Shomin no Aji - Chapter 604.2 (Patreon)

For now, let's leave things as they are.
"Tea, is something wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Oniisama gently stroked my cheek as he peered at me with concern.

"No! I'm fine! I was just worried if everyone would like the food.”

I quickly replied, pulling away.
Oniisama, left with no place to put his hand, clenched it briefly and said, "If that's the case, then it's alright..." still looking worried.

"No need to worry, Miss Cristea! Everything is delicious!"

Crown Prince Raymond's voice drew my attention, and judging by his empty plates, he was already onto his several-th cake.

"Indeed. The carrot sweets from the last time were delicious, but the pumpkin pie is exquisite as well."

Alicia-sama said with a smile, elegantly eating her pumpkin pie.

"Carrot sweets? Which ones?"

The Crown Prince reacted to Alicia-sama's words.

"Um... I had them at the previous tea party. It seems they are not here this time.”

Alicia-sama answered apologetically.

"I see... That's unfortunate, I will look forward to it the next time, then.”

Crown Prince replied with a smile.
Yes, everything is going well...
Wait, Your Highness?
Please don't imply there's going to be a next time so casually.

"Everything my Lord makes is naturally delicious."
"Yeah! Cristea's sweets and dishes are all so delicious! If no one else wants them, I'll eat them all myself!"

Kurogane and Mashiro boasted as they ate at an incredible pace.

"That would be a problem. I was looking forward to them as well, so I'll make sure to have my share.”

Oniisama said playfully, winking at me before taking his seat.

I felt a little relieved by this familiar scene.
As Ruby said, I need to seriously think about Oniisama’s feelings.
Although I silently apologized to him who was waiting for me, I couldn't help but keep my feelings on hold, thinking I was still just a child.
I'm sorry, Oniisama, for your unwavering sincerity.
Just a little longer, let me stay a child.

Besides, right now... I need to make sure this tea party is enjoyable.

"Actually, I have something special prepared for today.”

I said as Miria took out a pumpkin from the magic box I had brought.

"A... pumpkin?"

Crown Prince Raymond tilted his head, looking at the pumpkin that had been placed with a thud on the plate.

"Hehe, this is..."

I lifted the pumpkin by its stem, and the top part popped off like a lid, revealing the contents inside.

"Oh my, is something stuffed inside...?"

Alicia-sama and the others curiously peered into the pumpkin.

"It's pumpkin pudding! And the best part is, you can eat the entire container!"

At my signal, Miria began cutting the pumpkin pudding.

Though the pumpkin should have been hard, it had been steamed to become soft and fluffy, allowing the knife to pass through easily.
When a slice was drawn out, the hollowed-out pumpkin revealed the bright-colored pudding inside.

Everyone let out a cheer, and I calmed them down as they eagerly waited for their servings. As they started tasting the pudding, their faces melted into smiles.
Ah, this is the expression I look forward to seeing...
I'm so glad I made this!
Alright, time to dig in!

The spoon slipped effortlessly into the pudding, and I took a bite.
The unique flavor, different from regular pudding, made me smile.
Although the container part required a bit more effort, it scooped out easily.
When eaten with the pudding, the pumpkin's rich texture and subtle sweetness harmonized perfectly, making it delicious.

I wondered if the Suzaku-sama, who loves pudding, was enjoying it as well.
I had suggested that Sei and the others join, but they declined, worried that Suzaku-sama might lose control upon discovering the pumpkin pudding's existence...
Indeed, her sensual food reviews could be a bit too much for the teenage boys.

While we were relishing the other sweets as well, the Crown Prince finished his green tea, brewed by Miria, and then turned to me.

"I have a request for you, Miss Cristea."

What? A request from Crown Prince Raymond?
I have a bad feeling about this!

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