It is me, Mikel.
-0-
Well, I had noticed this for quite some time, but Alfred-kun has some rather strange obsessions.
For example, toilets, beds, and baths.
He is so particular about them that it honestly leaves me confused.
Still, they do not harm me, so I have no complaints.
If anything, I only benefit.
I am happy that the toilets are clean, and the soft beds are comfortable.
I never had the habit of taking baths before, but lately I cannot feel at ease unless I bathe every day.
A clean body truly is wonderful.
However…
There are also some obsessions of his that do cause me trouble.
For example, boats.
For various reasons, Alfred-kun ended up managing a deserted island.
To get there, we need a boat, yet for some reason he insists on building one himself.
Well, I do help him with that much.
The first boat was made by gathering thin pieces of wood.
It floated, but it was amateur work after all.
On the way to the island, it broke apart in high waves.
Fufu.
At that time, I truly thought I was going to die.
Because I cannot swim.
I would like to praise myself for not bursting into tears.
To the young fisherman nearby who rescued us, thank you.
-0-
For the next boat, we reflected on our first failure and gathered thick logs instead.
We tied them together tightly with sturdy rope so they would not come apart.
This one did not break in the waves, but it was so heavy that we could barely row it, and it would not move forward properly.
The farthest we managed was about the distance one could walk from the shore.
The seakins watched us with very strange expressions.
-0-
After that, we gave up on tying wood together and carved a boat out of a large log instead.
It looked impressive, but after capsizing more times than I could count, Alfred-kun finally gave up.
-0-
That is Alfred-kun’s obsession that is harmful to me.
Well, perhaps there is some benefit, since I did learn how to swim.
Yes, I can swim now.
Only short distances, though.
Because I do not want to die.
By the way.
Every single time something fails, Alfred-kun properly borrows a boat and goes to the island.
He has fields to tend there, after all.
Not going is simply not an option, but still, what am I supposed to think about that?
No, I am grateful that he borrows one.
Proper boats really are impressive.
But if he borrowed one from the beginning, would that not save all the time and effort of building one himself?
Our clothes would not get soaked either.
……
Well, I will not say it.
Having strong convictions is important.
Now then, next he plans to attach a sail to the boat?
That is not a bad idea.
I just hope we manage to reach the island in one of his handmade boats before I become capable of swimming all the way there myself.
-0-
Alfred-kun has a surprisingly delicate side.
He once had trouble with the residents of a certain town.
No, to be precise, it was not really trouble.
A brief exchange… no, communication?
Well, while Alfred-kun and I were walking through town to buy materials for a boat, we were approached by three burly men.
「Hey, lend us some money. We are in trouble here」
The three burly men ignored me and spoke directly to Alfred-kun.
Well, Alfred-kun certainly looks more like he has money than I do.
I understand why they ignored me.
But did they not see the sword at Alfred-kun’s waist?
Or did they simply judge him to be weak?
Alfred-kun is skilled enough to hold his own even against O’Brien-sama.
They may have had the advantage in numbers, but Alfred-kun could likely defeat them without even drawing his weapon.
I thought it might be best to strike first.
But Alfred-kun did not throw a punch right away.
Instead, he wore a relaxed smile…
Took a handful of coins from his purse and scattered them onto the ground.
「If you want them then pick them up」
I see. He wants to provoke them first, then fight.
I quietly took a single step back so I would not get in the way.
If the three burly men got angry and targeted me instead, Alfred-kun would be troubled.
I made sure I could run at a moment’s notice.
And yet, the three burly men betrayed Alfred-kun’s expectations.
The three burly men crouched in front of Alfred-kun, crying as they picked up the scattered coins.
「Th-thank you! Thank you so much!」
「W-with this, we can buy food.」
「We can feed our little brothers and sisters…」
It seemed they truly were in desperate need of money.
「Thank you, really. You’ve saved us.」
「If you ever need anything, just say the word.」
「We’re usually near the southern pier of the harbor.」
TN: Chapter 984
Toward people like that, Alfred-kun’s act of scattering coins on the ground… was not exactly praiseworthy.
But I suppose it could not be helped.
Those three men.
They really did look suspicious.
It sounded exactly like they were demanding money.
Still, Alfred-kun returned to his small Alfred-kun form, visibly dejected, and shut himself up in his room.
I thought he would brush it off and move on, but that was not the case.
It was an episode that made me realize how unexpectedly sensitive he can be.
After reflecting on it, he became a little more cautious in his actions.
Also, although he needed to return to his family home anyway, it is a good thing that he has a way to recover his mental state.
Incidentally, until Alfred-kun recovered… I suffered as well, since I could not eat his cooking.
It was painful.
When he returned to his family home, I even considered going along with him.
Delicious food is a frightening thing.
-0-
Alfred-kun is an excellent cook.
And through his dealings with the round-faced fox tribe, he has gained access to a wide variety of ingredients, which has greatly expanded his culinary repertoire.
As a result, the princes refuse to leave his side.
I understand how they feel, so I let it slide. But I cannot accept that complaints are being sent to me saying the princes now refuse ordinary meals, leaving the royal castle’s chefs in despair.
From my perspective, all I can say is that they should wait for Chef Ribic, who set off on a journey to find a city that serves food even more delicious than Alfred-kun’s, to return.
After I replied that way, I received a letter that indirectly mentioned that the kings themselves wish to taste Alfred-kun’s cooking.
Why was that sent to me?
And the kings want to eat it… the princes must have bragged.
Even though the portions are limited.
In any case, such requests should be directed to Alfred-kun directly… no, that would not do.
They should go through my mother.
That is how I responded.
Surely that will make them give up.
I should also caution the princes.
I understand the urge to boast, though.
-0-
As for Alfred-kun himself, if someone asks for his cooking, he provides it without hesitation.
Using generous amounts of high-grade seasonings.
I felt that at the very least we should pay something, so I consulted Mother and asked about the market price of those seasonings. I was shocked.
The amount Alfred-kun uses in a single meal could buy a decent house.
At first, I wondered if Mother was exaggerating, but considering their rarity, shelf life, and the effort required to import them, the estimate was not far off.
In other words, we must be careful in our dealings with the round-faced fox tribe.
We must not let our guard down.
And yet, at every single meal, the princes and the members of the archive demand Alfred-kun’s cooking.
……
Well, I suppose it is fine, as long as they work accordingly.
However, the princes’ toilet project will require an enormous amount of funding.
It is still in the planning stage, but the cost will likely exceed what the royal family alone can support.
I should inform Mother so that we can secure some funding from the Korin Religion as well.
Mother’s review will be strict, so I would like the members of the archive museum to prepare a flawless proposal.
-0-
It is almost noon.
In Raywhite Kingdom and the surrounding nations, people eat a hearty meal around sunrise.
Then, when the sun sets, they eat a lighter supper.
Only royalty and nobles eat heavily again at dinner.
That was the standard pattern of two meals a day.
However, Alfred-kun’s meals are different…
Breakfast is moderate, lunch is moderate, and dinner is moderate. A well-balanced three meals a day.
After that, adjustments are made according to personal preference. Some eat a larger breakfast, others a lighter dinner.
When you grow used to enjoying Alfred-kun’s cooking, three meals a day naturally becomes the norm.
At least, it did for me.
But the places in town that serve food do not operate that way.
To be specific, there are no places that provide lunch.
Royalty and nobles can simply rely on their personal chefs… but I do not have a personal chef.
Neither does Mother.
Which means, for lunch, I either have to cook for myself or go to Alfred-kun.
Alfred-kun.
If I recall correctly, he is preparing lunch at the archive museum again today.
At the prince’s request, he said he would make ramen.
Ramen.
I seem to remember reading in some document that the king of a distant great nation is trying to popularize a dish called ramen.
Is it that same ramen?
In that case… I have no choice but to pay a visit to the archive museum’s kitchen.
Yeah.
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