Let's Train Heroine

Lucan and Maris returned to the hotel after their day of adventures. The lobby was warmly lit, its grandeur reflecting the luxurious comfort that awaited them. The chandeliers cast a golden glow, creating a cozy yet opulent atmosphere that perfectly complemented their evening.

"Wow, what a feast! Lucan-sama!" Maris exclaimed, her eyes widening as they entered the hotel's spacious restaurant.

"Yes, it's impressive," Lucan agreed, his gaze sweeping over the various tables laden with food.

The restaurant was bustling with activity, the aroma of different cuisines filling the air. The buffet was arranged in a grand layout, with tables overflowing with a wide array of dishes—each more mouthwatering than the last.

There were various stations set up, each offering a different culinary experience, from Japanese sushi and tempura, to Western steaks and pasta, to Chinese dim sum and stir-fries. The sight was almost overwhelming, even for someone like Lucan who was used to such luxuries.

A young boy, possibly an attendant, stood at the entrance, greeting each guest with a polite smile. "Welcome. May I see your tickets?" he asked as they approached.

"Of course," Lucan replied, handing over their tickets.

The boy's eyes lit up in recognition as he glanced at the tickets. "Lucan-sama and Maris-sama, we've been expecting you. Please, allow me to show you to your seats."

They were led to a table by the window.

"If it were daytime, we would have seen the sea view more clearly," Lucan mused, gazing out at the horizon where the sea met the sky.

"I'm looking forward to tomorrow morning," Maris replied, her voice tinged with excitement. She turned her attention back to the restaurant, her eyes scanning the room. "By the way, this restaurant doesn't seem to have a menu. What should we do?"

"Oh, this is a buffet," Lucan explained with a smile.

"Buffet?" Maris tilted her head in confusion, her brow furrowed as she tried to make sense of the unfamiliar term.

Lucan chuckled softly at her innocent bewilderment. "Yes, it means you can take as much as you like from the dishes over there and eat as much as you want."

"Eh…?" Maris's eyes widened in disbelief as she alternated her gaze between the food and their table. "You mean, eat as much as I want? That can't be true, right? There's no way something that convenient exists."

Lucan couldn't help but smile at her reaction, a fond memory surfacing from his past life. He remembered the first time he had taken his younger sister to a buffet; she had been just as incredulous and excited as Maris was now. "Don't worry," he reassured her. "You're being charged a higher fee for the privilege of eating as much as you want."

"I see…" Maris said slowly, nodding as she absorbed this new information. "So, if I don't eat a lot, I'm losing out, right?"

"Yes, more or less," Lucan agreed, amused by the determination that suddenly lit up Maris's face.

"Understood… Then I'll eat a lot!" Maris declared, clenching her fists as if preparing for a battle. Her seriousness was both endearing and a little comical, considering her status as a saint and a duchess, someone who was more accustomed to elaborate banquets than all-you-can-eat buffets.

Lucan couldn't help but laugh softly. "Let's start by getting some salad and water," he suggested, trying to ease her into the experience.

"Yes!" Maris replied, her enthusiasm undiminished.

They approached the buffet, and Lucan took a moment to explain the art of navigating such an array of food. "Now, Maris, the key to a successful buffet is to avoid loading up on similar types of dishes. If you simply pick your favorite dishes without thought, you might end up with just carbohydrates or have a plate with soup and curry all mixed together."

Maris listened intently, nodding as she took in his advice. "I see… So it's important to plan carefully."

"Exactly," Lucan said. "It's best to survey the entire buffet without a plate first, then make a plan before selecting your dishes. And don't forget about dessert. You need to leave space for it after your meal."

Maris's eyes sparkled with understanding. "I'll be sure to leave some room for dessert!"

Lucan continued, "Of course, choosing drinks is also important. Picking a rich orange juice early on might fill you up with its acidity. Water or tea is recommended, and you can save tea or coffee for after the meal."

"Got it," Maris said with a serious nod.

They began their buffet adventure by selecting some salad and water. Lucan was meticulous in his choices, taking care to balance his plate with a variety of vegetables, avoiding anything too heavy right away. Maris, on the other hand, seemed more eager and quickly piled her plate high with an assortment of dishes.

When Lucan returned to their table, he was met with a surprising sight. Maris was already seated, her plate overflowing with food. A small, stuffed toy had been placed beside her, almost as if it were guarding her spot. The toy was holding three glasses of juice—apple, orange, and grape—its tiny arms stretched out as if struggling under the weight.

"Maris…" Lucan began, his voice trailing off as he took in the sheer amount of food she had managed to accumulate in such a short time.

"Lucan-sama, is it really free to take this much?" Maris asked, her eyes wide with both curiosity and concern.

"Yes, the cost is covered," Lucan replied, still slightly in disbelief at the sight before him. "Wait, is that a lot?!"

Maris blinked innocently up at him. "Oh, it's fine. I'll eat plenty."

Lucan couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm. Despite her usual refined demeanor, there was something utterly charming about seeing Maris so excited over a simple buffet. She began to eat, her delicate hands skillfully wielding the knife and fork as she steadily worked her way through the mound of food.

"If there's something you want to eat, you can take it from here. I'll start eating now."

Maris began to eat, steadily reducing the mound of food on her plate.

Lucan, meanwhile, watched her with a mix of amusement and admiration. He had almost forgotten that Maris had a surprisingly hearty appetite, especially when it came to trying new foods. Despite her slim figure and delicate appearance, she never left anything uneaten. Lucan had never seen her leave food behind.

After few minutes, Maris was already halfway through her plate, her eyes shining with contentment as she savored each bite. "This is delicious, Lucan-sama! You have to try this!" she said, holding out a forkful of food towards him.

Lucan smiled and leaned forward, accepting the offered bite. The flavors were rich and well-balanced, a testament to the quality of the food at the hotel. "You're right, it's excellent," he agreed, savoring the taste.

They continued to eat, the conversation flowing easily between them as they sampled the various dishes. Maris's enthusiasm was infectious, and Lucan found himself enjoying the meal even more because of her delight.

After they had both had their fill of the savory dishes, it was time for dessert. Maris's eyes sparkled with anticipation as they approached the dessert table, which was laden with an array of cakes, pastries, and puddings. There were delicate fruit tarts, rich chocolate cakes, creamy cheesecakes, and even a fondue fountain, complete with an assortment of fruits and marshmallows for dipping.

Maris carefully selected a few items, her expression one of deep concentration as she weighed her options. Lucan, meanwhile, opted for a small slice of chocolate cake and a cup of coffee, deciding to keep it simple.

As they returned to their table with their desserts, Maris's eyes lit up with excitement. "I've never seen such a variety of desserts all in one place," she said, her voice filled with awe.

"That's the beauty of a buffet," Lucan replied with a smile. "You can try a little bit of everything."

They spent the next few minutes enjoying their desserts, the conversation momentarily falling into a comfortable silence as they savored the sweet treats. Maris's face was a picture of bliss as she tasted each dessert, her eyes closing in delight with each bite.

By the time they had finished, both of them were thoroughly satisfied. Lucan leaned back in his chair, a contented smile on his face as he watched Maris take the last bite of her dessert. "I think that was the perfect way to end the day," he said.

Maris nodded in agreement, her expression one of contentment. "I couldn't agree more. Thank you for bringing me here, Lucan-sama."

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