Chapter 122
After finishing my simple grooming, I found Isaac standing outside as usual.
Seeing his consistently neat face reminded me of what Reno had said about getting scolded if the guard was short-staffed.
“I asked Reno to do something for me, so he went to take care of that.”
“Yes, I heard.”
You heard? Reno must have just left, so when……?
Ah, was yesterday Isaac’s guard duty?
I’d been so confused since they’d both been accompanying me lately for outings outside the palace. Still, it was a bit embarrassing to think he could hear everything.
‘If I asked Killis to put a soundproofing spell just on my room…… would they refuse?’
There must be a reason they haven’t cast any spells until now, but I should ask subtly later.
“Allow me, Your Highness. I’ll carry it.”
Isaac reached for Reno’s jacket that I was holding. Though the jacket was a bit heavier than expected, it was manageable.
But knowing Isaac’s personality, I obediently handed it over.
* * *
I asked the maids for some ingredients, cooking utensils, and dishes. Fortunately, it wasn’t a difficult request, and they prepared everything quickly.
They even packed everything into a wooden box, carefully cushioning the items with crumpled paper between them.
‘Such kind maids.’
And yet among them were spies for Morris Futurum or House Futurum…….
I recalled when Duke Futurum reported me and the designs came out.
Though I was too busy with quests and other matters to deal with it now, the thought of having to weed them out eventually didn’t sit well with me.
When we arrived at the distribution center, the healers greeted me. Isaac was carrying the wooden box at the time.
Some of the palace healers seemed to study my expression before carefully speaking up.
“Um, Your Highness.”
“Yes?”
“About yesterday’s rumor, you needn’t worry about it. It seems people are correcting it as false gossip.”
“That’s right. They’re saying the person who spread the rumor was strange. So the prevailing opinion is that their initial rumor might be false too.”
Their words were somewhat unexpected. Actually, when the healers first spoke, I thought they were going to ask about the wooden box Isaac was carrying.
“Thank you for telling me. Were you worried?”
“That’s part of it, but we’re also a bit frustrated. These items were already verified by the palace. First the House Futurum, and now this strange person…….”
The others around nodded at the healer’s words. Seeing this, I couldn’t help but smile a little.
I knew the palace healers were friendly, but I hadn’t expected them to be this supportive.
“It’s fine. We just need to prove it.”
“Prove it……? Surely you don’t mean to eat it yourself?”
“Yes. And I’ll share it with those who come.”
My calm response drew even more surprised reactions from those around me. Though they tried to hide it, they seemed to be exchanging glances that said ‘Shouldn’t someone stop her?’
I understand their reaction. The royal family is considered sacred, so it must be shocking to hear a royal wanting to eat what commoners eat.
If I had been born and raised as royalty from the start, it probably wouldn’t have been an easy idea to come up with. I likely would have had a similar reaction to theirs.
Before any of them could speak, I added.
“We can’t do nothing while unsettling rumors spread. And if it’s truly safe, there’s no reason I can’t eat what the kingdom’s people eat.”
“Your Highness…….”
The concerned looks in their eyes changed to ones of admiration. While some still worried about me, they clearly couldn’t discourage me given how firm my resolve was.
“More importantly, is there somewhere we can light a fire?”
“Yes, there is.”
The healers guided me to a hearth. Unlike other areas with tents, there was no tent near the hearth.
While this was probably to prevent fire from spreading, it worked perfectly for me. The smell of cooking would help draw people in.
I rolled up my sleeves to my elbows and took out the cooking utensils from the wooden box we’d brought from the palace.
As I was about to take out the ingredients, a healer asked me.
“Um, Your Highness? If I may ask, what are you planning to make?”
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