FGFM 32🔐

Chapter 32

Five nobles sat around a round table that could accommodate five people.

“Now that everyone is seated, I will personally present the desserts I’ve prepared.”

When Fleur gave a short whistle she had around her neck, the waiting servants approached the table carrying trays filled with desserts.

There were three kinds of desserts in total.

Tiramisu made from beans, which she had also shown to Colin, a brownie made from bananas, and a lemon cake made by grinding lemon and tofu together and letting it set.

One serving of each dessert was placed on the tray and presented in front of each person.

Fleur busily moved her eyes around to observe their first reactions in detail.

“Oh my, it looks so pretty! A cake made in a lemon peel bowl!”
“The tiramisu in the cup is nice too. It doesn’t make a mess like it used to on my sleeves when I was clumsy.”

The meticulously plated desserts were already receiving positive reactions.

To keep up the momentum, Fleur added immediately:

“All of the desserts in front of you contain no flour at all. You can enjoy as many as you like without feeling burdened, so please indulge.”

At her explanation, the ladies’ eyes widened as they examined the desserts more closely.

“It looks like the other desserts, but no flour? I would never have guessed.”
“Exactly! I always held back because I was worried my dress would get tight if I ate too much. But now I can eat freely!”

It didn’t stop there.

The servants also laid out small sheets of parchment.

Inside the slender, bookmark-sized sheets were detailed lists of the ingredients.

“If anyone has allergies, please refer to the ingredient list.”

Thanks to the polite explanation, smiles spread across the nobles’ faces.

“Oh, I’m allergic to nuts, so I shouldn’t eat the brownie.”
“I have a reaction to beans, so I guess I’ll stick to the brownie. It’s nice to know in advance—I’ve gotten sick before by eating without realizing it.”

This attention to detail was part of Fleur’s confidence.

Showing the ingredients was almost like revealing the recipe itself, and she deliberately did so.

She wanted to show how sincerely she had made the desserts, while being confident that no one could make them better than her.

“See? I told you the reaction would be good.”

She whispered this only to Colin beside her.

He narrowed his eyes and met her gaze.

“The most important thing is the taste. Don’t let your guard down yet.”
“Hmph, I’m not letting my guard down either.”

Even in that brief moment, they bickered quietly while watching the next reactions.

Those checking the ingredient sheets scooped a bite of their chosen dessert with a spoon.

“Mm! I didn’t know beans could be this soft!”
“There’s no unpleasant smell either. I wouldn’t know it was beans if I didn’t see the ingredient list.”
“Is this really made from bananas? This is the best brownie I’ve had recently!”
“It’s a bit cold, but it goes perfectly with the tea served alongside.”
“How can I keep enjoying this dessert?”
“I want to buy some to take home. Is that possible?”

Some had already asked the servants how to purchase the desserts.

Fleur, thrilled by the unexpectedly positive response, twitched the corners of her mouth in delight and lightly touched Colin’s pinky, which was behind him with his hands clasped.

As she reached out, he quickly turned his head.

“That’s enough…!”

Even though she wanted to dance with joy, she restrained herself, speaking carefully because of the others around.

But the happiness on her face was obvious, and Colin smiled a little, following her lead.

“What if the host can’t hide their emotions?”
“It’s going exactly the way we hoped…”
“We’ll celebrate properly afterward. Just a little longer.”
“I know, but it’s such a relief that everyone seems to enjoy it. Let’s continue working well together, partner.”

Fleur clasped Colin’s hand tightly with both of hers.

Congratulations.
Your favorability increased without a quest.
Colin Martin’s current favorability: 5% → 9%
Currently, a 2x favorability event is active.

She suddenly remembered that there had been a quest notification on the status screen.

She had completely forgotten about it, being focused on the party.

To prevent anything from resetting, she had to succeed at two things at once.

Aidan and Dylan were one thing, but how could she increase the favorability of someone whose name she didn’t even know?

Biting her lower lip nervously, she was about to panic when a whisper reached her ear.

“…Still holding on?”

Startled, Fleur shrugged and turned toward the voice.

Colin had moved closer and was looking down at her.

“H-Huh? What did you say?”
“Your hand.”

Still hiding behind his broad back, their hands remained clasped. Colin subtly ran his fingers across Fleur’s palm to remind her he was holding it.

Tickled, she let go immediately, and he straightened up, brushing his gaze across her face.

“Sorry, I didn’t realize I was holding your hand—it felt so comfortable.”
“……I felt comfortable?”

She repeated, puzzled.

“We’ve been together almost three weeks straight. I guess I just got used to having you next to me.”
“Well, I have spent more time here than at the mansion lately.”
“That’s true. Come to think of it, today is the last day.”

They were in the city, overseeing the construction of a large dessert café. Once they hired new staff for management, they could communicate in writing from their respective mansions.

It was the first time she had thought about what came after the party, rather than just finishing it successfully.

“We’ve argued so much, but I think I’ll remember your voice for a while.”

Even though they had often fought, her feelings were genuine.

Congratulations.
Your favorability increased without a quest.
Colin Martin’s current favorability: 9% → 15%
Currently, a 2x favorability event is active.

Huh? It went up again?

Colin’s normally strict favorability had risen far more easily than she expected, and she looked away in surprise.

Though he looked straight ahead, she could clearly see his ears turning redder than ever.

“…Well, if you want to hold my hand again, I’ll lend it for a moment today.”

No, that was enough—she had already raised his favorability completely.

Not daring to say that, she whispered so only Colin could hear.

“Okay. If I want to hold it, I’ll do so.”

In the strangely intimate atmosphere, the two stood side by side, watching people finishing their desserts.

“Ugh…!”
“Kyle…! Are you okay?!”
“Oh my!!”

A loud commotion came from the table at the far end.

The nearby servants froze, startled, and Fleur sensed something serious was happening, so she rushed over.

“What’s going on…?”

A stranger covered his mouth and stood up from the table.

Dark red blood trickled down between his large black fingers.

Those sitting nearby had already stepped back, worried about getting their clothes dirty.

“What happened?”

Trying to remain calm to avoid ruining the party, Fleur asked Miles steadily.

“He suddenly covered his mouth after eating the brownie.”

Fleur quickly checked the nameplate showing the stranger’s fake name, Kyle. Only the brownie had been taken; the other desserts were untouched.

“Does he have an allergy?”
“No, my brother has no allergies at all.”
“The nuts inside are finely ground, so they shouldn’t be sharp…”
“Fleur, it seems treatment at the mansion should come first. I’ll guide him to the mansion physician.”

Dylan, who had approached, suggested.

“Shall we follow me? I’ll call the mansion physician immediately…”
“No, Dylan. I’ll go.”
“Eh? But you’re the host, Fleur.”
“Colin and you are here.”

Fleur met his gaze firmly.

“You know how much I trust you.”
“……”
“Take over my role for a moment. You’re a secretary; you can handle it, right?”

Congratulations.
Your favorability increased without a quest.
Dylan Boone’s current favorability: 25% → 29%
Currently, a 2x favorability event is active.

The situation was urgent, leaving no time to enjoy the favorability increase.

“Someone may have been hurt because of the dessert, so I have to take full responsibility. That way, no one will misunderstand.”

In her firm yet pleading tone, Dylan nodded.

“Understood. Go carefully and quickly.”
“Okay.”

Tapping his shoulder twice to entrust him with the matter, she approached Kyle.

“Follow me. I’ll get you treated at the mansion immediately.”

He nodded, wincing in pain.

Together, they headed toward the mansion.