Even after returning to the bedroom, Theo seemed inwardly troubled.
"Do you think the Emperor will really give the Guardian Knights?"
"He's probably serious. At least he's never lied before."
The fact that it wasn't a spur-of-the-moment thing but genuine was even stranger.
"But why? What's so special about the Chrysos Knights?"
"They're one of the Emperor's direct knight orders, and as the Empress said, they're the next best after the Guardian Knights. Originally, they would have been at the forefront of demon subjugation, but it seems they've been carrying out the Emperor's orders separately from the outside since the beginning of his reign. It's definitely not subjugation. But no one knows what their mission is. I don't know if the Empress knows either..."
The reason why the most skilled individuals were stationed in the Guardian Knights, who were in charge of protecting the Emperor, was because the Emperor's safety was the most important thing.
The Emperor had just given away such knights. It was as if the work of the Chrysos Knights was more important than his own safety. But according to the ways of the people here, what could be more important than the Emperor?
Well, anyway... what's important in the current situation is that Ricardo is going on a demon subjugation with the Guardian Knights.
"You said the Guardian Knights are the best in the Empire. Will we be okay?"
If we were going on an expedition together, we had to achieve more merit than Ricardo, so the knights' skills were naturally important. But Theo didn't seem particularly worried.
"It won't be good news for the First Prince. The Guardian Knights consider the Emperor's protection to be a great honor, but because of the Empress, they're stuck following a sickly and inexperienced brat to subjugate demons, so they'll be quite dissatisfied. There will probably be constant noise throughout the subjugation. They are the most proud and dignified of all knights, so they are not easy to handle. I think the First Prince will have a hard time."
Explaining that, Theo playfully added.
"And I have Shuian, so I'm not too worried."
"Then, trust me!"
I'll wipe out all the demons! Apart from that firm resolution, I was worried that Theo's birthday and the expedition might overlap. That wouldn't do... I cautiously asked.
"So, when is the expedition?"
"Well, not right away. Expedition preparations take a long time, and I have to sort out some of the work I've been doing. Besides, the knights who are already in battle are doing well, so it's not urgent. When they return for a rest, it will be our turn."
I was relieved to hear that there would be at least a month or so. Right, the birthday party is the most important thing, expedition or not!
"And in the first place, princes don't go on such arduous battles. Traditionally, until they are crowned Crown Prince, they are seen as greenhorns and are only sent on light battles to gain experience."
"But the Black Forest is..."
"That was an exception."
My eyes immediately sharpened as I recalled why that exception had occurred, and Theo smiled and pushed me on the back, telling me to go wash up. Ah, it's the opposite of a few days ago. I giggled and slipped into the bathroom.
ê•¥
The next day, Theo called Lia to have my casual clothes made. He seemed to have been worried about not being able to have my clothes made a few days ago due to his absence. Of course, it was all a lie, so I felt guilty, but I couldn't tell the truth now.
Lia, Orca, and I had arrived in the drawing-room first. Theo said he would come as soon as he finished his work, so I had to sort out the situation quickly before Theo arrived.
Fortunately, Lia had brought all the prepared gifts with her. If she had visited again to deliver the completed gifts after having my casual clothes made, it would have been suspicious.
"Everyone knows, right? The gift preparation is absolutely secret. Lia has to give Orca Theo's gift before she leaves later."
"Yes!"
"If you like it, I'll give you a feather next time I come. Got it?"
"O-Of course!"
Looking at her sparkling eyes full of anticipation, Theo's gift seemed to have been made quite well, so I was also looking forward to it.
"Orca, keep the gift until I come to pick it up. Orca, you have to act well too."
"I-I'll try my best."
Orca had hardly ever lied in his life, and even less so to Theo, who was quick-witted and had a good sense, so he was very nervous.
Seeing his hardened face made me nervous too, but on the other hand, it felt like a spy movie, so I was also excited.
A little later, as soon as Theo arrived, Lia immediately had me try on a few casual clothes that she had made in advance, and then altered them on the spot, showing a professional side.
She occasionally felt Theo's gaze and her hands trembled, but she seemed quite calm, so I didn't think there was anything to worry about.
The problem was Orca. He was so stiff like a statue that I felt uncomfortable. Theo couldn't stand it and asked.
"Orca, is there something wrong? You look a little strange."
"N-No, I was just thinking about something else. It's been a little noisy lately because of those lunatics."
"Since when have you been so concerned about such things?"
"I'm a sensitive man in my own way."
"Whatever you say."
Fortunately, it went well... I secretly sighed in relief.
The process of having my casual clothes made went relatively well. Lia had already known my measurements from before, so she had made several plain clothes that I could wear right away, and simply altered them on the spot.
After checking the measurements again to make sure there were no major errors, she left after confirming what Theo and I had chosen from the catalog.
Since Theo was with me, he also chose several outfits and casual clothes, so she would probably bring the completed clothes after Theo's birthday.
In addition, it was decided to make a few more of Theo's outfits with designs similar to my clothes. In other words, it was a couple look, and Theo seemed to like it, so he seemed to be in a good mood.
"It's said that it's trendy these days for couples to match clothes with similar designs."
"Oh... I see."
I don't know why he's matching it with me, but I nodded vaguely. Because I saw Lia handing the wrapped gift to Orca while Theo was distracted by me. It really feels like I'm carrying out some kind of secret operation...
At that moment, Theo, noticing that I was staring at something, was about to turn his head back, so I had no choice but to grab his cheeks with both hands in a hurry.
"T-Theo!!"
Surprised, he widened his eyes. Orca and Lia also froze, but realizing my tearful efforts, they started moving even faster.
"Shuian...?"
"T-That's... there's dust, dust on your face! Close your eyes!"
Theo, who was flustered, was so cute that I almost kissed him, but I held back and roughly dusted off somewhere on his clean face.
Only after confirming that Orca, who was holding the wrapped gift in his arms, was leaving the drawing-room with a stiff face, did I let go of his cheeks.
"I-It's okay now..."
"T-Thank you..."
And so, the two of us sat awkwardly on the sofa for a long time.
After Theo left, I immediately went to Eden to learn how to make a cake. There were still about two weeks left until his birthday, so there was still plenty of time, but I couldn't come often because there was a risk of being caught, so I thought I should start practicing.
Eden, who had been waiting in the kitchen in advance after being told by Orca, had a pale face. I felt sorry when I saw his white face turning blue as soon as he saw me, but I couldn't help it. I'm sorry, but Theo's birthday is the most important thing to me...!
Anyway, since the last time he saw me was when poison came out of the tea leaves and turned the entire restaurant upside down, it was understandable that he was afraid of me. I tried to suppress the now familiar aversion and tried to speak as softly as possible.
"Orca told you, right? I'm going to make a cake for Theo. I want you to help me."
"I-It's an honor... I, I don't know if I can serve Lord Divine Beast well..."
"Call me Shuian."
"Yes, I, I don't know if I can serve Lord Shuian well, but I'll try my best...!"
"It's okay to serve me well. Just teach me how to make a cake."
"Yes!"
He had prepared all the ingredients needed to make the cake in advance, but since I was completely ignorant of baking, I couldn't tell what was what.
"I'm sorry, but I don't know anything about making cakes. So you have to teach me from the beginning."
"Are you planning to make the layers yourself?"
"Layers? What's that?"
"It's the basic body of the cake."
"Is that difficult?"
Eden frowned for a moment and pondered, then shook his head.
"It won't be. You just have to knead the dough and bake it. Try it first, and if it's too hard, I'll prepare it in advance."
"Okay."
"Do you have a cake shape in mind?"
Eden seemed like a different person when he started working, considering how nervous he was at first. You must have this level of professionalism and guts to succeed in the Imperial Family...
"A three-tiered cake?"
Eden, who had made a very disapproving expression at my answer that I blurted out without thinking, quickly came to his senses and smiled awkwardly.
"That's... not suitable for beginners... How about a regular cake..."
"...Okay."
Since Eden's expression just now was practically the same as his answer, I readily agreed.
First, I decided to make the layers as Eden taught me. I carefully put on an apron and made it as he told me, then baked it in the oven, but the result was disastrous, contrary to expectations. It was bubbling and swelling everywhere, with holes, and some sticky dough remained, so it wasn't even baked properly.
"Why did this happen..."
Eden, who received my shocked gaze, seemed even more flustered than I was.
"You... you shouldn't keep opening the oven while it's baking. And the dough has to be mixed well... First of all, the mixing was wrong from the start..."
In other words, everything was wrong from beginning to end.
"Why are you telling me that now?!"
"I didn't think it would turn out this way..."
"No, how can you say such irresponsible things! You should have told me right away if I was wrong!"
"I was afraid that a harsh order would be issued if I opened my mouth..."
"Wow, are you blaming me now?"
After arguing for a long time, quite a bit of time had passed, so I had no choice but to try again next time. The first practice was a complete failure.
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