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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Across from Marygold
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“……One year?”
Harrison’s voice shook subtly.
“Yes. One year passes by in a flash.”
Somehow, just getting through it made the year fly by.
Seeing Harrison’s awkward expression, I smiled warmly.
He had overcome the first hurdle, so things would work out.
People grow emotionally closer after facing hardships together.
Just like how I secured the spot next to Luciano.
It took a long time and proof, but once I did, Luciano truly accepted me.
Harrison could do it too.
He would overcome Luciano’s temperament and claim his proper place!
“Fight on!”
Seeing his crestfallen face, I made a fighting pose with both hands.
* * *
“What’s that?”
He kept glancing at it, so Luciano finally asked outright about the basket.
I usually packed food in this basket.
I’d hand it over right away upon arrival, but since I wasn’t opening it, he was curious.
“To be honest, I made some tiramisu…….”
“Tiramisu?”
He reacted fast, probably because it’s his favorite.
His eyes sparkled with anticipation for the first time in a while.
But I felt bad.
“You can’t eat this.”
Luciano’s relaxed expression hardened in an instant.
“Why.”
His tone sounded challenging.
“I was outside too long. I’ll make it again later.”
“What were you doing outside.”
His sharp gaze pierced me.
‘Oops, if he finds out I spent time outside, I’m in trouble.’
“Just this and that. Time got away from me.”
“You didn’t make it today?”
Fortunately, he didn’t press about who I met outside.
He seemed more interested in the tiramisu I’d brought after so long.
“Yeah.”
“It shouldn’t have gone bad.”
“Probably not?”
It wasn’t midsummer weather, and I hadn’t been out for half a day.
I agreed it was fine.
“Then I can eat it.”
He must really not want to give up the tiramisu.
It was fine, but I didn’t want to give it to him when it wasn’t at its best.
My culinary pride wouldn’t allow it.
“No. The taste has changed.”
“It’s fine by me.”
“Not by me.”
I answered firmly to his voice full of lingering attachment.
Luciano pursed his lips to show his displeasure.
But no meant no.
“I’ll make it fresh next time I come.”
Only then did his sulky demeanor ease a bit.
“More importantly, how’s your training going?”
“You ask every time.”
I had no choice.
Imperial Consort Isabel had mentioned a rematch.
She could call for a spar anytime.
To avoid the humiliation of defeat again, he needed to train even one more day, one more hour.
Of course, I couldn’t tell him that and worry him.
“I worry, that’s why. You don’t like her much. What if you two fight?”
Luciano’s gaze sharpened.
What? Why? Don’t you know me?
I met his intense stare with my own, and he let out a small sigh.
His short reply shocked me.
“I don’t dislike her that much.”
“What?”
I cried out in surprise, but Luciano wore a ‘if you didn’t hear, too bad’ expression.
“Why?”
He frowned, displeased by my question.
“Why? Do I need a reason not to dislike her?”
I was the one who couldn’t understand his calm attitude!
“You don’t trust people easily. You keep distance from everyone who approaches! You’re suspicious like a cynic!”
For that skeptic to already lower his guard around Cale!
It made no sense.
Even if he was a master, this was too fast!
I thought building real trust would take time.
Cale didn’t seem trustworthy, so Luciano’s words rang even less true.
Seeing my dubious look, Luciano glared wide-eyed.
“……What do you take me for?”
Oops!
I said it outright again.
I quickly propped my chin on my hand and put on an innocent face.
“The lofty prince?”
His glare didn’t soften.
It was so piercing it stung my skin.
He didn’t know himself at all.
“You’re a bit sensitive…….”
As I muttered softly, he glared even harder.
Fine, fine.
“The totally handsome and cool prince!”
I gave a thumbs up and chanted ‘Aww, our prince is the best!’ repeatedly until the tension left his eyes.
‘Whew, playing with kid Luciano is exhausting.’
“Don’t worry. She’s not someone I’m thrilled about, but we get along okay.”
“Really?”
“She’s my master.”
It meant he held some respect for her.
They wouldn’t fight recklessly.
His admirable attitude brought a pleased smile to my face.
* * *
Did my comfort and advice help?
Harrison regained his spirits and visited Luciano again.
After I told him it took me a year, he seemed to steel himself, thinking he had a long way to go.
At least his passion looked unlikely to fade for a year, which was a relief.
He gave me weird looks when we crossed paths sometimes.
But the gloom was gone, and he seemed more steadfast.
Then, a rumor began to circulate.
The Bennett estate in the capital had opened!
Just that, but it stirred the nobles of the capital.
No one from the Bennett family had visited the empire for decades, leaving the place shuttered.
News of it opening made the nobles watch the Bennetts warily.
‘Has Lady Ophelia decided to stay in the empire?’
She’d asked me to visit sometime, but I wasn’t sure if I should now.
More importantly, something else mattered.
“May! Bell! May! Bell!”
I burst in yelling, startling May and Bell.
“Miss, what’s wrong?”
“What is it? Something happen?”
“We’re going somewhere together! Hurry, hurry!”
“Huh? Where?”
“What’s going on?”
I grabbed each of their hands and pulled them along.
They followed in a daze.
“Get in quick!”
I shoved May and Bell into the waiting carriage one after another, then hopped in.
“Go!”
At my shout, Billy started the carriage.
As it sped off, I leaned back and caught my breath from the rush.
‘Phew, that was tiring.’
“What on earth is it? Where are we going?”
May recovered first and asked.
“Yeah, what’s the matter? Is it bad?”
Bell asked tensely.
“Come on, look at my face. Does it look bad?”
Only then did they relax, seeing my beaming smile.
“You scared us!”
May snapped pointedly.
“That was the point.”
“Jeez, Miss!”
Bell shot me a look.
When I just grinned without backing down, suspicion dawned on them.
“What is it? You’re not gonna tell us?”
They were this curious, so I had to.
We were almost at the destination anyway.
“Our Maybell is finally complete!”
May and Bell’s eyes widened.
“Really?”
“Then the place we’re going…….”
“Yep! It’s Maybell!”
May and Bell covered their mouths with their hands.
“We finally get to see it!”
“Our shop at last!”
Nodding at their overwhelmed excitement, I said,
“Yes. I’ll show you at last.”
May and Bell looked full of anticipation.
I wondered if those faces would last.
When we decided to open the shop,
I made one proposal.
-I’m sorry, but can you leave the opening entirely to me?
-Entirely?
-Yes, I’m not ignoring your opinions completely. I mean things like the location, interior decor, and opening date that I want.
At my odd suggestion, May and Bell exchanged glances.
Bell hesitated before asking carefully,
-Um, what about kitchen stuff?
-Anything you need, just say. I’ll provide it all.
They nodded readily.
-As long as you fill our needs, that’s fine.
-We trust you, Miss.
Their trust in me seemed maxed out.
-Thank you. I’ll make it the best shop!
That’s how I took full charge of the opening.
I deliberately didn’t show them the shop.
I didn’t even tell them where it was.
I only updated progress verbally, never letting them see.
For interiors, I used drawings and blueprints.
For one reason.
I couldn’t tell them where Maybell was.
If they knew the location, they’d object for sure.
Soon the carriage stopped.
“Out we go.”
I got out first, and they followed with excited faces.
“Wow, it’s amazing. This is it?”
“Yes. I spent a bit.”
It had emptied my account.
“Bigger than I thought? I expected small.”
“It’s just big?”
“It’s pretty too.”
“It’s even prettier inside. Shall we?”
I had to hustle them in before they snapped out of it.
May and Bell nodded dazedly.
Just as we were about to enter,
“Eek!”
Bell yelped in surprise and looked around.
‘No! Too soon!’
“Hurry, inside!”
I pushed Bell’s back, but she resisted and peered around.
Puzzled by Bell, May looked around too.
“Gasp! No way, here?”
Realizing the place, they both jumped back.
They quickly spotted the building across from the carriage-blocked Maybell.
“M-Miss! What’s going on?!”
Bell, pale-faced, pointed at the building opposite Maybell.
“Did you choose this place knowing where it is?”
There was a place Bell could never forget.
The shop where Bell had worked as an apprentice baker: Marygold.
