32. Quiet story-Arisa’s cooking class-

　　As the reconstruction of the city progressed, the three girls. Fels, Arisa, and Florence were gathered in the mansion.

　When it comes to girls-only gatherings, the atmosphere should be a bit softer, but due to Fels and Florence who were on bad terms, it didn’t look like fun.

“… Arisa-san, why did you call her?”

“If we want to thank Nigris, we have to invite her.”

“This mistress just doesn’t want to be surpassed by this elf puss.”

　Fels crossed her arms and Florence crossed her legs and they glared at each other.　I know the reason why they’re not on good terms. Florence doesn’t like the way Nigris looks at Fels, and Florence doesn’t allow Fels to stay by his side.

　Arisa with her eyes half-opened thinks it’s annoying.

“You should get along a little …”

She opens her mouth and sighs.

Although the reconstruction is progressing, there’s not much time to play around.

    There are many troublesome things, such as the magic circles and the influence of great nobles.

“First of all, Nigris doesn’t care about things and money, so what can we do to make him happy …”

“A knee pillow.”

“A mistress”

“” … “”

　　While they glared at each other, Arisa raised her voice without reading the air.

“Fufun~, you guys don’t know what a girl is, do you?　Girls are supposed to be about cooking and being a maiden!”

“… Can you cook Arisa?”

“Naturally”

“This mistress can’t.”

“I win” (Fels)

　Fels cooks Nigris meals every day.

　She’d been studying how to make good food.

“What what !? This mistress won’t lose to you at cooking!”

　Florence is frustrated.

　Florence grew up as a slave and, with her own skill, climbed up to being the empress of the slums. So she’d never done anything girly like cooking.

(Fels gets serious when it comes to Nigris …)

“Then I’ll teach you how to cook.” (Arisa)

“Are you sure !?”

“I’m an adult lady. Leave it to me!”

“I think it’s better to stop …”

　Only Fels knows.

　Arisa is extremely bad at teaching people.

　And she’s crazy.

“Are you scared that I’ll be cooking so well that Nigris-sama falls in love?” (Florence)

“……This is good. I thought it was time we settled things.”

“It’s decided!　Let’s get started!”

　*

<Empress POV>

　Outside the mansion. Florence was taken by Arisa.

“Why are we outside, wizard girl? Isn’t cooking indoors?”

“My food is special. First, prepare the fish …”

“Is it a fish dish! What on earth are you going to do?”

　I get excited and my expression brightens.

　Why is this exciting!

　Is it sashimi? Or is it boiled?

“Raise both hands in the sky”

“Huh?”

“See, hurry up”

“Like this?”

　As Arisa told me, I reached out.

　Nothing happened.

　Does this have any meaning …?

　Could it be … a prayer for cooking!?

　It’s true that there are cultures that say “Itadakimasu” and “Gochisosama”. {TN: basically means ‘thank you for the food’}

　It should be a culture unique to the Nino people that makes the food taste even better!

　I know, this mistress knows!

“God of fire! God of fireball! I offer this prayer … See, say it with me!”

“Oh, do you say …? God of fire! God of fireball! I offer this prayer!”

　……?

　I wonder if there was a culture of doing this kind of thing.

“Make these fish delicious!”

“Um, make these fish delicious!”

　I felt embarrassed and chewed at Arisa’s lethargic words.　

    Why is this mistress doing this!

　No, no, …… there must be a meaning!　I’m sure this will make Lord Nigris happy!

   “Fireball !!”

The fireball ruthlessly strikes the fish ingredients

　The fish that was hit by the fireball became charred and black.

“What are you doing !?”

“What, cooking”

“Cooking!? Is this what you call cooking !?”

　What are you talking about?　

　Is the mistress wrong??? No, this isn’t cooking no matter how you look at it!?

“This black one is crispy, bitter and delicious.”

“It’s burnt …!”

　I understand now.

　This girl is crazy!

　I can’t use this … this will just get me hated by Nigris-sama!

　What’s more, Nigris-sama will get taken by that elf puss!

　No, no, no, no!

“Um, would this work?”

“No! I have to think of another plan …hah.”

“Then why don’t you do something maiden-like?　If you make them think you’re girly, any man would fall in love with you.”

“Oh, like a maiden …”

　In the end, Florence decided to thank him by writing him a letter and some cookies she bought at the market. Needless to say, she was so embarrassed about it that she couldn’t face him for a few days.

　Fels safely gave him homemade cookies.

“… Arisa? What’s this?”

“fish”

“No, it’s pitch black …”

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