I Favor the Villainess Chapter 90Warm-up

“If it isn’t Claire-sama and Lily-sama. Welcome to this house”

The head of Thompson baronial house, Wedge Thompson-sama, greeted us three with a beaming smile.

Wedge-sama is a plump man little younger than Dor-sama.

Although the size of Thompson’s mansion is no match for François’s, it’s beyond means of a lower aristocrat.

As we were guided inside, it was decorated with plenty of gaudy works of art, that to me screamed nouveau riche.

As we followed after Wedge-sama to the reception room, in the corridor here and there were famous paintings, yup, this one must have been one million gold… And so on, it’s extremely easy to understand he’s trying to act like a noble.

Claire-sama and Lily-sama seem to be fed up.

“So… What business brings you here today?”

When we all sat down in the reception room, Wedge-sama asked Claire-sama while rubbing his hands.

He’ll also sometimes look at Lily-sama, but he’s ignoring me.

He perfectly considers me their servant.

Actually, I’m Claire-sama’s servant, still.

“As a matter of fact, I was appointed a special official by His Majesty a few days ago”

“I am aware. A woman being appointed, what a wonderful success”

Even though he’s a lower nobility.

It seems Wedge-sama has heard about the subject of special officials.

As expected, he has sharp ears.

“And today we would like to investigate Thompson house”

“Oya oya… That is quite rough”

Wedge-sama blatantly scowled.

“Is my family engaged in any illegal activities to warrant special officials’ investigation?”

“There are suspicions, therefore could we investigate?”

“What a thing… I wouldn’t think the intelligent Claire-sama would say such words”

It’s regrettable, with those words Wedge-sama made an exaggerated gesture of looking up at heavens.

“Even I am not suspecting you by choice. Baron Thompson, if you insist on your innocence, please cooperate with the investigation”

“It cannot be helped. Very well. Please investigate to your heart’s content”

Wedge-sama smiled bitterly, but from “Nothing will come out” written on his face I could grasp his composure.

“Then, could you bring out the documents regarding the financial state of affairs from past ten years?”

“Certainly. I will send for them to the library, so please wait a while”

Saying so, Wedge-sama rang a bell calling for a servant, and talked with him about something.

The elderly servant looked here for an instant, but without saying anything nodded and left the room.

“While you are waiting, how about some sweets?”

“Tha, thank――”

“We are fine. We have not come here to have fun”

Blocking Lily-sama who seemed to look forward to them, Claire-sama flatly refused.

This seems to have repeated many times, is it okay, as a cardinal.

“Fufu, do not say that. Recently, a competitor to Blume sprang up. It’s a store called Frater, they make excellent sweets. The main store is in Appalachia, but recently a branch store was established in the Royal Capital”

“I do not believe they can win against Blume”

“Please ascertain whether it’s true or not with your own tongue, Claire-sama. It’s not at all inferior to Blume, it’s something the maids around here could never make”

Soon after Wedge-sama said so, maids came in carrying trays with ramekins and teapots.

“This is Frater’s most popular item, crème brûlée. I believe there aren’t many who have eaten it within the kingdom yet”

Wedge-sama said proudly, but――.

“I have eaten crème brûlée before. This person can make it”

Having rapidly lost interest, as she said that Claire-sama pointed at me with her eyes.

“What was it?… N, no, Frater’s sweets are clearly different from an amateur’s work. I would like you to eat it by all means”

For Wedge-sama Frater’s crème brûlée must be the crux of socializing.

I’m sure he never expected the other party’s servant could make it.

He was visibly dismayed, still he recovered with shamelessness peculiar to nobles, and once again urged her to eat.

Not that I care, but from a while ago I’ve been receiving insults now and then.

Perhaps it’s only Wedge-sama who hasn’t noticed that each time Claire-sama’s mood plummeted.

“Well, if you insist, I shall try it”

Holding a spoon, Claire-sama looked at me for an instant.

I nodded.

We’ve arranged in advance I’d apply detoxification magic to every meal we’re served during the investigation.

When I indicated that I finished using magic, Claire-sama finally put the crème brûlée into her mouth.

“Well… It is not bad”

“It, it’s very delicious!”

Claire-sama was restrained in her evaluation, but it seems Lily-sama received it quite favorably.

Lily-sama’s face reveals her amazement and honest praise.

Perhaps judging the outcome as positive, Wedge-sama began talking.

“It’s delicious! I was also surprised when I discovered it. Before, my wife and so on were into Blume, but nowadays they are completely charmed by Frater. Blume’s sweets are extremely expensive, but Frater’s prices are very fair――”

“But, after all it is no match for what this person makes”

“!?”

But, when Claire-sama declared that without much interest, Wedge-sama, who until now had been talking pleasantly, had his complexion change.

“Tha, that shouldn…!”

“Re, Rei-san can make something more delicious than this…?”

“Yeah. Rei, sample it a little”

Saying so, Claire-sama scooped out a mouthful of the crème brûlée and brought it to my mouth.

“It’s an indirect kiss, is it fine?”

“Wha, what is with that shameless word!? It is fine, so sample it”

“Yes”

I tasted it without reservation.

I greedily licked the spoon all over.

No, it’s for tasting, okay?

If I say so, it is so.

“Hmm… I wonder if they scrimped on fresh cream. I feel the ratio of milk is a little too high”

“Wha――!?”

“Also, the processing of caramel on the surface is insufficient. Perhaps the recipe is perfect, but the craftsmen’s skills haven’t caught up”

“You, you bastard! Do you understand what you are spouting!”

“Baron Thompson, I apologize for my servant’s rudeness, however I also agree”

“Ah, no! By no means did I want to criticize Claire-sama――”

At Claire-sama’s calm voice, Wedge-sama in panic raised a coaxing voice, but he was glared at with irritated eyes.

Noo, how scary.

But, I’m glad.

I know this crème brûlée recipe.

Frater, huh… It’s a nice name.

While I was thinking such things, the door was knocked on, and the elderly servant from some time ago came in.

In his hand was a bundle of documents.

“Then, please show them to us”

The sweets were tidied up and we received the bundle of documents.

I started off with roughly looking at the ledgers to grasp the complete picture.

“Claire-sama, it is troubling. Even if Claire-sama has been appointed a special official, a mere servant looking through the financial documents of this house is”

The moment I opened a ledger a complaint came from Wedge-sama.

Howver――.

“This person is also a special official. Have you not heard there are three special officials?”

“!? Thi, this person is!?”

Wedge-sama’s eyes darted about.

“Is there any other problem?”

“N, no. Excuse me”

“Anyway, for that reason there is no need to worry unnecessarily. Rei, begin”

“Yes”

With the feeling that Claire-sama relies on me, I started working on the ledgers.