Unbreakable

"I wonder if we could soon go to the place I want to?"

I was asked by Freed as we left the general store.
From the start today he's been doing nothing but going with me to the places I wanted to. So of course I have no objection to accompanying him where he wants to go. I readily nodded.

"Okay. You've accompanied me plenty enough. It will be evening soon. And? Where are we going?"

Having received my consent, Freed changed direction and began walking.
I've heard from Freed there's a place he wants to go, but not where specifically.
I mostly have the town's geography in my head, so I meaninglessly searched my brain for the place that might have aroused Freed's interest. But, I can't really come up with one. Holding hands with him, with resignation I decided to obediently ask him.

"It's different from the general store just now, but see, it's another place where crazes originate. Because it's a fairly popular shop, I thought I'd better inspect it at least once. That's why we're going there"
"Hee? I'm generally familiar with this area, however I had no idea. Where?"

I should mostly have a grasp on the famous shops. When I innocently asked thinking so, on the other hand Freed asked me a question.

"Does Lidi know of curry rice that caused a huge craze about two years ago? It seems a restaurant in town presented an original recipe, and the dish's popularity appears to have made it a social phenomenon. I'm thinking of going there now"
"… Eh!!"

I could tell my expression froze the instant Freed brought up curry out of nowhere.
Cu, curry… Was it curry…? Did he say curry.
When I just barely made a sound and looked forward, without seeming to mind Freed continued the talk.

"It seems there are considerable queues there, so while it's a bit early I think we better head there now. Isn't it about the time to get hungry. Let's have a dinner there"
"N, no… I… I'm not that hungry, I guess"

I was so shaken my voice betrayed me.
I'm beyond suspicious. However, no matter how suspicious or strange I look, I have to avoid this crisis.
This is the biggest problem. While trying to stop my cheeks from twitching, I spoke to Freed.
I feel like my walking speed dropped somewhat.

"Cu, curry rice shop, huh. Mmhm, I know of it. Certainly, it's famous, isn't it. But I think there'll be a considerable queue at this time already? If we go there now we'll be late, since there are other recommended shops why don't we go there today?"
"Rather it's just right If you're aren't too hungry. When it's our time to order, you'll be able to eat deliciously"
"Eh eh…"

… It

"Sorry. Because today's objective is that shop, I can't change it. If Lidi wants to go somewhere else I can make another opportunity, so could you give up for today?"
"… I, I see… Then, it can't be helped…"
"Sorry"

I could tell my voice was trembling.
Impossible to change. Told that, I felt like cold water was poured all over my body.
―――― What do I do, what do I do, what do I do.
Certainly I am the owner of that curry shop! Also, actually I made the original recipe there! Tee hee, winking face with tongue, there's no way I can say that.
Even though it's a precious secret source of income kept hidden from my parents, if it's exposed here to Freed, I'm certain in the future I'll be summoned by Father and receive a scolding.

"What are you doing, you!! Don't I always tell you to have self-awareness and self-control as the Duke's daughter! And of all things to manage a restaurant in town!? Enough with your jokes! It's deplorable this is the future Queen. I can't show my face to His Highness! … It's so shameful I'm about to cry!"

… Inadvertently I imagined the contests of Father's bellows.
Woah, he'll absolutely say that. I'm fed up with just the reproduction of his lines, high quality one if I say so myself.
In this situation, even if he's told I was helping Thomas he won't listen.
Well, it's natural. It was my decision, so I should be the one scolded.
But I've been successfully hiding it for two years at great pains, it'd be disappointing if it got exposed here.
That place is an oasis for my soul.
While lamenting, I thought.
It doesn't matter whether it's exposed or I get scolded. I've been prepared for that for a long time.
But, at the very least I'd hate being told I can't go there anymore.
The reason I've been hiding it is I don't want to be told that no matter what.

"Lidi? What's the matter?"

While I was frantically racking my brains for what to do, ­­Freed peered into my face.
While reflexively feigning a smile, I shook my head that it's nothing.
There's no hesitation in his gait.
I understand we're taking the shortest path to the shop. I understand.
It's meaningless to take a roundabout way…
I had no choice but to walk with him while hanging my head.
I wonder if that's how a calf being sold feels.
In the end I couldn't take any measures. I saw the signboard of my shop 50 meters ahead. It's just before the evening opening hours. Already over 10 customers have lined up.
Feeling plenty satisfied by that, with a state of mind of impending judgement day I lined up at the end of the queue.
Like this it may be best to hang my head, and quickly eat and leave before I get exposed to the shop manager Lars or the employees. The shop will be crowded, they won't examine everybody's faces one by one. At least I don't.

… Hmm. Surprisingly it might work.
The counter seats are often used by regulars, I feel I can make it through without getting exposed if we sit on table seats away from the kitchen.
Having performed a simulation in my head I nodded. Yup, not bad.
Now that I've finally found hope I raised my face.
Since it's turned out like this I regret that I also didn't have Freed change the color of my hair, but I can't ask for it this late. No matter how I look at it, it'd be too suspicious.

"There's quite a queue"
"Yup, since it's a popular shop. But with this number of people, we might get in as soon as it opens"
"Has Lidi come to this shop?"

Freed's question made me swallow saliva. It's unwise to completely lie here. I have no idea where it would be exposed.
I spoke carefully.

"Of course. Since I've been to mostly every famous shop. I know this place ever since it opened"
"Hee? Is it delicious?"
"At least I like it. It may be harsh to those not good with spicy things. Because the spiciness is adjustable, you better say if you aren't good with spicy things, Freed"
"As long as it's not sweets I'm fine. As expected, you're well informed"
"I, I wonder about that"

When the smile I had twitched from pointlessly reading too much into what he said, a man emerged from the shop. Thinking it's dangerous I tried turning my face away, but being a moment too late our eyes perfectly met.
As I froze in horror, the man - the shop manager Lars came here with a curious expression. Flop flop, the sound of sandals reverberated, but being only able to hear them as the sounds of an execution drawing near I was about to cry.

"Huh? If it isn't Master. Why are you lining up like that? You could just come from the back as always"