Translated by Jyzciel

It's been 48 days since I started living in the rural life.

While baking mochi pizza, I reflected on everything that had happened so far.

Finally, even the Emperor has come to my home... What kind of special event is this, really? And the selection of people is too strange...

From ordinary beast people to the Demon Lord...

And then the Emperor!?

It's too mysterious...

Well, its not like I'm those other stories of coming to the other world to accomplish something, so maybe it's okay?

Moreover, for some reason, everyone just eats at home! Definitely the influence of modern food culture is definitely showing.

Pancakes and hamburgers will probably become more popular in this world in the future. Maybe they will even be served at a dinner party with a neighboring country that will be held soon?

The Little Emperor even asked about the Japanese breakfast he had. But since it wasn't suitable for the dinner party, I lightly passed over it.

After all, it included white rice, grilled salmon, miso soup with seaweed, tofu, and fried tofu, rolled omelet, boiled spinach, and seasoned seaweed with pickled radish.

Well, cant be served for such occasion no? People from the neighboring country would be puzzled if such a menu came up. Moreover, in this country, it seems salmon, seaweed, and rice are not readily available.

So, a mysterious agreement has been reached where every time the chef comes, they hand over 1 pack of salmon (4 slices), 1 bag of seasoned seaweed, and 2 kilograms of rice.

I remember smiling wryly when this was first proposed.

When the rookie cook who brought it up, who looked like he had been sentenced to death, pleaded desperately and stumbled over his words as he left, I wondered what to do... It's not a big deal, though.

More than that, could they reduce the number of times they come to the house a little?

My place is not even a diner, not a cooking class either! I should have really explained this thoroughly during the first visit.

Just imagine, being scrutinized by those dignified old guys, or rather, beastmen, while cooking, with a notebook in hand. It's extremely awkward.

How many times have I accidentally dropped tofu into the sink... And then, they eat it up with satisfaction. After that, they hand over questions written on what seems to be high-quality paper and expect answers by the next time.

I don't understand anymore, and it's just troublesome.

The right amount of salt? I don't know, just feel it.

I want to say that, but when they look at me with eyes like abandoned puppies, I reluctantly give a proper answer. They probably feel sorry for me.

They bring unusual ingredients from the other world every time, but since I don't know how to cook them and they look suspicious, I secretly store them in the commercial refrigerator.

I can tell they're likely high-quality ingredients. There are unnecessarily glittering mushrooms and such.

I think I'll ask Chronos about it next time. It's about time to use them before they no longer fit in the fridge.

Just now, the cooking staff and the hawk beastman accompanying the emperor came in a hurry. They wanted a final confirmation of how to make pancakes, and when I casually asked why, they said they were going to serve them at the dinner party.

A large amount of pancake mix has been sent to the palace. They asked me to teach them how to make pancake mix itself, but recreating it would be quite challenging.

According to rumors, you can make it with cake flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. I might try it next time.

As a thank you, they gave me a chest full of gemstones. I thought that kind of thing only happened in stories.

I declined, you know. But I was told that if I didn't choose something from these and accept it, their head would roll... I couldn't refuse because the hawk beastman gentleman cried and begged me!

There was no other option. Because the alternatives were things like a flying carpet, a lizard that lays golden eggs, or a dress made of phoenix feathers and so on.

Honestly, they were all things I didn't understand the use for, so I was really troubled. Aren't they all unnecessary items for a peaceful life?

So, I chose the safest, these gem. Even the fact that gems are considered the safest option feels ridiculous.

"Oh, the rice cake pizza looks good now." As I peek into the oven, the area behind me becomes noisy.

"Hmm?" When I turn around, Chronos, who is being cuddled by Kinako, Kuro-mame, and Schnappy, appears.

"Hey, looks like you had a tough time." He sits on the veranda, grinning.

"Hello, Chronos, do you know about it too?"

"Yeah, that day, the palace was in an uproar like poking a beehive."

"Chronos-san are you sent out too?"

"No, our jurisdiction is different. Besides, our relationship with the Royal Guard isn't that great." He said, scratching his cheek with a troubled expression.

I see, it somehow makes sense.

Chronos and his group seem to be a seasoned practical force with a meritocracy approach. On the other hand, the Royal Guard appears to emphasize social standing heavily.

No wonder they don't get along... But thinking about it, since Chronos is a Marquis, he should be more aligned with the Royal Guard. As I watch Chronos gently stroke Kinako, various thoughts swirl in my mind.

"Rinsakura-san, there's a delicious smell..."

"Oh! I forgot about the rice cake pizza. Of course, you'll have some before you go, right?"

"Sure."

"Mochi pizza, huh? It look delicious." Chronos had already finished three pieces.

"Is that beautiful young man really the Emperor of your country?"

"Yeah, that's right."

"Amazing for someone so young."

While refilling his coffee, Chronos said, "Hmm?"

Chronos narrowed his eyes and smiled.

"Hmm?" my head tilted, not understanding the meaning of his smile.

"No, Rinsakura-san, you've  got it wrong. His appearance looks young, but that's because of his race. Despite how he looks, he's over 300 years old."

"Eeeeh!?" What a surprise!

"He was a smooth, shiny beautiful boy."

"Hahaha, that's right. He's certainly young-looking, but he's much older than us, a wise king with vast knowledge and experience."

"By the way, what kind of beastman is he?"

"A dragon."

"A dragon..."

Dragon... So that's why he had something like horns on his forehead!

"He suddenly appeared in the garden. At first, I thought he might be a lost rich kid from somewhere nice. But as we talked, I started to think, Maybe, just maybe." I chuckled as she reminisced.

"In a way, he's quite worldly. But he seems to have had a lot of fun. He's still using the clothes you have him wearing as pajamas."

"Eh! That T-shirt!?" I alsmost dropped the half-eaten rice cake pizza onto the plate.

No way! Is he serious? That's a T-shirt featuring a certain character! The character, a yellow mouse, is caught with a ball and says 'Pika Pika.'

Yes! It's that character.

Because it's such an adorable character, I couldn't help but buy the T-shirt. Is it okay for the person who rules this country to wear it?

As Rino turned red and blue, Chronos asked with a hesitant expression.

"Rinsakura-san... did you... share a bed with His Majesty?"

"Huh? Yeah, we slept together. Is there a problem?"

"Guh... was that with mutual consent?" Chronos grabbed my shoulders and leaned in.

"Uh... yeah? Probably..." I nodded, somewhat surprised by Chronos's intensity.

"I see... then it's fine." Chronos looked quite dejected.

What's going on? Was it inappropriate to share a futon and sleep together? Certainly it's not like with Little White Snake, where sleeping together led to marriage.

I and Chronos were both feeling a different kind of tension.

In a certain room deep within the Royal Palace...

"Chronos... Lady Rinsakura is a wonderful woman."

"Sigh..."

"I didn't know, but I'm sorry for sharing a bedroom with her before you did."

"......!!"

"Now I understand why you've been avoiding my proposals."

"Your Majesty..."

"Listen well. I won't use my power to forcefully take her from you. I'll also quiet down the nosy people around you, so don't worry."

"No, it's not like that at all."

"Hehe~ Does that mean you're okay with me getting serious? Even though she's wearing something like that..."

"No... uh, that... is..." He's probably alluding to the piercing Rinsakura is wearing.

"Hahahaha~ Just seeing that expression on your face is enough."

"Your Majesty... please spare me." Such exchanges were quietly happening deep within the royal palace.

Whether it's the Demon Lord or the Emperor, the path of love for these individuals seems to be quite entertaining.

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