I don't really remember how it came to that.
During the party, perhaps because we were close in age, I found myself conversing with Edmond, my fiancé. Normally, I would have found a way to avoid talking to him, but knowing that I wasn't the real daughter of this family somehow made it easier to listen without feeling nervous.
"So, are you listening?"
"Yes, I am. Your friend received homemade sweets from their fiancé, right?"
Being Edmond's friend meant they were undoubtedly nobility. And naturally, so was their fiancé. It seemed highly unlikely that they were truly homemade, but I nodded and said, "That's impressive."
"That's right. He boasts about it every time we meet."
I had been hearing this story for a while now. Honestly, I wanted to talk about something else.
"Hey, I'm tired of hearing the same thing over and over. Just give a response already," Clew said, looking exasperated atop my shoulder.
"A response?" I felt puzzled. Besides nodding along, I couldn't think of any other response.
"Don't you get it? This guy is hinting that he wants homemade sweets from his fiancé too," Klue explained.
"Oh, really? I didn't catch that at all because he isn't being clear. So, he means he wants something homemade from me, his fiancée? That's impossible. Noblewomen don't usually cook. Even though I've learned many things, cooking isn't one of them."
"Clew, I'm going to decline. How should I refuse?" I asked.
"Why not just cook something?" Clew suggested.
"But I've never cooked before. I can't do it," I replied.
"Is that so? Well, if the common people can't cook for themselves, then they won't be able to eat. Why not take this opportunity to practice?" Clew remarked.
What! It seemed commoners have to do their own cooking as well. Today was full of surprises. Could I really live as a commoner? It seemed highly unlikely.
"I feel like I'd die in three days if I became a commoner," I joked.
"...Seriously, if things continue like this, you might not survive. But you have a real family. They'll surely help you out," Clew reassured
A real family. For me, my current family was the only family I knew. I couldn't even imagine another family. To them, I will be just a stranger who suddenly appeared out of nowhere. I felt anxious about whether they would help me, as Clew suggested. After all, I couldn't cook, so I'd just be a burden to the family.
"I've decided to learn to cook in case I get kicked out of here," I declared.
"That's a good idea. They seem like a kind family, but you never know how things might change once they realize you're not really part of their family," Clew commented.
Clew seemed a bit pensive for a moment. I wondered what was on his mind.
I decided to use Edmond as a pretext. Normally, I wouldn't be allowed to learn cooking, but if it was for him, it might be permitted. People who were anxious about our relationship, which wasn't very good, would likely be relieved.
"Lord Edmond, it's not possible right away, but I'll make sweets for you too," I told Edmond in a loud voice.
"I-I see. I'll look forward to it. I don't particularly like sweet things, but I promise to eat them all," he replied.
Huh? He doesn't like sweet things? Then why did he beg for sweets? I glanced at my brother, who looked surprised by my response.
"Are you sure about this? You've never cooked before, right?" my brother whispered when Edmond was greeting someone else.
"I can't help it if he seems that he really wants it. Special training starts tomorrow," I replied.
"What if you had a chef make it for you?"
I shook my head at my brother's suggestion. If it were the old me, I might have jumped at that offer. But that wouldn't work.
"I don't want to deceive Lord Edmond, my fiancé. I want to give him something I made myself."
My brother looked taken aback for a moment but then smiled.
"That's right. He'll appreciate that more."
With my brother on my side, it was decided easily that I would learn to cook.
My parents, who had frowned at the idea of a noblewoman cooking, reluctantly agreed to help, seeing it as her fiance Edmond's strong desire.
They even arranged a small kitchen for me since I would be in the way in the Marquis manor's kitchen.
There was even an oven with temperature control thanks to magic stones. At least I wouldn't die from not being able to cook, right?
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