At Reinbardt's signal, the service door connecting to the preparation building opened, and maids pushing service trolleys appeared.

  The outfits those maids wore also captured guests' gazes.

  Simple black dresses topped with white aprons.

  White cuffs on sleeves, and atop heads a strange headpiece that could be taken as either cap or hood.

  Since Antero had ears atop their heads, no custom of wearing hats existed, so hats themselves were unusual.

  "Regis seems quite fond of black."

  "But what are those outfits..."

  At the maids' figures wearing previously nonexistent style dresses in Felideria, the ladies' eyes sparkled with curiosity.

  Tusita didn't yet have the concept of maid uniforms. Usually wearing work-friendly clothes, so often wearing pants rather than skirts. Especially for kitchen work and such, when fluttery clothing would be obstructive.

  However, on event days like parties, the noble house custom was to dress them in somewhat pretty, immediately recognizable as serving servants, with some uniformity. Hearing that Tusita's society judged the master's preferences by what servants wore at parties, what Celeste first recalled—rather, his only choice—was this Victorian maid dress.

  'Mm mm. As expected, maid outfits must be Victorian maids.

  French maids exposing legs or moe maids—such heresy is unforgivable!'

  Celeste was working hard to keep his face from loosening to act the 'noble house head's dignity' drilled in by Lady Biala, but inside was shouting thus.

  Not cosplay maids and such improper things, but real maids clad in Victorian maid dresses. Before his eyes.

  ...Moreover, beastmen ones.

  'How about that, Earth's gentlemen! Jealous? Frustrated? Kuhahaha!'

  ...Thinking things that would get his head rather than back struck by Lady Biala's fan if she heard, Reinbardt sent Celeste the deployment complete hand signal.

  "Now, everyone.

  Though humble, we've prepared party food with somewhat unusual design for tonight.

  I hope it suits your palates, and would be most grateful if you enjoy it."

  Using Celeste's greeting's end as signal, the maids simultaneously lifted the cloches atop the trolleys.

  That instant, time stopped in the hall.

  ...Though an exaggeration, it felt to guests like time had stopped.

  Even before lifting the cloches, they'd noticed the fragrant smell wafting from the gaps, but considering the location, they'd 'pretended' not to notice the smell.

  But the moment the cloches lifted and the smell rushed in all at once, revealing the identity, guests' eyes were captured by those contents.

  There were bite-sized, unfamiliar foods.

  Cute construction appearing like some kind of crafted item, but this violent smell made them understand it was nothing but food.

  GULP.

  Someone swallowed saliva audibly.

  Or maybe they just thought so.

  Even if heard, perhaps from tension, or else...

  Just then.

  CLANK, CLANK, CLANK.

  "His Majesty the King, and Her Majesty the Queen, arriving!"

  The chamberlain's staff striking the floor echoed, and the call announcing the royal couple's arrival rang out.

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  Guests who'd been distracted by the mysterious party food came to themselves with a start, and while bowing toward the royal couple, Celeste who'd somehow moved near the entrance and mistress proxy Lady Biala welcomed them while bowing.

  "May Your Majesty be in good spirits."

  "Greetings are unnecessary. Aren't we close?

  Looking at things, we're not late?"

  Seeing King Rashion's nose twitching and tail tip pattering minutely, understanding clearly the King too looked forward to today's party food, Celeste nearly laughed but deliberately answered with solemn gesture.

  "Of course.

  Just now we were presenting today's design before everyone.

  If Your Majesty partakes before anyone else, it would be our house's honor unto future generations."

  Hearing that answer, the King's pupils narrowed.

  'This guy's delighted hearing he can eat first before anyone?

  Really, such a glutton since previous life.'

  While guests opened a path for the royal couple proceeding straight to the trolley with faint smiles, following with their eyes behind.

  Was that something even the King looked forward to, or no, did His Majesty know of it?

  While expectation and questions heightened, the royal couple stopped before a certain trolley.

  "Indeed, special design."

  "Shall we prepare tableware?"

  "No, this is fine."

  While saying this, what the King took in hand was a palm-sized plate bearing a small tart.

  That tart's ingredients were peculiar.

  What looked like dried fish sat atop the pie, topped with light brown viscous sauce.

  Though dried, the fish was in whole form so one could tell what fish shape it was, but at least no one in this Tusita world had seen it.

  Yet for Felinoid nobles, that dried thing's fatty smell was impossible to look away from.

  Combined with the sauce poured atop, as if saying they absolutely wouldn't let it escape...

  "Truly a long time... this smell."

  "Do you remember?"

  "Nostalgic days of yore.

  How could I forget?"

  '...Your unforgettable memories are only food!'

  While again retorting only internally, Celeste asked respectfully:

  "Won't you have it tested for poison?"

  "No fool would poison their own party."

  Answering thus, the King without hesitation lifted the small pie bearing dried fish from the plate, brought it to his mouth, and bit.

  CRUNCH.

  The sound of biting fish, or biting pie?

  The light crunching sound and fatty smell emanating from the bitten fish resonated through the hall, stimulating guests'—especially Felinoids'—appetite.

  Watching the King savoring that taste with closed eyes, guests—nobles—watched while swallowing hard. What was that food making the King go that far?

  And,

  'What does it taste like?'

  Though not voicing it, everyone thought the same.

  "Ah, nostalgic taste.

  Never thought I'd meet this taste again.

  So, Regis Celeste?"

  "Yes."

  "This fish, what is it called?"

  All Felinoid ears perked up.

  "Ah, that is...

  Called 'shishamo,' a fish from Earth.

  In preparation for this party, wanting to entertain Felinoid guests, I prepared it.

  Did it suit Your Majesty's palate?"

  Into their conversation, Queen Isha also interjected.

  "My... I remember this fish too.

  Long ago, rather in previous life... truly loved it.

  Because of a certain someone, Regis... Father criticized it as fattening."

  Watching the Queen cutely glare at the King while smiling, Celeste—Amashiro—recalled for the first time in a while that he hadn't given much to the others because of Rashion.

  'Since Rashion isn't on Earth anymore, maybe give them some occasionally?'

  "More importantly, Your Majesty? Either move to other food, or else converse.

  If Your Majesty stays here too long, everyone will wait impatiently for turns."

  Looking like he'd never leave the trolley if left alone, Queen Isha urged King Rashion to move while saying this.

  Probably among nobles, some were shouting 'Long live Her Majesty!' internally.

  "Ah, right.

  Everyone, my apologies. Enjoy fully.

  ...Wait, what's that?"

  Despite the Queen's point, eyes immediately going to another trolley—the glutton king, eldest son cat—smiling wryly, Celeste decided to throw a lifeline.

  "Your Majesty. We've prepared a special seat, so please partake there.

  Otherwise the hospitality will be ruined."

  While guiding to a table pre-prepared at a second-floor spot with good view, instructing to bring out the separately prepared King-exclusive trolley, Celeste didn't forget to add to surrounding guests:

  "Now, everyone.

  His Majesty has partaken. How about a taste?"

  Simultaneously with the royal couple moving, as if they'd been waiting, yet suppressing the urge to rush, slowly so others wouldn't notice, guests gradually swarmed around the trolleys.

  That said, naturally higher-ranked nobles' turns came first. In other cases, lower-status people might be silently required to try first in poison-tester-like acts, but in this case, His Majesty himself had partaken first. No reason high nobles would mind going first.

  And what was on trolleys—besides the earlier shishamo tart, or rather canapés using tart dough, various types were prepared matching races, but as expected Antero olfaction worked favorably, easily finding trolleys suiting their own races.

  "...! What is this fish's fattiness and rich aroma...

  No, rather what is this sauce?"

  A Felinoid noble surprised after tasting shishamo canapé.

  "What! Jerky yet not hard?

  Moreover, what's this gooey thing...?"

  A Canisade noble rejoicing at jerky topped with wan-chu~ru.

  "Oh... ohhh... ohhhhh..."

  An Ursort noble holding canapé topped with honey and cheese, unable to say anything, nearly in tears.

  The hall was enveloped in an eerie dazed state.

  Of course, normally topped with fruits, cream, nuts were also prepared—provisions for other races were perfect too.

  Overlooking this from the second floor, the King, Queen, and Celeste held a meeting proceeding to the next stage.

  "The demonstration should suffice with this."

  "Indeed. With this many nobles gathered.

  Rumors will spread quickly.

  Right, Your Majesty?"

  "...Mm?"

  Apparently, only Celeste and the Queen were having serious talk—the King's eyes were only for canapés.

  "...Sigh, this won't do."

  "That guy will get fat again at that rate.

  Thoroughly discipline him, Isha."

  "Understood, Father."

  "N-no, that's the thing ahhh!"