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Chapter : 14
Even If I’m an Extra, I’d Prefer to Avoid the Death Route (14)
This was my first proper dessert for Iart.
After agonizing for a long time over what to make, I decided on a fruit tart.
While looking over the ingredients, I spotted some plump, perfectly ripened green grapes. Their smooth skins looked like they’d burst with sweet juice the moment you bit into them. Paired with the cream cheese I’d bought the other day—
“Perfect. Absolutely perfect.”
Just looking at the ingredients made it feel like the taste of a green grape tart was already filling my mouth.
Mixing, trimming, layering ingredients here and there—
In the process, I was reminded once again, painfully so.
“…It’s still a shame.”
If only I had a proper tart pan, it would be so much easier to make.
No matter how carefully I tried to shape it by hand using a multipurpose mold, something still felt lacking.
They said I could make tools once I got Iart’s permission, right?
Even for me, I didn’t have the nerve to just march up to Iart and say, “Please let me make some tools!”
His position here wasn’t just that of a simple superior.
It was hard to grasp just how big the difference was, but I could tell it was enormous.
Of course, I’d approached him boldly before—
But that was purely to express my fan devotion.
Making an actual request was another matter entirely.
“Ugh—.”
I put the tart into the oven and took a short break, using the warmth of the oven like a heater.
The best approach, after all, was probably to become someone trustworthy.
After that, there’d be a much better chance my opinions would be accepted more easily.
“Alright. Let’s do this properly.”
They said effort never betrays you.
Whether it was changing the story or earning trust—
I had no choice but to firmly believe that if I worked hard, results would follow.
“Ah, that smells good.”
After a brief, sweet rest, I finished tidying up and was greeted by the fragrant smell of butter.
I filled the freshly baked tart shell with the almond cream I’d prepared earlier and baked it once more.
While the tart cooled, I carefully washed the green grapes to go on top.
I could cut them in half, but since they were in such good condition, I planned to place them whole.
“…No one’s watching, right?”
After glancing around briefly, I slipped a single grape into my mouth.
For some reason, sneaking food like this always tasted much better than eating it properly.
The refreshing sweetness spread through my mouth, and a smile bloomed on its own.
“What are you doing?”
At the heavy voice of the head pastry chef from beside me, I startled and swallowed the grape in a panic—only for it to get stuck in my throat.
“Kgh—! Cough! Cough!”
“What is it? Are you alright?”
“Hngh…!”
I made all sorts of noises, my face turning bright red before I finally caught my breath.
What an embarrassment.
“Here.”
I took the glass of water the pastry chef handed me and gulped it down. Only then did I feel like I could breathe again.
“Thank you.”
“Honestly, who told you to sneak around like a little thief cat?”
“…Heh.”
The corners of the pastry chef’s mouth twitched, like he was holding back laughter.
When I smiled awkwardly, he finally let out a small chuckle.
“How’s the dessert coming along?”
“Yes, it’s almost finished.”
After staring at me quietly for a moment, the pastry chef spoke with a noticeably gentler expression than usual.
“I’ll be counting on you from now on.”
“I’ll do my best as well, Chef!”
“Fritt.”
“Yes?”
“That’s my name. You probably won’t need to call me by it, but remember it.”
The head pastry chef—no, Fritt—grinned and lightly patted my shoulder.
It was kind of… well.
I’d never experienced it before, but if I’d had a slightly strict father, maybe it would’ve felt like this.
“Today feels like a good day.”
In a slightly excited mood, I evenly spread the chilled cream cheese filling over the tart shell, which had cooled to just the right temperature.
Then I carefully selected grapes of similar size and arranged them neatly on top.
“All done!”
This sense of satisfaction I always felt when finishing a dessert—it was something I truly loved.
After cutting it into bite-sized pieces and placing them on a plate, it looked even better.
Now all that was left was to deliver it.
“Alright, let’s go.”
“Irenea?”
Just as I reached Iart’s office, I ran into an unexpected person.
“What are you doing here?”
Two knights were standing guard in front of the door.
One of them was Edwin.
“That’s my question. Why are you here?”
“I’m in charge of His Highness’s desserts.”
“…What?”
Edwin’s face instantly twisted into a grim expression.
“Why you.”
He growled in a lower-than-usual voice.
“It just sort of happened. Anyway, I need to go in—should I knock?”
“…Wait.”
Edwin grabbed my hand as I was about to knock and lowered it, then stood silently facing the door for a moment.
Knock, knock.
Soon, a hesitant knocking sound filled the hallway.
“Your Highness, the dessert attendant has come to see you.”
After a brief silence, Iart’s voice responded.
“Let her in.”
“Yes.”
The moment Iart finished speaking, Edwin turned sharply and strode toward me.
“We need to talk later.”
Why did he keep talking with such gravity?
Was this what siblings were like? I wouldn’t know—I’d never had any.
I nodded vaguely.
“Go in, say what you need to, and come right back out.”
“I get it.”
Pushing Edwin aside as he whispered near my ear, I opened the door and stepped inside.
“Your Highness, I’ve brought the dessert.”
Iart didn’t even lift his gaze from the documents he was sorting through, only giving a brief nod.
I approached his desk and carefully set down the plate with the tart.
“It’s a tart made with green grapes, cream cheese, and almond cream.”
After my brief explanation, Iart finally glanced at the dessert.
“……”
“……”
The sudden silence made me anxious.
Was I supposed to say more, or just turn around and leave?
Last time, Luella had been here as a guest, so I’d stayed longer.
I regretted not asking more clearly beforehand.
“Hey.”
Just as I was internally debating whether to leave or not, Iart spoke first.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“What is your relationship with Marquis Argen?”
The completely unexpected question left me momentarily speechless.
My relationship with Argen?
He was the male lead, and I was a reader.
“…I first met him at Lady Luella’s birthday banquet.”
“Did you ask him directly for the letter of recommendation?”
“No. Um, he tried my dessert and—”
“That’s enough.”
He cut me off before I could even mention Luella asking for it.
Maybe he’d asked without any real meaning.
“Is the injury still severe?”
“Pardon? Ah…”
Even though he was clearly talking to me, Iart showed no intention of looking away from his documents.
Was he conversing with paperwork or what?
Still, the fact that he’d noticed the bandage hidden under my loosened hair meant—
He must have been glancing over at me now and then.
In many ways, he was truly an awkward person.
“No, it’s almost completely healed.”
“Then why are you still wearing a bandage?”
“I thought it might look bad to others. There’s still a bit of a mark left…”
At my answer, Iart’s hand, which had been scribbling something down, stopped abruptly.
What? Did I say something wrong?
Before I could finish the thought, Iart resumed moving as naturally as if nothing had happened.
“Alright. You may go.”
“Then please enjoy it.”
I bowed and turned around, but I felt a strangely intense gaze on my back.
I thought I shouldn’t turn around—but my body moved before my mind could stop it.
When I spun around, my eyes met Iart’s, which had been fixed on me.
Perhaps he hadn’t expected me to turn back; his blue eyes wavered slightly.
Seeing that, I couldn’t hold myself back.
“Your Highness.”
“……”
Iart didn’t respond, merely shifting his gaze back to the desk, pretending nothing was amiss.
“If you happen to see a puddle while passing by, please be sure to greet it.”
“…What?”
He lifted his slightly bowed head, his face full of confusion.
“It’ll be me—melted after seeing you.”
I clasped my hands together and smiled brightly.
After staring at me blankly for a moment, the corners of Iart’s mouth twitched.
He looked like he was desperately holding back laughter.
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
At times like this, the best course was to make a quick exit.
I swiftly left Iart’s office.
After finishing all my work, I headed to the garden Edwin had called me to.
After walking a few steps, I spotted him standing near the fountain in the distance.
“Over here.”
Sensing my presence, Edwin lifted one hand slightly.
“So, what is it?”
“Sit down first.”
I carefully sat beside him, leaving neither too close nor too much distance, as he perched on the edge first.
“……”
For someone who’d called me out, he seemed to have nothing to say, and a long silence followed.
Growing impatient, I spoke first.
“So? What did you want to say? Why are you so quiet?”
“…How did you end up becoming the Crown Prince’s personal attendant?”
His tone was strangely aggressive.
Seeing his serious expression, I figured he was probably worried in a way similar to Sophina or Serena.
“At Lady Luella’s birthday banquet, I presented my dessert. He tried it and said he’d write a recommendation.”
“Did you ask for it?”
“Huh? No, Lady Luella did.”
“…Lady Luella?”
“Yeah.”
After that brief exchange, Edwin fell silent again.
Judging by his increasingly furrowed brow, he seemed lost in thought.
“Quit.”
“Huh?”
As he said it bluntly, Edwin grabbed my hand.
“Quit.”
“Quit what?”
“Stop being his personal attendant. No—just quit being a palace maid altogether.”
It wasn’t a suggestion or advice—it was closer to a command.
Even considering family, it felt like more than just concern.
“I don’t want to.”
I pulled my hand free and said firmly.
“Quit.”
“I said no.”
“Why?!”
At his sudden raised voice, my body flinched and trembled without me realizing it.
I wasn’t exactly scared, but Edwin seemed to think I was, because he immediately looked shocked and began apologizing.
“…I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. I was just startled.”
A cold tone slipped out of my mouth before I could stop it.
Edwin stared at me quietly, then let out a small sigh.
“Can’t you just listen to your big brother, for once?”
At his words, spoken with an expression bordering on tears, I didn’t respond.
“Mother would worry too. I just don’t want you doing anything dangerous.”
“What’s dangerous about it? I’m just making desserts. It’s what I want to do.”
“That’s because the Crown Prince—!”
Edwin started raising his voice again, then abruptly stopped.
“The madness isn’t some trivial issue like you think.”
“I know.”
“You’ve never even seen it—how would you know?”
He pressed his fingers hard against his temples, his face contorting.
It wouldn’t be strange for rumors to have spread, but it seemed he still didn’t know.
Was everyone keeping quiet because they knew I was Edwin’s sister?
