Shomin no Aji - Chapter 638, Chapter 639, Chapter 640, Chapter 641

Betrayal from within.
"…I t seems we have grown quite accustomed to our daughter's behavior. I must apologize. My daughter is, shall we say, a bit peculiar, or perhaps eccentric."
"Otousama!?"

A betrayal from my own family!? What an unexpected backstab!

"Please do not take my daughter's actions as the standard for young ladies in our country."

Ugh, I can’t argue with that!
Which means I can’t deny the eccentric comment either! This is painful!

"Even I can understand that much. That is, if her appearance matched her age, of course."

Sorry for not acting my age! Jeez!
Well, mentally, I’m in my thirties… or wait, if I count this life too? … Ahem! Never mind that.

That said, given my appearance, my behavior is far from ordinary. It’s no wonder I’m seen as odd… No, wait! My own family should at least defend me!

Okaasama and Oniisama, could you stop nodding in agreement and support me instead!?
Your overwhelming understanding feels like it’s cutting me off at the knees…!

"My daughter, due to her excessive magic capacity, seems to grow more slowly than average and retains a somewhat youthful appearance. However, she is currently enrolled in Adelia Academy this year."
"Oh, now that you mention it, I saw her wearing the same uniform as the other young lady she visited with recently. That must have been the academy's uniform… Compared to her, she does seem a bit younger."

He seemed to recall the time I was with Mariel-chan and scrutinized me with a look of understanding.
Sorry for my lack of development, okay!?
Since mastering magic circulation, I’ve grown a little, you know! Hmph!

While I simmered quietly, Otousama continued with a wry smile.

"And, well, my daughter’s hobby is cooking… Recently, she used the spices and, um, aphrodisiac ingredients she brought back to make a dish."
"Cooking… with aphrodisiacs… really?"

Prince Kaldor’s suspicious expression prompted Otousama to retrieve a small box from his breast pocket. He opened it to reveal the chocolates that were confiscated yesterday.

"When she made something like this, we discovered unexpected effects during the tasting."
"What… is this?"

Prince Kaldor frowned at the box of chocolates.

"Umm… she made this from the aphrodisiac ingredient she received, and, er, what was it called again?"

When Otousama looked to me for help, I replied, "… I named it chocolate."

"My daughter calls this recipe ‘chocolate.’ Do your people not consume it in this form?"

Otousama looked curiously at Prince Kaldor.

Uh-oh. Wait, weren’t old aphrodisiacs supposed to be in some liquid form?
I never thought about how Samonar handles theirs, but crafting it into something like this probably isn’t common.

"No, in our country, it’s consumed as a crushed and ground substance for drinking. To think it could take such a solid form… May I taste it, with your permission?"
"Well, I suppose that would be fine…"
"Your Highness!? No way, don’t do it! This might look different, but it’s still an aphrodisiac, right? Plus, who knows what else is in it!?"
"A small amount won’t affect me. Isn’t that right?"
"Ugh… I’m the food taster! I don’t want to embarrass myself in another country!"
"Then I’ll—"
"Fine! Fine! I’ll eat it, okay?!"

As I watched the lighthearted exchange between the prince and his attendant, the latter reluctantly took a tiny piece of chocolate from the box.
"Here goes nothing!" he declared, popping it into his mouth.

"...…"

We all held our breath, watching as he closed his eyes to savor the chocolate.

"Tika?"
"It’s… delicious! This is amazing!"

When Prince Kaldor called out to him, Tika-san’s eyes shot open, shining brightly as he answered with a beaming smile.
Wait, that disappointing chocolate was that good!?

"Delicious? Surely you mean bitter?"
"No, it’s bitter, but it’s also smooth and sweet… there’s so much sugar in it! It’s luxurious!"

Tika-san’s sparkling enthusiasm left Prince Kaldor visibly baffled.

"If you’re so doubtful, Your Highness, you should try it yourself! Here!"
"Mmff!?"

Tika-san grabbed another piece and shoved it into Prince Kaldor’s mouth.
Tika-san, isn’t that disrespectful behavior!?

While we watched nervously, Prince Kaldor furrowed his brows, but as he tasted the chocolate, his expression gradually softened.

"This… is delicious. What is this? The aroma and flavor are entirely aphrodisiac-like, yet it’s completely different."
"Right? It’s amazing, isn’t it?"
"This surpasses anything we’ve produced in my country. Incredible."

Both of them were flushed and excited.
Are they thrilled by the taste or the aphrodisiac effect… or both?

"Excuse me, are you both feeling all right? Considering the ingredients…"

I timidly asked, and both men straightened up as if snapping out of a trance.

"Ahem, yes. We have a certain tolerance, so this small amount isn’t a problem. But still… this is leagues ahead of our methods. Does this mean my country lags behind even in utilizing its own resources?"

Prince Kaldor slumped, defeated, while Tika-san anxiously hovered nearby.

"If your handling of materials is so advanced, it will be hard to gain an upper hand in negotiations. I heard that during the last visit, our ambassador returned furious after being served atrocious food."

Ah, the overly greasy dishes from last time.

"So, my brother sent me, the second prince, to see if we could regain an advantage by threatening to cut off trade if served poorly again. But… damn it, he must have set me up!"

Prince Kaldor spat the words bitterly, and Tika-san looked at him with distress.
… Something about this feels fishy.

"Prince Kaldor, I hope it’s not too forward to ask, but could you share your circumstances with us?"

Otousama seemed to share my suspicion and inquired directly.

"… Fine. It’s embarrassing, but it doesn’t matter anymore. I am the second prince, but I’m the illegitimate son of the current king and a farmer’s daughter he seduced during a tour."

Oh dear, this reeks of familial drama.

"My mother was essentially abducted to the harem upon her pregnancy being discovered. She gave birth to me there. Tika is the son of her cousin, who was forced into service as a maid and caretaker, so we grew up together in the palace. However, we were both scorned by the queen and my elder brother."

Prince Kaldor clenched his knees tightly as he spoke.

Seriously!? Why are royals so careless!?
Whether it’s Sei or Prince Kaldor, how can parents put their own children through such misery!? Unbelievable!

----------

The Prince’s life story.
"… Since I was born… no, even before I was born, my life has always been side by side with death. When my mother entered the harem, the queen consort constantly targeted her life. However, thanks to her skill with medicinal herbs and sharp instincts, she somehow managed to give birth to me."

Yikes… It’s like something out of a historical drama. But knowing the person who actually endured all this is sitting in front of me makes it so much more painful.
Sei also fled to Doristan Kingdom because his life was targeted, didn’t he?
Why are family feuds always so gruesome…? It’s usually the king’s fault.

"After I was born, they kept attacking in every possible way. Fortunately, the king lost interest in my mother, started taking in new concubines one after another, and the queen consort became too preoccupied to continue. That was a stroke of luck."

… Yep, it’s all the king’s fault!

"Even so, I was still the second prince, and the queen consort and the first prince harassed me relentlessly. I can’t even count how many times they tried to disguise my murder as an accident. But perhaps because I inherited my mother’s sharp instincts, I managed to survive up to now. Looking back, I’m not even sure if surviving was a good thing."

Prince Kaldor gave a wry smile as he said this.
Living every day like you’re walking on a razor’s edge in a glittering royal palace… it’s exhausting just imagining it.
And yet, this person endured it all…

"Despite having no desire for the throne, just living in the palace made me a target. I couldn’t stand that life anymore, so three years ago, I renounced my right to the throne. I was granted a small territory, my mother’s hometown village and its surroundings, and I left the palace with my mother."

Huh? He gave up his claim to the throne? But isn’t he here as a prince this time?

"Life in the village was delightful. Although I was a lord in name, it was just a small farming village and its surrounding lands. To pay taxes, I had to work hard myself, but even that was a joy because it meant I was alive."

Ah, I get that. I really do. Aristocratic life can be so stifling.
I enjoyed working on the fields in my own territory, too.
Even now, I’m thinking of setting up planters with earth magic on my dorm balcony to start a home garden.

"Luckily, medicinal herbs and spices thrive in my territory, and they sell at high prices. Thanks to that, we didn’t live in poverty, and life was peaceful. Then, a royal summons came, ordering me to go to Doristan Kingdom as the second prince. They even took my mother’s life as a hostage to ensure my compliance."

What!? That’s horrible!

"Apparently, the envoy who previously visited was served terrible food. If a country handles our spices—one of our key exports—poorly, we must reconsider trade relations. Besides, if I could raise their prices while I was at it, it might benefit my territory, so it wasn’t entirely a bad proposition."

Hmm… Well, the bad food thing is true, so there’s no denying that.

"Honestly, I couldn’t stand the thought of the spices and herbs I worked so hard to grow being mistreated. While I resented them for taking my mother hostage, I decided to obey. To be fair, I was also curious about how other nations use our produce."

True, it’d be upsetting if something you worked hard to cultivate was treated carelessly.
It’d feel like all your efforts were trampled on.

"Besides, I had just succeeded in cultivating the elusive carca fruit, the raw material for aphrodisiacs, which had previously only been found by chance. I saw this as a good opportunity to find direct buyers."

Wait, what? Carca… you mean cacao? Cultivated? And mass-produced!?
I glanced at Father, and he nodded, clearly thinking the same thing.

"I requested permission to enter Doristan Kingdom incognito before the official visit. I wanted to mingle among the people and observe their lives. I joined a merchant caravan and entered the country."

"Your Highness… undertaking such a thing, what if something happened to you?"

Father frowned deeply, rubbing his temples like he had a headache.

"I didn’t intend to burden your country, but I couldn’t rule out the possibility of assassination or accidental death. Perhaps I thought we could even use that as leverage in negotiations with your kingdom. For that, I apologize."
"It’s fortunate that Your Highness is unharmed."
"Returning to the story, I worked at a street stall contracted by the caravan while observing life in Doristan Kingdom. That’s when Leo-dono appeared."

Prince Kaldor glanced at Leon-sama.

"Hmm?" Lord Leon, unconcerned with the serious atmosphere, was busy having his butler prepare drinks.
Seeing this, Father looked distressed and muttered, "That’s my prized…!" before holding back.
My condolences.

"Even though Leo-dono dressed plainly, his bearing was unmistakable. He was no ordinary person."

Ah, yes. Not ordinary at all. He’s a Sacred Beast, after all.

"His buying habits were generous, his manners refined despite his attempt to appear coarse. I felt like he saw right through me. Yet, he offered to introduce me to a major buyer. I couldn’t resist the offer. But then, he brought me to this little girl."

… That’s me, isn’t it? Sorry for being a kid!

"I thought it was a total letdown, but this young lady outspent even Leo-dono, with an eye for quality to boot. I figured her parents might be promising, so I handed over the raw aphrodisiac material as a test to gauge their reaction. But then…"

Yep, we just shopped normally! Your plan backfired completely!

"Well, given that someone capable of creating this ‘chocolate’ exists, it’s no wonder. Our petty schemes were utterly meaningless…"

Prince Kaldor let out a heavy sigh, resting his elbows on his knees.

… Uh, I feel kind of bad now…!

----------

HO SPI TA LI TY?
"Allow me to apologize sincerely for involving a young lady like you in such danger this time. It was wrong to act as we did, regardless of whether things went as planned or not."

Prince Kaldor bowed deeply as he spoke.

"... Your Highness, I told you we shouldn't do it!"
"Quiet, Tika. I know you were right in hindsight, but at the time, I was desperate to return with some kind of result!"

Tika-san's exasperated scolding made Prince Kaldor look awkward as he defended himself.

"Miss Cristea, I truly apologize."
"Ah, um, I don't really mind..."

I mean, there wasn't any harm done to me. It's fine, really.
.. .Though, considering the inevitable lecture I'll face later, maybe there was some harm done! Grr!

"Prince Kaldor, please don't worry too much about my daughter. She often gets herself involved in troublesome—ahem, pardon me—complicated situations such as this."

Otousama... While I appreciate your consideration for His Highness, could you stop casually throwing shade at me?!

"...Really? She does this often? Truly?"

Prince Kaldor looked at me with a mix of disbelief and curiosity, as if to say, "A noble lady, doing such things?" It was awkward.

"Indeed. But, Your Highness, may I ask where you've been staying since your arrival?"
"Ah, yes... I've been lodging at the same inn as the leader of the caravan I accompanied. It's a slightly better place than what they usually choose, but still modest by noble standards."

Apparently, the merchants had chosen a somewhat upscale inn, but it was still far below the standards of noble accommodations.
This prompted Otousama to express reservations about allowing His Highness to return there.

"It's already late. Rather than making your report to the royal palace tonight, why not stay at our home? We can address everything tomorrow."
"... Thank you for your generosity. I will accept your kind offer."

As this was decided, Kurogane returned.

With merchants and Tika-san assisting in transporting their belongings, arrangements were made to fetch His Highness's luggage from the inn.
Apologies for the rough handling, but Kurogane's efficiency means everything will proceed smoothly.
I’ll pamper him later with a long grooming session as thanks.

"Cristea."
"Yes?"
"Given the circumstances, I'm leaving tonight's dinner to you."
"... Excuse me?"
"You understand that serving the same dishes as the banquet tomorrow would be inappropriate, correct?"
"Oh!"

Now that he mentions it, that’s true.
The banquet tomorrow represents our kingdom's pride. It wouldn’t do for someone to think, "Wait, didn’t we already eat this at the Duke's residence?"

"Um, Otousama, would it be acceptable to serve one of our family's special recipes?"
"... That dish, you mean? Considering the short notice, I suppose it can't be helped."

Alright, I got the green light—time to bring out that recipe!

I rushed to the kitchen while His Highness was being shown to his guest room, coordinating with the head chef to finalize the menu.

Dinner took place in a slightly upgraded dining area, as Prince Kaldor insisted on modest hospitality.
Of course, Leon-sama joined us as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
He’s eating here too, huh? Typical.

Tika-san initially tried to excuse himself, citing his position as a retainer.
However, since Leon-sama (in his civilian disguise) was also present and insisted, he reluctantly agreed to join us—though she was humorously designated as the "poison tester."
Poor thing!

"... What is this?"

Prince Kaldor eyed the dish before him suspiciously.

"It's a family specialty we call curry. Please scoop it like this and eat it together with the rice."

Otousama demonstrated, combining the curry sauce and rice with a spoon.

"The aroma is enticing, but..."
"Yeah, it smells good, but..."

Neither Prince Kaldor nor Tika-san seemed eager to dig in.

Ah, it's the appearance, isn't it?!
Sure, the visuals aren’t winning any beauty contests, but the flavor more than makes up for it!

I mean, even Crown Prince Raymond was put off by its look the first time he saw it.
Now, he can handle ultra-spicy versions like a pro!

Meanwhile, Tika-san, the designated tester, hesitated, poking the curry with her spoon without taking a bite.

In contrast, my family and I wasted no time diving in.
The rich aroma is practically an invitation to indulge—how could we wait?

As we ate with obvious enjoyment, Prince Kaldor and Tika-san exchanged wary glances before finally giving in to curiosity.

"This is... delicious! The flavor isn’t just spicy—it’s complex!"

Leon-sama, unsurprisingly, took to it immediately, eating with enthusiasm.

Tonight’s curry featured large chunks of vegetables—potatoes and carrots for hearty bites, alongside tender stewed beef for a delightful texture.
The onions had melted into the sauce, adding depth and sweetness. Absolute bliss.

For a topping, I added soft-boiled eggs, quartered lengthwise.
I debated using a poached egg but decided against it since this world isn’t too familiar with raw or semi-raw food.
Hopefully, the soft-boiled egg's richness would win them over.

"... Tika?"
"I-I’ll eat it, alright?"

Finally, Tika-san plunged his spoon into the curry and took a bite.

"......"
"... Tika?"

Prince Kaldor watched her reaction with concern as she fell silent.

"...It’s... delicious!"

Ah, he’s fallen for it. Welcome to the curry club!

----------

Food in the Samonar Kingdom.
"Delicious! This is seriously amazing!"

Tika-san, who had been eying the curry suspiciously moments ago, began wolfing it down.

The curry disappeared from her plate so fast it seemed like he was drinking it instead of eating it.

"Tika, you..."

Prince Kaldor looked at him in disbelief, but Tika-san, having emptied his plate in record time, turned to the server with an innocent plea, "Umm... could I have seconds, please?"

"Sigh... good grief."

Prince Kaldor let out a long breath before taking a spoonful of the curry, mimicking the way the others were eating.
He scooped up the curry and rice together, hesitated for a moment, and then finally took a bite.

"...! T-This is... delicious."

He covered his mouth with his hand in surprise, staring at the curry as if it were some sort of revelation.

Huh? Was it really that unexpected?
Sure, the curry's appearance might be a bit unconventional, but one bite should be enough to erase any doubts!

"The base spices are similar to those used in a dish we call 'Karine' in my territory. But this thick, velvety texture and the hint of sweetness... It's not just spicy; the flavors are layered and complex, making it an entirely different dish."

Oh? Is Prince Kaldor secretly a food critic like Otousama?
And apparently, in Samonar, there’s a dish called Karine.
Judging by his description, it seems similar to Indian curry, with a thinner, soup-like consistency.

"Also, this grain... It pairs excellently with this rich sauce. But I've never seen a grain as white and springy as this. What is it?"

Prince Kaldor held up a spoonful of rice, inspecting it curiously.

Oh no, could it be that Samonar also considers rice, or something similar, to be livestock feed?

In my previous life, the rice typically paired with Indian curry was long-grain Indica rice, known for its light, fragrant flavor.
It’s quite different from the short-grain, sticky Japonica rice we’re serving.

Moreover, Samonar might be accustomed to eating curry with naan or chapati instead of rice.
Let me explain the difference: naan is a flatbread made with refined white flour and yeast, baked in a tandoor oven, while chapati is made with whole wheat flour, unleavened, and cooked on a griddle.

As for tandoori chicken, it’s marinated in spices and yogurt, then roasted in a tandoor, which gives it its name.

Whether Samonar serves curry with rice, naan, or chapati, offering something originally considered livestock feed as a high-class dish might have been a risky move.

I glanced nervously at Otousama, who seemed to share my thoughts.
Though he didn’t look particularly flustered, the deep furrow in his brow suggested otherwise.
This could be bad...

"Oh, this is made from Lars. It used to be primarily livestock feed, but a recipe registered with the Merchants’ Guild a few years ago made it possible to enjoy it as a dish like this."

Leon-sama nonchalantly revealed the secret of the rice while ordering his second serving.

Hold on! Leon-sama, seriously?!

If Prince Kaldor reacts angrily with something like, "What?! You served a prince livestock feed? This is an insult!" what are we supposed to do?!

"What?! This used to be livestock feed?!"

Prince Kaldor whipped his gaze away from the food to look at us sharply.

See?! Now we’re in trouble!

"P-Prince Kaldor, I assure you, it was merely that its use as food wasn’t well-known before. In Yahateur, it has always been consumed as a staple. We would never—"
"You mean it’s like Idika, a feed grain in our country? The grains aren’t as round as Lars, but could they be prepared to taste this good?!"
"... Huh?"

Before I could finish my flustered explanation, Prince Kaldor interrupted with a surprising question.
I froze, completely caught off guard.

"My apologies. In our country, wheat yields are low, and we rely heavily on imports. White flour is considered a luxury, and poorer citizens often grind feed grains like Idika to bulk up their meals. It’s not very palatable, but spices help mask the flavor."

Prince Kaldor’s expression grew pained as he recalled his people’s struggles.

"If Lars can be made to taste this good, then perhaps Idika could also be cooked into something more palatable... What do you think?"

Well... That’s quite the leap.
Without seeing the grain itself, I couldn’t say for sure, but if Idika is anything like Indica rice—a long-grain variety like Thai jasmine rice—it might work.

Japanese Japonica rice is sticky and chewy, whereas Indica rice is drier and lighter.
Cooking methods differ greatly between the two, so treating them the same could ruin the dish.

If Idika is a fragrant rice like jasmine rice, it might pair well with Samonar’s spices.

"Prince Kaldor, could you tell me more about Idika? With the right method, it might be possible to make it delicious."
"...! Of course!"

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