Private Tutor to the Duke’s Daughter: Volume 11 [Parts 1 to 7] by Riku Nanano

Author:Riku Nanano
Language: eng
Format: epub

In our room, we found a large table arrayed with food and a waiting line of maids. Niccolò and Tuna seemed at a loss for something to do. Even Cindy was there—presumably by magic, since I’d just seen her dishing up soup.

Saki was the odd woman out, still grappling with the drowsy fox cub. “M-Miss Atra?” I heard her say. “What? A hug? B-But that wouldn’t be...”

“Lydia,” I said.

The scarlet-haired noblewoman, who had put away her apron, raised her left hand. All eyes turned to her. She cut a dignified figure—the perfect model of a duke’s daughter—as she said, “Thank you all. We don’t know what the future holds, but we won’t have the strength to face it if we don’t eat. So let’s do just that. Go on. Take your seats.”

“Yes, Lady Lydia!” The maids sat down, pressed their hands together, and tucked in. Noise filled the room.

Niccolò gave me a hesitant look, so I returned an encouraging one. I wanted him to eat while the food was hot.

Once Lydia and I took our own seats, side by side, I could hear the other diners exclaiming.

“This fish is to die for!”

“And the soup is first-rate.”

“To think that Lady Lydia...”

“Don’t cry. You’ll set me off too.”

“Ah... My fatigue’s just melting away.”

“What fascinating seasoning, Tuna! Do you think this is a taste of the kingdom?”

“Don Niccolò, you got some on your mouth. Still, it’s certainly delicious.”

The generally positive reception lifted my spirits. Even natives of the city of water seemed to find something to like in the kingdom’s cuisine. I would have to speak with Felicia about exporting ingredients and eventually—

I felt Lydia’s gaze on me.

“You were getting weird ideas again, weren’t you?” she demanded.

“No,” I answered stiffly, “nothing of the sort.”

“Oh, really? Well, not that it matters.”

I watched her as we ate, puzzled that she’d given in so easily. Then two maids joined us.

“Lady Lydia, we have a report,” Saki said, cradling Atra in her arms.

“Everything’s ready!” Cindy chimed in.

What’s “everything”? Ready for what?

Her Highness wiped her mouth on a handkerchief. “I see,” she murmured. “Thank you.”

“All in a maid’s work.”

“Whatever you need, just say the word!”

Atra looked at me and gave a wheedling yip. I reached out to take her from Saki, and she soon curled up on my lap. The watching maids beamed.

Once I’d finished dinner, I addressed the prim-faced noblewoman sipping tea beside me. “Lydia, I’m going to sneak in a little more research before—”

“Please wait, Mr. Allen,” Saki interjected.

Cindy added a bright “You’re not going anywhere!”

I petted Atra to escape the bad feeling creeping over me.

“As Don Niche Nitti informed us through his messenger,” the lovely bird-clan maid continued, “this building sits on a hot spring.”

“Pardon? A hot spring?” I looked to Niccolò.

“Th-That’s right,” he said, nodding. “O-One of my ancestors was reportedly quite fond of baths and had this house built over a natural spring.”

“Last night, we were still inspecting the premises, but I see no objection to availing ourselves tonight,” Saki added without batting an eye.

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