「そう! これ、この香りよ! よく抽出してくれたわ......!」
前世の記憶と大差ないラベンダーの香りに満足して、アイリーンは微笑む。リュックがドニを見た。
「ドニが作ってくれた水蒸気蒸留器のおかげですよ」
「ローズマリーも欲しいわ。わたくし、あれ好きな香りなの」
「確かにあれは香りがいいが......そういう意味ではカモミールもか?」
「そうね。果物もブレンドしたいわ。オレンジやレモン。それで効能を分けていくつか基礎になる化粧水を作りましょう。希少価値を高くして、高く売るわよ」
「ほい、そこで俺からプレゼント」
そう言ってアイザックがばさりと書類が入った大きな封筒をリュックに持たせた。
「ハーブや精油を使って効能があったって臨床例をまとめた。庶民の間で流行った噂もな」
「......火傷にラベンダー精油で効果......黒死病をハーブで予防した? これほんと?」
リュックがぺらぺらとめくる書類を、横からクォーツも一緒に覗き込む。
「使ったのはタイム、セージ、ミントに......どれも殺菌効果の高いものだ。それを酢につけこんでハーブビネガーにしたのか。なら強い殺菌作用が見こめる......」
「つまり、消毒薬ってことか。......これ、庶民にも広められるんじゃないかな? それこそ庶民が作っていたもののようだし......」
「薬に見えないよう売り方を工夫すればな」
アイザックが人の悪い笑みを浮かべる。アイリーンも頷いた。
「のちのちそちらにも手をつけましょう。今は利益を上げるのが先よ。化粧水と、あとはそれを入浴剤や石鹸なんかにも応用したいわね。何かまた見つけたら随時報告を頂戴」
「分かりました。この森はすごいですからね」
「――魔物の環境に合わせてなのか、見たこともない植物がある......」
「採取は魔物達の生態系に影響が出ない程度が鉄則よ。クロード様がお怒りになるわ」
こくりとクォーツが頷く。そもそも植物を大事にする彼ならば、そのあたりは忠告する間でもなかったかもしれない。
「あとは城の修繕ね。ドニ、進捗はどう?」
「順調です! 最初はどうなるかと思いましたけど、魔物達の住処とか滅多に作れないですし今は楽しくってしょうがないです! この厨房だってうまくできたと思いません!?」
ドニがにこにこ笑って両手を広げる。
魔物達の希望ということで、真っ先にできあがったのが、アイリーン達が集まっているこの厨房だ。他にいい場所がないので、本来なら使用人たちの食卓となる長テーブルで会議を開いている。
客人が見込めないというキースの言により、城の厨房にしては狭い。しかしちょうどいい間取りで、火の位置や食べ物の保存場所、外へ出る裏口まで便利に使えるよう作られている。
「やってるのは草と花の煮出しだけどな」
「でもこれで材料がそろえば、アイリーン様もお菓子がここで作れますよ」
「そんな時間はないわ。大きな問題がまだ一つ残ってるのに」
「ソウダ! 娘、クッキー作レ!」
背後の影から蝶ネクタイをしたカラスが飛び出てきた。そのあとわらわらと魔物達が出てきてアイリーンの足元やら頭上にたむろする。
「俺様、アーモンド! ケーキハイチゴ!」
「パイ、ヨコセ......」
「タルト、知ラナイ、食ベル」
振り向かないまま、こめかみに青筋を浮かべる。
「私の影を便利な通路にするなと何度言えば......戻りなさい今すぐ!」
「クッキー! クッキー!」
「ケーキ! ケーキ!」
「合唱しないで! この間、わたくしが寝ている間に部屋にあったお菓子を食べつくしたのはあなた達でしょう!?」
「オ前、持ッテコナイ、悪イ!」
ものすごい開き直りだ。だが多勢に無勢で、他の面々まで騒ぎ出す。
「作ラナイナラ砂糖トルノ、邪魔スル!」
「他ノ植物ダッテ、取ラセナイ! モウ何モ教エナイ!」
「ドニハ別! 屋根、雨、シノゲル! 便利!」
「ああもう、仕事が終わったら作るし話も聞くから待ってらっしゃい!」
がしっと飛び回るカラスを素手でつかんで、影の割れ目にぎゅうぎゅう押し込もうとする。
だがばたばた羽を動かしてカラスは生意気にも抵抗した。
「横暴、横暴! 魔王サマ、言イツケル!」
「それはこっちの台詞よ。わたくしは仕事中だと言っているでしょう......!」
「......邪魔をするんじゃない」
静かな声に、ぴたりと魔物達の喧騒がやんだ。
「それと、その影を使ってでも結界の外へ不用意に出るんじゃない」
「了解、了解!」
「この間もそう言ってつまみ食いをしに......お待ちなさい、逃げるつもり!?」
次々影に飛び込んで消えていく魔物達を見てアイリーンは地団駄を踏む。
仕方なく、キースを連れて出入り口に立っているクロードをにらんだ。
「クロード様は魔物達に甘いのではなくって? 私の部屋にしょっちゅうお菓子をねだりに来ますわよ、特にあのカラス達!」
「君だって菓子と引き換えに森の情報を集めてるんだろう」
「それはそれ、これはこれです! もう一度しびれ薬を仕込んでやろうかしら......!」
「そうしたらおいしい実の場所とか教えてもらえなくなるかもしれませんねぇ」
意味深にキースが笑う。アイリーンは両腕を組んで、ため息を吐いた。
「......報酬は渡しますが、礼儀は大事です。しっかり注意してくださいませ、クロード様。ドートリシュ公爵家の屋敷で魔物が見つかったら大騒ぎになりましてよ」
「君が何とかしてくれると魔物達は思ってる」
「だからそれが......!」
「まあまあ、魔物達の教育方針の話はそこまでにして。資金の面ですが、うまく調達できましたのでご報告に上がりました。いやー迅速解決ですよ、ジャスパーさん優秀ですね!」
ジャスパーが記事の締切に追われていないのをいいことに適当な報告をするキースに、冷めた目を向ける。
「ジャスパーはあなたを怖がっていたけれど? あっという間に証拠をつかんできたんですってね。まるで準備してたみたいに」
「そんな、偶然ですよぉ」
「しかもジャスパーには別の汚職ネタを提供して、横領相手は誰か教えなかったそうね。どういうおつもり?」
「えーだって魔王様に生活費がなかったとか記事になったら、かっこわるいじゃないですか」
テーブルに積まれたラベンダーが一気に枯れ出した。ドニが真っ先に叫ぶ。
「あっ魔王様が傷ついてる!」
「そんなわけですので皆さん安心して仕事に励んで下さい。あと夜会の準備も、私め張り切っちゃいますから! クロード様には一張羅着せますから、アイリーン様も負けずに、ね!」
にやにや笑うキースは完全に面白がっている。アイリーンは淑女の笑みを浮かべる。
「ええ、頑張りますわ」
「うわあ、楽しみですねー。ね、クロード様!」
その名指しに自分でも驚くほど動揺した。だが、皇妃になるべく鍛え抜かれた鉄壁の淑女の笑みのおかげで、表に出さずにすむ。できるだけ自然に、クロードに目を向けられた。
だが肝心のクロードが、とても綺麗な顔立ちのままで固まっている。
ただの世間話のはずなのに、なぜだか沈黙が恐ろしく重い。お願いだから適当なことを言って欲しいと、笑顔が引きつりそうになったその時、クロードがあえぐように唇を動かした。
それだけで、ふいっと顔をそむけると同時に姿が消えた。
微妙な沈黙が漂う厨房で、冷静になったアイリーンは低く呟く。
「......。大して着飾ったところで別に変わらないだろうと仰りたいのかしら......? いい、全員! なんとしてでもこの化粧水を完成させてクロード様をぎゃふんと言わせるわよ!」
「ええー......そっちいっちゃうんですかアイリーン様って。魔王様の純情が仇に!」
「残念だったな。どうしてあんなに自分がムキになってるのかも自覚ねぇよ、ありゃ」
キースとアイザックが呆れている。ばんと机に手をついてアイリーンはその空気を遮った。
「さあ、仕事よ! 夜会まであと一ヶ月しかないんだから......!」
「あ、ラベンダーが元に戻ってる」
ドニの呟きに全員が肩を竦めるが、頭にきていたアイリーンは目に入っていなかった。
[That's right! This, this is the scent! You've extracted it well......!] 
Irene smiled, feeling satisfied with the lavender scent that didn't differ much from the scent she remembered from her previous life. Luc looked at Donny.
[It's all thanks to the steam distiller Donny made for me] 
[I also want rosemary scent. That's my favorite scent] 
[Certainly, that's a pleasant scent......Something in that sense is perhaps chamomile?] 
[That's right. I want fruits like orange or lemon to be blended. And, let's divide the effects and make a foundation lotion. If we increase its rarity value, we can sell it expensively] 
[Heave-ho, that's a present from me] 
As he said that, with a thud, Isaac made Luc hold a big envelope with doc.u.ments inside.
[I put together clinical cases showing effective usage of herbs and essential oils. They're even widely known common talk amongst the common people] 
[......Lavender essential oils are effective for burns......Herbs can be used as protection against the plague? Is this true?] 
Luc flipped through the doc.u.ments one after another together with Quartz who was looking into them from Luc's side.
[The herbs used were thyme, sage, mint......one of the herbs is highly effective for sterilization purposes. So, by pickling these herbs thoroughly, we can produce herbal vinegar? If so, strong bactericidal action can be expected......] 
[In other words, it's a disinfectant. ...... This, I wonder if we can even spread this to the commoners? It's similar to the things that the commoners had made after all......] 
[But we can devise a method for selling them without making it look like we're selling a medicine] 
Isaac showed a villain-like smile. Irene nodded her head.
[Let's start working on that in the future. Right now, our priority is to make a profit. Face lotion first and after that, I would like to apply them to things such as bath salt, soap, and many other things. Please report in any time if you find something else] 
[Understood. This forest is awesome] 
[----In addition of being an environment for the monsters, there are also plants that I've never seen before......] 
[It's the ironclad rule to harvest just to an extent that it won't affect the monsters ecosystem, remember? Claude-sama will get angry at you, you know?] 
Quartz nodded repeatedly. In the first place, for a guy like him who cherishes plants, warning him regarding that instance is probably unnecessary.
[Next is about the castle's repairment matter. Donny, how's the progress?] 
[It's doing well! At first, I thought of what would become of me because a residence for the monsters was something I've seldom make; now, I can't help but feel excited about it! And, don't you think I did a good job with this kitchen as well!?] 
Donny smiled broadly with both of his arms spread out.
As per the monsters' wish, the kitchen was completed first and was used as the gathering place for Irene and the others. Since there were no other good places available, meetings were held at a long table that would normally serve as a dining table for the servants.
According to Keith, the castle's kitchen was too small to be used for entertaining guests. However, it was designed with a perfect layout for placing fire, food storage, and a convenient back door that could be used to go outside.
[All I'm doing was boiling gra.s.ses and flowers, though] 
[But with all the completed ingredients, Irene-sama can bake sweets here too] 
[I don't have time for that. And, there's still one big problem left] 
[That's right! Girl, bake cookies!] 
A crow wearing a bow-tie flew out from her shadow behind her. After that, the monsters came out bustling and gathered around Irene's feet and above her head.
[Ore-sama, Almond! (1) Cake with strawberries!] 
[Pie, give me......] 
[Tart, I don't know, I want to eat] 
Without turning around, Irene felt the veins on her temple throbbing. (2)
[How many times do I have to say that my shadow is not a convenient pa.s.sage......Go back, right now!] 
[Cookie-!Cookie-!] 
[Cake!Cake!] 
[Don't chorused! The other day, it was you lots who ate all the sweets inside my room while I was sleeping, right!?] 
[You, didn't bring them, bad!] 
It became extremely defiant. But instead of being outnumbered, the others started to make a ruckus as well.
[If you don't want to make it, we'll take the sugar, nuisance!] 
[Other plants as well, we won't take them! We won't tell anything anymore!] 
[Donny is different! Roof, rain, hiding place! Useful!] 
[Fine, once my work is done, I'll make them for you; and, I'll even listen to what you want to say, so please wait!] 
Irene firmly caught a crow that flew around with her barehand. Then, she forcefully tried to stuff it down into the cracks of her shadow.
But, the crow resisted cheekily by flapping its wings vigorously.
[Violence, violence! I'll tell Demon King-sama!] 
[That's my line. Didn't I tell you guys that I'm still in the middle of working......!] 
[......Don't get in her way] 
The quiet voice caused the hustle and bustle made by the monsters to suddenly cease.
[And, even if all of you can use that shadow, don't carelessly use it to get out of the barrier] 
[OK, OK!] 
[You said that the other day as well, but for eating snacks......Wait, are you trying to run away!?] 
Irene stomped her feet on the ground while watching the monsters flew back and disappeared into her shadow one after the other.
Reluctantly, she glared at Claude who was standing at the entrance with Keith.
[Claude-sama, don't you think you've been pampering those monsters way too much? They often come into my room to pester me for sweets, especially those crows!] 
[Aren't you gathering information about the forest in exchange for the sweets?] 
[That is that, this is this!I wonder if I should mix in anesthetics one more time......!] 
[If you do that, perhaps they will no longer tell you about the interesting places in the forest like where you can get the delicious fruits] 
Keith laughed meaningfully. Irene crossed her arms and sighed.
[......I'll give the reward, but etiquette is important. Please give them a proper warning, Claude-sama. If the monsters were to be found in the mansion of the D'Austriche Ducal House, there will be an uproar, you know?] 
[I thought that you would be able to do something about the monsters] 
[Yes, but......!] 
[Ok, ok, that's enough talking about the monsters educational policies. It's about the funds.  As soon as we filed the report, we are able to successfully procure the funds. Wow~ it's rapidly solved; Jasper-san is excellent, isn't he?!] 
Jasper who wasn't pressed for the deadline was able to write an adequate article; Keith looked at Jasper with cold eyes.
[Jasper, you were scared, weren't you? But in a blink of an eye, you manage to obtain the evidence. It was as if you've been prepared for it] 
[No way, it's a coincidence] 
[Moreover, it seemed like Jasper provided other corruption evidence without telling the ident.i.ty of the embezzlement victim. What is your intention?] 
[Eh-I mean, isn't it uncool to make the story about Demon King-sama who doesn't have living expenses into a news?] 
A bundle of lavender flowers on top of the table withered immediately. Donny was the first to exclaim.
[Ah, Demon King-sama's feelings were hurt!] 
[That's why everyone shouldn't be worried and keep on working hard with a peace of mind. All that's left is the evening party, in which I'll be eagerly making the preparation for! Since I'll be making Claude-sama wear the best suit he has, that's why Irene-sama as well, don't lose, okay?!] 
The grinning Keith amused everyone. Irene showed a lady-like smile.
[Yes, I'll do my best] 
[Uwaa, we look forward to it. Right, Claude-sama?!] 
When Keith called out Claude-sama's name, she felt shaken to an amazing degree. But, without showing it, she looked like she was free of worries thanks to the invulnerable smile of a lady she was trained to put on as much as possible during her training as the Empress candidate. She looked at Claude as naturally as possible.
But, Claude's extremely beautiful features stiffened. (3)
It was supposed to be just a simple chat; but, for some reason, the silence was deafening. For heaven's sake, I want him to at least say something even if it is just perfunctory. Then, the moment Irene's smiling face seemed to twitch a little, Claude moved his lips as if he was struggling.
With only that, he suddenly turned his face away and simultaneously, his figure vanished into thin air.
A strange silence was in the kitchen's air. Already composing herself, Irene muttered in a low voice.
[....... I wonder if he wanted to say that nothing much would change even if I wear to dress up......?Listen up, everyone! No matter what it takes, we will turn this face lotion into a perfection and render that Claude-sama speechless!] 
[Eh~......Is that what you end up saying, Irene-sama? You'll hurt Demon King-sama's pure heart!] 
[Such a shame. It looks like Irene-sama isn't aware of the reason she's getting so worked up, though] 
Keith and Isaac were astonished. With a bang, she placed her hand on top of the table, interrupting the current air.
[Come on, work! There's only a month left before the evening party......!] 
[Ah, the lavenders are blooming again] 
Everyone shrugged their shoulders at Donny's comment, but Irene was too angry to catch the sight of that blooming lavenders.
Villainous Daughter Aims for the Last Boss
悪役令嬢なのでラスボスを飼ってみました
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/villainous-daughter-aims-for-the-last-boss/
Drama Fantasy Romance School Life Shoujo
Adapted to Anime Adapted to Manga Aristocracy Beautiful Female Lead Bloodlines Broken Engagement Business Management Businessmen Calm Protagonist Demon Lord Demons Female Protagonist Handsome Male Lead Hated Protagonist Kuudere Multiple Reincarnated Individuals Nobles Otome Game Politics Reincarnated in a Game World Royalty Saints Sword And Magic Villainess Noble Girls
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2766dz/
永瀬さらさ