何故か、しばらく返答がなかった。やはり一人ではまずいかと諦めようとしたところで、さくらからの声が届いた。
――『あっち』って......。昨日の夜に行った方、だよね......?
――他にどこがあるのよ。
――あ、うん。えっと......。問題ない、と思うよ。うん。いいんじゃないかな。
どうやらさくらは反対ではないらしい。リリアは安堵のため息をつくと、席を立った。食堂へと一人で歩いて行く。
――どういう心境の変化?
――別に......。昨日の料理が美味しかったから、ではだめ?
――だめじゃないよ。むしろいいことだよ。よし行こう今すぐ行こう!
そんなに意外だったのか、と思うと同時に、そうだろうなとも思う。リリア自身、昨日のことがなければあんな場所には絶対に行かなかっただろう。ただ、どうしても昨日の料理の味が忘れられない。せめて完食はしておきたい。
――あ、ピーマンはだめだよ! ちゃんとピーマン抜きって言ってね!
――分かってるわよ。相談してみる。
リリアは少なくない期待を抱きながら、食堂に向かった。
食堂はとても混雑していた。部屋の中を見ながら前を通るだけでその様子を確かめられる。それだけでリリアが諦めるのは十分だった。
――リリア。ご飯は?
――混みすぎでしょう......。今日はいいわ......。
――晩ご飯は自由に食べられるけど、お昼ご飯はみんな同じ時間だからね。そりゃこうなるよ。でも、どうするの?
リリアは少し考え、貴族用の部屋へと入る。すでに見知った顔の生徒が席につき、優雅に紅茶などを飲んでいる。隣の部屋とは雲泥の差だ。リリアも先日までは特に疑問も思わずにここで食事をしていたので、今更ここで食事をする者に何かを言うつもりはない。
だが、どうにもここで食事をしようとも思えなかった。
――じゃあテイクアウトだね!
――ていくあうと?
――む、これは通じないのか......。受付の人に言って、外で食べられるようにしてもらったら? サンドイッチとかでも作れるでしょ。あんな料理が作れるんだから。
なるほど、とリリアは頷いた。早速奥のカウンターに向かい、そこに立っている者に声をかける。サンドイッチを用意できるか聞いてみると、心底驚いたように目を見開いていたが、すぐに、もちろんですと頷いた。
できあがるまで側の席に座って待っていると、先ほどの取り巻き三人を見つけた。どうやらあちらはリリアには気づいていないようで、黙々と食事を続けている。会話とかないのか、と思ったが、そう言えばリリアと一緒に食べていた時もリリアが話しかけなければずっと静かだったことを思い出した。
「お待たせしました」
カウンターの奥からの声にリリアは顔を上げた。料理人らしき初老の男が笑顔でリリアを見つめていた。その手には小さなバスケット。それを受け取ると、ほんのりと熱が伝わってきた。
「ここに長い期間勤めておりますが、こちら側でサンドイッチの注文を受けたのは初めてですよ」
そう言う男の顔はとても嬉しそうだった。リリアは不思議に思いながらも、ありがとうと礼を言って、食堂を後にする。手に持っているだけで、いい香りが鼻先をくすぐった。
――リリア! 早く食べようよー!
――そうね......。
視線を巡らせる。エントランスにも大勢の生徒がいる。とてもではないが落ち着いて食べることなどできない。少し考え、リリアは移動することにした。
「入るわよ」
リリアがそう言って入るのと、
「ぶふっ! げほっ......!」
レイが驚きからかむせたのは同時だった。唖然とした様子でレイはまじまじとリリアを見つめてくる。レイの目の前には小さな木製の弁当箱があった。
「驚きました......。リリアさん、どうしたんですか?」
小首を傾げて聞いてくる。リリアは答えずに、手に持っていたバスケットをテーブルに置いた。いすを出そうと積んでいるところへ向かおうとして、
「どうぞ」
いつの間にかレイはいすを持って側に立っていた。何という早業だ、と思いながらも、ありがとうとそのいすに座った。
「別に用件はないわよ。落ち着いて食事をできるところを探して、ここに来ただけ。せっかくだし、一緒に食べましょうか」
「僕とですか? はい、喜んで」
嬉しそうに満面の笑顔を見せてくれる。屈託ない笑顔にリリアの口角も自然と上がった。
リリアはバスケットの中身にかけられていた白い布を取り、側に置く。中を見てみると、サンドイッチがぎっしりと敷き詰められていた。う、とリリアが思わず眉をしかめる。複数人で食べるとでも思っていたのだろうか。
リリアは簡単に祈りを済ませ、一つを手に取り口に入れる。しっかりと味わっていると、
――おお、美味しい......。なにこれリリアもっと食べようよ早く早く!
――うるさいわね......。
どうやらさくらのお気に召したらしく、次を早くとリリアを急かす。苦笑しつつも食べ進み、機嫌良さそうに鼻歌を歌い出したさくらにリリアは笑みを零した。そしてふと視線を上げると、きょとんとした表情でこちらを見つめているレイと目が合った。
「なに?」
リリアが聞くと、レイが慌てたように首を振る。
「いえ、その......。美味しそうに食べているなと思いまして......」
邪魔してすみません、と頭を下げようとするレイに、リリアは大量にあるサンドイッチを一つ取ると、それをレイに差し出した。首を傾げるレイに、リリアは言う。
「え、あの......。いいんですか......?」
「私だけだと食べきれないのよ。遠慮なんてしなくていいから、食べなさい」
それじゃあ、とレイは受け取ると、すぐに口に入れた。大きく目を見開き、美味しい、と言葉を漏らしていた。
「まだまだあるから、好きなだけ食べなさい」
そう言ってバスケットをテーブルの中央に移動させる。レイも遠慮するのをやめたのか、すぐに二つ目に手を伸ばした。食べ進めるレイの笑顔は、見ていて何故かほっとする。
――やばいこの子和む、でもそんなことよりサンドイッチが美味しいよ! リリアもっと!
――はいはい......。じゃあこのピーマンの入ったものを......。
――え......。り、リリアが食べたいなら、我慢、する、よ......?
――冗談よ。そんな本気で泣かないでよ......。
ピーマンを食べると言った直後からさくらの声が震えていた。昨日のことといい、何故そこまで嫌いなのか。妙なところでさくらの過去が気になってしまった。
For some reason, Sakura was quiet for a while. Just as she was about to give up on the idea, thinking that it would be bad to go by herself after all, Sakura's voice came.
--By 'that' cafeteria... You mean the one you went to last night, right...?
--What other one is there?
--Ah, yep. Umm... No problem, I think. Yup. Might not be a bad idea.
It seemed that Sakura wasn't against it. Lilia sighed in relief and got up. She headed for the cafeteria by herself.
--What's with this change of att.i.tude?
--It's not like... It's just because the food yesterday was tasty, is that not enough?
--It's enough of a reason. Rather I think it's a good thing. Alright let's go quickly let's go!
Just as she was wondering if this was really that unexpected of a thing, it really was, when she thought about it. Lilia herself, if not for yesterday, would probably never set foot in such a place. It's just that she really couldn't forget the flavour of the cooking from yesterday. She wanted to at least completely finish a meal there.
--Ah, green peppers are no good! Make sure to ask for sans green peppers alright!
--I know I know. I'll ask them about it.
Lilia held no small amount of antic.i.p.ation, as she headed for the cafeteria.
The cafeteria was very crowded. You could tell that even just from looking inside while pa.s.sing by the front. And that was enough to have Lilia give up.
--Lilia. What about lunch?
--Isn't it way too crowded... I'm good for today...
--Dinner is free for students to decide, but everyone has to eat lunch at the same time after all. Of course it'd be like this. But, what now?
Lilia thought for a bit, and then she went into the room for n.o.bles. There were already familiar faces of students who'd taken a seat, elegantly drinking black tea or whatnot. It was worlds apart from the room beside it. Lilia was also until just the other day coming here to have lunch, so she wasn't about to say anything to the ones eating here.
Though, she just couldn't bring up the will to eat here.
--Then it's take out time!
--Teik aut?
--Mu, so this doesn't get through huh... How about, you ask the person at the counter if it's fine to eat outside? They can probably make something like sandwiches right? Since they can make such good food.
'I see', Lilia nodded. She quickly headed to the counter in the back and called out to the person standing there. When she asked if it was possible to have them prepare sandwiches, the person, while completely surprised with widened eyes, immediately nodded with 'yes of course'.
When she sat down in a nearby seat while she waited, she saw the three followers from before. It seemed that they hadn't noticed Lilia yet, as they quietly continued to eat their meal. As she wondered if they weren't going to talk at all as they ate, she remembered that when they were eating together with her, they also wouldn't break the silence unless Lilia started a conversation.
"Thank you for waiting."
Lilia looked up upon hearing the voice from behind the counter. A middle aged man who looked like a chef was looking at Lilia with a smile. In his hand was a small basket. When she received it, she could feel a bit of the warmth from inside.
"I've worked here for a long time, but this is the first time I've gotten an order for a sandwich from this side."
The man's face looked quite happy as he said that. Though thinking it a bit strange, Lilia said her thanks and left the cafeteria. Even just holding it in her hands, a pleasant smell tickled her nose.
--Lilia! Let's hurry and eat!
--Yeah...
She glanced around. The entrance also had a great number of students. Though it wasn't impossible, it would be hard to have a peaceful meal here. Thinking a bit, Lilia decided to move someplace else.
"I'm coming in."
As Lilia said so and entered,
"Bufu! Geho...!"
Perhaps from the shock, Ray choked at the same time. He stared fixedly at Lilia in a dumbfounded state. In front of him was a small wooden lunchbox.
"You surprised me... Miss Lilia, what's the matter?" he tilted his head as he inquired.
Without answering, Lilia put the basket in her hand onto the table. She headed for the stack of chairs to retrieve one for herself.
"Here you are."
Before she knew it, Ray had taken a chair and placed it for her. Such quick movements, thought Lilia as she thanked him and sat down in that chair.
"I don't really have any particular business. I was just looking for a place where I can eat my lunch peacefully, and came here. Since we're both here, shall we have lunch together?"
"With myself? Yes, with pleasure."
Ray seemed overjoyed as he showed a full faced smile. Seeing his carefree smile, the corners of Lilia's mouth also naturally lifted up.
After Lilia took out the white cloth from the basket, she put it to the side. Looking inside, it was packed pull of sandwiches. Uu, Lilia unintentionally let out a groan and knit her eyebrows. Did they think that she was ordering for multiple people?
Lilia offered a simple prayer, then brought a sandwich to her mouth. Carefully tasting it,
--Ohh, delicious... What is this, Lilia eat more hurry hurry!
--Annoying...
Grinning wryly as she continued her meal, when Sakura started to hum out a tune in her cheer, a smile spilled out from Lilia. And then when she looked up, her eyes met with Ray who was staring at her with a blank expression.
"What?"
When Lilia asked, Ray fl.u.s.teredly shook his head.
"No, well... I was just thinking how you really seemed to be enjoying your meal..."
"Sorry for being a bother," said Ray as he went to lower his head.
"Eh, umm... Is it really alright...?"
"I wouldn't be able to finish all this just by myself. No need to hold back, so eat up."
"Well then," said as he Ray took it, and quickly brought it to his mouth. He opened his eyes wide, and a mutter of 'it's delicious' leaked out.
"There's plenty more where that came from, so please eat as you wish."
Saying so, Lilia moved the basket to the center of the table. Ray also seemed to have stopped restraining himself and immediately reached out for his second one. Seeing Ray's smile as he continued to eat, it was somehow quite calming.
--Wow this kid's so calming, but more importantly these sandwiches are awesome! Lilia more!
--Yes yes... Then this one with the green peppers...
--Eh... I-if Lilia wants to eat it, I'll, bear, with, it...?
--I'm joking. Don't seriously cry alright...
As soon as she mentioned eating green peppers, Sakura's voice started trembling. Like with what happened yesterday, why did she hate them so much? She started becoming curious about Sakura's past from this really unusual point.
Haunted Duke’s Daughter
取り憑かれた公爵令嬢
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/haunted-dukes-daughter/
Comedy Fantasy Romance School Life Shoujo Slice of Life Supernatural
Broken Engagement Character Growth Determined Protagonist Different Social Status Female Protagonist Friendship Hard-Working Protagonist Heartwarming Loyal Subordinates Maids Nobles Otome Game Possession Royalty Second Chance Servants Sharing A Body Sword And Magic Unrequited Love Villainess Noble Girls
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n5708cr/
龍翠