第１５０５堀：健啖家の奴隷さん (Part1)
Chapter 1505: The Gluttonous Slave
Side: Lyushi
Wow.
I suspect everyone present shared that exact same sentiment.
After all, every single gaze in the room had converged on the same spot.
Yet, in the midst of that startling scene, it was our very own Yuki-sama who made the first move.
"Ah, uh. Feel free to eat your fill."
No, wait—even Yuki-sama seemed a little rattled.
Well, I suppose that’s fair.
It’s not every day you see a tray piled that high, and while it’s true that one can always go back for seconds, it’s rare to see someone go all-in from the start.
That said, it’s not as if it’s unheard of.
After all, the people from the non-aligned nations that Yuki-sama and the others were discussing earlier are currently devouring the exquisite cuisine, piling their plates as high as they possibly can.
The chefs are doing a marvelous job keeping up with the demand, which is impressive in its own right.
But I never expected the princess we bought as a slave to be in such a state.
"Well then, let’s sit over here."
"Yes. Canaria, come over here as well."
"Excuse me."
Ria-sama and Dressa-sama didn't seem to find anything particularly strange about it, remaining composed, while Canaria-san replied in a flat, emotionless tone, showing no surprise at her own situation.
I had thought she was like a doll, but the mountain of food before her seemed to protest that assessment.
Then came the sounds of trays being set down...
*Thump. Clatter. Thud.*
The difference in those sounds made me wonder just how much she had taken.
Yet, no one dared ask her why.
Because Canaria-san is a former princess turned slave.
Nobody knew quite how to address her.
That is precisely why Ria-sama and Dressa-sama were assigned as her exclusive attendants.
Both of them seemed to have their own thoughts regarding Canaria-san, and they were the ones who volunteered for the role, but...
"Alright, let’s eat."
"Now, Canaria. Like this, put your hands together."
"Like... this?"
"That’s it. Here we go. Itadakimasu."
"Itadakimasu."
"I... tadakimasu?"
Oh, I caught a flicker of hesitation there.
But that hesitation is something I recognize.
The greeting "Itadakimasu" is unique to Weed.
Usually, people offer prayers to the gods who provided the sustenance, but this "Itadakimasu" is a phrase imbued with respect and gratitude toward the lives that became our food, the producers who hunted or harvested it, the people who cooked it, and finally, the people who provide this environment for us.
Of course, it includes the gods as well, making it a phrase with incredibly broad meaning, which is exactly why it’s so easy to use.
There’s the old saying that long prayers just let the food get cold, so if you can pack so much gratitude into such a short phrase, there’s nothing better.
Lilishe-sama, Hairen-sama, Senal-sama, and Hifie-sama all agree it’s a wonderful phrase and use it themselves, so I think it’s a good thing.
But, putting that aside, Canaria-san finished her greeting and immediately reached for her mountain of a tray, beginning her meal.
She started eating with a vigor that made you think, *Is this really a former princess?*
"..."
And in the face of that, no one could say a word.
Just as I was thinking that, Yuki-sama seemed to be the first to regain his composure and spoke up.
"It seems you have quite the appetite. You’ve spent your first night here—how was the hotel?"
Yuki-sama didn't dwell on the amount of food before her, and when he asked his question, Canaria-san stopped her hand and wiped her mouth.
"Yes. Yuki-sama, and Seraria-sama, the environment at the hotel is excellent. I have no words to express my gratitude."
"I’m glad to hear that. I know you’ve only just arrived and aren't used to things yet, but you’ll be staying at the hotel for a few more days. If there is anything you find inconvenient, please tell Ria or Dressa."
"Thank you. However... ah, may I ask a question now?"
"I don't mind, but why not start by eating what’s in front of you? You seemed to be looking forward to it."
"Yes. As was the case last night, the food in Weed and the allied nations is truly delicious, and I apologize for the delay in my greetings."
Ah, so the reason she sat down without greeting them was because she was so focused on the food.
It wasn't that she had lost all emotion due to the shock of becoming a slave?
Hmm, I’m not sure.
Canaria-san’s expression remained unchanged. She was simply stating facts.
Orelia-san and the others shared my impression that she was doll-like.
"Don't worry about the greetings. I’m just glad you like the food. We haven't had much contact with the non-aligned nations, so we haven't researched their food culture much. *Nom.*"
"First, eat well, rest well, and I hope you’ll become friends with those two. *Chomp.*"
Ah, how should I put this—they’re either big-hearted, rude, or perhaps just leading by example.
Even from my perspective, I think eating while talking is a bit much, Yuki-sama, Seraria-sama.
"You might be concerned about manners, but we have different rules here. This is a place to enjoy a meal while having a pleasant conversation. Everyone else is doing the same, aren't they? *Munch.*"
"Exactly. You can't have a stiff, serious discussion over breakfast right after waking up. *Nom.*"
"I see. Then, if you’ll excuse me. *Chomp, chomp...*"
"..."
I don't know why, but I started to feel like Canaria-san, who had just started eating normally, was actually quite amazing.
"Ahem. Our food will get cold, too. Let’s eat."
"Y-yes, you’re right."
At Prof-san’s words, we finally resumed our own meals.
The food had cooled down a bit and lost some of its flavor, so I went back for seconds and ate them immediately.
It was delicious.
And so, the surprising breakfast continued, and once we had finished eating and settled our stomachs, we moved on to a relaxed tea time, accompanied by coffee and other drinks.
"...Um, I wonder if everyone else is alright?"
By "everyone else," I didn't mean us Weed members, but the dignitaries from various countries who had come to this morning buffet.
It seemed that those who had been eating just like Canaria-san had finally reached their limits and were now slumped over.
Oh, that person is still reaching for the bread left on their tray even now.
Do they really want to eat that badly?
"Lyushi, don't worry about them. We have a group of highly capable, beautiful married doctors on our side, after all."
As Yuki-sama said that, a group dressed in white coats entered from the buffet entrance.
It was a sight I was quite familiar with.
"Ah, it’s Rurua-sama and the others."
Yes, the group of doctors led by Rurua-sama.
Until a little while ago, I had been among them, working as a nurse-in-training.