Viola and Yuri had returned, accompanied by Celestine, a lady of a ducal house.
Celestine was the daughter of the Prime Minister, a scion of the realm's highest-ranking noble family. I’d heard that, despite being a student, she was working tirelessly to handle the political fallout from Marquis Eiger’s Rebellion. What was she doing here in our pioneer village?
"I ran into her just now, so I brought her along," Viola explained. "I thought since she was already here, she might as well stay for dinner."
"Forgive me for intruding at such a late hour," Celestine added, her brow furrowing with an apologetic tilt. "I had intended to call on Count Clover—Rest-san—tomorrow, but..."
"Oh? You came because you had business with me?"
"Yes. I wanted to report on the matter... the one you requested of me."
"Ah, that business. You didn't have to trouble yourself to come all this way in person, Lady Celestine..."
In truth, I had asked a specific favor of her. Knowing she’d gone to such trouble, and then traveled all the way out here, filled me with a sense of guilt.
"Well... I appreciate it. Though I feel bad making you travel so far."
"Oh, please, think nothing of it. I've been wanting to see the pioneer village for myself for some time now," Celestine replied with a serene smile.
While Viola and Yuri were also noble daughters, Celestine possessed an aura that was in a league of its own.
(She’s so elegant, or perhaps 'regal' is the word... She just has an atmosphere that's completely different from a commoner.)
That wasn't to say Viola and the others didn't seem like noble ladies. It was just that Celestine was exceptionally refined, even compared to her peers.
Well... with the exception of Yuri. She definitely didn't behave like a noble daughter.
"Rest-sama, dinner is ready. Why don't we sit down and talk?" Primula interjected reservedly.
I nodded and gestured toward the dining chairs. "For now, please, have a seat. We can talk while we eat."
"Thank you, I would be delighted. Is there anything I can do to help?"
"No, no, I've got it. Everything will be ready in just a moment, so please make yourself comfortable."
"Primula’s soup is a masterpiece," Viola boasted, puffing out her chest with pride as if she’d made it herself. "She was personally tutored by the head chef of the Marquis Rosemary House, you know."
Primula modestly declined the offer of assistance while the rest of us took our places around the table. Before long, the dishes were laid out before us.
"This looks wonderful. Primula-san, you truly are gifted."
"It's just a hobby, really," Primula murmured. "I only hope it suits your palate, Lady Celestine."
"Mmm, it's delicious! Just what I expected from Primula!" Yuri said, diving in first and showering Primula with praise.
"This soup... the flavor is quite remarkable," Celestine noted. "It's sweet and rich, yet mellow enough that it doesn't feel heavy."
"Right? Primula is amazing."
"Honestly, it's impressive for a noble lady to be such a capable cook," I added. "You're probably as good as a professional chef."
"You're all... you're all praising me far too much..."
Faced with high marks from Celestine, Viola, and me, Primula’s cheeks flushed a deep, bashful crimson.
She was incredibly cute. I felt a surge of affection for her—she really was precious when she looked like that.
(Primula seems to have an inferiority complex regarding her older sister, but in reality, she’s better at so many things.)
Viola had a bright personality and excellent athletic ability, and she was even the stronger mage of the two. However, Primula’s academic marks were higher. She was also far superior when it came to domestic skills like cooking and sewing. I didn't think she was "lesser" than Viola at all.
(And... though it's a small difference, even her chest size is—)
"Rest? Is something wrong? You have a very serious look on your face," Viola remarked.
"Rest-sama?"
"N-no! It's nothing...!"
The two sisters peered into my face with suspicious eyes. I panicked, wondering if they’d somehow sensed the stray, wicked thought that had just crossed my mind.
"Ahem. So, Lady Celestine, shall we discuss that matter?" I said, clearing my throat to change the subject. "You came all this way to give your report, right? I'd like to hear it."
"Oh? Rest, what on earth did you ask Celestine to do?" Viola asked, tilting her head. Primula watched with equal curiosity.
Come to think of it, I hadn't told either of them. It wasn't that I was keeping secrets; it just hadn't come up.
"Yes, of course," Celestine said, dabbing her mouth with a napkin before looking at me. "Allow me to give my report.
"I have finished organizing the royal property you inherited... I am here to report that the inventory of Third Prince Rodel's Legacy is complete."