episode_0102

After washing up, we returned to the room and changed our clothes.

I was a little concerned about the mess in my room, but I could clean it up quickly using magic, so I decided to clean it up after eating and went outside.

Even though it was spring, the night was still a little chilly, so Hermel and I walked down the night road with our arms around each other.

As we were heading to the cafe without much conversation, Hermel hugged me and said.

“Charles, that cafe you mentioned.”

“Huh?”

“Did you go there every time you said you would have dinner separately?”

I glanced at Hermel’s face to see if he was jealous, but surprisingly, Hermel’s face was filled with doubt and anticipation, not jealousy.

Ah, I tried to just be as I am today, but I unconsciously read my emotions again. After blinking for a moment, I smiled bitterly and nodded.

“Yes. That’s right.”

“Hey… … . Do you think the food is so delicious that you would even refuse to eat the royal chef’s food?”

“Hehe, it’s not exactly what you expect. The taste is much better from the royal chef.”

When she heard me, she tilted her head with a questioning expression.

“Huh? Then isn’t it better to eat delicious food?”

“That’s true, but cafes aren’t places you normally go for something to eat. It’s a place you go for a drink.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. At a cafe, food is only for accompanying food, and alcohol is to be consumed. Things like tea and alcohol.”

Hermel looked at me with a more suspicious look than before.

“If it sells alcohol, isn’t it more of a bar than a cafe? Seeing as it’s open late at night, it looks like a real bar… … .”

“Fuhu… … . I thought so too, but I can’t expect the cafe owner to say it’s a cafe.”

“You are very generous in that regard.”

I patted the head of Hermel, who was giggling.

After that, as we walked and talked about various things, a familiar blue wooden door suddenly caught our eye. I tapped Hermel on the shoulder and pointed to the blue wooden door.

“Over there. The cafe I was talking about.”

“It’s not as flashy as you think, is it? It’s so simple that it feels like a real bar.”

“Don’t say that in front of the store owner.”

I smiled and answered, opened the door and entered the cafe, and was greeted by a cafe filled with a familiar atmosphere and a pleasant scent of coffee.

Hermel, perhaps because he liked the scent of coffee, closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

I’m glad you like it too. I sat down at the counter with Hermel, who was smiling happily and enjoying the scent, and not long after, the owner of the cafe walked out from the kitchen.

“Hmm? Ah, welcome to Cafe Seratori.”

“I wondered what would happen if it wasn’t open, but I’m glad.”

The cafe owner smiled slightly and poured us a glass of water.

“There are too many people waiting for my cafe to open to close it just because something bad happened.”

“Hehe, one of them is me.”

When I said this with a smile, he smiled faintly and looked towards Hermel.

“By the way, a special guest came with us today. See you, the little star of the kingdom.”

“Ugh, I don’t like that, but can’t I do it?”

“Is that so? I also only heard about things like etiquette, but I never really learned them, so I felt burdened.”

The cafe owner said that and shook his head.

“The story has become longer. So, what can I give you today.”

“Please give me what I normally eat.”

“Yes. You mean pasta and coffee, right?”

When I nodded, Hermel’s eyes widened and his face filled with shock.

“Pasta and coffee? Are you talking about the black water? really? Ugh.”

“It may seem strange if you just listen to it, but it suits you surprisingly well?”

“… … Still, I want to eat something else.”

Hermel shook his head as if he would not compromise on food, asked what was on the menu, and ordered pancakes and orange juice.

“It’s a good choice. Orange is only available until May, so it will soon be discontinued.”

“Hey, I see.”

Finally, the cafe owner, who checked the menu, smiled and asked me to wait a moment before entering the kitchen.

Hermel, who was looking around the cafe, stretched out his arms and leaned back. It was about stretching.

“Mmm… … !! Paha. I understand why Charles comes here.”

“Huh? I just ordered food and already?”

Hermel smiled and nodded.

“The atmosphere itself is comfortable. Also, unlike other places, it is quiet because it is next to the library and temple. hmm… … . And you can get lost in your thoughts comfortably… … .”

I blinked as I watched Hermel speak while clenching his chin.

Although Hermel’s words were not exact, they were vaguely giving the correct answer.

“Fuhu… … . huh. that’s right. huh… … . I like it because it’s comfortable here. You don’t have to worry about anything else, and when you put down your burden, you naturally feel at ease. That’s why I like it.”

“And it’s even better if you come with someone you like.”

Hermel’s cheeks were flushed and the corners of his mouth were trembling, as if he was ashamed of what he had said.

After looking at that for a moment, I thought to myself, and smiled, that if you really give your heart to me, it will be given to you without end or end.

“Saying only cute things… … .”

As I was stroking my head, I suddenly felt a strange gaze from somewhere and turned around.

But strangely, no one was visible outside the window. There aren’t many people walking around this late at night, so it’s probably not a mistake… … .

As I turned my head again, I fell silent when I saw platinum hair swaying in the corner of the window.

“Charles, what’s out there?”

“Ugh. It’s nothing.”

Okay, you don’t have to worry about it now. He shook his head and turned his back.

After that, as we were spending time chatting about various things, the owner of the cafe came out carrying a large wooden tray.

“The pasta and coffee we ordered, as well as pancakes and orange juice, were served. Enjoy your meal.”

“Oh.”

Hermel’s eyes sparkled when he saw the pancakes in front of him.

“When I heard it was called a pancake, I thought it was something farmers eat, but with the honey on it, it looks completely different… … .”

Then he immediately picked up his fork and started eating the pancake.

Hermel, who took a large pancake into his mouth, said with his eyes wide open while holding a fork in his mouth.

“Delicious!”

“I was worried that it would suit the princess’s tastes, but it turned out to be unfounded.”

Iknow, right. I’m glad you like it.

Instead of saying that, I smiled quietly and ate my share of food.

* * *

“Whoa… … . I ate well… … .”

Hermel, who had finished eating, seemed to feel drowsy after filling his stomach, leaning on the back of his chair and yawning profusely and saying.

“Was it delicious?”

“Yes… … . To be honest, even compared to the royal chef, I felt like he wasn’t that far behind.”

“Haha, since the princess said that, I don’t know what to do.”

“In the past, I would have said I would take you to the royal kitchen in charge of desserts… … . Then Charles will hate it.”

Hermel said that and looked at me. Well, are you asking me to at least praise you?

When I smiled and patted his head, Hermel stood up, stretched, and turned his back as if he was satisfied.

“Let’s go back!”

“Okay, then.”

After paying, I left the cafe.

Just by chance, I ran into Priscilla who was entering the cafe.

“… … What a coincidence.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

The tips of her ears and nose were flushed. It was even more visible because her skin was so white.

It wasn’t that cold, but I guess I was standing outside for so long that my ears and nose turned red.

Normally, I would have bitten and pointed out that fact, but today I didn’t feel like it, so I just smiled.

“… … .”

Priscilla, who was looking at me in silence, bowed her head slightly, passed me by, and entered the cafe.

I looked at Priscilla through the window for a moment, then walked forward and joined Hermel who was waiting in front.

“Do you know Professor Priscilla?”

“Huh? It’s my aunt.”

“Ah, I see. Aunt… … . Aunt!? Really!?”

Seeing Hermel’s shocked appearance, I smiled and said.

“Yes. My mother was the Marquis of Arbel. Didn’t you know?”

“Me, that… … . Since taking up the sword, I have completely withdrawn from politics… … .”

I chuckled at the sight of Hermel stroking his neck as if he had no shame.

“It’s okay. Because if you don’t know, something won’t happen. Oh, and is it a secret that I am related by blood to Professor Priscilla?”

“Yes! I won’t tell anyone!”

Hermel nodded vigorously.

“Let’s go, it’s getting cold.”

“Yes!”

After returning to the room after a slightly chilly night, Hermel and I immediately changed into our pajamas and tried to lie down on the bed.

“Ouch!?”

“Huh? What’s wrong?”

“The bed is cold… .”

Oh right. I later checked the bed, which I had forgotten about for a while, and was speechless at the state of the bed, which was literally a mess.

All the bedding, from the blanket to the bed and pillows, was damp, as if it had been soaked in water once. Because the window was open, it was as cold as ice.

I could have written it, but it was in a state where I never wanted to use it.

“I guess we went a little too far. Hehe.”

“… … You don’t have to say that.”

I said that and shook my head.

Then, he used magic to extract all the moisture from the bedding and throw it out the window, then blow the warm wind to make the blankets and pillows soft and fluffy.

Magic is really convenient.

“Now it’s going to be soft and fluffy… … . What’s wrong?”

Hermel blinked and looked at me.

“No, that… … . I thought I’d order a maid called Mel. Because it’s a little unexpected.”

“Ah, that’s the story… … .”

I smiled slightly and stroked Hermel’s head.

“What can I say, I remembered what you said earlier about it being our secret. Because that’s it, and at this level, I can do it too. It’s just that…”

Hermel, who was looking at me with his eyes closed, muttered his mouth, then lowered his head and came into my arms.

“Hermel?”

“Would you like to sleep together today… … .”

I looked down for a moment at Hermel, who was talking with his face buried in my chest, and said with a chuckle.

“I’m just saying this just in case, but today is worse? My thighs are still shaking.”

“It’s not like that.”

“I know. I just tried it.”

It’s something I won’t say again after today.

I quietly swallowed my words and lay down on the bed with Hermel.

“Good night.”

“Yes, Charles too.”

Not long after saying that, Hermel fell asleep, and I smiled bitterly after confirming that Hermel was asleep.

Now it was time to prepare for tomorrow.

“I love you.”

For the last time, saying things I would never say again, words I would never reach, I hugged Hermel tightly and kissed his forehead.

So the night deepened without a sound.