087: Relaxed morning

December 22, 2020 - 7 minutes read - 1383 words

I was woken by the bird calls outside of my window. I sat up and looked around my dimly lit room, I could hear the bird calls intermittently from outside. I regret leaving the warmth of my bed, but I stand up and head to the window. When I opened the shutters, the morning sun shines into my room. I take a deep breath while squinting into the morning light.

I feel the clean air enter my lungs and the feeling permeates my whole body. This is a habit I picked up after I was reincarnated. I tried to do it in the royal capital, but it didn’t feel right. The air must be cleaner out in the countryside.

I look at the lush grass that spreads in all directions while a breeze teases my hair. The vegetation sways to and fro in the breeze. The nature surrounding Koriat Village gives its own morning greeting.

“Good morning” Al

I left that sight and then left my room. I washed my face in a basin of well water and was refreshed, but now I’m cognizant of my morning hunger. I went down to the dining room thinking about what breakfast would be today.

When I arrived in the dining room, I spotted my whole family sitting at the table. Well, Eleanora was leaving her seat as I walked up.

“Good Morning” Family

“Good Morning” Al

If I greeted each person individually, that would be troublesome. Perhaps certain aristocrats would do that, but I would have to go ‘Good morning, father, mother, Eleanora, Silvio’. That would get tiring to do each day.

When I looked back at the table, Eleanora harrumphed and sat back down at her seat. What’s with her? It’s such a nice morning, but she seems to be in a bad mood. When I sat down in my seat, my brother Silvio whispered to me.

“a second ago, Eleanora was leaving to wake you up” Silvio

I see, that’s something I could see Eleanora doing. Though, wouldn’t Silvio usually be the person for that task. When Silvio saw my confused expression, he continued.

“if I went, you wouldn’t wake up, right?” Silvio

“ah, I see” Al

So that’s the reasoning. If had woken up a little later or had decided to go back to sleep, I would have had a rude awakening today. Based on previous data, Eleanora would have wrenched open my door and mercilessly stripped of my blankets. Then she’d drag me out of my bed, and directly to the dining room. Well, sometimes she’ll throw in a light slap to make sure I’m really awake.

I think that sort of wake-up call is bad for my heart.

“What?” Eleanora

“Nothing” Al

I looked away from Eleanora and started to see what was served for breakfast.

On a platter in the middle was savory bacon, a plain omelette over lettuce, tomatoes and tomato sauce, and a large clump of cabbage. The plain omelette was derived from the omelette rice I demonstrated to Bartolo. It seems he is a good chef, he takes a dish and creates variations using trial and error. He’s different from me, I just stick to what I know from my previous life.

Next to the platter is a bowl of creamy soup. Further on, there’s a plate of freshly baked bread. There’s butter in the center of the bread to spread yourself.

It’s a gorgeous breakfast for a countryside baron, who would have a small territory, but it’s commonplace in the Slowlette family. Thanks to the reversi and shogi, and the most recent addition of tops, the mansion finances are great.

Even though Elna came from the well-to-do merchant family of the Lazarus company, a famous royal capital company, we don’t have problems with money. Both my parents spent time as adventurers, so they had learned to budget properly.

Triela and other peddlers come to visit the village on a regular basis, plus we can shop in Koriat Village, but the Slowlette family doesn’t buy willy-nilly. We aren’t fascinated by gaudy ornaments or furnishings, though we do spend money on foodstuffs. Most recently, we’ve been buying a large amount of sugar. If we had a big shopping street like the royal capital, we might end up shopping more, but the area around her is just nature.

“Breakfast looks delicious today” Nord

“That’s right, I’m liking these plain omelettes” Elna

My mother and father sound like they’re in a good mood today.

“Me too, it’s delicious when there’s cheese mixed in” Nord

“Is that so?” Elna

“I asked Bartolo, so mine should have cheese. Do you want to try half?” Nord

“Thanks, I’d love to” Elna

It’s a slow conversation about cheese this morning. Please don’t start feeding each other, ok?

While our parents have a romantic atmosphere, the siblings start eating first.

After breakfast, I stick around in the dining room to relax. Today, Elna, Silvio, and Eleanora were sitting in chairs. I guess there aren’t any lessons today, so Elna is sitting quietly drinking tea.

Nord has not been able to join us, since he just got back from the royal capital trip, he has a pile of paperwork and tasks to get through.

On mornings like this, I’ll usually drink a cup of tea or take a morning nap on a sofa.

“Al, are you that full from breakfast?” Elna

I lay down on the sofa as Elna asks that. Right now I just want to lay down on a sofa. It’s a big ill-mannered, but everyone is full and relaxing in some way.

“Mother, don’t you sometimes lay down too?” Al

“I don’t do that” Elna

Eleanora and Silvio joined me in looks of confusion, but Elna sips her tea with a serene expression.

“Are you sure?” Eleanora

Everyone in the mansion knows that Elna loves to stretch out on sofas when no one is around. The confused looks my siblings and I were wearing were less about whether she would do it and more about why she thought she could deny it. Well, I don’t think this will go anywhere, so I’ll get up from the sofa and get my cup refilled.

When I asked Mina, the current maid on duty, for more tea, she picks up the teapot to refill my glass. I’ll enjoy the tea with some more chatting with my family. This is such a peaceful morning, it’s going to be a good day.

While I was thinking that, Elna asked a serious question.

“Hey, Al. It’s been a week since we got back from the royal capital. When will we get a new sweet?” Elna

Mina reacts to the word sweet by freezing in place. I’d like her to pour me another cup of tea from the teapot she has. She ignores my gaze and moves away from the teapot she was holding. Until I can answer Elna’s question, I won’t get any tea. Don’t train me like a dog…

When I didn’t quickly respond, Eleanora got up and started walking towards me. It seems I can’t escape…

I had forgotten about that promise. When my parents bought the magic stove, I had said that we’d be able to eat sweets more often and new sweets.

“So?” Elna

Elna is asking again, she’s wearing a gentle smile, but I feel a tremendous pressure behind it.

“Of course it’s fine. I’ll get something made today” Al

“Great, I’m looking forward to it” Elna

When I told her I’d work on a new sweet today, Elna smiled and returned to sipping her tea.

What’s with this? It’s like my boss said ‘When can I expect the paperwork?’, and I bought time by saying I’ll have it by the evening. Mina looks satisfied by my answer as well, and poured me another cup of tea with a smile.

Such a bad maid.

I guess I’ll have to provide dishes that would be difficult to make without the magic stove. That way my parents will feel good about buying the stove. Thanks to the magic stove’s temperature control feature, I think it’s about time to try fried food. I can think of many dishes and sweets that require frying.

“Later on, I’ll make something new and creative, ok?” Al

“I understand” Elna