The Elemental Sword Demon King
Episode 238: The Story of Childhood
To be honest, it was a very tempting offer. He could get breakfast through room service if he asked the princesses, but Aura's breakfast would definitely taste better. After all, he would not lose even against a professional chef.
"Then, maybe I'll go with you there."
"I can't make anything fancy because there's no real kitchen, but I'll make it." Aura nodded cheerfully.
"Ah, sister, I also want to eat with you!"
In response to Minerva who raised her hand cheerfully, Karmila the servant pointed that out calmly.
"Miss Minerva has eaten breakfast."
"Me, it's okay! If it's sister's cooking, then I can eat nonstop."
Karmila clutched Minerva's nape as she tried to enter the room.
"Fuaa, what are you doing!"
"This is study time, Miss Minerva."
"I don't want to! So far, I don't want to learn!"
"That's not gonna work. You wouldn't be such an outstanding noble."
"Tidaaaak, sister's breakfast!"
Karmila dragged the struggling Minerva. Soon, they turned the corner and Minerva's screams could no longer be heard.
"He's really a former leader of the « Rupture» Division, even at thirteen, he can act together."
Unlike a useless servant, he would be an outstanding servant. On the other hand, Aura excitedly started wearing an apron.
"Is there anything I can help you with?"
"Fufuu, don't worry. Please sit down and wait." Aura said without looking at Kaizo then took out a frying pan from the shelf and lit the fire spirit crystal in the kitchen in the corner of the room.
****
"Hmm, hmhmm♪"
Aura was making pancakes while humming. As he gazed at Aura's beautiful swinging hair and felt the attractive scent of honey, Kaizo picked up the novel Victoria had left behind before.
("Lady Blooming in the Dead of Night". Another generic title.)
He read a glimpse of it. It seemed to be about a beautiful noble girl with an unyielding nature who was captured by a cruel demon king, became his prisoner, and succumbed to his mind and body.
(Hmm, Victoria just likes this type of book.) While thinking that, he closed the book and realized Aura who was wearing an apron turned towards him with a beaming face.
"Done."
There were three pancakes on the plate, all loaded with a lot of honey. Crispy burn scars look really delicious.
"Well, eat ♪"
"Yes. Have a good meal."
Kaizo stuffed the pancake into her mouth with her fork and, saying something like a compliment, "Lezat!"
The inside is padded while the outer surface is fried snugly. Neidfrost butter and honey are also amazing.
"As expected. It's fried perfectly."
"Fufuu, I'm happy." Aura stared happily at Kaizo who was puffing her cheeks.
"What's that?"
He asked with a puzzled expression and Aura turned her gaze shyly.
"No-no, it's nothing!"
While Aura is daydreaming, Kaizo eats a fancy pancake.
"Ahh, that's delicious. Thanks for the food."
"Fufuu, if you want, you can also get my share." Say Aura by giving her another pancake.
"Mm, is it okay?"
"Yes, I don't eat much in the morning."
"Then I'll take it."
"Just like that, you can also continue to eat me?"
"Huh?"
After Kaizo finished her breakfast, Aura poured black tea after eating.
Black tea was poured into tea cups and the rich aroma of Neidfrost tea leaves filled the room. It seemed like black tea had been prepared beforehand. She may actually be planning to have breakfast together with Victoria.
(He probably meant to talk about the book.)
Kaizo grabbed the book on the table. He tried asking her something she wanted to know for a while.
"So you also read this kind of book."
"That-that's..."
In an instant, Aura's face flushed red.
“Actually, I was introduced by Victoria at first, and if you read it, the contents are very interesting, so I want you not to think of me as a disrespectful girl! Someone of the scientific pursuit..." He defended himself while timidly rubbing his knees.
"I don't think it's something you're ashamed of." Kaizo smiled wryly and returned the book to the table.
"But to share a book, your relationship is pretty good."
"Me, it's just an inseparable relationship!" Aura turned her eyes.
"So yes, an inseparable relationship."
Kaizo sipped her black tea once more and asked, "So you guys have been rivals since childhood, right?"
"That's right."
"If you agree with that, will you let me hear about that? About when you were a kid."
"Why?"
"Well, you two always fight. I just want to know if it's the same since."
Aura placed her hand on her cheek as if thinking about it a little and before long, she took a breath like recalling a distant day.
"It's going to be a while. I'll boil some more tea." He stood silently from his chair and placed the kettle on top of the fire spirit crystal.
"It's about the time I first met him and acknowledged him as my rival."
"When did you first meet her?"
"Yes. That was exactly ten years ago. That's when my father brought me to greet the home of Marquis Lionstein."
As if immersed in nostalgia, she began to tell the story gently.
****
POV: Aura Neidfrost
_____________________________________
Ten years ago when Aura accompanied her father on a visit to the Lionstein region, Aura was only six years old.
Aura's father, Fredin Neidfrost, plans to get the opinion of the head of the Duke Lionstein household that produced successive generations of the «Queen of Api» on a ritual that will be devoted to «Elemental Lord Api».
Fredin brings his daughter with him so he can meet his future schoolmate, Victoria Lionstein.
"The "Lionstein family was famous even within the empire. Hang out with Miss Victoria."
"Whether we get along or not depends on it."
Fredin Neidfrost sighed looking at the calm face of his six-year-old daughter. His domineering personality was the earl's secret worry.
The one who came to greet the two who had traveled far by train was the head of the Lionstein house, Halrit Lionstein himself.
"Well, thank you for coming from far away."
He was a great man with the presence of a high noble. His wife was still working in the imperial palace in the capital, so he was not present.
"I am the eldest daughter of Neidfrost, Aura Neidfrost. I'll be in your care this time." Aura held the end of her dress and bowed gracefully. Even if she was six years old, she was already acting like a noble model.
"Oh, as expected of the daughter of the Neidfrost family. He behaves very well. I wouldn't have thought she was the same age as my daughter."
"No, no, your daughter is also very pretty."
...
*Connected.....
*Note: This story is fictitious. If there is a similarity in the name of the character, the scene, or the story, it is a mere coincidence and there is no element of intentionality.