beating so loud that it was unbearable.

“Is it delicious?”

“…It’s delicious.”

Unable to stare at his increasing smile, Ernesta spent the rest of the time like this.