FGFM 39

Chapter 39

“Haah… I’m so tired.”

After finishing her bath and returning to her bedroom, Fleur wanted nothing more than to throw herself onto the bed.

If she closed her eyes now, she felt like she could sleep for three whole days. But something kept nagging at her, so she grabbed paper and a fountain pen and sat down at the table.

“I need to figure out by what standard the resets are happening. That way, I can use failure to my advantage.”

She couldn’t just keep being crushed by the quests.

The land, Rike, and the broken engagement. She wrote the things that had vanished in big letters on the paper to try to figure out how they were connected.

But finding a common thread, like in a mind map, wasn’t easy.

“Hmm…”

The paper was filling up with words, yet no clear answer was emerging, leaving her mind tangled in frustration.

“Objects and people? But a broken engagement isn’t something tangible… Is it just random?”

But that didn’t make sense—only things Fleur truly cared about were disappearing. It was as though punishment was being handed down for breaking some hidden rule.

“Wait… could it be that it only resets the things I value most?”

That sudden thought made her pull out a new sheet and jot down the dates when things disappeared.

In the beginning, her whole focus had been on the farmland where crops would grow. Naturally, she had spent all those days with Rike, and before the party, her mind had been consumed with thoughts of breaking off her engagement.

“…So it really was only taking away the things I cherished most.”

Her suspicions gradually turned into conviction.

The pressure felt like a demand to live as the obedient heroine of this world, and her shoulders grew unbearably heavy.

“If that’s the case, then if I fail the next quest… will my second business disappear?”

After the broken engagement, her greatest focus and passion had, of course, been her second business.

She had prepared it with her servants and with Colin, and through the party, she had even managed to secure a special deal with the Emperor’s shadow. If that reset, it would be the same as losing everything.

Though exhausted, Fleur sat at the table for a long while, racking her brain on how she might turn the resets to her advantage.

A few days later.

“Finally… tomorrow’s the day.”

Fleur stopped by her second shop, Ku’um, which was set to open in the center of the boutique street.

Since the grand opening was the next day, the interior was already perfectly prepared.

She had designed it to resemble a modern café as much as possible.

Wood-toned flooring, deep green wallpaper, antique furniture, and both indoor and outdoor seating so people could eat on the spot.

But the part she had paid the most attention to was—

“To think you actually installed a glass wall so customers can watch the desserts being made. Miss, how did you even think of something like that?”

“This way, they’ll believe that it really is made with beans, tofu, and bananas.”

It was an open kitchen.

Customers could watch the preparation process and see the hygiene with their own eyes.

“You know those rumors, right? Ever since I showcased the desserts at the party, people have been saying I tricked them.”

Jeanie pouted and nodded.

“I don’t get it. Everyone clearly enjoyed them, so why spread such lies behind your back?”

“Well, it’s obvious. Nobles can’t stand seeing someone else succeed.”

Since she had already expected this, she had replaced the last wall with glass.

“I’ll have to keep reminding everyone to keep the place spotless.”

“I agree.”

The familiar voice that came from behind made her turn. Colin stood there in a beige formal suit, the buttons of his three-piece jacket fastened all the way to the top.

“Mr. Colin? Didn’t you say you had business today and couldn’t make it?”

“I found some time. If there’s anything here you don’t like, I should fix it right away.”

“No, that won’t be necessary. Honestly, it’s much better than I ever imagined.”

“Then I’m relieved. Makes all the money I spent worth it.”

Being able to open her store at the very center of the boutique street was all thanks to Colin.

Since she had blown so much money on the party promotion, she had to rely on his wealth for the location, interior, and all the finer details.

Thus, Colin would manage the overall business side, while Fleur handled recipe development and baking.

“Ah, I almost forgot. Let me introduce you. This man will be taking charge here.”

He gestured toward the man who had been quietly standing behind Aidan.

“Nice to meet you. My name is Tennen.”

“Pleasure to meet you. I’ll be counting on you to take care of Ku’um.”

“Yes. I’ll make sure to provide you with detailed reports of monthly sales and net profits at the end of every month.”

His black hair was tied neatly at the back, not a strand out of place, making it obvious he was Colin’s pick for manager.

“And when is the person you asked to join us arriving, Miss Valen?”

“Oh, she’ll be here any moment.”

As Fleur checked the clock inside the shop and glanced outside, she spotted a woman hurrying over, her black hair tied into two tight braids.

“Mr. Dylan? Has Lady Fleur already arrived?”

“Yes, she’s inside.”

“Oh no, I’m late!”

“No, you still have five minutes before the meeting time.”

“Still, I can’t keep her waiting…”

“I don’t mind.”

Fleur herself stepped out, smiling warmly as she waved first.

The woman—Rike—bowed deeply.

“I-I’m sorry. I should have come earlier.”

“No, it’s fine. We just came early to check a few things. You arrived right on time, so there’s nothing to apologize for.”

Fleur patted her shoulder in reassurance, and Rike slowly straightened up.

“And honestly, I’m just grateful you accepted my offer.”

When Fleur had met her again after the reset, she had told Rike: if she wanted to work together, bring the bracelet I gave you and come to the estate.

A week before the party, she really had come, and Fleur immediately asked her to be Ku’um’s manager.

Rike had thought her role would be helping at the meal-kit branch, and hesitated when she learned she’d have to deal with nobles. But after much thought, she accepted.

Though not as her exclusive maid, Fleur was simply thankful to have her close again.

“Come on in. The person you’ll be working with is already here. He’ll explain everything about how things will run.”

“Y-yes!”

Following Fleur inside, Rike joined the group.

The four of them exchanged greetings and spent a long while discussing operations.

After Colin left for his other appointment, Rike and Tennen busied themselves setting rules for the opening.

Not wanting to get in the way, Fleur quietly slipped outside.

Dylan, who had been helping organize the outdoor tables, quickly came over when he spotted her.

“Are you done giving instructions?”

“Mm. Tennen’s so capable, I think I can leave the rest to him.”

“I’m glad it’s someone we can trust.”

As Fleur walked ahead, Dylan followed two steps behind—until a voice called out.

“Lady Fleur!”

It was Rike, making both of them pause.

“You’re already leaving?”

“Yeah. I thought it’d be better if you two could talk comfortably without me. Why did you come out?”

“I don’t think I thanked you properly.”

She reached out carefully, clasping Fleur’s fingers.

“Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.”

“….”

“I’ll work hard, always keeping my gratitude toward you in mind.”

Her voice carried so much sincerity that it trembled slightly at the end.

It was the same expression she’d worn back when she was Fleur’s personal maid, and Fleur squeezed her hand tightly in return.

“Mm. I’ll do my best too—so I don’t lose you a second time.”

“Huh? A second time? Do you mean… you’ll forgive me only twice if I make mistakes?”

“Haha, exactly. Make a third mistake, and I’ll drag you back as a servant at my estate, so you’d better be careful―”

Realizing it was a joke, Rike burst into a bright smile, and Fleur laughed with her.

After their farewell, Rike started to head back toward the shop but then hesitated.

She looked as though she still had something left to say. Just as Fleur was about to meet her gaze again—

“Mr. Dylan… If I ever run into difficulties at work, would it be alright if I sometimes… sent you a letter?”

Rike’s face was flushed pink all the way from her cheeks to her ears and neck.

It was the unmistakable look of a girl in love.

Dylan didn’t answer right away. He glanced at Fleur, then finally said:

“If it’s about work, that’s fine.”

At that, Rike’s face lit up as if she had won the world. She nodded enthusiastically.

“Yes! I promise I won’t bother you too much!”

Having secured his permission, she bowed several times in gratitude before heading back inside.

Left alone together, Fleur spoke first, still not looking at him.

“Rike’s cute, isn’t she?”

“…I’ve heard others say that.”

“And what do you think?”

“I haven’t thought about it, so I don’t know.”

“But you noticed, didn’t you? That she likes you.”

“….”

“You should give it some serious thought—”

“Ever since the party, you’ve been avoiding me. And now you’re even trying to push me toward someone else?”

His voice had turned cold.

“Lady Fleur.”

“….”

“Either draw a line with me, or cross it. Choose one.”