Nighttime.
The smell of stew fills the kitchen. Meat and vegetables soften as they boil, and steam that tickles the appetite rises from the brim of the pot.
“…It came out well.”
I smile without thinking.
It was worth reading a cookbook until the corners were worn. My strange desire to succeed even if out of stubbornness helped me.
“Daddy, I’m hungry.”
Ririi’s voice, followed by footsteps down the hall. She’s woken up from her nap.
“We’re having something good today.”
“Good?”
“Better than usual.”
Ririi hops when she hears that. Beary also comes from the living room after hearing the commotion. An impromptu game of tag begins as they run through the living room. It’s always impossible to predict what a kid will do.
“It smells nice.”
I hear a quiet voice behind me.
I turn around and see Sieglinde loosening her Ministry of Magic uniform as she looks into the pot. It looks like she just got back.
“I felt like it. I tried making it, and this is the result. I should’ve been a chef.”
“Hou… Do you want to try working in our kitchen?”
She says with a challenging smile as she heads to her room.
That smug attitude is weirdly annoying but… It’s fine. The taste will shut her up.
Ririi and Beary are playing on a sofa in the living room. As far as I can see, they’re evenly matched, and both going at it without holding back.
It’s nice to have an opponent that lets you really go at it. I never found one in my school years.
“Ririi, what do we do before eating?”
“Wash hands!”
“Off you go then.”
“Yes.”
Beary tries its best to follow her as she goes wash her hands. I guess they’re continuing playing tag.
Ririi plays with Beary a lot, so should I be generous with its meal once in a while? I could ask Kaya what it likes… She won’t know. She’s ignorant to the point of surprise.
When I return to the kitchen, I see Sieglinde has changed into her casual clothes. She bought simpler casual clothes in preparation to us living together, but that commoner style suits her.
Well, this image of her is stronger in my mind anyway. She never dressed like a noble in school. She was like the opposite of her fellow noble Medici.
“Let me help set the table.”
“I don’t know. Don’t break any plates, you’ll get hurt.”
“No problem. I wasn’t at my best this morning, but I can handle a few plates.”
“Can you…”
…Well, let’s leave it to her.
Line up the plates and pour soup.
Sieglinde moves carefully, but sure enough, she flips the ladle in the middle of serving the food. Thankfully, the damage is minimized as only a little soup goes flying.
“…What a blunder.”
She whispers as she grabs a cloth with a strangely serious expression, and I almost laugh.
“No, well done. You broke some eggs this morning, so you’re improving.”
“Don’t console me.”
Her tone is stiff, but her face isn’t bad. What an easy to understand person. If others saw her like this, her tough image would soften. Sieglinde is a woman who can’t do that.
As all of this happens, the table is set.
The smell of the steamy stew spreads, and Ririi’s eyes widen.
“Wah… Smells tasty!”
“It passes in appearance.”
“It doesn’t taste bad either. Try it.”
“Yes!”
Ririi takes a spoon and attacks the stew, bringing it to her mouth.
“Tasty!”
She turns to me with a big smile.
She stabs meat with the spoon like she just remembered it, and feeds it to Beary by her chair. Apparently it’s good enough to please an angel bear too, as Beary happily hops. Good job discerning what’s good, Ririi.”
Sieglinde carefully scoops up and has some, and nods silently.
“…It’s good. The meat and vegetables are soft. It tastes good too. I’m surprised to be honest.”
“Your praise is an honor.”
“How much seasoning did you use?”
“I went with my gut.”
“Can you do this again?”
“Shut up. I’ll go with my gut again.”
Meanwhile, Ririi hands over bread.
“Here mommy!”
…Mommy?
Sieglinde was having soup, but she freezes.
“…Ririi, that’s…”
“I tried saying mommy!”
She says with her carefree smile.
Sieglinde looks a little troubled… but doesn’t deny it.
“Call me what you want.”
“Yes!”
A warm air fills the living room. At this moment and this moment alone, it’s like we’re a real family.
I’m the father, Sieglinde is the mother, and Ririi is the daughter. I know it’s not real, but… I can’t get the illusion out of my mind that it was always like this.
After dinner, Sieglinde starts cleaning up. When I try to help, she stops me with her eyes.
“You cooked. It makes sense to split chores.”
“You’re so honest.”
“If not, the order in this house will collapse.”
“I think it already has.”
I don’t do anything during the day, so it’s natural to at least cook. It’d be tough if she expected this quality every day though.
Sieglinde silently washes dishes. Ririi is chatting with Beary of the sofa. She says stuff like ‘today’s dinner was tasty’ and ‘I’m gonna eat it again tomorrow’. If she liked it that much, I should make it again soon. Maybe this is the joy of cooking.
I’m idle, watching Sieglinde closely.
“…What?”
“Don’t mind me, I have nothing to do.”
“How can I ignore you looking at me so closely?”
“Oh? I wouldn’t mind it.”
“I do.”
It’s a feeling I don’t really understand. But Sieglinde lost her calmness. At this rate, it will be a repeat of this morning.
“Okay okay. I’ll go to the living room.”
“Do that. If I break a plate, I’ll pay for it.”
I’m pushed out by the strange pressure in Sieglinde’s words, and sit on the sofa. I keep my ears sharp because I’m still curious, but all I hear is Sieglinde taking a deep breath.
Once she’s done, she sits on the edge of the sofa and opens a document.
“Work?”
“The Ministry of Magic’s research team wouldn’t extend the deadline. There’s such a thing as being too motivated.”
Apparently they need her approval to move on to the next step. I wouldn’t be fit for a government official, because I’m just thinking she could stamp it without reading it.
“You’re serious.”
“You’re not serious enough.”
“True.”
As we banter, she turns her eyes to me. Her face in profile looks a little brighter than this morning, and I’m pretty sure I’m not imagining it. It looks like it was worth it to make an effort with the food.
“…Peaceful.”
She mumbles.
“Yeah.”
How long will it last?
Forever… Is asking for too much. I get that. I hope this peace goes on for a little longer at least.
It really isn’t like me.
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