Episode 65: The Young Lady Becomes Captivated

Having gotten new clothes, Eleanore and I were strolling through town again. The main street was lined with stalls, all bustling with activity.

Amidst it all, drawn by a particularly prominent savory smell, we were standing in line at a grilled meat skewer stall.

“Here ya go, two meat skewers!”

“Thank you very much.”

I handed payment to the stall owner who showed a hearty smile, and received the skewers so juicy that meat juices were dripping from them.

The appearance and smell assured me that one bite would definitely bring happiness.

This certainly seemed worth waiting in the long line for.

“It smells really good!”

“Be careful, it’s hot.”

I handed one to Eleanore whose eyes were sparkling.

Though she was from a household where thick sirloin steaks could be eaten every day, she didn’t have many opportunities to try such modest, common folk’s meals.

That’s probably why she was showing such keen interest.

Eleanore carefully held the skewer with both hands and took a bite.

“…! It’s delicious!”

Her eyes sparkled even more as she stuffed her mouth full of meat.

When she’s this pleased, it makes buying it worthwhile.

Each time the meat juices overflowed, a slightly happy smile appeared on her lips.

Wondering if it was really that good, I also bit into my own.

The rich umami of the meat juices and the exquisite balance of the sweet and spicy sauce spread through my mouth.

…Yes, the appeal of street food is probably condensed in that first bite.

“I had no idea such delicious food existed…!”

“Right? And the atmosphere of the stalls is nice too.”

When I turned my gaze toward the stall, I could see the owner chatting with customers.

Looking at the other street vendors too, there was no end to people’s laughter and lively voices negotiating and haggling.

I think this kind of local atmosphere isn’t bad either.

When I get back, maybe I should suggest to my father-in-law Adalbert that we create a street vendor district.

“…It’s already gone.”

When I returned my gaze to the side, there was Eleanore holding a bare skewer with a wistful expression.

“You finished eating already?”

“Yes, because it was so delicious…”

There was a slight hint of lingering regret in her tone.

I was surprised that despite how thick that skewer was, she had finished it completely before I knew it. She must have really liked it. Seeing her, usually accustomed to haute cuisine, captivated by such common folk’s taste was somewhat endearing.

“If you liked it that much, would you like to eat mine too?”

“Eh—”

I tilted my skewer toward her.

If she was that pleased, I wouldn’t mind.

But Eleanore didn’t answer immediately and looked at me with a blank expression.

For a moment I didn’t understand why she had that reaction, but I quickly realized that this skewer was half-eaten.

…Ah, right.

She probably doesn’t want something half-eaten.

Though I had only taken one or two bites, the skewer part had touched the inside of my mouth, so she might be resistant physically and mentally from a hygiene standpoint.

“Sorry. I guess something half-eaten is—”

Just as I was about to say that and pull my hand back.

Eleanore’s hand grabbed my wrist, and she vigorously bit into my skewer.

“!”

I was speechless at the unexpected action.

Eleanore bit off the meat as if nothing had happened and narrowed her eyes contentedly.

“Hehe, thank you very much. As I thought… it’s delicious.”

Her expression as she said this was tinged with a slight shade of crimson.

Since she did this so suddenly, I was startled, and for a moment I didn’t understand what meaning that gesture had…

Perhaps she was embarrassed at having seemed greedy, I figured.

But there was no need to be ashamed of such a thing.

She was also at a growing age, and rather, I was relieved that she ate.

Good grief.

Don’t worry and eat plenty, your big brother will buy you anything.

I looked at Eleanore warmly with my arms crossed behind my back in a fatherly pose.

She also smiled cheerfully as she carefully put away the empty skewer she had received from me.