Chapter 47
The next day, Toto personally brought a carrot cake to the Synope Mansion.
“Hello!”
Hearing that a guest had arrived, the butler came out and greeted Toto.
“Toto, isn’t it? The young lady was just about to go to the shop herself.”
“The shop must be hectic with customers. So I baked a cake myself to give directly to the young lady.”
“So you don’t need to go to the shop today?”
“I left it in Sally’s care. She’s been working alongside me since the shop opened, so she’ll manage fine on her own.”
Sally had been Toto’s longtime friend. Everyone assumed they would marry someday, though neither seemed aware of the other’s feelings.
“Is the young lady inside?”
Toto’s heart swelled at the thought of seeing her after a long time. Most young men in the neighborhood likely had a childhood crush on her at least once.
Though he no longer felt romantic emotions, childhood memories still made his heart flutter.
“Yes. The young lady, her husband, and the lawyer helping with your business are here.”
Rumors that Pete had studied law had been exaggerated over time, so people came to assume he was a lawyer.
“Her husband is here too?”
Toto didn’t even register the mention of the lawyer. All he heard was that Emily’s husband, the Marquis Star, was present.
“I thought her husband was a mafia boss? I think I’ll just head back to the shop.”
In peaceful Synope, seeing a mafia boss was unheard of. So the idea of a mafia lurking in his imagination was terrifying.
“At first, I was worried too, but the more I see him, the more I realize he’s fine. You don’t need to be so afraid.”
“Really?”
“Yes. You wouldn’t believe how devoted he is to taking care of the young lady.”
“That’s reassuring to hear.”
Encouraged by the butler’s words, Toto followed him inside.
By then, the three had already finished breakfast and were chatting on the salon sofa.
The butler knocked and announced Toto’s arrival.
“Miss, Toto has baked a cake personally and has come to deliver it.”
“Oh my, Toto came personally? Come in.”
Toto, upon entering, momentarily closed his eyes as if overwhelmed by the sight of the room.
“Toto, what’s wrong?”
Emily asked worriedly, thinking perhaps he had become anemic from overworking lately.
“The brightness of everyone here is too dazzling—I can’t keep my eyes open.”
“What?”
Killian and Pete, sitting to the right, stared at him as if he were a strange creature.
The butler added an explanatory note, as if understanding.
“Toto’s shop owes much of its success to this affection.”
“It’s not affection!”
Toto protested, indignant. Did he look like someone who would fawn over people—even a mafia boss?
“Sit here for now. Long time no see, Toto.”
Emily called him to the central sofa.
“Yes, Miss. I’m glad to see you healthy.”
Toto smiled again and sat down. The young lady, as always, was angelic and kind.
He turned to greet those accompanying her. Though he had heard vague rumors about the mafia, seeing one in person was a first.
Had the Marquis been scarred or rough-looking, he might have been scared. But the Marquis Star was strikingly handsome, and his manner was refined.
Most importantly, he had come to help him!
Though slightly intimidated by Killian and Pete’s size, the butler’s earlier explanation had calmed Toto’s fear considerably.
“I understand you’ve come to help me. Thank you.”
“We didn’t come for you; we’re here to assist the young lady.”
Embarrassed by Pete’s sharp correction, Toto apologized.
“My apologies. I didn’t mean any offense.”
‘The so-called lawyer looks scarier than the Marquis.’
Emily gestured toward Toto’s cake.
“Is that the famous Toto carrot cake you brought?”
“Yes! That’s right.”
The butler reached for the cake.
“Let me cut it for you.”
He sliced the cake and placed pieces on plates, handing them out.
Emily, who loved desserts, tasted first and exclaimed.
“This is the best cake I’ve ever had!”
“That makes me very happy to hear.”
Toto wasn’t surprised. He had heard such praise many times. Despite its short shelf life, so many people tried to buy in bulk that they had to limit purchases per person.
Killian and Pete, however, showed little reaction while eating.
“Does carrot cake normally just taste like cream cheese?”
Pete, not fond of desserts, mumbled as he ate.
“The cream cheese is prominent, but… yeah, mostly cream cheese flavor?”
Toto frowned at his comment, but Emily quickly elaborated.
“He doesn’t enjoy desserts much.”
Emily, taking another generous bite, praised the cake to lift Toto’s spirits.
“The sponge is chewy and moist—just perfect. The cream cheese is rich, not too tangy, and the milk flavor is deep and nutty. Did you purposely cut the carrots thick? It’s really delicious.”
Killian found Emily’s enthusiastic review both cute and fascinating.
“And you?”
Emily asked him expectantly. Flustered, Killian swallowed and replied,
“It’s delicious.”
“Just that?”
She blinked at him, urging him to say more.
Caught in her expectant gaze, Killian wondered, ‘What else should I say?’
“The subtle cinnamon scent is nice.”
That seemed the right answer; both Emily and Toto smiled in satisfaction.
Pete alone frowned at Killian, suspicious.
The butler skillfully brewed tea and placed it beside the cake.
“This goes perfectly with a strong Darjeeling. Please enjoy with your cake.”
The tea neatly cleansed the lingering sweetness.
“Toto, a cake this good could succeed even in the capital. I’m glad you stayed in Synope.”
Blushing from the compliment, Toto kept scratching the back of his neck.
“I like living here, so I’m not eager to move to the capital. Besides, staying here means even the young lady, your lordship, can help with the business.”
He also thanked Killian and Pete once more.
In the cheerful atmosphere, a maid approached Emily.
“Miss, Baron Roman’s wife would like to speak with you briefly.”
“For what?”
“She wishes to host a small tea party while you’re here and wants to discuss the guest list.”
“Alright, understood.”
Emily excused herself and left with the butler.
With Emily gone, a deep silence fell among the remaining three.
Toto glanced at the remaining cake. Three pieces were left, but he didn’t want to share them with people who couldn’t fully appreciate the charm of dessert.
‘I wonder what Sally’s doing now. She must be super busy… probably scolding me endlessly.’
He thought he’d stop by to rub her shoulders when he returned home.
“Hey.”
Pete called out to the distracted Toto.
“Yes?”
The coldness in his voice made Toto’s heart sink. His gaze was so sharp it felt like being sliced by a blade.
“Do you think this is just your little business?”
“Huh?”
Toto didn’t understand at first, so Killian spoke up.
“If you just pocket the profits, we could leave you penniless in an instant.”
Pete tapped his head with his finger.
“Think carefully about why the young lady is helping you.”
The two men’s threatening stares made Toto’s spine tingle as if his life were at stake.
“O-of course! I’ve already promised the villagers. Only crops from Synope are used, and everyone employed will be from Synope.”
He was sincere. All the villagers cared for each other like family. Toto wanted everyone to prosper together.
He exaggerated gestures to reassure them, showing he had nothing to hide.
“You set fair employment terms, right?”
Pete still eyed him suspiciously.
“Yes! Wages are above local standards, breaks are ensured, meals covered, and exceptional employees get rewarded with vacation.”
Toto enthusiastically listed the employment benefits, many of which were generous compared to other businesses.
“How do we know you’re not just saying that?”
Pete asked skeptically.
“All paperwork will be verified beforehand, so please check them.”
Cold sweat ran down Toto’s face as Killian added one last warning.
“This is Emily’s first investment. Any misconduct, and you’ll pay with your life.”
“Y-yes, sir!”
Damn, forget being unafraid.
