episode_0132

Chocolate?

Is the name of this brown dumpling-like snack chocolate?

“No, thank you, but the financial situation is… … .”

“I’m having a tasting party today, so I’m not getting paid! It’s okay, so give it a try.”

Irene accepted the brown chocolate cookie that looked like a brown dumpling that the woman gave her.

It was a little unfamiliar because it was my first time seeing this snack, but… …

‘huh?’

A very sweet scent fiercely irritated her nose.

Thanks to this, I was able to naturally put it into my mouth without any resistance.

And, just by rolling the chocolate in your mouth a few times –

A new world of tastes that you have never felt before unfolds.

“… … !!”

“How do you feel? It’s delicious, right?”

Irene’s pupils dilated slightly.

One hand naturally cups her cheek.

so sweet.

So much so that she didn’t even notice that she was making very girlish gestures.

No, more accurately, it felt sweet and slightly bitter.

It feels like there’s a spoonful or two of savory flavor in there.

Above all, the bitterness was the perfect highlight, enhancing the perfection of this snack.

As I continued to savor the taste, it melted away so quickly.

It even felt like I was eating cream, as it melted much faster than candy.

“Did you say the name of this snack is chocolate? It’s very delicious.”

“Yes? ah… … Driver, I think this is your first time seeing chocolate. Are you from the North?”

“That’s right. It hasn’t been long since I came here.”

“That’s right! This is a snack called chocolate! It’s a specialty of the northern region. It is very popular because of its sweet taste. It’s St. Valentino’s Feast in a little while. To prepare for this, our store also made a special mixture of hazelnuts. How do you feel?”

“It was really delicious. This is a high-quality refreshment.”

“Hehe. Your praise gives me strength. Let’s see, it looks like it’s your driver’s first time with chocolate… … ruler! I’ll give you a few more.”

“No… … It’s okay if you don’t do this.”

“Now, now. Don’t forget to put it in.”

Irene reluctantly accepted three well-packaged chocolates with a big smile.

to be honest… … For Irene, who had already tasted chocolate, it was a temptation so strong that she could not refuse.

Is it because I have always lived a life of abstinence from all pleasures?

She had a particular weakness for sweet tastes. It was one of the weak parts of myself that I wanted to hide.

Iren thought as she packed them in her arms.

It’s hazelnut.

Are you saying that the true savory taste was hazelnut?

No, more than that… …

“I’m sorry, but I want to ask you something more.”

“As much as you want!”

Judging from the fact that she smiled brightly and didn’t show any signs of annoyance, this woman was quite a professional.

This was even more so considering that this was just a tasting party.

“What day is St. Valentino’s Feast?”

“Yes! It is a celebration and festival day in the northern region. Because it is a big holiday on this day, a lot of chocolate is sold.”

“Really? Is this the day to eat chocolate?”

“Rather than that, it is a day when women give chocolates to men who are indebted to them! On this day, women who want to express their feelings buy a lot of chocolate, so it naturally becomes a hot topic!”

huh?

A woman presents sweets to a man she is indebted to… … ?

“If you have anyone who would like to give a gift, please use our store!”

After parting ways with the female employee of the store who smiled and saw him off.

Irene could not easily take a step and stood still, lost in thought.

‘A woman is a gift to a man… … This might be… … .’

Irene Juliette.

Before she was an outstanding general, she was a woman with a man in her heart.

Irene’s head, which as a warrior always preferred to act on her own rather than think, was spinning faster than ever.

*

Rattling.

Along with the sound of the door opening, a woman’s voice was heard.

“Ah, and… … Thank you for your hard work!”

It was Reika who greeted Iren as she returned to her dorm after completing her mission.

Silin, who I was sharing a room with, was temporarily dispatched to another castle.

Therefore, Reika would have used the spacious three-person room by herself.

Knowing that Reika must have been lonely alone, Iren smiles at Reika who welcomes her.

“Um.”

Finally, without saying a word, he handed her the chocolate snack he had in his arms.

“This… … ?”

“It’s a snack. They handed it out in front of me.”

Reika carefully peeled off the packaging.

“Ah… … Is this chocolate?”

“Huh? Did you know what this was?”

“Yes. It’s a type of snack eaten in the northern continent, right? I’m interested in making cookies. I know at least what it looks like. Of course, this is my first time seeing it in real life… … .”

Come to think of it, she was the daughter of the Nighthart family.

People are in a position where they can get and eat as many snacks as they want.

“Let’s see… … Yum… … Wow, this is delicious?!”

“Right?”

“Yes! amazing… … The level of the northern continent is no joke. I guess it’s because it’s where the capital of the former empire is located… … ?”

Recently, Reika has been able to speak naturally without stuttering in front of Iren.

Sometimes I felt more comfortable than my teacher, Swen.

Part of the reason was that they were the same woman, but one of the reasons was that Irene treated her very comfortably.

“Oh, me too… … Irene, let’s eat together.”

“Huh? No, I’m fine… … .”

I answered that way, but… … Irene, unable to resist the temptation of chocolate, takes a piece and puts it back in her mouth.

So, after spending some lovely time together.

Iren hinted and told Reika what was on her mind.

“Saint Valentino’s Feast… … Is this?”

“Okay. It is said that it is a day for women to give chocolate as a gift to men who are indebted to them on the Northern Continent.”

“Really? It’s kind of a romantic day… … ? I heard that people on the northern continent generally give the impression to others that they are cold and have little emotionality.”

“Is that so? It’s also my first time hearing that. Ms. Reika seems to have a lot of miscellaneous knowledge.”

Reika smiled sheepishly at Airen’s words.

“When I was stuck at home, all I could do was read books… … So, I read everything I could find. In the end, I guess I picked it all up.”

“Really? anyway… … Hmm, hmm.”

Irene covered her mouth with her hand, cleared her throat a few times, and then carefully opened her mouth.

No, to be precise… … I tried to open my mouth.

‘… … .’

For some reason, it felt very burdensome to mention the plan I had come up with.

Much more than holding a sword and facing a powerful enemy on the battlefield.

Reika watched Airen for a moment and then… … Soon, he tilted his head slightly and said.

“Do you want to give Swen some chocolate as a gift?”

“Wow!”

Whoosh, whoosh… … Kellogg.

Because he was coughing as if he had just heard a case, Reika asked in surprise.

“Ah, Irene… … ?Are you okay?!”

“Ah… … Yes. It’s okay. Well… … So.”

why… …

Why is it so difficult to express one’s honest feelings?

“I… … .”

Nevertheless, I mustered up as much courage as I could and nodded my head slowly.

Her face was very red, and she had the appearance of a young girl.

“I see. I think it’s a good idea. As soon as I heard the story… … Because it reminded me of my teacher first.”

By teacher, do you mean Swen?

I heard that Swen served as her magic teacher when she was a member of the Aishous Army.

“Hmm. therefore… … He asked me, “What do you think?” … Should I say I want to.”

Seeing Airen acting like her usual self, Reika once again wonders if she is being seen this way.

Irene has been patient and treated me well… … I should do that too, right?

“I think it’s a good method… … !”

“That… … is it? That’s a good method… … Um, I mean, hmm. Well, I’m a little worried that Swen won’t be bothered… … .”

“No… … ! I think you will be very happy. At least if I were Swen, I would be really happy… … !”

“Okay… … ?”

The brave female knight, who usually seemed to have nothing to fear, was unable to hide her feelings of embarrassment with her eyes wide open.

I also heard that Irene was the one who played a decisive role in the defense of the western fortress of Balharat Castle.

That kind of person… … Especially in front of a man named Swen, she appeared weaker than any other woman.

Reika thought that was very lovely.

Irene was definitely the person who would become Swen’s first wife.

A person who loves like this… … Can I follow along?

I am also with Master… … Is it possible to share this kind of love with Swen?

‘… … no.’

Now is not the time to think like that.

It was a moment when he had to help Irene in some way, even if only for the sake of Irene, who always looked after him.

“It seems like a good idea, so let’s put it into practice right away… … !Let’s give Swen some chocolate together… … !”

*

next day.

“It’s all sold… … ?”

“Oh my, the driver came to visit me again after a long time… … I’m really sorry. Perhaps because it wasn’t long until the Feast of St. Valentino, it sold out quickly”

I went to the same store again, but it seemed like the new hazelnut-flavored chocolate was already sold out.

To Irene, who couldn’t hide her sullen appearance, the employee suggested something in a cautious tone.

“Hey, I still have some left over from what I originally sold. How about this? … ?”

“Then at least this… … .”

After purchasing another square-shaped chocolate from the store owner –

I shared some of it with Reika and ate it on the spot.

“Umm… … It seems like something is subtle.”

“It definitely feels a bit empty… … Although the sweet taste is okay.”

Although this is a delicious snack on its own,

Somehow, I felt regretful that I couldn’t share with Swen the full emotions I felt when I first tasted it.

It tastes a bit empty because there is no savory flavor mixed in, but… … Still, where is this left?

‘If I had made up my mind right away yesterday, I would have bought it on the spot… … .’

Although I regretted hesitating even for a moment.

Since the holiday was not far away, it was an unavoidable problem.

“… … I can’t help it. It would be best to at least hand this over.”

Iren smiled bitterly as she said that.

For some reason, her profile looks a little lonely… … Reika said, crying in spite of herself.

“No… … Irene.”

“Huh?”

“Let’s make it!”

Reika said, holding onto Iren’s hand tightly.

“Re, Ms. Reika… … ?”

Iren looked into Reika’s pink eyes.

Occasionally, a passionate girl’s passion that I had never seen before in her was burning brightly beyond her eyes.

“Irene! Together, let’s make chocolate that tastes better than the first one we had!”