Home/Why Is Everyone Doing This?/ch46

Episode 46

Cotton candy was originally a dessert made using a magical machine infused with mana, but there was no way Iodel could create such a device. The sugar that swirled around her soon began to entwine itself like threads. Before long, she had made pink cotton candy mixed with black tea powder, yellow cotton candy mixed with gardenia powder, and green cotton candy mixed with matcha powder.

Iodel chilled the table and placed the cotton candy on top. Then she mixed the remaining powders with milk. The mixture quickly began to harden like ice cream, thanks to her cold mana. Iodel layered the cotton candies in rainbow colors and rolled them around the ice cream she had made. It was a sweet, soft, and refreshing dessert—cotton candy wrapped around firm ice cream.

'Maybe I should open a café like Bell?'

No matter how she thought about it, it seemed like a brilliant idea, and she even momentarily forgot that today was the day she had to leave, grinning to herself.

Finally, Iodel cut the rolled cotton candy neatly and placed it into boxes that Bell had prepared in advance.

"I should put some mana stones infused with cold energy in so it doesn't melt."

She placed one of the expensive mana stones—which lay around the Imperial Palace kitchen like common pebbles—into each box.

"...I should write a letter too, shouldn't I?"

Iodel took out a quill and a small piece of parchment she had brought and wrote a short note. After tying each box with a pretty ribbon, she finally left the kitchen.

"Huh?"

Demaret, who had been waiting outside the kitchen, blinked in surprise.

"Do you need anything else?"

"No, I'm done."

"Excuse me?"

Bell opened the kitchen door in astonishment. Seven neatly wrapped boxes with pretty ribbons were arranged on the table.

"What on earth did you make...?"

"Listen, I have a favor to ask."

Handing two boxes to Demaret and Bell respectively, Iodel continued.

"Could you open these boxes tonight?"

"Not now, but tonight?"

"Yes. Promise me."

"Hmm, that's not difficult. I'm a little curious, but..."

"Oh, my lady. Look over there!"

Just then, she saw a carriage decorated with daisy patterns approaching from a distance.

"Oh, I have to go."

"I'll put the rest of the boxes in your bedroom, my lady!"

"Thank you, Demaret."

"Have a great date!"

"Okay."

Chuckling, Iodel picked up the box meant for Theodore and walked with Bell to the entrance of the Galaxy Palace. Theodore was already there, waiting for her.

"My lady."

"This is the first time I've seen you arrive by carriage."

"We need to tour the festival together, and I couldn't very well escort you to the capital on horseback."

He smiled brightly and extended his hand to Iodel.

"Shall we go?"

Iodel stared at his outstretched hand. Then she glanced back to see Demaret and Bell waving at her.

'This is the end.'

She lifted the corners of her mouth bitterly toward them. Unable to shake off her lingering attachments, she slowly turned back.

"Yes."

Their hands met. He skillfully took her hand and escorted her into the carriage.

'The carriage is so nice...'

She had never been outside the capital since coming to the Imperial Palace. So of course, she had never ridden in such a fine carriage. Iodel marveled at the soft carriage seats, as plush as her bed, and gazed out the window.

Soon, Theodore sat across from her. As the carriage set off, he spoke.

"You're wearing the hairpin I gave you."

"Ah, yes. I thought I should..."

"Thank you, my lady."

Theodore smiled, his brilliant golden hair flowing.

Feeling embarrassed, Iodel averted her eyes. Demaret's words echoed in her ears. Flustered, she cleared her throat. He smoothly changed the subject.

"I already received permission from His Majesty the Emperor, the Prince, and the Princesses, just in case."

"Permission for what?"

"Permission to date you today."

At the word that slipped from his lips, Iodel's face flushed red as she cried out,

"A d-date?! What are you talking about!"

"When a man and a woman go out together, that's a date."

"We're ten years old, Lord Belice!"

"Is it forbidden for ten-year-olds to date?"

"Not forbidden, but still..."

She took out a fan from her clutch and fluttered it.

"By the way, what's that box you brought?"

Theodore, smiling playfully, turned his gaze to the gift box resting on Iodel's lap.

"Ah, this..."

Iodel, thinking it was a good opportunity, pushed the gift box toward him.

"I felt I received such a precious gift from you, so I prepared this as a token of my gratitude. It's nothing special..."

"May I open it?"

"No!"

It was too short to be called a letter, but she had also included a note with her feelings. She made the same request to him as she had to Demaret and Bell.

"After we've finished looking around today, open it then. Promise me. You have to promise!"

"Ah..."

Theodore fiddled with the box, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"I'm curious..."

"It's really nothing special. I made it myself..."

"If you made it yourself, I'm even more curious."

"No. Isn't that our stop?"

Iodel's gaze turned toward the window. The carriage had left the Imperial Palace and arrived at the Elphridite Plaza, a wide and beautiful square that the Kinis Empire was proud of. It was famous for its intricate marble statues and splendid fountains, but the festival had made it even more magnificent.

"Wow..."

With the evening lights on, the square sparkled as if studded with stars. Forgetting for a moment that she had to escape the Imperial Palace today, Iodel excitedly stood up.

It was a sight she had never seen before, so she couldn't help but be thrilled.

"Let's get out."

Theodore had already descended and extended his hand to her. Feigning modesty while feeling shy, Iodel took his hand and stepped down from the carriage.

The scenery before her eyes was even more beautiful than what she had glimpsed through the window.

"There are many food stalls too. Everything is free."

"F-Free?"

"Yes. It seems His Majesty truly cherishes you."

He grinned and walked toward the nearest stall. Iodel followed him. The stall he stopped at sold skewers of meat dripping with spicy seasoning.

'Gasp, that looks delicious...!'

Perhaps because she had grown up without enough to eat, even though she had tasted every fine dish in the Imperial Palace, she always wanted more. Iodel unconsciously swallowed her saliva.

"Here, please have some."

Theodore took two skewers and handed one to Iodel. She hesitated and stared blankly at it.

Duchess Belice's teaching came to mind—that a noble should never eat while walking the streets.

"My mother also enjoys street food during festivals."

"Duchess Belice does?"

"Yes. So don't worry, just eat."

"Thank you..."

Only then did Iodel accept the skewer. Its appetizing appearance and spicy aroma were irresistible. Unable to hold back any longer, she began to devour the pieces of meat on the skewer.

"Delicious."

After finishing one skewer in no time, Iodel looked around with a wistful gaze. As if reading her mind, Theodore continued to bring her street food, one after another.

The two wandered the streets for a while, enjoying spicy stew, warm coin-shaped bread, cream-filled eclairs, chilled pineapple juice with ice, and even candied apples. Even so, he brought her frozen grape juice and offered it to her.

She couldn't eat another bite. Iodel stuck out her tongue and shook her head.

"Phew, I can't eat anymore."

Even so, she glanced at him, wondering if she had eaten too much. But Theodore was—

"Pfft, my lady is truly..."

—smiling so contentedly.

"Someone I can't help but like."

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