Chapter 88
Red’s dessert shop, famous even in the capital, was always crowded. Normally, you had to wait in line just to get in.
“How can this place be so empty?”
It looked as though business had already closed for the day. No bread or cakes were displayed in the shop window either.
“…Is this really the right place?”
While she tilted her head in doubt, Doshen opened the front door.
The bell chimed, and a person inside came out.
“This way, please.”
The hall, once always bustling with people, was completely empty.
Every table sat vacant—so empty that it was shocking.
At the very center stood a table piled high with all kinds of desserts.
“…Those are all my favorites.”
The sight of the lavishly arranged sweets lifted her spirits immediately.
The shop’s most famous menu items—the colorfully frilled macarons and the delicately layered strawberry crepe cake—were set right in the middle.
Along with them were pound cake, various other cakes, scones, and sandwiches.
“It looks like a tea set, just all gathered together.”
“Tristan must have put some thought into this.”
It seemed he had increased the portions significantly and gathered them all in one place for Maya.
“I like having everything spread out in one place like this.”
Maya beamed, delighted by Tristan’s consideration.
Seren, eyes wide, studied each dessert one by one.
“The decorations are beautiful.”
The crepe cake was sprinkled with matching-colored sugar powder and decorated with beautifully piped cream—it was a work of art.
“You sound like someone seeing it for the first time.”
“It is my first time here, Your Grace.”
Seren admitted honestly with a nod, leaving Maya utterly stunned.
Unbelievable…!
Out of Seren’s mouth had come something Maya never expected.
“What do you mean this is your first time? You’ve always lived in the capital! Do you know how famous this place is?”
“I gain weight easily if I eat too much, so I’ve always been strict about managing myself. Especially with sweet things like this—I can immediately feel the weight sticking to me, so I don’t eat them often.”
Good heavens.
“Management is important, but you should also enjoy life.”
Maya was shocked, watching Seren hold a fork yet hesitate to take a bite.
How on earth did Count Baker raise her?
Her childhood must have been far more unstable than Maya imagined.
Even now, Seren sat with a fork in hand, struggling over whether to eat.
“Still, since I’m going to be a count, wouldn’t it be better to always maintain a perfect appearance…?”
Seren seemed burdened by constant pressure over her outward image.
“What exactly is your definition of perfection?”
Maya tilted her head.
In her past life or her current one, she had met many nobles, but none as strict on themselves as Seren.
“You’re already enough.”
Her words came from experience.
For a woman to rise to a high position, she had to be exceptional.
People who broke exceptions always stood out.
But living like that forever was exhausting.
If an exception remained an exception forever…
“If it’s not enough, then I’ll make it enough. I’ll ensure you can stand on equal footing with anyone.”
It wouldn’t be easy, but if it was necessary, Maya would make it happen.
It would be such a shame not to know this.
Just as she herself had found joy in experiencing things she never had in her previous life, Maya hoped Seren would too.
I want to show her.
She resolved that today, she would teach Seren how beautiful desserts were, and how happy delicious food could make a person.
If Seren could share in her happiness through the things she loved—then it would be wonderful.
“Please, go ahead first, Your Grace. I’ll eat slowly.”
Maybe it was best to set an example.
Maya began devouring the macarons, cakes, and bread in front of her.
She chewed carefully, making sure her stomach wouldn’t get upset—wasting a good meal by overeating would be a tragedy.
Just watching Maya eat so heartily was enough to stir Seren’s appetite.
“It’s fascinating. You eat so well, Your Grace, yet…”
“Ah, I’ve trained for so long that my digestion is quite strong.”
After thinking a bit, Maya offered an idea.
“If you’re worried about gaining weight, how about taking an evening walk in the forest?”
She didn’t think Seren’s way of living was necessarily wrong.
“If it’s Your Grace asking, I’d simply follow without question.”
To Seren, Maya was an incomprehensible figure, one she still wasn’t used to.
In her position, Maya could easily demand obedience, yet she still took Seren’s concerns into account. It was baffling.
“You don’t really need to do that, given your status.”
“Perhaps. But wouldn’t it be better if we’re both happy?”
Maya grinned, placing a neatly cut slice of crepe cake in front of Seren.
…There are still so many things unresolved.
Maya’s investiture ceremony hadn’t even taken place, and Seren hadn’t formally inherited her title as countess. Yet, for some reason, it felt as though everything would turn out well.
Have I been infected by her optimism?
Normally, Seren wasn’t one to live without a plan, but now she wanted to believe things would work out.
You must be just as afraid as I am, Maya.
This life was built not on her father’s will, but her own choices. That meant she would accept her fears too.
Seren lifted the slice of crepe cake Maya had given her and took a bite. The thin layers, the sweet-tart strawberries, and the whipped cream all melted together in harmony.
The sugary sweetness made her shiver.
“Delicious, isn’t it?”
Maya, already halfway through her own slice, smiled as she asked.
Seren poked her fork into the cake again and nodded.
“This is the first time I’ve eaten something this sweet…”
For the first time, Seren realized food could make someone happy.
“It’d be nice to come here again sometime.”
“What, you were planning to come alone?”
It was the first time Seren had suggested meeting up herself. Maya grinned and replied:
“We’re in the same boat now—we should see each other often.”
“That’s what I want to say to you, Your Grace.”
Seren muttered, rolling her eyes. Since spending time with Maya, she had grown more expressive, more comfortable showing her feelings.
She felt liberated.
It was an emotion she had never known in her life.
Meanwhile, after devouring every dessert the shop had prepared, Maya and Seren headed off to meet Ophrase.
Naturally, all eyes followed their carriage.
Not only had the pair suddenly reappeared after vanishing, but seeing them together was enough to stir gossip.
And of all places, they had gone together into a dress shop!
In the capital, rumors spread faster than a wyvern in flight.
“…I never imagined the two of you would visit together.”
He had expected them to arrive separately, keeping their distance.
Yet here they were, chatting like close friends.
Ophrase stared for a long moment at the unlikely pair before muttering.
Maya Pen—no, now Beaarden—side by side with Seren Baker.
I always thought they were completely different kinds of people.
Still, his surprise didn’t last long. Slipping back into his professional demeanor, he asked:
“So then, what sort of dresses will you two be needing?”
“Ophrase, I want something different from my usual. A dress that looks truly magnificent at a glance.”
It was shocking to hear Seren request a style she normally avoided.
And Maya’s request was no less surprising.
“Ophrase, I need an elegant and glamorous pure-white dress. Ah, if you imagine it carrying Seren’s aura, it’ll be easier.”
What kind of condition is that?
Dresses modeled after each other’s image? Ophrase glanced between the two.
Not easy, but… it might be fun.
“First, let’s get your measurements again.”
“Your Grace, you go first.”
“No, Seren, you go ahead.”
“Oh no, how could I possibly go first?”
As the two insisted on yielding to each other, Ophrase found himself unexpectedly happy.
The reason was simple.
Last time, scheduling their fittings separately while walking on eggshells had been a nightmare.
Now, it seemed that would no longer be necessary.
Dealing with clients is far harder than making the clothes themselves, honestly.
In the end, Seren yielded.
“Please, Your Grace, go first.”
“Then I won’t refuse.”
Maya quickly accepted and stepped into the fitting room, leaving Ophrase alone with her.
Handing over a booklet, he joked:
“A pure-white dress? Sounds almost like a wedding gown.”
Maya nodded immediately.
“That’s exactly the feeling I want. Perfect.”
She nodded so quickly—
…Excuse me?
Seeing the grand duchess blush shyly, Ophrase suddenly felt uneasy.
People don’t usually make dresses in pure white…
But she had agreed without hesitation.
He swallowed hard.
The dress he was about to make felt less like a gown… and more like a pure white wedding dress.
…What kind of entanglement is this supposed to be?
