TSBSFVW 33

Chapter 33
Seven Breads. Things Escalate in an Instant (2)

Ellie opened the bag and let out a cheer.

All her worries about the future instantly melted away.

“Exactly! This is it!”

“What on earth did you need this for?”

“There are so many ways to use it! Don’t complain until you’ve tasted it later.”

The bag Maurice handed over was filled to the brim with glossy chestnuts.

The shells were smooth and firm. Without hesitation, Ellie picked one up and popped it into her mouth.

“You’re eating it with the shell?!”

Maurice lunged forward, startled, but it was too late. Ellie was already chewing calmly.

The shell was on the thinner side, and though it wasn’t particularly sweet, it was perfectly usable. The taste was close to what she remembered.

What should I make with this!

Candied chestnuts, chestnut bread, or roasted chestnuts over fire—all sounded delicious. Her fingers itched to get started.

Maurice muttered in a weary tone,

“It’s just a tree nut. What’s so tasty about it.”

“You’ve never eaten it?”

“I did, when I was a kid.”

Maurice leaned on his chin and gave a short laugh.

“Why not after you grew up?”

“It doesn’t fill you up.”

That stomach of his.

As if it were the size of a peanut, yet he was always fussing about it. Ellie wrinkled her nose with a touch of sarcasm.

In this world, where battles with monsters, wars between nations, knights, and mercenaries were common, people were constantly using up their strength.

Naturally, meat—filling and easy to obtain—became the favored food, and the culture grew around it.

Salads or fruits were eaten merely to cleanse the palate from the heaviness.

But there are so many varieties of fruit…

It wasn’t that people here disliked sweetness.

They enjoyed honey-coated nuts or sugar-preserved flowers.

But sugar and honey were expensive. Desserts purely for sweetness were a luxury only nobles could afford. Commoners made do with sweet-and-sour fruits, and dried fruits, astonishingly sweet, were a treat.

Chestnuts—round and glossy—were also sought-after.

But because they were troublesome to prepare and not overly sweet, they were dismissed as snacks children might pick up while playing.

It was a shame that such an abundant ingredient had been so underused.

Perhaps it was because food wasn’t scarce enough to force people to innovate.

“And also, this.”

“Gasp…”

Ellie clapped both hands over her mouth. Maurice paused mid-motion as he pulled out a jar, staring at her.

That reaction is completely different from when I gave her the earrings.

He slowly, deliberately placed the jar on the table, and Ellie shot daggers at him with her eyes. Before she could actually hit him, he obediently set it down.

It was a jar of black olives. Ellie nearly screamed.

“This is insane…”

“How did you even know to ask me for this?”

“I read it in a book! Looking through botanical encyclopedias is my hobby!”

Ellie hugged the jar of olives tightly, smiling in bliss. Oh, how beautiful! She even wanted to kiss it but restrained herself because she was being watched.

The Kingdom of Rosso, where Ellie was born, sat at the western edge of the central continent.

Although there was a small strip of coastline in the far northwest, the country was almost entirely landlocked. Winters were long, summers short, and the climate cool year-round.

The warm coastal regions were only found in the southern empire.

Olive trees, which required a mild climate, couldn’t grow in Rosso. And since it took 10–15 years for the trees to bear fruit, olives were only available through trade.

Fortunately, Maurice was a merchant and caravan master.

“It’s common where I come from, but here in Rosso there’s hardly any demand. Only olive oil sells a little. And you say you read about it in a botanical book?”

“I love olives…”

“Where have you even tasted them before?”

“Let’s just… skip over that part.”

“Hmm.”

Maurice narrowed his eyes at her.

“Why do you care where or how I tried it?”

“Because I’m interested in you. We’re partners now, after all.”

“Oh, in me? Is that so…”

Ellie’s mind, meanwhile, was spinning happily with ideas of what to make with olives.

“You don’t believe me? That hurts, you know.”

Yeah right, like you’re hurt. Ellie spoke coolly.

“Maurice, I don’t brush it off because I think someone like me isn’t worth liking.”

A crooked smile crept over her lips.

The same went for Van and Edmund. The reason she firmly believed none of them could truly like her wasn’t because she looked down on herself—it was because she knew their “roles.”

What’s so wrong with me, anyway?

She had no debts anymore, she ran a thriving shop.

Sure, she was a bit plump, but nothing off-putting. She was of sound character, had decent morals, and above all, she had the skills to survive anywhere without starving.

Maurice, Van, Edmund—all handsome, wealthy men in impressive positions. But that didn’t necessarily make them attractive to her.

To Ellie, Van and Edmund were like chirping little brothers, sons, or at best, pets—a dog and a cat. Boys temporarily under her care until they found their real homes.

Maurice… she couldn’t quite read him. But as a business partner, he was reliable.

As long as she didn’t mistake his occasional kindness for something more, he wasn’t a bad person.

And still—a moneylender. Ellie never forgot his essence.

“I’m just cutting you off first, in case you fall for me.”

“……”

“It’d be annoying if you clung when I have no intention of returning the feeling.”

Ellie gave a bright, radiant smile she’d never shown Maurice before.

Maurice blinked dumbly, as if struck.

It was a little satisfying.

“Every time you make those remarks, I want to punch you. So keep it in check, alright?”

After a pause, the corners of Maurice’s mouth twitched, then he burst out laughing.

“Ah, I’m not laughing because I’m belittling you or your words. Don’t get the wrong idea.”

“I won’t.”

She didn’t care enough to misunderstand. At this moment, Ellie’s heart belonged only to chestnuts and olives.

Once his laughter subsided, Maurice said as if realizing something,

“Wait, did I just get rejected? Even though I never confessed?”

“Yes. Quite the memorable occasion, isn’t it?”

“You’re harsh. You could at least pretend to consider it.”

“Nope.”

Ellie’s firm tone left no room for doubt. She meant it completely.

Letting his sulking wash over her, Ellie turned her thoughts back to recipes—and settled on one.

In the kitchen, Ellie’s face glowed with joy.

She hummed, a smile never leaving her lips.

She looked at the chestnuts as if they were treasure, and stroked the olives like a lover reunited after a thousand years. Her sparkling blue eyes said it all—her joy was genuine.

So that’s how she created so much… because she loves it this much.

Did Duke McClure ever know his daughter had such a gift?

Of course not. He never knew anything.

What Ellie endured was abuse.

When he first heard her story, it had sounded like the usual tragic tale. But thinking of it again now filled him with anger. No doubt Ellie had worked hard to mask her pain with the same calm face she wore even now.

Her desserts had received enthusiastic praise.

To simply call them “good” wasn’t enough—it bordered on frenzy.

Especially from the man with gray eyes who had said, “I’ll be looking forward to it.” He wasn’t known for his patience.

“Sorry to say this right after we signed the contract, Ellie, but tomorrow I’ve got an important reception. Come by the headquarters around 4 and prepare a set of desserts.”

“Can’t I just make them ahead and bring them? Lots of desserts taste better if made in advance.”

“He specifically said he wants to see you.”

Ellie gave Maurice a sharp look.

“Is he trustworthy?”

“A man who’s nothing but beneficial to have on your side.”

“…Fine. For now.”

Good thing she had prepared a maid’s outfit.

“Oh, right. Maurice, I almost forgot to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“Malina said she likes me.”