NOVEL NEXT Chapter 366
Emotions are quite volatile.
Whether positive or negative, there’s no difference.
So I didn’t expect Alicia’s anger to last very long.
It wasn’t just Karem who thought so. Everyone from the Felwinter family to the vassals and guests shared the same idea.
But to say it bluntly, Alicia has a bit of a simple side, so that just adds fuel to the fire.
“Ahem, ahem. Our precious little one. This old man—”
“…Hmph!”
That expectation was beautifully shattered.
Alicia’s rage was far more intense than I imagined.
Just like always, she was giggling and then suddenly turned serious.
And soon after, Richard made his entrance.
She seemed to sense Richard’s approach instinctively within a certain radius.
Richard pleaded, but Alicia remained immovable.
“Alicia! Grandfather just wants to—”
“I don’t want Grandfather! Don’t come near me!”
During this time, Alicia, who usually wouldn’t throw a tantrum, seemed determined to let it all out.
Once again, Alicia unflinchingly turned Richard into a pile of ashes and stomped off.
Watching this from a distance was Godwin, who, with a pile of bacon crumbles generously smeared on white sauce, remarked,
“Anger seems to last longer than expected. Don’t you think?”
“Indeed, it does.”
Karem agreed…but then quickly glanced at Godwin.
It had been a while since he was alone with Godwin, so he almost overlooked it. Still, Karem’s eyes didn’t miss Godwin’s changes.
“Hmm? Is there a problem?”
Karem didn’t answer immediately.
He was quite curious about that problem.
Still growing, his viewpoint had strangely shifted upward, but I assure you the change wasn’t just in height.
Though still unclear, Karem quickly scanned the clear changes in his sleeves, collar, and waist before finally answering Godwin’s question.
“You’ve gained weight?”
“…”
No words were needed; it was enough.
Godwin averted his gaze, embarrassed.
“Didn’t the Duchess strictly forbid eating raw mayonnaise? Now you’re sneaking in while she’s gone—”
“Whoa now, don’t say such mean things.”
“But you’ve definitely gained weight. And it’s not just mayonnaise; it’s bacon mayonnaise! Such a wicked thing—”
“No, it’s just that autumn is coming, and suddenly I have an appetite.”
As he was about to bite into the carrot generously dipped in sauce, Godwin opened his mouth calmly, trying to persuade him.
“First of all, this isn’t mayonnaise.”
“Oh? Then what is it?”
“This is called ranch sauce.”
Holding up the bowl filled with carrots stabbed in ranch sauce, Godwin looked proud as if he had invented it himself.
“It’s a new sauce developed by Sir Zigmeser.”
“Sir Zigmeser? No, more importantly, you’re missing the point.”
“Ahem, strictly speaking, it’s a sauce made by mixing mayonnaise, buttermilk, and various spices, so you can’t say Karem is wrong.”
“Now, just try it,” he said, and Karem, though skeptical, picked up a carrot stick heavily coated in ranch sauce.
Crunch—!
“How is it?”
“This is…definitely…”
“Right?”
Karem was once again amazed by Zigmeser’s skill.
The nutty flavor clinging to his tongue.
It was a richness that couldn’t simply be explained by mayonnaise; there should’ve been a greasiness accompanying it, yet instead, there was a refreshing taste.
Combined with a hint of acidity and the crunch of bacon bits intensified the flavor of the carrot.
It was exactly the ranch sauce Karem remembered.
No, in some ways, it was even better.
What an incredible thing.
After all, the ranch sauce Karem remembered was from a major company.
But if it surpasses the taste of a major company?
No, wait.
“This isn’t right.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“My question was not about that. You’ve gained weight, right?”
“Tch!”
Godwin, who was smirking, lightly clicked his tongue and turned his head as if disappointed.
“In the end, this is how it goes, huh?”
“Considering you’ve got mayonnaise, buttermilk, and bacon in there, there’s no way you wouldn’t gain weight.”
Mayonnaise is a lump of grease. Buttermilk isn’t light for gaining weight, and of course, bacon is a pig.
That’s right, pig belly.
Karem quickly grasped Godwin’s logic.
“The Duchess being absent has loosened the reins, hasn’t it?”
“Whoa, I’m just saying I have an appetite.”
“The Duchess’s morning sickness won’t last forever, you know.”
“That’s just it.”
When he continued as if he had been waiting, Karem’s eyes narrowed.
Alright, let’s hear what he has to say.
“Morning sickness lasts a few months, but still ends before autumn, right?”
“Yes.”
“So doesn’t that mean you just have to lose weight before then?”
With a vague plan laid out, Karem popped the half-eaten carrot into his mouth.
“So you have no plans at all? But do you really think it’s that easy?”
“Absolutely!”
Karem deemed that possibility slim.
The reason lies with what Godwin just said.
Autumn is fast approaching, it’s the season of appetite.
“What’s with that expression? Are you doubting me?”
“No, well, good luck.”
“No, saying it like that—oh dear.”
“Why do you suddenly say that?”
“Grandfather is coming this way.”
They had crossed paths. Lost in Godwin’s nonsensical excuses and plans without a solution, he was slow to escape.
Godwin’s face showed a hint of panic as he clearly thought the same thing.
“Huh… Oh, it’s our grandchild and Karem.”
Richard approached with a sigh that echoed the end of the world.
“Wait, something’s off.”
“Grandfather? What suddenly is—”
“Our grandchild. You’ve gained weight.”
At those words, Godwin froze, carrot stick with ranch sauce in hand. Karem poked him teasingly in the side, but only the sauce dripping to the floor expressed his feelings.
Not just one, but two people.
At this point, Godwin had to take it seriously.
“Grandfather, have I really gained that much weight?”
“Well, in my eyes, I think a little more weight looks nice.”
“Phew, it’s not that serious, is it?”
I assure you, Richard’s words in this situation are the least believable.
Unless one has gained weight to a serious degree, grandchildren typically appear too skinny to the elderly.
Let alone, Iceland has a kind of PTSD from times when it was once barren and emaciated, making them obsessively concerned about food.
And Richard is the very embodiment of that harsh time in Iceland.
If Godwin wasn’t of a size to be rolling on the ground, he would surely laugh it off.
“However, I’m not sure the Duchess would agree.”
But the Duchess of Iceland, now a mother of five.
Would Elizabeth Felwinter think the same?
Facing the undeniable reality, Karem decided to drive the nail in further.
“How many days has it been since you last saw the Duchess?”
“…I think it’s been about two weeks.”
“Then, wouldn’t it be time for the Duchess to suspect something?”
Karem glanced at the ranch sauce bowl tightly gripped in Godwin’s hands.
“That your Highness is increasingly making an impact on the world. Physically.”
“…Huh… Karem, do you know?”
“What?”
“Being fat, you know. Until you lose weight, you’re happy.”
Saying that, Godwin shoved the bowl of ranch sauce, still filled with carrots, towards Karem and then ambled away.
Richard’s eyes fixated on the ranch sauce, staring blankly at Godwin’s retreating figure.
“But, is that sauce-covered carrot really that tasty?”
“Why don’t you try it yourself?”
“Hmm. Then, here goes.”
Richard stuffed four carrot sticks into his mouth at once and crunched down, pausing. Clearly enjoying it more than he had expected, he repeated the same process multiple times.
Crunch, crunch, crunch, crunch—
“…”
“Do you have anything to say?”
“…Was it that obvious?”
“A bit too obvious?”
Richard seemed embarrassed, clearing his throat, yet found it hard to find the right words and kept shutting his mouth before finally saying simply,
“Can you help me with Alicia calming down?”
“There’s a simple way to do that.”
“What is it!?”
Then the simple method Karem suggested made Richard’s face turn red.
“Just accept that you’re friends.”
“…That brat, you mean?”
“Brat?!”
“To me, he’s a brat!”
Richard had a displeased look, dunking carrot sticks heavily in ranch sauce as he chewed furiously.
“How can I just sit back and watch this boy approach my only precious little one!!!”
“You do realize the prince can barely talk, right?”
“What does that have to do with anything? He’s still a boy with a penis! All men, except for family, are wolves!”
Ah, this is bad.
The sudden noise drew the attention of those around. As Karem shook his head and gestured for them to return to their business, they either continued with what they were doing or quietly slipped away.
Since this had been happening almost daily for the past few days, they didn’t want to be stuck hearing Richard’s foolish complaints for hours if he caught them.
“But he’s only three.”
“That doesn’t matter!”
“It does matter. Can a three-year-old discern right from wrong?”
At that moment, Karem hid his startled heart. After all, he could remember his past life, and he could discern right from wrong even at three.
“Just a few days ago, that child was telling me how his father stole his food?”
“Wait, what did you say?”
“Prince Henry too, and Miss Alicia. There wouldn’t be anyone of the same age who could consider them friends equally, would there?”
At those words, Richard pouted.
There was no way he could let this slide.
In his time, he had been fortunate to have friends like Baston, Zigmeser, and Iona.
Wouldn’t it also be the same good fortune for his son Alfred, who met and bonded with Prince Inamark while studying abroad?
Yet the little Felwinters hadn’t shared the same luck as the grown Felwinters. All four had friends, but there weren’t any true friends with whom to share the burdens of being above them.
‘A prince might…indeed…’
Moreover, knowing Karem would say something like this, he couldn’t easily brush it off.
Over the time, Richard noticed how Karem’s position wasn’t something that cared about titles, but more of a friend or confidante to the grandchildren.
To Richard, Karem was someone like Baston.
And at times, such a friend was incredibly precious.
He didn’t want to admit it.
But what he disliked even more was—
“Grandfather, no!!! Don’t come near!”
Richard felt a chill run down his spine.
It couldn’t be helped.
“Ugh… I guess I have to admit it…”
“Well, it’s not wrong for a grandfather to be cautious of men, but he’ll soon be three years old. It’s a different story when he turns thirteen.”
Still, problems remained.
“Grandfather, don’t come!”
Alicia’s presence vanished.
She was now outright avoiding Richard.
“I can’t even speak to her at this rate.”
“…”
“Your Grace? You’re unresponsive.”