NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 33
The sky scattered a pure white snowfall, as if it had been waiting long enough.
That alone wasn’t anything special.
Snow is commonplace in Iceland’s winter.
But isn’t a week of continuous snowfall a bit serious? Karem pondered for days, while Catherine scolded him for worrying unnecessarily, and Mary absurdly suggested it might be a good thing.
Well, for Brownie the house fairy, it wouldn’t be nonsense.
When heavy snowfall happens, there’s snow removal to be done, which means more work. So for the workaholic Mary, a prayer of gratitude to the sky wouldn’t suffice.
“Is it really okay…?”
“It’s just unnecessary worry. Can’t you tell at a glance? It’s overflowing with opportunities for work, day and night.”
“Well, I can see that for sure.”
Karem, surrounded by the warmth inside the Wizard’s Tower’s lounge, listened to Catherine’s chiding while looking out at Mary.
A figure wrapped snugly in fur-lined winter clothing.
It seemed even the Brownie couldn’t escape the cold.
Since early morning, she had been building snow walls around the Wizard’s Tower.
No, it wasn’t just around the Wizard’s Tower. Snow walls were steadily rising around the other facilities of the castle visible outside the window.
“This much snow is piling up…?”
“That’s not your concern. By the way, Candied Fruit, huh? It’s been a while.”
“The knights sent us sugar as a gift, so I decided to make some.”
“Chewy and crispy, just perfect.”
Savoring a candied apple while sipping milk boiled with honey and cinnamon, Catherine wore a satisfied expression, like a contented cat.
The knights, as if to repay their achievements in subjugation, had sent sugar bit by bit. Gathered together, it amounted to quite a lot.
Thanks to that, Karem was indulging in a luxury that even the medieval commoners could only dream of.
Some had faded in color, likely due to poor storage, but it wasn’t noticeable enough to matter.
Anyway, today’s snacks included honey and cinnamon milk with candied apples, pears, peaches, and sweet and crispy nut candy made with walnuts, almonds, and hazelnuts.
Karem felt a sense of accomplishment in the abundant preparations.
Crisp—crunch-crunch—
“Hmm, I thought the nuts were being boiled down for jam or something, but this is what it turned into?”
“Just a change of perspective, I suppose. But aren’t you eating too much of it?”
“Hmm? What do you mean?”
At Karem’s words, Catherine held out a bowl that was now nearly empty. It was a silent demand for more.
“How are you going to eat lunch later?”
“Ah, you don’t know?”
“Pardon?”
“There’s a separate stomach for snacks in a girl.”
In other words, there’s no problem, so hurry up and serve me more. This didn’t seem like the first time such a silly argument had happened, so Karem quickly gave up.
After all, it wasn’t like she’d skip meals because of snacks or anything.
She’d just eat well afterward anyway.
Karem added more candied treats to the bowl.
Meanwhile, outside, Mary paused to stretch as if to take a brief break from her shoveling.
Even though she exuded hostility when someone tried to help, Karem wasn’t so shameless as to just stand there watching.
“I should probably prepare a bit for Mary.”
“Sure, she’d appreciate a little care.”
“With that in mind, I’ll take some along.”
“Hey!”
Ignoring Catherine’s protest as if it were already his portion, Karem took some of the candied treats and poured honey and cinnamon milk into a cup, then rose from his seat.
Just as Karem was about to leave with both hands full of Mary’s share, Catherine, who had a sullen expression, called out to him.
“Oh, right. We’re expecting a guest for lunch, so prepare appropriately.”
“Why didn’t you tell me that sooner!?”
“By the way, the guest is His Highness Godwin Felwinter.”
“….Excuse me!”
*
*
*
As Karem passed snacks to Mary, who gladly accepted her share, Mary showed a reaction as if she had known all along. In the end, was I the only one in the dark?
But there was no time to complain.
The name of the guest arriving for lunch was Godwin Felwinter.
If Karem’s memory served correctly, he was none other than the firstborn son and heir among Alfred Felwinter’s numerous children.
Though he usually ate a hearty dinner and a relatively light breakfast and lunch, he couldn’t prepare casually for someone of that stature.
A lavish table is essential for the host’s pride and dignity.
And for the cook’s pride as a bonus.
Given the time, Karem did his best.
But he couldn’t help but feel nervous.
After all, the guest was someone of high rank.
“Karem, no need to be tense.”
“How can I not be tense? He’s the firstborn of the Duke’s family.”
“You’ve met Alicia, haven’t you?”
“Well, Alicia is… how should I put it?”
“Definitely.”
Word has it that Alicia has been grounded for barging out without invitation and is having exciting chases with soldiers at her family estate.
Truly a lively and reckless action fitting for their first encounter.
“I’m feeling too uneasy about this.”
“Pardon?”
“Just give it all to me.”
Um, um. In the meantime, Mary snatched the tray that Karem was holding with both hands.
Karem was about to protest but then had to concede.
After all, it was wiser to leave it in the hands of someone who was not only just a mere fairy in front of an esteemed guest and possibly mess things up due to nervousness.
As soon as Karem opened the dining room door, he felt something was off in the atmosphere.
Those with good instincts notice when something starts to go awry.
It was said that they could sense that uneasy air, whether through heightened hormones or just having a good instinct.
Karem could feel that the warm air he expected had chilled as though someone had opened a window.
“Karem, what’s the matter—”
“Shh! Shh!”
Mary seemed to have sensed the air too and hurriedly cut off her words, but it was too late.
“Kid, Mary. What are you doing outside without coming in?”
“Nothing at all. Let’s go, Mary.”
“Hmph, hum.”
As Karem stepped through the cold atmosphere, Mary followed him in.
Once inside the dining room, Karem could see the guests and their attendant.
Godwin, with his razor-short hair, sported a beard that connected from his sideburns to his chin, giving the impression of coldness and solidity, even at a young age.
He appeared older than Karem expected. It was undoubtedly the combination of the medieval tendency to age quickly and his beard.
With icy eyes, Godwin glanced at Catherine, seated beside him, as a man who looked to be the oldest among them, with his graying beard and hair, sat nearby.
The man, who had maintained a stern expression, let out a deep sigh.
He turned his head to look at Godwin.
“Enough, Your Highness. Isn’t it time to stop the jest?”
“For heaven’s sake, Viktor. Just as things were getting interesting.”
“My goodness. I thought you had long since come of age, yet here you are still playing tricks on servants and maids like a naughty child?”
“They say you can’t break the habits of youth.”
Cold and icy demeanor? I don’t agree.
When Godwin laughed cheerfully, Viktor frowned and turned to Karem.
“Don’t you worry. Your master was just indulging in the young lad’s bad habits.”
“Oh, so this isn’t the unpleasant atmosphere I imagined?”
“Try seeing Atanitas; it might be an eye-opener.”
Karem then looked back at Catherine.
That sharp atmosphere seemed to have vanished as she leaned casually and smiled slyly.
“This is more fun than I expected. Indeed.”
“So, was it enjoyable to play tricks on a kid who hasn’t even had his Coming-of-Age Ceremony?”
“Can’t you tell by looking?”
Of course, it looked fun by all means.
As Karem shook his head in disapproval, Godwin spoke.
“I was simply curious about who our youngest, Alicia, has been so eager for, and it led to a bit of mischief. I won’t apologize for it.”
“…You mean Princess Alicia?”
“Yes. Since the day she was grounded for leaving without permission.”
“Atanitas? Didn’t you refuse at that time?”
At the exclusive cook’s question, Catherine shook her head as though she were incredulous.
Which clearly meant that he had refused but hadn’t given up on seizing the opportunity.
“I came here out of curiosity to see who managed to capture Alicia’s tongue and stomach.”
“Indeed, my little cook does have remarkable cooking skills.”
“You speak with such confidence.”
“It’s worth the anticipation. My little chef has never let me down.”
“True enough, our youngest is picky, but she doesn’t skip meals.”
Karem discreetly observed the atmosphere.
The natural banter and back-and-forth remarks exchanged among the esteemed company didn’t feel forced or out of place.
That meant Godwin was, as he said, genuinely curious about the food. In which case, how could he not feel anxious?
If only he had mentioned this a day earlier, Karem could have put more effort into the cooking, but learning of it just a few hours prior left him scrambling for ideas.
Normally, the dishes he wished to prepare would come to mind right away, but at moments like this, the overload would cause him to feel hot-headed and develop a headache.
For now, he focused on quicker preparations.
“Atanitas, could you have informed me a day in advance?”
“Hmm. Are you not confident, then?”
“Honestly, I’m a bit scared.”
“Don’t worry; trust in your skills and trust in me. So, don’t overthink it and just open the lids on those dishes.”
Mary had nearly finished setting the table.
Most importantly, after hearing those words, he couldn’t afford to remain frozen in fear.
Karem squeezed his eyes shut and began to methodically uncover the lids covering the dishes.