I Favor the Villainess Chapter 31

"Table three finished eating"
"I led the new guest to the table five"
"Table one, the customer is heading home"
"The total is 1480 gold"

High-spirited voices resounded throughout the hustle and bustle.
A number of tables were brought into a lecture hall borrowed by the Order of the Academy, all are occupied.
In addition, there's a long queue outside, the gender-reversal café is a considerable success.

Today is the day of the Royal Academy Founding Festival.
This year it perfectly overlapped with a holiday, I was told there are more people coming than usual.
In fact, there's absolutely no sign of guests stopping ever since the opening ceremony, rather, their number is steadily increasing.

"Miss… Is it okay to be so pretty"
"Hahaha! Thank you"

Beginning with Rod-sama serving customers while laughing in a good mood――.

"Kyaa, Yuu-sama! Cute!"
"Milady is more charming"

Yuu-sama gracefully returned a composed smile.

"That girl, the slight shadiness suits her"
"But, despite being so beautiful, isn't she a little scary?"
"…"

Sein-sama has a complicated expression.

"Hm, I wonder who's that person"
"Feels like a young noble of cold beauty"
"Could I take your order?"

Misha's working indifferently with a nonchalant air around her.

"Did you see? Claire-sama is serving customers"
"Ah. I've never thought a day would come I'd hear welcome from the mouth of that selfish lady"
"…"

A person said while others cracked a forced smile, but well, it was inevitable.

"An amazing number of guests are coming. From a while ago, I've been tossing the frying pan all the time"
"It's good we're successful. Next order, Lorec-sama"

The kitchen staffed by Lorec-sama and Lambert-sama is operating at its full capacity.

And well, the Order of the Academy's Cavalier is generally operating well.

"At this rate, the first place in the popularity contest is not just a dream"
"You're right"

I returned a nod at Rod-sama's words.
During this festival, a popularity contest is held asking the visitors which programs they found good.
For a class or an organization that splendidly ranks first, a trip voucher for a retreat usable on the summer vacation is presented.
In the game, it opened the opportunity to obtain special event stills.
As for me, even if I don't go on a trip, I'm fine being anywhere with Claire-sama.

"Rod-sama, you're slacking. Take care of table six"
"Oops, I see. I'm going"

Saying so, Rod-sama went to serve the customer, with gait so light it's almost like he's skipping.

"What were you talking about?"
"That we might be able to take the first place in the popularity contest"
"Such a thing. There is no need for something like a trip voucher. Members belonging to the Order of the Academy can manage a summer retreat trip on their own expenses.

Claire-sama said carelessly.
It may be so for nobles, but commoners like me do not have such flexibility.

"Hey, work livelier. Lene… sensei is watching"
"Ah, that's bad"

That's right.
As a supervisor, Lene is keeping a watchful eye on us today.
The person herself wanted to serve customers, but not being the Order of the Academy member, she stubbornly settled on the position of an overseer.

"Rei, take care of table two"

Misha called out to me while she washed plates in the kitchen.

"Eh, me?"
"Yeah"
"Isn't it good. I believe they must have considerably strange tastes to ask for a commoner like you"

Ohoho, Claire-sama laughed dominantly.

"If you're so dominant, it'd be nice if you were like that in bed"
"What incomprehensive thing are you saying?"
"It's just my pure desire. I'm off"

I took a tray and headed for the table two.
Seeing the guest's face, I became dispirited.

"No problem. Quick"

Speaking in a broken language, the guests were dark-skinned foreigners.
From their clothing and accessories, you can guess they're nobles.
Among them there was a stout, plump man in a turban, at a glimpse you could tell he's a royalty.

"He is gracious Marcel Rolo, His Highness the Crown Prince. Grateful to avail himself of your kind offer"

An attendant said reverently.

The Rolo Empire is a great country a little west of the Bauer Kingdom.
It's located at an important trade route, making trade their main industry, the Bauer Kingdom is also their partner, they deal in various goods such as spices.
Marcel-sama is the crown prince of that Rolo Empire.

I became dispirited, because it reminded me of an event in the game.

"Fast obtain order, Ranuka"
"Excuse me. What would you like to order"
"Umu. Then some with dodo meat. His Highness favorite are dodo meat"
"I am sorry. Unfortunately, we cannot arrange dishes with dodo meat"

When I said so, His Highness Marcel frowned.
Seeing that, his attendant rattled on.

"You are rude for Marcel-sama! His Highness demand. Do something"
"Please forgive me. Dodo meat is a rare item obtainable only in a distant western country, I am sorry, but we cannot obtain it in the Bauer Kingdom on a short notice"

I explained once again the best I could, but His Highness Marcel shook his head.

"His Highness desire it. Do something"

I endured wanting to let out a sigh.
It's the event where you're involved with an important, unmanageable customer.
In the game, the capture target with the highest favorability steps in, helping the heroine.

Be that as it may, I'm not good friends with any of the princes.
What should I do about it, I resisted my smiling face cramping up――.

"(Excuse me for interrupting while you are busy, Your Highness Marcel)"
"!?"

I'm surprised.
The one who stepped in between His Highness Marcel and me was Claire-sama.
She's talking to His Highness Marcel in a fluent Roloish.

"(It would be difficult to arrange His Highness's favorite dish, Dodo meat, for a person like Your Highness, I believe it would be better to try the latest ingredients)"

Claire-sama showed an amiable look I've never seen before and smiled at His Highness Marcel.
His Highness Marcel's upper lip slackened.
Furthermore, he silenced his attendant with his hand and spoke to Claire-sama personally.

"(Um, umu. That person who speaks fluent Roloish. Your name is?)"
"(I am Claire François. Your Highness Marcel Rolo. I am extremely delighted to be granted an audience)"

It's not just words, Claire-sama expressions shows she really is happy to meet him.
Looking at her, the corners of His Highness Marcel's eyes further dropped.

"(Claire, are you saying you can have something that will satisfy me prepared?)"
"(Yes. I am certain it will be to your satisfaction)"

Claire-sama nodded full of confidence.

"(Very well. I leave it to you)"
"(Thank you)"

Having respectfully waited on him, Claire-sama headed for the kitchen pulling my hand.

"Haa… It is tiring with a pig as the other party"

Lowering the volume of her voice so His Highness Marcel wouldn't hear, Claire-sama let out a deep sigh.
I'm surprised by her abusive remark.

"Pi, pig you say…"
"I meant the fat person from the empire. Honestly, because it is an upstart country with little history…"

Claire-sama spewed venom as if her serving the customer earlier was a lie, then looked at me and said.

"You too. It is futile to entertain such customers. Simply sweet talk them, when done properly you will be able to manage somehow"
"Ha, haa…"
"Well, it might be impossible for a commoner who has never socialized on equal terms"

Claire-sama said a little proud.
Claire-sama, being a daughter of the Minister of Finance, seems to have some experience associating with foreign leaders.
It seems she became experienced like that.

"Commoner. Enter the kitchen and make the usual mayonnaise dish"
"Mayonnaise, is it?"
"That is correct. That flavor should not have reached the Rolo Empire yet. If that is the case, the fat person will be satisfied and leave"
"I see"

Certainly.
Claire-sama, being well-informed about the spread of latest fads, realized that.

"Hey, do not be absent-minded!"
"Yes! … Um, Claire-sama"
"What is it?"
"Thank you!"

Having heard my words she looked blankly, then said,

"It, it is not like I specially did it for your sake! If it became an international problem, my father's honor――"

And so on, Claire-sama's tsuntsun is easy to understand.
Cute.

"Thank you, tsundere"
"Do not say incomprehensible things, now quickly get to cooking"
"Yees"

After that, I made mayonnaise shrimp that Marcel-sama was very pleased with.
However, I feel more than half the effect was thanks to Claire-sama's devilish smile.

At any rate, I didn't think Claire-sama would come to help me.
It would be absolutely impossible in the game.
I wonder if it's possible to change the fate from the game little by little.

"Claire-sama's downfall, I absolutely don't want it"
"Did you say something?"
"It was nothing. I love you!"
"Stop saying foolish things and clean the plates"

… How nice… if it were possible.

Chapter end