A Snack After Cleaning

After my encounter with the strange old man, I headed off to deliver the refreshments to Azu and the others.

A saint… It was a title I'd heard in stories, but I'd never seen the real thing.

Come to think of it, there were rumors about a woman at the Grand Cathedral in the Church of the Sun God's headquarters who drew enormous crowds.

When she gave a speech, even people who weren't followers of the Sun God would convert on the spot, or so the story went.

In hindsight, that story seemed nothing but suspicious… but it might be connected to what we'd just discussed.

Lady Anatia wasn't in her room, so I asked Queen Tianis, who told me they were probably in the music room in the back.

"I'm not involved in this one, but if you're all performing, I'll look forward to the concert. I wonder what kind of performance I'll get to hear."

"Everyone except Anatia-sama is an amateur, so please keep your expectations in check. I was told it would be enough if it livened things up a bit, and that's why I agreed."

"Oh, is that so? You should have joined in yourself. Seeing you flustered would've been guaranteed entertainment. You're always so composed, so I'd love to see a little of that for once."

"I'd appreciate it if you didn't tease me. It'll definitely look better with just Azu and the others. By the way, where is Yupe-sama?"

"My sister? … Probably getting a massage or something. Maintaining her beauty is that woman's top priority. Thank goodness she never got her hands on real power."

She muttered that with a sigh.

She had been goaded into something dangerously close to a coup, after all.

She had no strange powers or political influence now. As long as they kept shady people away from her, she'd be fine.

"Did you need my sister for something?"

"I hear she's an excellent singer, so I was hoping to invite her as a guest performer."

"Ah, singing. Her singing really is professional-level. She says there's nothing better than having all eyes on her while she performs. She's clumsy, though, so instruments just produce discord. I'll mention it to her. She's been bored lately, and she'll jump at the chance to be in the spotlight."

"Then I'll leave it to you. It would make everyone happy if you appeared as well, Your Majesty. You're quite lovely yourself."

"Enough with the flattery. Now shoo. I have work to do."

I was shooed out of Queen Tianis's room. Had she gotten flustered?

I made my way to the music room I'd been directed to, and found a scene quite different from what I'd expected.

I'd assumed they'd already be practicing, but instead, everyone was in the middle of a thorough cleaning.

Lady Anatia and Elza, whose skirts were long, had hiked up their hems and tucked them at the waist, presumably to keep them from getting dirty, fully committed to the work.

If anyone saw a duke's daughter scrubbing floors, there'd be words.

Fortunately, her attendant maid didn't seem to be around.

"Oh, Master. What brings you here?"

Azu noticed me first.

Then Lady Anatia scrambled to her feet and ducked behind a desk.

"Y-Yohane-san! Why are you…? Oh no, you've seen me looking so improper."

"Sorry for showing up unannounced. I figured everyone was working hard, so I brought some refreshments."

"I-I see. How embarrassing…"

"It's just a hiked-up hem. Aren't you overreacting?"

Elza, you were doing the exact same thing, you know.

Lady Anatia was someone raised as a sheltered flower. Just having her skin seen was probably mortifying for her.

"Oh! Should I have acted embarrassed too?!"

"Stop it. Don't try to compete…"

Elza moved to hike her skirt up even further, but Alexia stopped her, telling her it was unbecoming.

"So you started with cleaning, then. Anything I can help with?"

"We're almost done. Thanks to everyone's hard work, the place is clean. Once the floor dries, we can start practicing right away."

"Then have a bite to eat before you do. I can't promise it'll suit your palate, Anatia-sama."

"Sir, I'll fetch a table."

"I'll go too."

"Well then… shall we all wash our hands first?"

Orleans and Finn brought over a table, and I set out the sandwiches and soup on top.

I poured the soup into the containers I'd brought along.

I'd made quite a lot, so the table was completely covered.

"Oh, these look delicious. Well then, let's eat."

"Please, dig in."

Everyone was hungry from the cleaning, and they went at it with enthusiasm.

Orleans said one was enough for her.

The rest would probably eat as many as there were.

Lady Anatia ate with impeccable manners.

Everyone else ate neatly enough, but the difference was unmistakable. That was the polish of true refinement.

"This is wonderful. I don't usually get to eat food like this, so it feels kind of new."

"I'm glad you like it. If something like this is all it takes, I'll bring more next time."

"How lovely. Having something extra to look forward to during practice will keep me motivated. Does everyone always eat Yohane-san's cooking?"

"We've been taking turns lately. There are a lot of us, so it's too much of a burden for Master alone. Plus, we figured we should all know how to cook."

Cooking itself was fine, but with how much everyone ate, the sheer volume was the real challenge.

Lately they'd actually been giving me the easier load.

"I see. You really are close. Maybe I should practice cooking too. I've made sweets before, but… Yohane-san, if I made something, would you try it?"

"Of course. I'd be honored."

Azu finished off the last sandwich, and I packed up the basket.

Then Orleans brought a handkerchief to Finn's mouth.

"You have something on the corner of your lip."

"Oh, do I? Thanks."

Finn had a soft spot for Orleans, it seemed.

When someone was this earnest, it was hard to be cold to them.

"We're about to choose everyone's instruments. Would you like to stay and watch?"

"That does sound interesting. I'm curious what they'll pick."

"Why don't you just go home already…"

Finn seemed keen on sending me away, but it sounded interesting, so I stayed.