Ever since the day I decided to send my younger sister to the academy, she had been clinging to me relentlessly, as if she were monitoring my every move.
“…Alyssa.”
“Yes?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
In the past, I had to go out of my way to find her when she avoided me.
Now that the roles were reversed, it was incredibly annoying.
Trying to shake her off was futile, and even the servants were delighted to see the once-estranged sisters getting along.
…I was trapped.
If only Mother would return soon.
I could somehow convince her to let me stay home while sending Alyssa alone.
Perhaps I could use my health as an excuse.
My recent increased use of stomach medicine wasn’t entirely a lie…
Those piercing blue eyes watching me like this made my stomach hurt unbearably.
“Sister, aren’t you going to torment me? You used to make me overeat on purpose or add excessive sweetness to my tea.”
“…I won’t do it.”
“Why not? Wasn’t tormenting me the joy of your life?”
The joy of my life?
It certainly was.
And it still is.
But now you’re waiting for me to torment you, aren’t you?
In that case, it’s better to ignore you—it’s more tormenting for you this way, even if it’s a bit troublesome for me.
“…Tch. I’m busy, so I’ll come back later.”
She frowned beautifully and returned to the mansion after realizing I wasn’t going to respond, despite her staring.
Finally left alone, I was still left with a throbbing headache and stomach pain.
At this rate, I might collapse before Mother returns.
“Lady Amy!”
…Ameri.
These days, whenever Ameri came running to me in a hurry, it never boded well.
Anxiety immediately washed over me.
Maybe I was overreacting.
It’s just been one incident after another lately, making me overly sensitive.
It’s probably something trivial, like two new maids causing trouble.
“The princess has sent word that she’s coming! She’ll be here in an hour!”
Stab, stab, stab, stab.
“Ah…ugh…”
I put down my tea and clutched my stomach.
The sharp, pricking sensation became so intense it was hard to bear, but as the eldest daughter, I couldn’t afford to show weakness.
“Order the head chef to prepare the most lavish and luxurious dishes…”
“The head chef went to the market to buy ingredients for the porridge you requested! It’s been 20 minutes since he left, so it’ll be at least an hour before he’s back…”
Ahh!
Seriously!
Why is he so loyal?
I didn’t even ask for porridge…
I appreciate it, but…
Why now of all times?
“…Ameri, I’ll ask this with a sliver of hope. Do you know how to cook?”
“If it’s edible…”
“I should’ve known better than to hope. Ameri, gather all the fancy snacks in the drawing room and prepare to receive the princess. I’ll handle the kitchen.”
“Ah, understood! By the way, Lady Amy, do you know how to cook? I’ve never seen you…”
“It’s a basic skill for any lady. Now, go quickly.”
Tap-tap-tap.
As I watched Ameri hurry away, I pondered.
No matter how hard I thought about it, there was no solution. Basic skills?
Brewing tea was fine, but cooking?
The last time I tried was years ago, and only a few times at that.
The only dish I could make was an omelet.
During the days when my sister and I got along, I practiced making omelets with the chef’s help because she loved them.
Watching Alyssa eat the avocado omelet I made was so endearing…
Why did I end up hating her so much…?
Ow, ow!
I tried reminiscing, but the pounding headache forced me to stop.
It was as if my thoughts were being deliberately interrupted.
The headache persisted until it finally subsided, leaving me with a clear mind devoid of unnecessary memories.
Right. The important thing now isn’t my sister.
I need to properly welcome the princess and make up for Alyssa’s previous rudeness.
Since it’s just past lunchtime, I’ll serve luxurious snacks and tea first.
Then, once she’s had her fill, I’ll bring out my omelet.
As a noble lady, she wouldn’t refuse outright but might take only a few bites out of politeness.
After all, eating too much after having fancy snacks would be seen as rude.
In that scenario, the taste of the omelet doesn’t matter!
As long as the plating is elegant, I can get away with it!
Ahaha! Ahahaha!
The Rosewell family might take a hit for subpar hospitality, but it’s better than sending her away empty-handed…!
Operation underway!
With that, I boldly headed to the kitchen, only to stop in my tracks.
“Where are you hurrying off to, Amy?”
“…Princess?”
Why are you already here?
I swallowed my words but was already panicking internally. Didn’t they say it would take an hour?
“I was eager to see you, so I came quickly. Now, where were you rushing off to?”
You and my sister are both utterly unhelpful to my life.
You two seem to get along so well—why not hold hands and head to the capital together?
Why do you insist on tormenting me like this…
Amy… choose your words carefully.
The princess may act like a child, but last time I got lucky.
One wrong move, and the family will be ruined.
‘I was heading to the kitchen.'”
“Kitchen? You?”
“Yes, to prepare a dish for Lady Sharen.”
In the end, the method I chose was to break through with the most straightforward approach.
Though I’m still unsure why, this princess seems to like me, so I decided to rely on that.
“You’re cooking… for me?”
“Although my skills are lacking, I wanted to put forth my meager abilities upon hearing of Lady Sharen’s visit. If it displeases you, I can call the head chef to prepare the meal…”
“No! I want the dish you made! I must taste your cooking!”
I did it!
Somehow, I managed to charm the princess into agreeing that my dish would suffice!
Now, the taste of the food becomes important, but if I feed her enough luxurious snacks in the lounge, maybe she’ll feel full enough…
“Lady Sharen, please feel free to relax in the lounge. I’ve prepared some luxurious refreshments that are all the rage in the capital, so you won’t be bored.”
“Unnecessary! This body has tasted more than enough of such confections! I’ll wait solely for your cooking and have high expectations!”
“…It is an honor.”
Sting.
The omelet… This might be my last supper.
Clatter.
When I finally reached the kitchen and started cooking, I surprisingly managed to make an omelet smoothly despite how long it had been since I last cooked.
The only problem was that it was hard to check the taste since I had just eaten sweet tea and cookies.
For most people, this wouldn’t be an issue, but my dull taste buds make it hard to taste anything for a while after something sweet.
I had a proper lunch and leisurely snacked on sweets, but that’s now working against me…
If only someone could taste it for me. Should I bring Ameri over?
“Sister, what are you doing in the kitchen? I had to wander around looking for you.”
“Alyssa!”
“…What? Why are you suddenly so happy to see me? And what’s with the spoon?”
“Just shut up and taste your sister’s bland omelet. Think of it as the torment you’ve always wanted!”
Scoop.
Chew, chew—
The moment I spotted my little sister, I immediately shoved a spoonful of the omelet into her annoyingly plump and glossy lips.
Alyssa seemed startled at first but soon began chewing earnestly, tasting the dish.
“Alyssa… How does it taste?”
Swallow.
“…It’s delicious.”
“Really? That’s a relief.”
“So, is this meant for me?”
Clearly enjoying the flavor, Alyssa reached for the plate behind me, but I quickly lifted it out of her reach, holding it above my head.
Since Alyssa is much shorter than me, no matter how strong she is, she wouldn’t be able to grab it this way.
“Today, Lady Sharen is visiting, so I had to quickly make this dish. If you want to eat, you can ask the head chef to make you one later.”
“…Sister, an omelet for the princess?”
“I’m desperate to make up for the rudeness you showed her last time. If you care even slightly about Mother or our family, please behave yourself.”
Trusting that she understood, I headed toward the lounge where the princess was waiting.
Yet, my irritating little sister continued to follow me.
Didn’t she say she was busy earlier?
What does she have so much free time for now?
She could at least read a book to improve her lacking manners…
Tsk.
“Alyssa, please behave yourself if you meet Lady Sharen. There’s no guarantee the princess will be forgiving this time. Do you understand?”
“…”
“Not answering now, are you? Don’t let me down any more than I already expect.”
Creak—
Unable to shake my unease, I opened the lounge door and locked eyes with the princess, who was sitting at the table, staring at me intently.
Her fiery red eyes sparkled excessively, almost reminiscent of a child discovering candy for the first time.
Judging by her demeanor and appearance, she might as well be a child.
The princess is about as short as Alyssa, after all.
“I prepared this dish with great care for you, Lady Sharen. I tried my best to make it delicious, but I’m not sure if the taste will suit your refined palate.”
“How could food made by you not be delicious? Now, hurry and put it down! This body is starving.”
So impatient. Honestly, if you’re going to give notice, shouldn’t it be at least a day in advance?
What kind of noble sends word only an hour before?
If I’d had more time, I could’ve made something even better.
“Let’s see how it tastes!”
As soon as I set the plate on the table, the princess immediately ignored the painstaking plating and shoveled the omelet into her mouth.
Ameri, the princess’s maid, and I…
The sound of three people swallowing and the princess chewing on the omelette echoed through the parlor.
The heavy silence persisted until the princess set her spoon down with a small sound from her throat.
“Delicious!”
“You’re too kind.”
I’m alive…
I tested it on Alyssa beforehand, but I wasn’t sure if it would suit the princess’s taste.
Whew.
Let’s just chat for a bit and quietly send her off. Then I can consider this fire put out, at least for now.
“Your Highness.”
“Alyssa! Stay quiet…? I can’t even speak!”
Alyssa, who had been standing quietly behind me, started moving.
I tried to stop her, but my lips only twitched.
It was as if I had been cursed—my voice wouldn’t come out.
“Did you enjoy my sister’s omelette?”
“…Indeed. So, why are you here uninvited again?”
“It’s nothing important. I just wanted to let you know that tasting my sister’s omelette wasn’t your first.”
“What?”
“I already had the first taste of her cooking when we were children.”
‘What?! Who says things like that… Damn it!’
Even if I could only speak inwardly, my thoughts were filled with curses at Alyssa, who was being outrageously bold even in front of the princess.
Is that why she silenced me? Just to say something like that?
“And what exactly is your point in saying this?”
“Your Highness, no matter what, you can’t take my sister awa—ouch! Ow, ow!”
Stretch!
Unable to speak, the best resistance I could muster was relentlessly pulling on Alyssa’s cheek.
Distracted by the princess, she didn’t see it coming and ended up with her cheek embarrassingly stretched.
“Your Highness! I will personally discipline my sister, so I beg for your forgiveness…”
As I stretched Alyssa’s cheek, I felt my voice return.
I quickly knelt in front of the princess, who surprisingly looked amused rather than angry.
“Amy, this body is not greatly offended. You may rise.”
Chomp.
Munch.
“I am tasting your cooking, am I not? The desperate struggle of a loser only enhances its flavor as seasoning.”
…Why do I feel so unsettled even though she let it slide?
Ah, can I just dump this all on Alyssa and retreat to my room to sleep?
I don’t want to be caught between her and the princess anymore…
“Thank you for your boundless mercy, Sharen. I also have something to report today. May I take the seat next to you?”
“Of course, of course. Your annoying little sister can sit as well. This body is magnanimous.”
Holding her slightly reddened cheek, my sister glared at me but immediately sat beside me once I took my seat.
My sister and the princess.
Blue and red.
Annoyance and irritation.
Far apart yet oddly similar.
Caught between these two, my head and stomach began to ache all over again.
… I just want to go back to my room.