“What country is Charlotte’s homeland?”
Bam!
“It’s Velbur.”
Bam!
“So, which countries inspired Velbur?”
Bam!
“France and Belgium, of course!”
Bam!
“Ah, but that doesn’t mean all French or Belgian people are crazy about chocolate and wine.”
Bam!
“Just like there are Koreans who dislike kimchi or can’t handle spicy food. Though, their standards might differ from foreigners.”
Bam!
“However, subculture characters often follow the stereotypes of their inspired nationalities. It’s simple—it adds more personality to the character and makes it fun! Plus, if it’s not overly derogatory, people from that nationality might actually enjoy it.”
Bam!
“Me? I’ve never been to France and don’t know any French folks, so I can’t really say how they feel about their food—”
Bam!
“It’s delicious…”
Bam!
With a very proud expression, Charlotte served the food, and we couldn’t talk for a while.
Gulp!
Although I had been spending time in my hometown for the past few months, the food I had eaten for the previous few years in the Empire of Aetherna was the ‘stereotype of British food’ circulating on the internet.
Yikes!
Ah, it wasn’t that the food there was inedible. As a Crown Princess, of course, the food I ate matched my status.
Nom nom!
But that doesn’t mean there were no bad dishes, and the variety wasn’t that extensive. Plus, having not fully shaken off my Korean palate, there was a certain ‘fundamental mismatch’ somewhere.
Bing!
So, subconsciously, I had ingrained the belief that ‘food in this world isn’t that great’.
Ka-Ching!
“Charlotte, seriously, I think you have a talent for cooking.”
Reeeally?
“Really?”
Shy!
Charlotte replied a bit shyly to my compliment.
Bashful!
In fact, I hadn’t truly experienced Velbur cuisine from that world, nor had I tasted Charlotte’s cooking in this world before.
Confused!
But what I tasted wasn’t ‘properly prepared’ dishes. Most were made with the ‘Korean ingredients’ I unconsciously used.
Ding!
We often ate out or ordered food, and we only really stayed at home once the cold weather started kicking in.
Brrrr!
Reflecting on it, our wandering outside that morning was probably because our place was cramped. After moving into the apartment, there’s plenty of space, but before that, the one-room was a bit tight.
Cramped!
So, having these ‘properly prepared’ dishes was bound to be hard.
Yikes!
Recently, as part of our ‘hobby finding’ project, Charlotte decided to try cooking.
Chef mode!
Breaking away from the cooking book I used during my university days, she wanted to try dishes she truly liked.
Foodie!
While the languages of this world and that world differ, there are still overlaps due to the inspirations. Since the original work had cooking-related collection elements, the names of dishes frequently matched.
Cooking show!
The dish ‘Boeuf Bourguignon’, which sounds fancy just by hearing it, is apparently considered home-cooked in France.
Fancy!
This dish, which uses lots of France’s pride—wine (although we used American wine)—and beef, tasted incredibly cozy, just as the internet suggests it’s a representative home dish.
Warm and fuzzy!
Since we tried hard to recreate it with hard-to-find ingredients, it couldn’t possibly taste bad, and if someone asked if I ever had something classier, the answer would be no—but…
Huh?
Why is it so delicious?
Wow!
“Maybe it’s the taste of warm home?”
Warm vibes!
Charlotte smiled and said.
Smile!
“Does it taste like what you had when you were little?”
Curious!
“No, not really. Actually, I didn’t eat this often.”
Uh-oh!
Well, it is home cooking. Royalty often ate fancy meals prepared by royal chefs. It’s hard to have any special memories attached to this dish.
Confession!
“Uh, maybe!”
Quick remark!
While we were lost in thought, Mia quickly added,
Surprised!
“It might be the atmosphere.”
Serious!
“Atmosphere?”
Curious!
Alice looked around upon hearing that and suddenly muttered as if she realized something.
Eureka!
“Surely.”
Nod!
Charlotte nodded as well.
Nod, nod!
Cold outside, warm inside.
Cozy!
People who have spent quite a long time together.
Friendship!
And even though it wasn’t quite the season yet, there were Christmas decorations. Of course, there’s no Christmas in Azernar, but there are similar days, so celebrating the year-end is the same here.
Celebration!
Maybe that’s why it felt like this.
Hmmm!
“I honestly haven’t seen this before, us all sitting around together for a meal.”
Surprised!
“……”
Silence!
It was indeed Mia.
Backfire!
Her life is pretty dark, so she sometimes plants mines and boom!
Ka-Boom!
“……Wait a minute, I never really…”
Shocked!
Alice, who was about to say something, quickly shut her mouth.
Uh-oh!
She probably felt my gaze on her.
Watch out!
“What’s up?”
Curious!
Claire tilted her head, clearly interested.
Wonder!
“Don’t.”
Stop it!
Before I could say anything, Alice hurriedly interjected.
Fast talk!
“What story could provoke such a reaction?”
Curious!
Charlotte also asked, intrigued.
What now?
“If we don’t talk about it here, it might flow in a strange direction.”
Caution!
When I loosened my mouth slightly, Alice’s face turned red.
Hot!
“Why? Why? What story is it?”
Curious cat!
Claire seemed anxious, as she probably sensed it was related to me.
Suspicious!
“Oh, alright. Just a little then.”
Reluctant!
Realizing that chatting about this would turn too much towards her, Alice spoke with an incredibly embarrassed expression.
Blush!
“I just need a little context, okay?”
Context please!
“……”
Speechless!
Alice shot a glare at me.
Stare down!
I figured she accepted that whatever story I brought up would reveal her little secrets, and I opened my mouth.
Gulp!
“I’ve eaten with Alice a few times just to keep her company when she was lonely.”
Gasp!
“Oooh.”
Shockwave!
Claire sparkled her eyes before tilting her head again.
Baffled!
“Is that really something to react that sensitively about?”
Curiosity!
“If she thought no one wanted to eat with her because she wasn’t social, it makes sense.”
Understanding!
Charlotte said, not teasingly but seriously.
Support!
“But that’s not your fault, Alice. I don’t know what nobles do, but it can’t be that much different from royalty. My father is busy a lot too, so I often had meals alone.”
Relatable!
“Yes! I used to often have dinner with Leo when I was little.”
Fond memory!
“……”
Awkward!
I just kept staring at a blushing Alice as I took a piece of beef and popped it in my mouth.
Chew!
“……Fine! Just say it. It’s okay to talk about it…”
Breaking!
Perhaps unable to endure my gaze, Alice finally surrendered.
Defeated!
“Are you really okay with it?”
Questioning!
“……”
Silence!
I was gritting my teeth, but I couldn’t help it.
Choice time!
She asked me to say it!
Ding ding!
“Alice threw food at my face when I first asked her to have a meal together.”
Shock!
“……”
Jaw drop!
The dining room fell silent as if a mouse had died.
Dead air!
Charlotte, Claire, and Mia stared at me in shock and then looked back at Alice.
Stare contest!
“……I wasn’t thinking back then! I’m sorry!”
Apology!
“Right?”
Exposed!
I nodded.
Confirmation!
Trust isn’t just granted; especially since Alice envied me for a long time during our early years. The Emperor often acted like he favored me when he was in front of her. That wasn’t something she could help.
Awkward past!
Still, I hadn’t said anything harsh to Alice and accepted her antics most of the time.
Easy going!
After all, she was just a child. Plus, she was quite timid.
Tiny!
Even if food was thrown, it was just a piece of bread that wouldn’t burn me; it wasn’t smeared with anything nasty.
Safe!
Moreover, I had turned back in time to dodge it.
Whew!
Alice was more frustrated because I never got angry about it.
Crisis averted!
Slowly, that piled up without me realizing it, forming the trust I had with her now.
Strong bond!
Of course, I had one more thought.
Calculating!
I wanted to befriend the protagonists and also wanted to save that childhood mess for later when Alice matured.
Future plans!
I had forgotten about that scene from years ago, and here it came back out of nowhere.
Surprise!
“Wow, your sister truly is amazing for putting up with that…”
Praise!
“That’s true.”
Nod!
“No, asserting oneself as ‘sister’ is something…”
Wait what?!
What does it matter? I mean, my true nature has been exposed enough anyway.
Awkward laughter!
“……Alice. Don’t you think it’s a bit strange to call yourself ‘sister’?”
Serious tone!
Charlotte said with a serious expression, causing Alice’s face to turn even redder.
Flustered!
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