LIGHTNOVELONLINE
Chapter 580
Mia’s Black Bread
The sky was painted red by the setting sun as the evening drew on. The sounds of the approaching night could be heard. Mia finally reached the planned campsite.
It was a water source located about midway along the course.
Tomorrow, they would circle around the water source and head towards their goal, located north of the Southern Capital.
“Hmm, everything is going smoothly as planned.”
The Royal Princess Guard soldiers who had departed earlier also arrived and met up with Mia safely, without any problems.
However, during the horse match-up, there was a rule to keep contact to a minimum to prevent receiving advice or any other form of assistance.
Mia could do nothing but silently look on as a temporary tent was being set up and the food was being prepared.
Normally, she would enjoy a pleasant conversation with Anne, who was preparing the meal, but even that would be considered a violation of the rules.
“Mia-sama, please do your best. I will be preparing a special meal for you.”
That was about the extent of the conversation they could have.
By the way, Anne was cooking a special hot pot dish made with spices given to her by Nina, the maid of the Greenmoon House. After returning to the Tearmoon Capital, Anne had received training from the Head Chef, and she was no longer the same Anne as before. Anne could now cook any hot pot dish by chopping ingredients and simmering them without any problems. She had evolved!
Well, it was cause for celebration that the food looked delicious, but being left all alone made Mia feel quite lonely.
But… for now, it wasn’t all bad.
That was because right next to Mia’s camping site, Xiaolei was also preparing to camp!
‘This is a good opportunity. Xiaolei-san will also be alone now. By sharing a meal together and praising each other’s efforts, our relationship will naturally deepen.
If there were many friends around, naturally it would be hard for us to have a fun conversation. However, fortunately or unfortunately, we are alone right now. We are in a situation where conversation with those around is forbidden.
There is nothing stopping us from eating together!
My original goal has still not changed. If I form a deep relationship with her, then things will be more convenient even if I lose. In that case, we should sit around the hot pot and deepen our friendship.’
“Hmm, hmm.” Mia nodded to herself and quickly headed towards Xiaolei.
Xiaolei, on the other hand, was feeling dejected. Her plan had been to set up camp at the next water source. However, she had fallen into Mia’s trap and challenged her pointlessly, and things had not gone according to plan.
Instead of bothering with Mia, who was following her, Xiaolei should have just ignored her and gone ahead. Then, she could probably have guaranteed her victory by setting a far greater lead between them.
“Rakuro, I’m sorry, okay. If only I had been more responsible.”
Shoulders slumped despondently, Xiaolei continued to gently stroke Rakuro’s neck.
“Let’s secure a big lead tomorrow and win for sure, okay?”
There was someone who called out to Xiaolei as she was trying to raise her spirits. It was not her fine horse, Rakuro, but…
“Xiaolei-san, can I have a moment?”
It was her opponent, Mia. Moreover, she was coming over to speak with a carefree expression on her face that was quite irritating.
“Is there something you need, okay?”
She turned around and asked with a sulky expression on her face.
“Hmm… I’ve been thinking this for a while, but Xiaolei-san, are you perhaps mistaken that adding ‘okay’ to anything can make you sound like a noble young lady?”
“Hmm…”
Xiaolei grimaced and frowned. After all, it was a way of speaking that she had learned from a noble young lady she knew. That lady had pointed out to Xiaolei that her way of speaking was quite unsophisticated and provincial. She had laughed and suggested that Xiaolei ought to add “okay” at the end of every sentence.
Although Xiaolei had a slight suspicion that she was being made fun of, she decided to place her trust and endeavoured to change her style of speech. Despite that,
As Xiaolei grew silent, Mia groaned and said, “If you want to learn, I can teach you, but isn’t it fine for you to speak like you normally do, Xiaolei-san?”
“Eh?”
“Well, isn’t it the same with food? Each region has its own unique cuisine and cooking style that suits it. For instance, suppose the Tearmoon Empire had excellent mushrooms. I don’t think it means that all the mushrooms in the Equestrian Kingdom should be the same as those in the Empire. Moreover, I would never consider cooking the mushrooms grown in the Equestrian Kingdom in the style of the Empire. That would be quite boring.”
Mia had deliberately used a hypothetical example to explain the matter in a way that was perhaps easier to understand.
“The same could probably be said about language. Xiaolei-san is free to admire the speech of the noble ladies. But personally, I find the accent used by the people of the Equestrian Kingdom quite beautiful. The historical songs, in particular, sound wonderful in the Equestrian Kingdom accent.”
Xiaolei was momentarily taken aback by the unexpected words, but soon turned her face away and said,
“Well, anyway, what do you want?”
“Oh. That’s right. I was wondering if you would like to have dinner with me…”
“Hmm. Eating together with your opponent doesn’t seem appropriate.”
“Oh? What a pity. I was hoping to show you something special.”
Mia said with a mischievous smile.
“Special…”
As Xiaolei tilted her head in confusion, Mia suddenly took out something to show her.
It was, simply put, portable black bread. Since it was quite hard, it was meant to be broken into pieces and added to soup before eating.
Well, that was probably fine, but the main problem was its shape.
“Th-that is…?”
“Hehehe. This is a horse-shaped black bread designed by me– Black horse bread!”
“Oh!”
Xiaolei took the bait!
Xiaolei stared intently at the bread in Mia’s hand. The instant she confirmed its shape, she exclaimed with joy.
“This is definitely a horse shape… but this is…”
‘What do I say! She’s a genius!’
Xiaolei was astonished by the Wisdom of the Empire’s terrifyingly good sense of style and taste.
‘Honestly, making bread in the shape of a horse was indeed a wonderful idea! I can’t believe I never thought of it.’
She was so frustrated that she couldn’t help but make excuses.
“This is done quite well… but it is still a little lacking, Princess Mia.”
Xiaolei said with bright wide eyes.
“Oh? What do you mean by lacking?”
As Mia tilted her head confused, Xiaolei pointed at the horse-shaped bread in her hands and said, “It certainly is a brilliant idea to make bread in the shape of a horse. It is quite excellent and novel, a flash of genius befitting the Wisdom of the Empire, and that is not an exaggeration. However, this part of the horse’s ear is more like…”
Xiaolei intently gestured with her fingers.
“Hmm…”
Mia listened enthusiastically and nodded.
Thus, the two of them passionately discussed the shape and design of the horse.
It seemed like their friendship had deepened just a little!