10
“I do believe that was a very fruitful banquet indeed,” Dias said as she chuckled with great enthusiasm. Her cooking utensils had been stowed away in the big bag she carried on her back.
Roswaal, who was standing out in the lobby to bid her farewell at the door, smirked and replied, “I’m terribly sorry the members of my household couldn’t all come see you off. They’re all quite worn out, you see. And thank you for everything… Rem ceeertainly learned a great deal studying under you.”
“Anyone who seeks to walk the path of a chef is always welcome under my wing. She has mettle, that one. Cherish her.” Dias was very pleased with Rem, who had stared so hard watching the legendary chef cook that her eyes could have opened holes in the walls.
Then Dias turned to her gloomy apprentice and gave him a little poke in the shoulder.
“Come, Rodriguez. Don’t look so dull before we set off. Square up those shoulders.”
“I know I say this all the time, but you don’t need to tease your guests all the time. You could just cook the way you always do. That way, I could also stop constantly acting and promoting those sleazy rumors.”
“I shall do no such thing! It’s simply too enjoyable to crush those fools who believe hearsay without thinking! And as for the sleazy rumors, they’ll never stop until you stop talking so suggestively!”
“What do you mean?”
Turning her back on her blissfully oblivious apprentice, Dias waved to Roswaal and said, “I’ll be taking my leave now. There are still many in this world who wish to taste my cooking. It sure is tough being popular! The river of fools will never run dry!”
“You certainly do take a greaaat deal of satisfaction in your work.”
“It’s a hobby. A hobby I devote my life to. Besides…”
Dias cut herself off there, placing her hands on the kerchief covering her head. She quickly pulled it off, revealing a wave of beautiful golden hair—and a pair of ears slightly longer than a human’s—
“Showing an elf like me that half-elf girl of yours—that was the main reason you brought me here, right?”
“The path she walks…it just might become the bridge between races. If that day ever comes, you won’t need to mask your identity and hide behind your apprentice on your never-ending journey.”
“Hmph, spare me your analysis, Court Jester. I live this way because it suits me. I have no intention of publicly supporting her for the crown.”
With a wink, Dias flashed a smile and covered her head again. Then, with a dashing twirl, she boldly walked outside.
“That said, I enjoyed hearing her opinions on the food. She was just as sincere as that cross-dressing boy. If you need anything, call on me again. I won’t mind.”
“Then is it safe to consider this the staaaart of a fabulous relationship?”
“Consider it whatever you want. Oh, there is one more thing.” Giving in to Roswaal’s persistence, Dias held up a finger to indicate she expected something in return. “Next time, I want to hear some honest opinions again. Keep that half-elf girl and that cross-dressing boy close. Also, next time I come, make sure that boy dresses like a lady again.”
“If that’s all, it would be my pleasure.”
Roswaal promptly agreed to the cross-dressing proviso without the subject’s consent or knowledge.
With that parting exchange, Dias and Rodriguez set out on the next leg of their long journey.
“For a moment there, things looked quite fraught…but I guess I now have a friend in the famous Dias Lepunzo Elemanso Oplane Fatsbalm VI.”
Though there were mishaps every step of the way, Roswaal felt it a fair assessment to say that he had achieved his main objective.
“Still…what a masterpiece that was.”
The image of Subaru’s perfected drag persona—Natsumi Schwartz—appeared unbidden in Roswaal’s mind. He would have plenty of excuses to tease the boy for a long while. What an incredibly fruitful banquet.
A feast for the eyes, for the memories, and—excluding himself—for the taste buds.
“Pfft! Ha-ha…ha-ha-ha-ha!”
Unable to hold it in any longer, Roswaal doubled over. With a face he never showed anyone, in a place unseen, he howled with laughter. He continued to laugh all alone for quite some time.
No Comments Yet
Post a new comment
Register or Login