As the Villainess Who Was Dumped, I Am Saved by My Childhood Friend from a Noble Family and Spoiled in the Frontier - Chapter 9

“So this is a croquette!”

We had ordered potato croquettes at a modest restaurant near the government office.

Lord Franz, despite being a feudal lord, wasn’t particularly ostentatious.

Today’s lunch was just bread, croquettes, salad, and soup too.

While other great noble heads all eat lavish course meals, what a striking difference.

“Yes, our region’s croquettes are made by mixing steamed potatoes with chopped onions and meat, coating them in batter, and deep-frying them. In the eastern countries, they’re also called ‘korokke.’ I tried making them after being influenced by that. Our territory’s batter uses millet too. It has a gentle flavor and is served piping hot. Try taking a bite. You’ll get addicted.”

“Well then, I’ll have some.”

I cut the croquette into bite-sized pieces with a knife. From within the crispy crust, pure white potato reveals itself.

It’s truly freshly fried. White steam is rising from inside.

When I put it in my mouth, the fragrant crust and fluffy potato’s umami spread through my mouth. The sweetness of onions and savoriness of meat give the croquette’s flavor even more depth.

“It’s very delicious.”

“I’m glad. Everything was harvested in our territory. It’s even more delicious if you try it with tomato ketchup.”

“Ketchup?”

“It’s a sauce made using a vegetable called tomato that originates from the eastern continent. I’m sure you’ll like it.”

I cautiously dip the croquette into the red condiment in the small dish. As expected of a town near the border. There are so many things I don’t know.

A rich sauce where acidity and vegetable sweetness coexist. It pairs wonderfully with the croquette.

“It’s amazing.”

“I’m glad. This town is a transportation hub, you see. There are many unusual foods here. I wanted to let Nina try various things too.”

“If I’d stayed in the imperial capital, I never would have known such delicious things existed. There are so many things in the world that I don’t know about.”

Since coming here, my world has truly expanded.

Looking around, young men and women are enjoying lunch. If I hadn’t been born a noble, might I have been dating a gentleman like this too?

No, perhaps this itself might be a date.

If not for my engagement to the crown prince, perhaps he might have been my fiancé.

Because, wouldn’t that make sense? Given our family backgrounds and our parents’ relationship, we’re perfectly matched.

But I would only be a burden to him, with his promising future.

So…

At least in the world of fantasy, I want to immerse myself in happiness.

You’ll allow me that much, won’t you, God?

“I want to teach you all kinds of things, Nina. You’ve endured a lot until now, haven’t you? While you’re here, I want you to live as just a regular girl!”

What woman could help but fall for someone who cares for me so gently like that?

Savoring my happy feelings, I put another croquette in my mouth.