【Flashback Arc】 Situation Change
Based on the information I received from Irinya, I stepped out of my room, feeling nervous as I was called for lunch. Incidentally, it was Irinya who helped me change my clothes. It was so embarrassing that I felt I'd never get married at this rate.
I had imagined the clothes to be flashy, but instead, they were a subdued, blackish outfit. It had a sleek look as if I were going to a piano recital. Of course, it suited Lars, the beautiful boy, so well that the ladies might get nosebleeds.
I took a deep breath and stepped into the hallway, only to be astounded by its length. The floor and walls were of white stone, while the ceiling used reddish-brown wood. Tall windows lined up at regular intervals, illuminating the hallway. However, it was vast and long. You don't see this kind of length outside of school hallways.
With these thoughts, I followed behind Irinya, my guide, down the hallway. Observing the view from the windows as I walked, I noted the beautifully maintained courtyard and realized that I was on the second floor.
There weren't many people in the hallway, and the only person I passed was a butler-like man who seemed to be an ordinary human. He bowed to me as we passed, so I returned a nod. He looked surprised, but was it odd for me to nod back?
While thinking such things, Irinya stopped in front of a large door. The white stone wall featured a decorated wooden double door, and we stood side by side before it.
Irinya, showing signs of nervousness, knocked on the door and then stepped back.
「I cannot enter from here," she said from behind me, filling me with immense anxiety. I considered using the privilege of a child's whims, but seeing Irinya's worried expression, I thought better of it and felt sorry for her.
「Come in.」, came a voice from beyond the door, which opened from the inside simultaneously. Apparently, servants were waiting on either side. As the two men opened the door, there lay another long table inside. A table draped with a white cloth and a spacious room beyond.
At the far end of the table sat a slender blonde man with blue eyes, and diagonally in front of him was a slightly plump woman with brown hair. It seemed they were the head of the household, my father Johanson, and my stepmother Olivia. I thought I might remember something by looking at their faces, but I felt neither nostalgia nor familiarity.
Wow, so this is Johanson and Olivia, was about the extent of my feelings.
「Sit.」
Johanson instructed with a nod of his jaw.
「Y-yes!」
I replied, straightening my back as I headed to the seat opposite Olivia.
As I sat and looked at the neatly groomed beard of Johanson and the large jewels on Olivia's rings as she held her glass, bread, soup, vegetables, and fruit were quickly laid out on the table.
Four freshly baked round loaves of bread. The bowl for soup was quite large, but the vegetables and fruit were piled in colorful abundance. It seemed the amount was just for me, as Johanson and Olivia already had theirs served.
It was more than a child would normally eat, I thought, as a whole roasted chicken was placed on the table last. Do we divide this up to eat together?
Raising my head with this thought, I saw everyone had a similar dish in front of them. Olivia's chicken was even halfway down to the bone. Hey, aren't we supposed to start eating together? Wait a minute. Sure, I have a knife and fork, but I don't know if my table manners are correct. Alright, there's nothing for it but to surveil the enemy.
While it's great that there is plenty of food before me, my mind was in a panic. I watched Johanson and Olivia's eating habits with wide eyes. They primarily used knives, forks, and occasionally spoons. Phew, it was something similar.
Relaxed, I began with the soup. I scooped it with a spoon, bringing it one spoonful at a time to my lips. The scent of rich fruit hit me. Though a warm soup, it surprisingly had a citrus flavor. Savoring its sweetness and tartness, I found it unexpectedly palatable.
Next, I alternated bites of chicken with bread. The bread's aroma was delightful, though the taste ordinary. The chicken skin was crispy and delicious, although it seemed to be seasoned with just salt. Well, it was tasty nonetheless.
For a noble's meal, it seemed a bit simple, I thought as I ate, when suddenly Johanson furrowed his brow.
「... You've become good with a knife. You've learned some manners, I see.」
「Ah, thank you.」
Suddenly addressed, I almost spat out my soup. After taking a breath to collect myself, I replied, and Olivia exhaled through her nose as she raised her head.
「Lars is already five years old, isn't he? He'll be laughed at if he can't manage at least this much.」
「Hm, I see.」
Johanson lightly agreed with Olivia's words. Olivia, note that young Lars excels when he's praised, okay?
While silently consuming my meal, I internally chastised my stepmother.
Interest in me seemed to dissipate with that single remark, as Olivia curled the corner of her mouth and shifted her gaze to Johanson.
「Lord Johanson, our children Nils and Erik are two and one years old, but they're very intelligent. They'll soon learn proper etiquette as well.」
「Indeed, I look forward to it,」
Johanson replied, nodding deeply to Olivia's words. The feeling of being out of place was strong.