Chapter 21


    The formal dinner was ufortable from the very start.


    Lord Raymond, gourmet food is also definitely another source of enjoyment. What do you think of this splendid wine from the abbey?


    Ise said this as she regarded the glistening pink foie gras and the beautiful color of the ros wine.


    Reverend Dun must know better than I do about that.


    Raymond passed her off smoothly.


    Im not sure.


    While holding a ss of wine, Dun barely swallowed down a sip and answered.


    This almost felt like torture for Dun. Even before a few words were exchanged, he felt so intimidated that his shoulders cowered down.


    As Dun continued to stammer, Raymonds expression became strange. At that, Raymond no longer passed off the conversation towards Dun because Duns stutter was so bad today that everyone listening to him speak felt ufortable.


    A brief silencemenced, but the fief lord broke this silence and spoke to Carynne.


    Carynne, are you doing alright with your injury?


    Yes. Thank you for asking, Father. It isnt much of a wound.


    Its all thanks to Sir Raymond.


    Raymond responded, his eyes curved.


    Even so, I am ashamed that I couldnt stop it on time, Your Lordship.


    I express my deep gratitude, Sir Knight.


    Shining like a blooming violet, Carynnes eyes also smiled as she looked at Raymond, and he smiled back at her. Seeing this, Ise gritted her teeth and spoke up.


    So, what do you think, Reverend Dun?


    Wh, at do you mean?


    Ooh, that confidence. That shamelessness.


    As Carynne admired Ises willfulness once more, she asked for a ss of water instead of an aperitif.


    Can they not shut up so that the next course could be served? Why did todays meal have to be three hours long. It was a wonder how Ise was wearing those high heels under the dinner table and enduring it all rather than picking up those shoes and using them to hit something.


    Apart from that, while having a taste of Verdics ambition, perhaps Ise was glum after noticing Raymonds favor. And during all this, Carynne couldnt even drink any liquor.


    Carynne chewed on a bite of goose liver and waited for the conversation to move on. If anything, the whiff of mushroom on the sauce was quite good.


    I was curious about your opinion on gourmet food and what rtion it has to vices.


    Instead of Dun, the fief lord lowered his knife and answered.


    Not being able to control oneself is a sin, however its difficult to justify gourmet food in itself as one. Young Miss Evans, if thats how you put it, do you suppose that <i>we</i>mit this sin every day?


    Listening to the lords response, who spoke instead of Dun, Ise paused for a moment, but she soon replied.


    Isnt the excess of gourmet food in itself a sin? Im merely curious. Gourmet food gives us great pleasure, but isnt moderation necessary?


    Then the matter lies in what could be considered as an excess. It sounds like youre saying that the meal were having is excessive, but on what grounds do you say this?


    The most certain thing is, shouldnt it be that the sovereign must always think of his subjects?


    The old lords brows slightly twitched at the obvious jab of the young woman, but that was all. It would be difficult to scold the girl in front of her father. Meanwhile, even the said father was smiling at his daughters demeanor.


    Hm, then Miss Ise, are you saying that after seeing todays meal, do you believe that I dont think of my people?


    This dinner was something he paid attention to quite a bit. It was an even morevish mealpared to what they had during his one and only daughters birthday party.


    Tomemorate the deal with Verdic, this was definitely an extravagant meal. Even as only appetizers and soup had since been served, it was clear that this was the case.


    There were several appetizers. In addition to the foie gras, there was also ravioli with chives and scallions, which was apanied by a sauce with hints of mint and garlic, and in addition, there was some caviar with sea salt.


    The garnish was a mix of mashed eggs, parsley and onions, then there was a sweet pumpkin dish sprinkled with a little sugar and salt. All with excellent texture, they were presented magnificently as well.


    When thinking how the Evans family would have weed Raymond, this wasparatively simple. But considering what they normally ate in the Hare household, this was an unparalleledvish meal. Thats what Ise was pointing out.


    Yes.


    Ha.


    Even with how the lord couldnt hide his displeasure with his reaction, Ise continued to speak resolutely.


    When visiting themercial area that were trying to improve through this project, I saw how miserable the condition of it was. Not only with hygiene but also the peoples nutrition. Because of that, I thought that theres a need for a systematic reform.


    Huh. Do you have any basis for what youre saying?


    Of course. Ive done some research while looking over the documents because I hadnt been able to go out as I was unwell. Im presenting the conclusions Ive gleaned from doing so.


    Lord Hares expression slightly hardened, but he soon directed his words away from the bold girl and towards her father.


    Verdic, your daughter is something else.


    Haha, Your Lordship, please kindly let it slide. My youngest daughter is not only pretty, but shes also a knowledgeable and curious individual.


    But who here didnt know?


    That insolence of hers.


    Carynne quietly lifted her ss and had it refilled with water. Ise usually enjoyed living while pretending to have an empty mind, hoping to just be a bright, cheerful girl.


    However, because she wanted to look good in front of Raymond, this attitude would turn one-eighty.


    The mask of a pure girl wouldnt do since the beautiful Carynne was right here. She and Raymond even had a romantic happenstance, so Ise would bepared side by side with the other girl. If thats the case, then it would be better to show off the virtue of a wife.


    With Raymond being a soldier, hed be away often, so she wanted to show how suitable she was for the role of thedy of the house. Even if she seemed rude here, she intended to show that at least herpetence was sufficienteven if she wouldnt be good enough to be his cherished lover.


    But that wasnt what suited Raymond.


    Carynne could feel Raymonds sidelong nce at her.


    Ah, this time, too.


    While Verdic and Ise were used to weighing the scales when it came to marriage, Carynne also knew to some extent that this was a matter of course. Amongst countless people, who there would scoff at the idea of living ones life ording to ones standards? Even fairy tales these days wouldnt depict a princess falling in love with a stableman.


    The Evans family needed to think about these things a bit more simply.


    Raymond was, firstly, a noble, and he was very capable and was a smooth talker, and on the other hand, Verdic was not. Raymond wasnt a merchant like him who was good at weighing gains and losses. It was difficult to imagine, just by looking at his beautiful countenance, that this young man whos still in his twenties had faced any horrors in his life.


    Meanwhile, Carynne wasnt even the daughter of a mere stableman but a quasi-noble, and she was more than twice as beautiful as Ise. Also, Raymond was scheduled to seed as the next baron. So if you look at it this way, actually, all Ise could offer was money.


    Haa.


    Carynne let out a small sigh and set down her utensils.


    Seeing her father be subjected to shame like this, Carynne became upset.


    She looked at Ise and told her.


    I didnt know that <i>you </i>consider self-restraint to be a virtue.


    With a slightly appalled expression as she stared at Ises essories, Carynne said so. At this, Ise smiled and hit Carynnes arm.


    Oh my, Carryne, dont be like that. Im not saying that you should live like priests, for example, or to restrain yourself unconditionally. Moderate spending and adherence to culture is also necessary. My dresses and essories could never be considered excessive. Dont you think so, Lord Raymond?


    Miss Ise. My older brother hasnt taught me much, but Ive learned one thing for surenot to interfere with a womans spending.


    Iseughed loudly.


    Of course, if youre the husband, you have the right to interfere.


    And soon stoppedughing.


    I dont me you, Miss Evans. Mister Verdic Evans is a generous gentleman to his family.


    Yes.


    Of course, Sir Raymond. Im always generous to my family.


    Verdic said this with his arms exaggeratedly open, tacitly implying that once Raymond became part of his family, this much was nothing.


    Even so, Im d.


    Carynne interjected.


    I understand where youreing from right now, Miss Ise. Its probably because our households meal is much too great for you to behold that youve said that. Im d that youre enjoying it.


    Ise lifted a ss of water. Her pupils were shaking with a hint of anger.


    <i>Clink.</i>


    Ise?


    Borwen.


    Ah, I apo I apologize, gosh.


    Ise dropped her ss of water. She was given another full cup once more, and after she picked this up, she turned to Carynne.


    Im not saying that you must restrain yourself unconditionally. I mentioned it already, but moderate spending is still necessary. Its just.. Its just that Im worried that this meal could be considered a sin because its just so good Um, Lord Raymond, what do you think?


    Her bravado suddenly dwindled. Raymond replied smoothly, as expected.


    Im enjoying myself, truly. Because of the nature of my work, all kinds of food feel like a luxury to me. After quivering in between boulders for two days while thinking that bullets woulde flying at me, Im grateful enough for everything.


    Carynne felt a piercing gaze stabbing at her. She looked at Ise. Her pupils were shaking.


    Ise lifted her ss and took a sip.


    Water inside a ss should be gulped down, after all.


    <i>t/n: Raymond is generally addressed as  or Sir due to him being a knight, but hes sometimes addressed as , which roughly trantes to Lord, depending on whos speaking to him.</i>