TAJ 04

Chapter 4

Fortunately, the guards didn’t come looking for Claire the next day, nor the day after, nor the day after that.

As the days passed, Claire gradually regained her peace of mind within the comfort of her ordinary routine.

The memory of that day began to fade, and Claire opened the door to the Lemon House with a refreshed feeling, as if the whole incident with the necklace in the birch forest had never happened.

The bell attached to the door jingled brightly.

Humming a children’s song that her mother used to sing to her—a tune she and Isabel both liked—Claire wiped down the display shelves.

The rich scent of butter was wafting from the workshop.

Were they baking scones today?

As Claire straightened her back after bending over to clean the glass, a woman with the same dark brown hair as Claire entered the store.

Dark brown hair was the most common hair color in all of Caliba, and Shudehill, located in the southwest, was no exception.

Claire liked having such an unremarkable, everyday hair color that blended in wherever she went.

With an apologetic smile, she approached the woman.

“Sorry, we’re not quite open yet. Would you mind coming back a little later?”

The woman, who appeared to be in her late twenties or early thirties, had her hair neatly tied up.

“Would it be possible to bake and deliver five types of cookies by this afternoon?”

“Cookies?”

“Yes, it’s a bit urgent.”

“I’m sorry, but we don’t make cookies here.”

“But the Countess of Norton said she’d pay generously. She loves your muffins and was sure your cookies would be just as delicious.”

Claire blinked in surprise.

“The Countess of Norton?”

“Yes, I’m Sally, a maid in her household.”

The moment she heard the name “Norton,” Claire instinctively recalled Clive Norton from that day.

She thought she was starting to forget—but it resurfaced so easily.

Maybe the lack of follow-up meant the suspicion was cleared? Though she didn’t know the reason, that could be it.

Claire shook off unnecessary thoughts with a small sigh.

“I would really appreciate it.”

“That’s not something I can decide on my own. Could you wait just a moment?”

“Can I come with you and explain it to the owner?”

Claire led Sally to the workshop. Brenda was taking raisin scones out of the oven.

“Boss, we have a visitor.”

“A visitor?”

Brenda turned, wiping the sweat from her brow with the back of her hand, surprised that a customer would enter the workshop.

“Hello, I’m Sally, a maid to the Countess of Norton. There’s been an issue with the oven at the estate, so we’d like to urgently place a cookie order.”

“Cookies?”

“I know you don’t usually make them, but the Madam really loves the desserts from Lemon House.”

A troubled look passed over Brenda’s face.

“She insists on serving cookies made here for her tea party. Please, is there any way you could help?”

As Brenda hesitated, Sally quickly added, sensing her indecision.

“We need them by this afternoon—it’s very short notice, but the Madam said she’s willing to pay whatever it takes.”

“I don’t know if I can have them ready in time…”

Brenda gave a noncommittal reply. She was curious just how much “whatever it takes” actually meant.

It might be possible if she hurried, but there was also the risk of not finishing in time and getting scolded for it.

“If you’re short on help, I can send a few maids to assist.”

Sally brushed off the concern with ease.

“Please, I’m begging you.”

Moved by her earnestness, Brenda let out a sighing smile.

“No need to send maids.”

“Could you prepare five kinds with whatever’s available right now?”

“Five kinds… Let’s see. Earl Grey, almond, chocolate, cranberry, and vanilla… Yes, we can probably manage that.”

Brenda counted the ingredients on her fingers and finally gave a nod.

“Please make sure they’re delivered by no later than three.”

“I’ll do my best.”

After Sally left, Brenda asked Drew to fetch Earl Grey tea leaves, almonds, dried cranberries, and vanilla extract from the cellar.

“Should I help, too?” Claire asked.

“Drew’s help should be enough. But there’s one thing—I promised to deliver wheat bread to the church around that time.”

Brenda glanced at the loaves lined up, still in the process of fermentation.

The church regularly ordered bread from bakeries across Shudehill.

It was a form of charity, helping bakeries with business while providing food to the needy.

And today was Lemon House’s turn to deliver.

So it’s today… of all days.

Claire didn’t know much about noble life, but she figured the commander of Shudehill’s guards wouldn’t be lounging around the estate in the afternoon.

Still, if she was unlucky, they might cross paths. She didn’t want to get interrogated again.

But Claire couldn’t take the delivery cart to the church herself.

…Or maybe she should learn how to drive the cart now?

As all kinds of thoughts rushed through her head, Claire finally said what she really didn’t want to say.

“I’ll deliver the cookies to the estate.”

Even though Brenda said Drew’s help would be enough, in the end, it wasn’t.

With the wheat bread for the church and now cookies for the countess, the oven had to be constantly fed with firewood.

Drew was busy hauling wood, checking the oven’s temperature, moving flour and eggs, and helping with the dough.

He also had to cool the finished loaves and load them onto the cart.

Claire helped wherever she could, slipping in and out between watching the store and assisting in the workshop.

She washed used dishes, took finished cookies out of the oven to cool, and helped Drew carry the bread.

As time went on, the three of them were drenched in sweat.

The oven was already hot, and they had to move quickly.

After all the dough was finished and the cookies were baking, they finally had a short break.

They wolfed down a salad with tomatoes for a late lunch.

Normally they would’ve followed it with tea, but not today.

Drew left with the loaded cart for the church, and Brenda and Claire carefully packed the cookies into baskets so they wouldn’t break.

Ugh. Time is so tight.

Claire didn’t even have time to exchange farewells with Brenda before leaving Lemon House.

“I’m heading out!”

Leaving the jingling doorbell behind, Claire hurried down the road.

She’d been so busy, she forgot to think about Clive for a moment.

But as soon as she exited the town and entered the birch forest, she remembered the necklace she’d found—and her thoughts wandered back to Clive.

Goodness. That necklace belonged to Caitlin Norton, the late Countess.

Claire still couldn’t wrap her head around it.

Luckily, there wasn’t time to dwell on it. She was practically running to stay on schedule, and her feet started to ache.

The birch forest, which once felt breathtakingly beautiful, now just felt like an obstacle course.

Physical pain pushed aside memories of being suspected as a thief.

Her breath came in short gasps, but there was no time to stop—no, wait.

If she collapsed here, she wouldn’t be able to deliver the cookies. The boss might think she ran off with them.

She might even confront Isabel. Or send someone from the estate to demand the cookies and harass Isabel.

So… she had to do this for Isabel.

Making excuses to herself, Claire bent over, resting her palms on her knees and catching her breath.

Not much farther. Just a little more and the estate would come into view beyond the forest.

She wiped the sweat pouring down her face with her sleeve, but it just made the sleeve soggy.

After catching her breath, Claire began walking again, dragging her feet.

Forget it. I can’t go any faster.

Her legs felt like they weighed a ton. She moved them only out of habit now.

When she finally reached the estate, she saw Sally pacing nervously near the servants’ entrance.

No—Sally had spotted Claire and was rushing over.

“Oh my, Claire! Are you okay? Your face is so red. You’re sweating so much.”

“I’m fine. Here—please take this.”

Sally took the basket of cookies, checking Claire’s condition with concern.

Claire felt a sense of relief and freedom as the weight left her arms.

“You’ll settle the payment at Lemon House later, right?”

“Yes, and I’ll return the basket then, too. Thank you so much.”

Sally set the basket down momentarily and took out a handkerchief from her pocket.

It wasn’t a high-quality cloth, but it was clean and embroidered with a small yellow bird. She gently wiped Claire’s forehead and cheeks with it.

Though they’d just met today, Sally’s gentle touch was kind. Claire grabbed her hand.

“Would it be okay if I washed and returned this later?”

“It’s fine. It’s just a handkerchief—I can wash it easily.”

“…I think I’ll sweat a lot on the way back.”

Wiping with sleeves had its limits.

“Then borrow it for now.”

“Thank you. The Countess must be waiting—I’ve taken too much of your time.”

Realizing that she couldn’t linger, Sally picked up the basket.

“You really worked hard today. Thank you.”

“Go on inside. I’ll be off.”

Feeling relieved after completing her mission, Claire bid her farewell.

Her slow steps away from the estate were heavy, but at least her hands were free now.

She leaned briefly against a birch tree and pulled out Sally’s handkerchief to wipe her forehead, cheeks, and neck.

Claire wrinkled her nose slightly. The sweat, mixed with body heat, gave off an unpleasant smell.

She wished she could at least wash her face, but that was impossible in the forest.

After a moment of sweet rest, she stood upright—just as she heard the sound of hooves approaching from the other side of the path.

There was the rumble of a carriage as well.

Since the only destination at the end of this road was the Norton estate, it could only be heading there.

Was it a member of the family? Or a guest? A noble?