From that moment on, there was no other way to describe it but as an onslaught.
「…Alright.」
After rinsing her fingers in the provided finger bowl, she steeled herself and took a bite of the so-called taco with her bare hands.
It was terribly improper.
And yet, strangely enough, it felt like the only way to fully enjoy it.
「The mild flavor of the trout, the crisp texture of onions and gourds, and the deep acidity of the tomatoes create a remarkable depth. On top of that, the gentle freshness of the leafy greens and the rich aroma of corn wrap it all together into an exquisite harmony.」
「Tomatoes and corn are unfamiliar ingredients in the royal capital, yet despite their novelty, there’s no resistance at all—this is simply too delicious.」
Princess Yunia and the “Witch of No Return,” Tinam, both expressed their approval.
The deep red filling looked almost like blood, and at first, Tetra couldn’t shake her unease. However, once wrapped in vibrant green leaves and golden-yellow flatbread, it became an appetizing sight—and once it touched her tongue, any doubts vanished.
Before they knew it, all three tacos had disappeared from everyone’s plates.
※※※
「Now, for the second main dish: tandoori chicken. …Originally, this dish uses the meat of a domesticated bird called a ‘chicken,’ but since such creatures don’t exist in this world, we have substituted it with Trihand, a similar-tasting meat.」
「Trihand…?!」
The first to react to the server’s words was the “Continuous Rain,” Karsch.
「That’s a monster! If one ever appears near a settlement, immediate evacuation is mandatory! Sightings are rare to begin with—I’ve only encountered them a handful of times… and yet, here we are, with enough thigh meat for everyone?」
「Even the royal family has scarcely received offerings of it. It is an ingredient unknown even to me…」
Karsch and Yunia, both in disbelief, picked up their knives and forks.
Tetra and the other attendants exchanged glances. Was it really acceptable for mere servants like them to partake in such a rare delicacy, one even the royals had barely had the chance to taste?
Sensing their hesitation, the princess quickly offered a gentle decree.
「We don’t have the courage to try this alone. Please, join us.」
Encouraged by her words, they steeled themselves, cut into the meat, and took a bite.
Though it was thigh meat, the bone had been carefully removed.
The sauce coating it was indescribably “complex”—a mystical blend of spices, with heat and tanginess intertwining into an intense, full-bodied flavor. Yet, the sauce did not overpower the meat. The rich fat and supple texture of the Trihand held its own, elevating the dish into something utterly extraordinary.
The flavor was somewhat reminiscent of the Gigi bird. However, as an ingredient, Trihand was in an entirely different league. The contrast between the crispy skin and the tender, juicy meat only heightened the experience—each bite filled their mouths with an overwhelming sense of bliss.
This was no longer just food.
This was violence.
There was no stopping now. Any initial reservations had long since evaporated. Tetra and the other attendants, Yunia and the honored guests—every single person at the table ate in silence, utterly entranced, knives cutting, forks lifting, mouths savoring.
Eventually, after his plate was wiped clean, Prime Minister Eidel muttered in a daze.
「I have no words… This is beyond delicious. Do the people of Sidera eat like this on a regular basis?」
「No, this was hunted deep within the Void Forest. Even the residents of Sidera rarely manage to bring down a Trihand. As for the tandoori sauce, I doubt it’s widely known here yet.」
The young server, who had been standing by, answered smoothly.
Then, with a faint smile, he added—
「I hope you’ve enjoyed your meal. Now, for the final course: dessert.」
※※※
The doors opened, and a service cart was wheeled in.
Atop it sat a large, whole cake.
It had two distinct layers—one a pale, almost translucent blue sponge, the other a vibrant red gelée. There were no elaborate decorations, no excessive embellishments, just a simple, refined elegance that stood out all the more because of it.
However—
Tetra, completely captivated by the cake’s beauty, failed to notice the identity of the one pushing the cart.
Or rather, she hadn’t even looked at their face until she heard their voice.
「This cake is made with cheese and tomatoes produced in Sidera. It’s one of the town’s specialties.」
「…Noah?」
「It’s been a while, sister, brother-in-law. ‘No Return-sama’, ‘Continuous Rain-sama’—a pleasure as always.」
What in the world?
Even in a cook’s uniform, his striking beauty and regal presence could not be concealed.
With his sharp yet welcoming features and that familiar, warm smile, there was no mistaking him.
This was none other than His Highness Noapp, the third prince of the Sorx Kingdom.
「Y-y-your….」
「Ah, no need for formalities. It would be quite improper to leave your seats in the middle of a meal, wouldn’t it?」
Tetra and the other attendants instinctively started to rise, ready to kneel, but Noapp halted them with a casual wave. Given that he had invoked etiquette, they had no choice but to obey, though their mouths opened and closed wordlessly in disbelief.
Then, stepping forward from behind him, two women clad in aproned dresses emerged.
The one who lifted the whole cake and carried it to the table was an exquisitely beautiful elf with golden hair tied neatly back.
And the one who, knife in hand, began to slice it—
Was a beastkin woman, with upright wolf ears adorning her head.
「Dividing it into twelve equal parts is harder than it looks… Karen, can you do it instead?」
「Just cut it vertically and horizontally first, then divide each section into three. You’re not a child, you can handle that much, Parker.」
The elf’s name was Karen.
The adopted daughter of 『Heavenly Bell Witch』 Viole, and a surviving descendant of Quioy, one of the six founding elf clans. A mage of unparalleled skill, known as 『Calm Spring Witch』.
And the beastkin’s name was Parker—Parker Lulu-We Iota.
Princess of the beastkin domain, fiancée to Third Prince Noapp, and a formidable mage who had recently earned the title of 『Way of Love Witch』.
「Parker… even you?」
「Welcome, sister-in-law. Surprised?」
Parker stuck out her tongue playfully at Yunia, who furrowed her brows, too shocked to react.
Somehow managing to cut the cake into twelve portions, she plated them with a triumphant look and held one out.
「This cake wasn’t made with fire, you know. Interesting, right?」
「No fire? You mean… it wasn’t baked? No, that’s not the issue here!」
「Noah, Parker… Could it be that you two…?」
Eidel, forgetting his position as Prime Minister for a moment, addressed Third Prince Noapp and his fiancée by name, his voice laced with disbelief.
「No, we helped, but the menu planning and overall execution weren’t our doing.」
Prince Noapp shook his head.
Then, he quietly stepped aside, subtly guiding everyone’s gaze behind him.
There stood a young man.
From the very beginning of the meal, from the appetizers onward, he had been serving them. Most had assumed he was just a worker in the research bureau’s dining hall—Tetra included.
But now, looking at him properly—
His features were fairly well-formed, yet not particularly striking. His jet-black hair, though rare, wasn’t unheard of. That was why no one had noticed until now.
But his eyes—those eyes.
Dark as the night, deep as the abyss, like an endless void pulling everything in. A pure, undiluted manifestation of darkness. Any mage worth their salt would be stunned at the sight of those unmistakable, pitch-black magic eyes, eyes that signified an affinity for the darkest of attributes.
「You… you’re the one?」
「Yes, Princess Yunia. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.」
As if in a daze, Yunia whispered the question, and the young man nodded, bowing his head slightly.
「I am Sui Hatano, son of 『All Night Witch』 Kazuteru Iru Hatano and 『Heavenly Bell Witch』 Viole Ella Mucare Hatano. But for now, please—enjoy your dessert.」
Leave a Reply