TSBSFVW 40

Chapter 40
Eight Breads. Beside the Dog, Beside the Madman (3)

The next day.

Ellie, who didn’t have much luggage, packed only two sets of clothes to change into and climbed into the carriage Maurice had prepared. Her mind was entirely consumed with chocolate. She even dreamed of being buried in it.

As if it were natural, Edmund joined them, and Ban followed along. Edmund growled in annoyance.

“Why are you following us?”

“You were going to leave me out? That’s hurtful.”

“Aren’t you busy? Is ‘captain of the knights’ just a title to you?”

“I have a lot of accumulated leave.”

“Why on earth are you using it now? You should be going to the villa elegantly and enjoying a family vacation.”

“I know you’re joking, but that stings.”

Ban gave a wry smile. Edmund scoffed.

“Since when did a close family matter?”

“…Not entirely bad. Fortunately.”

His voice was dry. Ellie glanced at him. She didn’t know much about his family history, but she wasn’t naive enough to miss that he didn’t have the best relationship with his family.

Ban smiled when their eyes met.

‘It’s too late to tell him not to smile once you’ve grown fond of him.’

The more you saw someone, the more you grew attached; the more attached you became, the more you felt for them. It was natural for humans. Ellie was lazy and laid-back, not particularly cruel or cold, so she had already grown fond of Ban, Edmund, and even Maurice.

Edmund, despite his prickly appearance and blunt way of speaking, was internally steady. He was strong in unexpected situations and flexible in his attitude. For someone like that, he suffered from panic attacks due to past trauma.

Ban, on the other hand, seemed easygoing outwardly but was internally stubborn, sensitive, and tender-hearted. He was more emotionally vulnerable than Edmund or Ellie. Once he became attached, he seemed to weaken endlessly. With old friends like Edmund—or, surprisingly, with Ellie—he seemed happy even to become a pushover.

The side jobs Ban gave her had become inconsequential once she started Cookie Walking. Thanks to aristocrats who spent lavishly on desserts, she earned plenty of money, but most importantly, she couldn’t spare the time.

Even though she knew there wasn’t much to do, it was still embarrassing. In reality, when she went to headquarters, Ellie spent time in the kitchen with the chefs. Though she had spent practically her whole life there, she could only make bread, so she helped with simple meals or prepping ingredients.

Ban said that wasn’t why he had brought her, but there was nothing Ellie could do in his office.

Thanks to that, she was able to prepare the materials and the contract fee for the cooking class. She only felt sorry for Ban.

Everything was far, very far from the original plan.

‘I didn’t think I’d get to know them this much.’

Ellie had intended to live alone her entire life. She honed her skills to manage everything herself. But now, over half a year after leaving home, she realized that her resolve had been impossible from the start.

Humans couldn’t live entirely alone.

No matter how strong someone was, there was no one who could live without ever getting involved with others.

Ellie also knew that this was just an excuse.

Choosing to have two male leads beside her was clearly a mistake. So she steeled herself, telling herself she wouldn’t be surprised or saddened when the heroine Elaine became enamored with one of them and showed hostility toward her…

But there was no sign of a war, and the male leads, like the heroine, still hadn’t left the McClure mansion. Everything was unusually quiet.

‘Has Elaine decided to live as Miss McClure?’

From a personal perspective, that might be better. The love the male leads would give the heroine in the future wasn’t normal, and the hardships she would endure to gain their love weren’t trivial either. First love dying, being severely injured, losing all comrades, and surviving alone…

‘Maybe that novel is just my delusion? Past life or whatever—it was all my imagination?’

But then, how would she have made the bread…

Ellie let out a small sigh to express her complex feelings.

“I initially only invited Ellie.”

“So? Are you saying I’m a bother or what?”

“You’re unusually prickly today, Eddie.”

“Too cramped. You two’s breathing annoys me.”

“So, according to my plan, the carriage was just for Ellie and me.”

Maurice grumbled. Though his carriage was spacious enough for six, it felt tight with three large men inside.

“You want me to send just you and Ellie alone, without knowing what you might do? That makes no sense.”

“You’re so hurt. What could I possibly do? I’ve only ever taken care of Ellie diligently as her protector.”

Ellie stared at Maurice in disbelief. Maurice looked at her brazenly, as if seeking agreement. Edmund snickered.

“So, no real plans for this vacation? Just going to get chocolate or charcoal or whatever?”

“Let’s enjoy the vacation while we’re at it.”

“See, Ellie, never trust this scammer.”

“I’m not. Don’t worry.”

Maurice chuckled briefly.

“Not trusting anyone? Not even me?”

“Of course not.”

Edmund and Ban looked displeased when Ellie casually pointed this out. It was as if to say, ‘You can’t trust him, but you can trust me, right?’

Despite being in the same position, Maurice acted as if he had won.

“Let’s not make a fuss when all three of us are in the same boat.”

“You’re probably better than him. Right, Ellie?”

Before Ellie could answer, Maurice spoke quickly.

“It was the right time for a break. Ellie hasn’t fully rested in over half a year. It’s admirable she worked so diligently, but now she must learn to rest too.”

“An unstoppable workaholic giving advice, impressive.”

“I know how to pace myself and rest when needed. Ellie, you can’t stay still even for a moment when there’s work to do.”

That was true. Ellie pouted, speechless. Ban spoke up.

“For once, Maurice is correct, Ellie.”

“Not just this once, I’m usually right too.”

“You’re on vacation, so speak comfortably now.”

“Shall I? You speak comfortably too.”

Maurice didn’t refuse once. Edmund asked,

“So where are we going?”

“Oh, did I not say? We’re going to a border town near Yan.”

“That’s a vacation?”

“We’ll enjoy the vacation while getting chocolate. In winter, festivals bring in all kinds of trade goods.”

Ellie interjected.

“So, nothing is certain?”

“No, the reports match your explanation exactly. You can look forward to it. Have you seen me talk nonsense?”

“…Wait. I don’t remember anything, but I feel like something might happen?”

Maurice never talks nonsense.

Ellie thought for a moment, and Maurice muttered somewhat sadly.

“Shouldn’t I say I never talked nonsense here…?”

“There probably is. I just don’t remember it.”

“If you don’t remember, I could say it didn’t happen.”

“With just my mouth?”

“How much do you want?”

“…Maurice, didn’t you tell me not to waste money?”

“My honor is at stake here.”

Ellie couldn’t help but chuckle. A short laugh was more powerful than any other response. Maurice, for a moment, looked hurt.

Seeing him sadly upset, Ellie quickly tried to fix it.

“No, I just thought it might be expensive.”

“Liar…”

“….”

“You’re really good at lying, Ellie…”

No need to teach him that. Seeing Maurice truly hurt, Ellie felt embarrassed. She had been joking, not intending to hurt him.

“It’s not a lie, I just… um, I thought Maurice wouldn’t care about honor since it’s not profitable…”

“…I’m a person who doesn’t understand honor?”

“No, I do, to an extent, but practically…”

“…Alright, Ellie. Stop. The more you say, the more it hurts…”

“….”

Ellie shut her mouth, and Maurice turned to the window, wiping away the tears at the corners of his eyes.

This time, even Edmund and Ban couldn’t help but feel sympathy for Maurice.