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Chapter 48
“Delicious”
“Strange.”
May looked up at the voice beside her and glanced at Laifan.
His words weren’t meant for her, as his gaze stayed fixed on the kitchen staff.
Laifan’s lips twitched as if trying not to laugh, and he said,
“I never cared much about what outsiders who know nothing about Esperos say.”
“…?”
“They talk because they don’t know. But from what I see, Esperos is a much better place than where they come from.”
May laughed softly at Laifan’s words.
Although she didn’t always get along well with his harsh personality, she completely agreed with this.
She thought anyone working at Esperos Castle would feel the same way—there was a strong bond formed through shared hardships.
Of course, even without that, Esperos was a good place.
“The ones who annoyed me were the others. People who give meaningless comfort without really knowing anything.”
“…”
“It’s strange. When you said those words earlier, I didn’t feel bad at all.”
“…”
“In fact, I almost felt comforted.”
“…”
“That’s what I find so strange.”
Laifan sighed in relief.
May smiled softly, looking at the sandwich in front of her.
“Yes, Lady Heidi is quite a strange one.”
She truly believed that.
The Heidi Elliana she served was a mysterious woman.
And even though she knew she shouldn’t, May found herself drawn to her again and again.
“Well, but what can people like us really do?”
He spoke bitterly as he picked up the sandwich Heidi had gifted.
Despite all the chocolate and cream inside,
“…It tastes oddly bitter.”
“What is this?”
“A sand cookie with pavé chocolate.”
“…”
“By the way, pavé chocolate is chocolate mixed with cream.”
I added quickly in case he asked.
He looked at the cookie in front of him, furrowing his brow slightly before looking back at me.
“Have you moved your activities from the library to the kitchen?”
“Um, no.”
“Then?”
He squinted, clearly curious.
I pouted and said,
“I don’t just read books all day. Sometimes I try different things for a change.”
“…”
“Don’t nitpick. If it doesn’t suit you, just don’t eat it.”
“…”
“I borrowed the kitchen because His Grace cared about my breakfast today…?”
As I reached for the plate, Carriaire caught it between his thumb and finger.
I tried pulling, but the plate didn’t budge.
“What are you doing?”
“I’ll eat it.”
He smiled teasingly but then put down the plate.
He picked up a dessert fork and asked,
“So you stayed in the kitchen all afternoon?”
“Yes.”
“How’s your health?”
“Huh?”
“Are you feeling okay?”
I blinked, surprised he was checking again, then quickly nodded.
“Of course! I’m fine. Totally fine.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
I answered confidently but then met his gaze.
His steady look made me recall what May had said, and I felt my face heat up.
I wondered if I should correct him that I was sick, but he spoke first.
“The kitchen staff can be pretty rough. Were you okay with that?”
“Who? Laifan?”
“He’s not gentle either.”
I thought about Laifan and the others earlier.
Watching him cut the sandwich into bite-sized pieces, I shrugged.
“I don’t really know. They all seemed nice.”
“…”
“I didn’t find them rough either…”
My words trailed off.
Watching Carriaire eat, I swallowed nervously.
Finally, I asked,
“How does it taste?”
“Sweet.”
“Very sweet?”
I pushed my coffee cup slightly toward him.
Remembering May’s words that he didn’t like sweets.
I reached for the plate again.
“If you don’t like it, you don’t have to eat it.”
He lifted the plate, avoiding my hand.
“Why do you keep offering it and then taking it away?”
“I’m just worried you might get sick if you force it!”
“I like it.”
“…What?”
“I like it. It’s delicious.”
I didn’t believe him at first and kept my mouth shut.
His lips curved into a slow smile.
“Now that’s settled, can I eat it?”
“Of course. Enjoy.”
I coughed awkwardly to hide my embarrassment and withdrew my hand.
Only then did Carriaire set the plate on the table.
I held my teacup.
A cool breeze came through the open window, and the sound of the fork and plate clinking filled the room.
Mixed with the rich coffee aroma came a faint scent of him on the breeze.
I thought it was a peaceful moment.
A moment that made me forget what our relationship really was.
“You’re going down to the village?”
I looked up from my book at May, who was clearing my plate and the now-cold teapot.
“Yes. Some tenants have already run out of food. So the grain stored in the castle will be distributed first.”
I nodded as she explained the situation.
“Now that I think about it, ever since I made dessert for Carriaire a week ago, the servants have been asking about other recipes a lot.”
“I noticed they haven’t been around much lately, and I wondered why.”
“Is that why the kitchen has been so busy recently?”
“Yes. They’re making bread and soup to share, as grain sometimes gets stolen if given out raw.”
There are always people who prey on the weak, wherever you go.
May looked at me with a cautious voice.
“If you want, would you like to visit the village tomorrow?”
“Huh?”
“We have to distribute food to the tenants in the morning, but it shouldn’t take too long. It should be done by afternoon, so you can come and look around then.”
“Can I come too?”
“Of course, not alone. But if you go with others, it should be possible. You’d still need permission first…”
Before May could finish, I clenched my fist excitedly.
I was sad I couldn’t go alone, but just being able to leave the castle was amazing.
My lips twitched in surprise.
Honestly, it was a good thing.
I’d been in Esperos for almost three weeks, but the only place I’d been was the castle.
And while it would be nice to explore the castle, what I really wanted was to learn how it was built.
I hadn’t heard from Laperre or Delphian at all since I arrived.
If needed, I had to escape alone, so checking out the village would definitely help.
As I thought busily, May cleared her throat.
“Did you hear me?”
“Huh? What?”
“You still have to get permission before going out.”
“Permission?”
“Yes. If something happens when you’re outside, it can’t be allowed.”
Her words sent a chill down my spine.
I looked at May nervously and asked quietly,
“Who do I have to ask permission from…?”
May blinked and then smiled brightly.
“Of course, it’s His Grace, Duke Carriaire Esperos.”
I thought everything was going well—now I knew why.
