kscans

Chapter 263 - A Complicated Course

Before me stood a plain metal box. It was painted a single shade of light gray to prevent heat and rust. There were no decorations whatsoever.

It was simply a larger version of the one in my shop, which was intimidating enough on its own.

Shouldn't it have been adorned with gold leaf, or perhaps some openwork carvings? Maybe jewels on the doorknob? Surely something of that nature was necessary.

Vinder had said, "It’s going to be placed in the kitchen after it’s presented, and the chefs will be the ones using it. Wouldn’t fancy decorations just get in the way?" But that wasn't the issue. No one is careless with the wrapping on a gift.

This was a tribute from our city, a gift for the most important person in the country, to be unveiled at his coronation, a once in a lifetime event.

Of course, I knew full well how incredible the refrigerator itself was. In fact, I had been reminded of it nearly every day for the past two months. To tell the truth, it was frightening how I could no longer imagine a life without it.

But this was a different matter entirely. Especially given my position.

"Will it be all right..."

I asked Luiza-sama, who had left her desk to join me. I was here today for a meeting with her. As the person in charge of relations with the Royal Capital, she needed to be briefed by me, the coordinator for the menu.

"Prince Craig won't mind. I can't speak for those around him, though."

Luiza-sama offered a smile, though her words were not the least bit reassuring. I knew Prince Craig was an approachable man. Just the other day, when Luiza-sama had gone to the Royal Capital and tried to explain the details of the tribute in advance, he had apparently stopped her.

"Wouldn't it spoil the fun if I knew the details beforehand?" he had said.

"He does love new things, but you understand there's more to it than that, don't you."

"Yes. A tribute for a major national ceremony. And it is to be presented before His Majesty with its details kept secret. It means His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, or rather, His Majesty the new king, trusts Central Garden."

"Exactly. And besides..."

Luiza-sama opened the refrigerator and looked at the sample dishes I had brought, smiling with amusement.

"The plainer this is, the more your dishes will stand out."

"...Yes."

I returned her smile awkwardly. I was confident in what everyone had prepared. If anything, I worried they had all worked a little too hard. But as the menu coordinator, I was also responsible for their efforts. I had to make sure my own lack of attention didn't ruin everything.

And yet, I was currently grappling with another problem. A serious delay concerning my own contribution. Of course, it wasn't my fault.

"Your responsibility was the appetizers, wasn't it, Rilka."

Luiza-sama said, looking at the plate I had prepared. On it rested three simple appetizers, surrounded by a pattern made of sauce.

I took out the plate and carried it to the table by the window. A fork and knife danced across the dish, their movements elegant and flawless. Living in this city sometimes made me forget about social status, but this was a display of grace we could never replicate.

"Cheese, prosciutto, and hard-boiled eggs that have been smoked. Each ingredient on its own isn't particularly unusual, but they are completely different when you taste them. The other menu items are also quite extraordinary. I see no cause for concern."

Even with my confidence, I felt a sense of relief at Luiza-sama's stamp of approval. But...

"That may be true, but one item is behind schedule."

That was the source of my troubles.

"Ah, you mean the Lord of Calamity's contribution. I heard from Alfina-sama that he's been struggling."

"Yes. The appetizers also serve as hors d'oeuvres with the apéritif. Therefore..."

"It was a white wine, if I recall. It becomes truly delicious when chilled, doesn't it. Especially at this time of year, it's irresistible."

"You've tried it, then."

"Oh, yes. When I went to inquire after Alfina-sama's well being. I'd prefer for Alfina-sama to focus on raising Alex. But matters involving the Royal Capital are unavoidable. In any case, it seemed to pair perfectly well with these."

She said this, sounding as if she were trying to smooth things over. I gave a small nod.

"Vinder also said that since it's a dry white, it should pair fine with cheese and ham... But Natalie says he's adding sugar, and I just don't understand it."

The complaint slipped out before I could stop myself.

"Well, it is that Lord we are talking about. I doubt he would do anything ordinary."

"That's what's giving me a headache. Just like with this whole project, he just throws out an idea and then focuses on his own part."

It was his usual pattern. Of course, we gained considerable benefits from it as well. Being the first to learn about the refrigerator, including how to use it, was an incredible advantage. In addition, the refrigerator would be placed in our restaurant after it was used.

As both a merchant and an individual, it was a position I would never yield to anyone else.

"There, there. You'll find out today anyway. Besides, this undertaking is a chance to show this city's worth. It's better if the Lord of Calamity's work doesn't stand out too much."

A glint appeared in Luiza-sama's eyes.

"We have to demonstrate our collective strength as a city, right."

"Precisely. It shows that even without him, we are not helpless. We will make it known that this city itself is an entity creating unstoppable change. Along with the profits that come with it. That will protect our city's position. Within the new regime."

Luiza-sama's expression turned severe.

"The calamity and the war left the kingdom's upper echelons in chaos, you know. To put it bluntly, my aunt, Her Grace Grand Duchess Bertold, holds far too much power. That is why the second princess and the third princess were married into the Grynisias Ducal House and the Tembelg Marquisate, and why Marquis Tembelg's son will one day become the new Grand Duke of Kurtheite."

"For balance."

"Yes, a large scale reorganization of the leadership. Even with all that, the house of Grand Duchess Bertold remains powerful. After all, their food production was already immense. Now, they're a major producer of carriages. This city included, we can't get enough of the new carriages. Things have settled down this much only because Prince Craig's authority as the newly enthroned king is absolute. If he were an ordinary king..."

Luiza-sama stopped herself. A mediocre king would try to eliminate Her Grace the Grand Duchess. That must have been what she meant.

"And then our city gets involved. The Grand Duchess doesn't show it much, but we are naturally seen as part of her faction."

"What kinds of rumors are there at the royal court..."

"That the Lord of Calamity is in league with the Empire. That he's plotting this city's independence from the kingdom. Well, they're common rumors, if you can call them that. It's easy to dismiss it all as just how court politics works, but..."

They really say whatever they please. I couldn't help but clench my fists.

"And of course, that we are plotting to put Alex on the throne next."

For a moment, a chilling expression crossed Luiza-sama's face. I knew how much responsibility she had felt three years ago, before the final battle with the calamity, when she learned that Alfina-sama might not be able to have children. I also knew how relieved she had been when Alex was born.

While everyone was celebrating the safe delivery, I had happened to see her silhouette in the next room, stifling sobs.

"What are the rumors on that front?"