Chapter 24

“Is that so? The Phantom Dragon is said to respect the Forest Folks. Will they inform the dragon of this effort of ours? I have some hope that they will.” – (Alexei)

“Err, onii-sama, Sir Forli, who are the Forest Folks?” – (Ekaterina)

“Ah, you don’t know them, Ekaterina?” – (Alexei)

Forest Folks are a minority group that live in the forests of the duchy. They roam the forests without permanent settlements, and don’t interact with others much. They’re very unique people.

“The Forest Folks branches into several tribes, and the Chief of the largest tribe is Forli’s wife.” – (Alexei)

“Eh?!” – (Ekaterina)

Forli clears his throat and nods:

“Ah… Well, that’s true.”

So, Forli, the third son of a Marquis, befriended our grandfather Sergei at the Magic Academy, and was invited to visit our duchy. He met the Forest Folks during a hike, an activity he had liked since then, and fell in love with the Chief’s daughter after some great difficulties. Then he was disowned by his family and became grandfather’s subordinate.

What, so amazing! What a romance!

I unintentionally exchange glances with Flora-chan; our eyes are glittering. Even though I’m already over thirty inside, this story still has the power to turn me back into a young maiden.

Forli clears his throat again and takes another bite at his lunch.

It’s pie today. Meat pie, mushroom pie, gratin pie with lots of veggies, and apple pie. Lunchbreak wasn’t enough to make all of these; the truth is, the two of us had dropped by the kitchen after school yesterday, before school and during the short morning break to prepare this lunch. I’ve also been reviewing lessons about brewing tea every night, and discussing tomorrow’s recipes to relax has become my daily routine. The kitchen staff also wanted to learn Flora’s recipe, and they helped with our discussion; the result is, our lunches have become more and more elaborate.

“…What is this? What a nostalgic taste.”

Forli said, and Flora smiled.

“This is the Baroness’ recipe. Her pies are truly wonderful. She’s close to you in age; that’s probably why you feel nostalgic.”

“Baroness Czerny… Is her name Natasha?”

Flora’s eyes widened in surprise at Forli’s words:

“Yes, Madam’s name is Natasha… Could it be that you know her?”

“Lady Natasha, Natasha Melno, the Count’s daughter at that time, she was in the same year as me in the Magic Academy.”

Really?

“I was in the same class as Joseph Czerny, and I got to know Lady Natasha through him. They both loved cooking, and they borrowed a corner in the kitchen to make this and that for fun. Their food was very delicious, and everyone always scrambled for them. Lord Sergei always got a portion everytime. He was unexpectedly a glutton.”

That ending, that ending. They really were close!

“Joseph and Lady Natasha eloped the night before our graduation ceremony. Actually, Lord Sergei was the one who arranged it.”

“…Ha?” – (Alexei)

“Eh?” – (Flora)

“What?” – (Ekaterina)

What a bombshell Forli has dropped.

“Err, I’m sorry, it’s a bit… Eloped? Eh? Those two? Those calm-looking two did that…? No way…”

Flora was greatly confused.

“Wait, Forli, what did grandfather do?” – (Alexei)

“Flora’s foster parents and grandfather had such a close relationship…? No, but, n-no way.” – (Ekaterina)

Alexei and Ekaterina were also greatly confused. Wait, but we’re the villainess and the heroine! Is it alright to have such a connection?!

“Joseph might appear to be calm and reserved, but he has a strong mind, the type that always speaks up if he dislikes something. Lord Sergei seemed to like that character of his. You can say that we did expect him to elope.

I don’t know how he met Lady Natasha, but by the time we were in second year, the two of them were inseparable. It wasn’t the showy kind of love, but everyone knew they would be bound together for life. But Lady Natasha’s family had selected another marriage partner for her, and they didn’t allow her to marry Joseph. So, we all decided to help them escape to the Czerny territory. That was the greatest memory of my student life.”

So it was a crazy stunt pulled by the students… With the successors of three large duchies as the ringleaders, I kinda feel pity for the teachers and guardians…