episode_0040

That’s how the meal between the three princesses and Zeros began.

As he tasted the delicacies laid out before his eyes, Zeros inwardly exclaimed in admiration.

‘This is really delicious. I have no idea what it is made of or how it is made, but it’s really amazing.’

A soup believed to contain seafood, a salad made with unknown fruits and vegetables.

I can’t tell if it’s lamb or beef, but either way, it’s a steak that melts in your mouth.

Feeling pleasure on his tongue for the first time in a long time, Zeros was concentrating on eating without worrying about anything else.

At that time, there was a person who was staring at him intently.

Then, as if her playfulness had slightly kicked in, she carefully leaned her body to the side.

and..

“You eat so well, sir? Is it really that delicious?”

“! Huh? Huh! Gulp! Gulp!”

Zero’s throat was momentarily blocked by Senel’s question that suddenly flowed into his ear.

Then, he drank all the water that was next to him and was barely able to swallow his food. Senel smiled brightly and spoke in a small voice as he watched Zeros like that.

“Hehehe, you don’t have to be so nervous. It’s good to eat hard while enjoying delicious food. It looks like you and I are the only two people here who can do that.”

“Uh..uh..yeah? What..what does that mean?”

After barely calming down, Zeros questions Senel’s words.

Senel, still keeping his voice low, reminded Zeros of the situation around him.

Cattlena, who eats her meals crunching them as if she were chewing on stones.

And Elios, who barely touched the food and only sipped his wine glass.

Katlena had originally found Elios very uncomfortable, so even so, it was honestly a bit surprising to see Elios act like that.

Zeros finally realizes that the atmosphere around him is not very good and shows a slightly embarrassed expression.

To such a Zero, Senel spoke in a voice that seemed to be amused.

“Hehehe. From what I hear, you seem to be quite smart, but I think you still lack the knack for this kind of thing?”

“Ah..yes, sorry..”

“To live well in this world, you must always pay attention to the previous side. Remember this well, Katlena’s proud knight.”

“Huh? That.. That’s..”

“Hoohoohoo~”

Her words were playful, yet had some serious meaning to them.

At this, Zeros showed a slight look of bewilderment, and Senel let out a small laugh as she watched him, before continuing.

“Then here’s the problem. Why is your princess looking so stern?”

“Um..”

Senel’s sudden question.

Zeros took a moment to calm down the embarrassment he had just felt, then carefully expressed his thoughts.

“Perhaps… it’s because Princess Elios is uncomfortable? Princess Carlena has always had a hard time with her older sister.”

“Hehehe. Well, it’s not completely wrong, but… if I had to rate it. Would it be a 40-point answer?”

“..Huh?”

Zeros expresses his doubts, thinking that the score is considerably lower than he had expected.

Seeing him like this, Senel gently stroked the boy’s head right in front of her.

“Hehehe, I know it’s still a difficult story for a kid like you to understand. In that sense, I guess I could give it about 50 points including the bonus.”

“ to… ”

At Senel’s words, Zeros felt like saying, “I’m actually older than you, right?”, but he still didn’t fully understand what she meant.

‘Other than Elios, there’s no particular reason why Katlena would be uncomfortable with this situation… Hmm? I don’t think it’s because the food doesn’t taste good or the restaurant doesn’t suit her taste.’

Zeros, who has a question mark on his head for some unknown reason.

Senel watched Zeros with interest and spoke to him again in a small voice.

“Hehehe, you don’t seem to have an answer? Well, here’s one more bonus question. Then why is our student council president, Elios Noshelrat Dragona, who is not afraid of anything in this world, just sipping alcohol?”

“… That’s..”

It couldn’t be for the same reason as simply having no appetite, and Zeros could vaguely sense that there must be something important going on.

She appears relaxed, but there is a strange tension that is felt from her.

And above all, her gaze never leaves Katlena.

Through this, Zeros carefully spoke about something that came to his mind.

“Are you going to ask me for something right after this… no, order me… something like that? To Lady Katlena.”

“Wow… Correct answer. It’s not perfect, but considering your current situation, it’s a 90 point answer.”

“Hmm. Thank you.”

That doesn’t mean anything will come out of it, but it’s still a score that strangely makes you feel good.

Then, Zeros cautiously asked Senel, curious about the issues that naturally followed his correct answer.

“Then… what is that request? Do you know anything about it, Your Majesty?”

“Hehehe.. Well? It’s not clear, but if I were to tell you the story with a 90 point award, then maybe..”

“Zeros? What are you talking about that’s so funny?”

“ㄴ..Huh?”

The next moment, Katlena’s voice is heard.

Zeros had no choice but to stop the conversation because of the strange discomfort contained within it, and Senel spoke in a light voice that seemed relaxed while maintaining his expression.

“No, it’s nothing special. I was just talking to you about how uncomfortable it was to see you eating, Katlena, and whether the food was not to your liking.”

“… Haa. There’s nothing wrong with that, Senel. I just don’t have an appetite.”

“Even so, it’s a rare act of sincerity from your eldest sister, right? It might be hard, but try to eat it diligently. Otherwise, our scary eldest sister might chew and eat your cute youngest sibling from the head.”

“… Haa.. Senel..”

Elios sighed deeply at his sister’s words.

However, Elios realized that the somewhat serious atmosphere had become a little lighter thanks to his brother’s joke, so he put down his wine glass and looked at Katlena.

“If you don’t have an appetite, you don’t have to force yourself to eat. This place is for you. Do whatever you want.”

“Ah.. n..your sister.”

While saying that, Elios looked at his youngest brother, who was cowering in fear, and looked thoughtful for a moment.

An attitude that seems like you want to say something but can’t find the right timing.

At that time, Senel spoke in his usual bright voice while looking at them.

“But, sis, how’s the student council doing these days? I heard that they’re adding new officers this time. Did you find some good people?”

“Ah.. That’s..”

At Senel’s words, Elios shows a slightly strangely surprised expression.

But then she answered, looking at Senel’s face with a much more relaxed expression than before.

“Not yet. Unfortunately, there aren’t many capable but relaxed people in the academy.”

“Well, most of the useful ones are already in other departments. Besides, the student council work is already quite hectic. Not to mention the executives including you, but even the Sentinels under your command are often involved in troublesome situations. It’s not an easy position to be in without a certain level of ability and a sense of responsibility. In that sense, please increase the Sentinels’ budget.”

“I wish you would shut your mouth before I cut it, my dear little brother.”

“Heeeek..”

Elios cuts off the request that seems to have a strong sense of request.

At this, Senel’s face became slightly sad, and then Elios’ gaze turned to Katlena.

“It’s definitely not easy and there are a lot of incidents that get involved, but I personally think that the student council is the most rewarding job in the academy. Above all, it’s meaningful in that we’re leading this school that my mother founded with our own hands. In that sense…”

After he had rounded the conversation like that, Elios looked straight into Katlena’s eyes and spoke as if he had made a firm decision.

“Katlena, if it’s okay with you, do you have any plans to join the student council?”