Side: Anastasia (3)

Ultimately, I was ousted from His Highness’s group the night before the Cultural Festival. The reason given was my supposed bullying of that woman, but I most certainly did no such thing.

Fortunately, Margaret and her circle had formed their own group. By joining them, I managed to avoid any public scandal, but this likely marks the end of my involvement with His Highness in any academy functions.

And to think I had been so concerned with the future of this country.

Hmph. It was all rather anticlimactic.

On the day of the Cultural Festival, I invited Margaret to accompany me to Allen’s stall. To my astonishment, a whole Orc carcass was suspended in front of his shop. I knew he had been away since the previous day under the guise of "procurement," but I was genuinely impressed that he had actually managed to bag an entire beast.

If it were a Goblin, that would be one thing; however, taking down an Orc is usually a life-threatening endeavor. I wonder how many other students in this academy are actually capable of hunting one?

"Hard at work, Allen? I’ll take a skewer."

"Thank you very much, Anastasia-sama."

After greeting him, I introduced Margaret to Allen. Apparently, he had obtained the Orc through an adventurer’s connections and was planning to perform a butchering show later. Furthermore, it seemed he had prepared high-quality Orc meat in addition to the display carcass.

Upon receiving our order, Allen skewered the meat and began to grill. A savory aroma soon wafted through the air, accompanied by a mouth-watering sizzle. However, the surrounding students seemed hesitant, likely due to their lack of familiarity with Orc as a food source.

Very well. I suppose I can lend a hand with the promotion.

"Margaret, you certainly know your way around an Orc," I said, pitching my voice to carry. "Does House Altomunt serve it often?"

Sensing my intention, Margaret didn't miss a beat. She raised her voice to match mine. "Yes, of course. It is a specialty of the Altomunt region. Personally, I find Orc meat to be much firmer and more flavorful than pork. Besides, 'Superior' rank loin is a delicacy rarely found in the Royal Capital. It would be a waste not to try it."

Prompted by our conversation, the students who had been watching from a distance began to swarm the stall, placing orders one after another.

"Anastasia-sama, Margaret-sama... thank you!"

"Whatever for?" I asked innocently.

"We were merely having a private chat," Margaret added with a smile.

Allen is far more composed and reliable than that man who has degraded into a fool. Even Margaret seemed to have formed a favorable impression of him.

Later, during the butchering show, he processed the Orc with masterful skill—though it was a trifle grotesque. The fresh meat was then sold at an impossibly low, exceptional price. While we couldn't stay until the very end, I heard that Allen's stall sold out and closed its doors long before the festival officially concluded.

Later that afternoon, while I was taking my turn monitoring our group’s embroidery exhibit, Allen stopped by to take a look.

"Oh, Allen. You actually came?"

"Huh? Uh... excuse me? Am I interrupting?"

Allen looked back at me with a puzzled expression.

"Why the uncertainty?" I asked, only to realize my mistake a moment later.

Ah, I see. Come to think of it, I never actually told him I’d been kicked out of the royal group.

"I was ousted from His Highness’s group yesterday," I explained. "Margaret was kind enough to take me in."

Allen stared at me, speechless.

"Don't look at me like that. Since you're here, please, have a look around. Both Margaret’s work and my own are on display."

"Y-yes, of course. I don't really know much about embroidery, but..."

He began to wander through the exhibits. For reasons I couldn't quite name, I felt a prickle of embarrassment at the thought of Allen scrutinizing my handiwork.

As I was wrestling with that feeling, Allen reached my pieces and offered a truly outrageous critique.

"I can't tell if the technique is good or bad, but looking at your embroidery, Anastasia-sama... it makes me hungry."

"…I see."

I managed to squeeze out a reply, but I had to look down to hide my face.

Now that I thought about it, because everything had happened so suddenly yesterday, I hadn't had the luxury of time to choose my best work. I had simply grabbed some pieces I'd made long ago depicting fruit and cakes.

But! But now it looks as though I think of nothing but sweets!

I had plenty of other designs—feminine floral patterns, small birds, and the like. This was mortifying!

Fortunately, Margaret returned just then, breaking the incredibly awkward silence.

"Oh, Allen-kun. Thank you for coming."

"Yes, well... I don't understand embroidery at all, but I certainly realized that it’s something I could never do."

"Is that so? Well, gentlemen are usually like that. Regardless, the festival is almost over. We should pack up and head to the auditorium."

"Right. Thank you for having me today."

Sensing the cue to leave, Allen politely exited the exhibition room.

"Anastasia-sama, did something happen? Your face is crimson."

"N-no. I was simply reflecting on the fact that I should have brought different pieces for the display."

"Ah, I see. It certainly does suggest a healthy appetite, doesn't it?"

"Not another word."

It was the first time I truly understood the desire to find a hole and crawl into it.