Chapter 14: A Villainess Fantasy Simulation? (5)
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- Chapter 14: A Villainess Fantasy Simulation? (5)
Inside was a stir-fry-style dish made with beef. A glossy brown sauce and a creamy white one coated mushrooms, potatoes, and beef, all glistening under the light. It looked more like a hearty street food dish than something from this mansion, and my stomach growled with sudden hunger.
Wow, they even included skewers to eat with. I quickly grabbed two, one for each hand, and offered one to my fiancé. He accepted it with slightly awkward movements.
“I did try to find a better place for food, but since it was so late, this was one of the few still open.”
“Huh? But this is amazing. The sauce is incredible.”
I replied while chewing on a mouthful of beef. The bold flavors had my brain short-circuiting. This sinful, unhealthy deliciousness – perfection. I’d bet anything this was meant to be eaten with beer. It reminds me of a cozy pub where you’d drop in after work for a hearty snack.
Now I’m really curious about what kind of alternate world lies outside this mansion. From the books, it seemed vaguely early 20th-century America, but I still don’t know much about the area this mansion is actually in. All I know is that it borders the sea.
Hmm, maybe I should spend the afternoon in the library learning more about this place? I hate studying, but since I’m inside a romance fantasy novel, I could probably get into it if I treat it like reading fantasy fiction.
“…I’m glad it suits your taste.”
“Yup! Oh, and please let me know how much it cost. I’ll be sure to pay you back.”
So please keep bringing me tasty, hearty food!
Naturally, he refused.
“I couldn’t possibly. I was the one who suggested it. Please accept it as a gesture of goodwill.”
Right, you’re rich. I figured as much. Besides, I was just setting up my next line!
“Then I’ll definitely treat you next time! At the restaurant that made your tastiest pick, and more than once!”
So keep bringing me the good stuff, alright?
Thankfully, that line landed. His expression flickered slightly, as though trying not to smile, before he answered with a calm face.
“Alright. I’ll look forward to it.”
Looks like I touched his heart. I decided not to comment on the way he seemed to be struggling to contain his reaction. Instead, I urged him to dig in, and we polished off the beef together.
Despite his initial hesitations, my fiancé ended up eating with surprising enthusiasm. Thankfully, he’d brought enough that we didn’t have to fight over the last piece.
* * *
With a full belly, I fell into a deep sleep and woke up early the next morning. Despite the short rest, I felt great, but my face was a little puffy in the mirror. Still, for a late-night snack, this is totally acceptable. I’ve got a good constitution… well, aside from the night blindness and terrible sense of direction.
“Alright!”
After confirming that dawn was breaking, I washed my face and changed. Doing it myself made me realize just how much effort the staff went through to bring water to my room. That washbasin must be incredibly heavy.
Once I was dried and dressed, my drowsiness vanished and I felt refreshed. The time I’d mentioned to him was just about here, so I quietly opened the door and tiptoed downstairs.
When I reached the front hall, my fiancé was already waiting. Even though we’d eaten the same late-night food and slept the same amount, his face was fresh and his suit impeccable. No need to go that far, I already know you’re the male lead in a romance fantasy, so chill…
“Did you sleep well, Rose?”
“Yes, I did.”
I smiled awkwardly, and he returned it with a radiant smile. How does someone’s lips curl up into a perfect symmetrical arc like that? Does he practice?
“There are about two hours left before the servants start their day. That should be plenty of time to look over the layout of the mansion.”
In period dramas, the staff is often up at the crack of dawn, but fortunately, it seems like here they start after sunrise and go to bed after leaving someone on night duty. The lack of overnight security is a little concerning, but I guess with a place this wealthy, they’ve managed just fine.
“Yes, it’s perfect.”
“Then where would you like to begin?”
“The kitchen, of course.”
That’s non-negotiable. I nodded firmly. Time to avenge last night.
“Hmm, the kitchen is on the first floor. Wouldn’t it be better to start from the top and work your way down? That way, you maintain the thrill of discovery all the way to the end instead of wandering down without purpose.”
That’s… actually a valid point.
But I shook my head.
“The kitchen staff might come in earlier than expected. We might get in the way, so I think it’s best to check it now.”
Besides, if I run into the person who tried to poison me, they might realize I’ve caught on and who knows how they’ll react?
“…I see.”
My fiancé looked slightly disappointed. Maybe he’d wanted to watch the staff prepare breakfast. I briefly considered changing my mind, but quickly steeled myself. I can’t lose every time just because of his face!
Instead, I headed confidently toward the kitchen.
This time, I’ll find the snacks and any trace of poison. Two birds with one stone!
The door to the kitchen was located at the end of the hallway past the dining room. Given that I saw them clearing away used dishes in that direction, it’s almost certainly the right place.
I hurried over to the door. Luckily, it wasn’t locked. I took a deep breath and opened it without hesitation.
“…Ahem.”
A young couple sneaking into a grand old kitchen at dawn… if this were a movie, now would be the perfect time for someone to whisper, ‘Anybody there?’ in suspense.
But there was no need. The kitchen was quiet and spotless. The soft morning light filtered in through white curtains, giving the whole room a fresh and tidy feel.
The polished dishes and utensils hanging in neat rows were a sight to behold, and I slowly stepped inside, impressed. Not a single trace of grease or dried sauce. You can practically feel the professional pride radiating from the space.
I thought of the dingy sink in my shoebox studio apartment and felt a pang of shame. That wasn’t even amateur-level; it was more like a pseudo-kitchen.
My fiancé followed me in cautiously, but once inside, he started inspecting the space with surprising enthusiasm. Circling around the kitchen hearth, he called out to me.
“The tea set storage is over here.”
“Whoa.”
Amazing. I nearly dropped my jaw at the glass cabinets filling an entire wall.
Inside were rows and rows of dazzling porcelain tea sets in various white patterns, each one gleaming in the faint morning light like something out of a palace. The rose designs and gold accents made the whole cabinet look almost ornamental.
“Do the servants use any of these regularly?”
“Hmm… Probably this one.”
I pointed to a teacup with tiny red rosebuds painted over gold leaf. There were plenty of similar ones, but this particular design had such vivid detail that it stood out in my memory.
My fiancé dusted off his gloved hands, opened the glass door, and carefully pulled out the set. Thankfully, it was just two cups and a large teapot. He studied the cup intently before speaking.
“There might be some residue left in the teacup. If we compare it with the discolored teaspoon, we might find something meaningful. Would it be alright if I had an expert look at it today?”
“I don’t mind, but won’t someone notice if it’s missing?”
With a mischievous smile, he answered, “You wanted tea early in the morning and asked me to get it for you. In my carelessness, I broke it. That should work, shouldn’t it?”
“Huh? That’s a bit…”
“I don’t mind, so I’d appreciate it if you’d allow me to do it that way.”
I awkwardly rubbed the back of my neck and muttered,
“Then I’ll just say we both passed out after drinking together. Anyway, thank you.”
“…No need to mention it.”
My fiancé stared at me for a moment, then said he’d return the teacup to his room and stepped out of the kitchen. I resisted the urge to keep glancing at the glass cabinet full of teacups and forced myself to refocus, beginning a careful scan of the kitchen with hawk-like eyes.
Hmm, is that a refrigerator? It was bulkier than the ones I knew, but it had a charming, antique feel. When I opened it, a blast of cold air hit me, so yes, it was a fridge, but it was completely empty. Not even a basic condiment or a jar of pickles. It was spotless inside too, not a speck of dust.