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Chapter 9
“Ah, thank you for the meal!”
It was right when I was savoring the tart pound cake, bite by bite. A hand reached out toward me stealthily.
‘Hmm?’
I lifted my head with my mouth full of tart. Cecilia seemed to stiffen her shoulders for a moment, startled. Then, she very naturally picked up the chocolate éclair plate.
‘She was just trying to stroke my head… No, surely not.’
I was distracted again by the plate being placed in front of me.
“Try this, too.”
Again? I’m starting to get full now. But Cecilia was acting like a grandmother visiting during a holiday after a long time. It means she was anxious to keep feeding me something.
“Doesn’t your mouth feel too sweet if you only eat sugary things? Have a sandwich, too.”
“Th-thank you…”
“Shall I give you more black tea?”
Cecilia picked up the teapot herself. At this rate, she looked ready to refill my teacup even though it was still more than half full.
“Um, I still have tea and dessert left! I’ll eat a bit more slowly!”
I quickly waved my hands to stop Cecilia. Cecilia put down the teapot with a slightly disappointed face.
“Right, you’ll get indigestion if you eat too fast.”
Only then did I start to eat while savoring the taste step by step.
“Chew thoroughly.”
Somehow, she sounds like my mom.
“Yes, my Lady.”
I nodded with a bright smile, but only for a moment. At the thought of my mom that popped into my head, my mouth suddenly felt dry.
‘My mom, I mean.’
The fork in my hand felt heavy. The desserts that had been melting sweetly on the tip of my tongue until now felt like they were crunching in my mouth like sand.
‘She probably… never got to eat luxurious desserts like these.’
My appetite dropped instantly. I tried my best not to pick at my food. However, I couldn’t escape Cecilia’s hawk-like, sharp gaze.
“You, why is your expression like that?”
“Ah, it’s just that my mom has never tried desserts like these…”
As I answered reflexively, I bit my lip, thinking ‘oops.’ I think I made a slip of the tongue. Even though I know exactly how Cecilia is usually treated by her family.
‘Doesn’t it seem like I’m showing off that I have a good relationship with my mom for no reason?’
Not knowing what to do, I secretly checked Cecilia’s reaction. Meanwhile, Cecilia had a completely unreadable face. Her calm blue-green eyes stared at me intently, and then…
“Forget it, just eat.”
She turned her head away with a ‘Hmph.’
‘What is it?’
Is she offended? Or is she okay? With a puzzled feeling, I took a big bite of the ham and cheese sandwich. My eyes widened a bit at the taste.
‘My mom would especially like this sandwich.’
Specifically, the sauce spread on the bread was incredibly delicious.
‘I should stop by the kitchen before I go home later.’
I’ll have to ask how they made the sauce. Hmm, if I’m lucky, maybe I can even get some leftover ham and cheese?
And on the way back home. I didn’t even need to stop by the kitchen.
“Here, take this.”
The head chef had come to find me personally and handed me a giant basket. It was so heavy that my arm felt like it was dropping the moment I took the basket. Startled, I asked a question.
“What is this?”
The chef shrugged and answered.
“I packed every kind of dessert we had at tea time today. I especially packed plenty of sandwiches.”
“Pardon?”
The sandwiches—weren’t those exactly what I had set my mind on making for my mom? Just then, the chef added one more thing.
“The Young Lady told me to take care of you.”
…Whaaaat?!
“My goodness, Rena. What is all this?”
Facing a luxurious table that one would only see in a noble household, Mom’s eyes went wide. I raised my nose proudly.
“Looks delicious, right? The Young Lady packed it for me!”
“The Young Lady… the one you’ve started serving this time?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
I nodded with a smile. Cecilia was surprisingly thoughtful. Considering it was almost time for dinner, she had packed not only desserts but also various foods that could serve as a meal. Thus, Mom and I were able to enjoy a rich feast.
“Mom, try this sandwich.”
I quickly pushed the sandwich I had been eyeing earlier in front of Mom. Then, I also pushed a plate of a large meat pie toward her.
“This meat pie looks delicious too. You know it tastes better when eaten while it’s warm, right?”
“I’m eating. My goodness, Mom is living in luxury thanks to my daughter. You eat some too.”
Chuckling, Mom cut a large piece of the meat pie and put it on my plate. I intentionally made a pouting face and glared at Mom.
“If Mom doesn’t eat first, I won’t eat either.”
“Why is she being so stubborn?”
Unable to win against my nagging, Mom took a bite of the meat pie. Simultaneously, Mom’s eyes turned round.
“Oh my, it’s really delicious!”
“Right? The chef at the annex is very talented.”
Starting with that, Mom and I shared a cozy conversation. How strict the head maid, Madam Tilda, was. What do the personalities of the employees at the annex like? Among the many topics, the person who definitely took up the most space was…
“So, the Young Lady said…”
Of course, it was Cecilia. After listening to my story intently for a while, Mom asked me in a playful voice.
“Does my daughter like that Young Lady very much?”
“What? Why?”
“Well, you talk about that Young Lady every single day lately.”
Mom added as she shrugged her shoulders.
“You smile so brightly every time you talk about the Young Lady, honestly.”
“……”
For a moment, I was speechless. Am I… smiling? I touched the corners of my mouth unconsciously. I could feel my lips forming a soft curve. After hesitating for a moment, I gave a small nod.
“…Yes, I think she’s a good person.”
It was true that I had avoided Cecilia at first. It couldn’t be helped. She’s the female lead of the original story who would ruin me miserably in the future. However, having watched her from the side, Cecilia was just an ordinary girl you could see anywhere. Though she looks like a haughty cat on the outside. In reality, she’s a lovely lady who gets very lonely and desperately yearns for her family’s affection.
‘I hope Cecilia can be happy with her family, too.’
Putting a large piece of meat pie into my mouth, I thought of her once again. Even though the original story was tagged with the ‘family regret’ keyword. Still, I hoped Cecilia’s family wouldn’t leave her alone for too long. Just as my mom is always by my side. I wish Cecilia’s family would truly accept her, instead of only being obsessed with the ‘real daughter.’
‘What is Cecilia doing right now?’
I hoped that tonight, at least, she wouldn’t be too lonely. I hoped she could enjoy a peaceful evening. …I prayed sincerely.
