Even if I said I had a mansion, it was actually my aunt’s. When I got home, I looked at the invitations piled up on my desk.

They were invitations to tea parties and other social events from aristocrats who wanted to make connections with me, a duchess.

“With how laidback they’re acting, I almost can’t believe that the war just ended.”

Actually, most of the nobles were laidback even during the war, especially those with territories far away from both the royal capital and Elda. The war must’ve been surreal to them, like watching a stage play.

For that reason, they wanted to hear firsthand from me, someone who went to war at an early age and became a national hero before I knew it.

A ‘hero.’ A title built of the sacrifices of my many comrades. It was a title earned by killing hundreds or thousands of people. A title bore by someone bathed in the blood of their victims, undeserving of any praises—

—And they didn’t even know.

I’m sick of their ignorance.

A lavishly-decorated invitation from the princess was at the top of the pile.

She was the innocent, older girl who spoke to me as I was about to depart. At that time, she acted as if we were friends. No, maybe it wasn’t even an act, but something that she earnestly believed.

Before I went to the battlefield, she mocked me, a person about to die.

“—That’s right! I’m about to attend a tea party with some of my friends! Would you like to join us? It’s my parting gift for you before you depart.”

At that time, my urge to kill someone had never been higher.

To think that there existed those who’d celebrate when their fellow countrymen were risking their lives due to the selfishness of the country…

I didn’t reply to any of the invitations and sent them straight to trash.

I had a lot to do. I didn’t have time to play.

First, I opened a store in the royal capital. I sold bread in various shapes and with fruits that weren’t found in this country. I also sold a few types of fruit juice.

The breads in Paides were all round, and none of them were flavored. However, in the hometown of a mercenary I came across on the battlefield, on top of coming in multiple shapes, their bread was also filled with fruits and fresh creams.

Until I met him, I only knew how to spread butter on bread, so I thought it was very innovative.

When I asked said mercenary about his hometown, he looked very forlorn, and said that it was far away and that he’d never return. Perhaps, he had been exiled from his country. I couldn’t bring myself to ask any further because of how sad he looked. Nevertheless, I heard a lot of stories about the food from his hometown.

Fruit juice was one of them. I’d always thought that fruit were meant to be eaten as they were, so I never thought of squeezing them. I followed his instructions and was satisfied with the results. Moreover, the colors varied based on the fruit used, providing an aesthetical pleasure. To prevent imitation, I added my own touch to the recipe which would serve as the highlight.

Before the store opened, I asked my aunt to spread word about it among the social circles, and to give samples at tea parties.

Aristocrats were quick to devour anything new. Thanks to that, the store prospered as soon as it opened.

After I went to the battlefield, I came across many people, and in return, I gathered some knowledge. For the first time, I thought that it wasn’t a waste.

For the first time, I felt somewhat proud of myself.

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***T/N: I wonder what you guys think about her frustration towards the princess. Is it justified? Should she be the bigger person and see that it isn’t the princess’ fault instead?

Please also consider donating to my ko-fi! It’ll greatly support me in action, no matter the amount!
https://ko-fi.com/antoinettevanessa

Have a Japanese story or the likes (Drama CD, etc.) you’d like to read? Want it to be translated? I’m open for commission!
https://www.fiverr.com/s2/aaab08c14d

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