Episode 14
The Villainess’s Theory of Happiness
As soon as we entered the boutique the boy had mentioned, a clerk warmly greeted us.
Led to a seat, I was served tea and desserts one after another.
Not long after I finished my cup—
A woman rushed inside.
Panting, she caught her breath and spoke.
“Welcome. Your Highness, I’m Madam Lis.”
I hadn’t even introduced myself.
Yet she already knew who I was.
For some reason, it felt like I had become a celebrity.
Embarrassing—
But not unpleasant.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Fiora Tiane de Damon.”
At my introduction, Madam Lis muttered softly—
“Just as I thought.”
“What brings you here today?”
Only then did I recall my purpose.
“I’d like to see dresses and suits suitable for children attending a banquet.”
“What sizes are the children?”
…Ah.
I didn’t know.
They were around nine, eight, six, and three years old.
Slightly taller than average, perhaps.
But without exact measurements—
The clothes wouldn’t fit properly on the day of the banquet.
However—
Madam Lis was sharper than I expected.
A skilled businesswoman.
And once—
A disciple of a renowned designer from the capital.
She had once prospered greatly.
But now—
Her situation was dire.
It wasn’t ball season.
And the few customers she had were taken by a newly opened boutique.
So when I walked in—
She sensed opportunity.
A chance she couldn’t afford to miss.
“Even if you don’t know the exact sizes, I can obtain them.”
She added that a designer she knew had recently made clothes for the young lord and lady of the Child family.
That was welcome news.
“Then could you do that for me?”
At my approval—
Her face lit up.
She brought out a notebook filled with designs and laid it before me.
They were all beautiful—
But not what I wanted.
“What style are you looking for?”
Recalling my own dress—
I sketched it roughly and explained.
“It may be tight on time, but I’d like it to match this dress as a set.”
But Lis waved her hands dismissively.
“Three days will be enough!”
The banquet was in four days.
Which meant—
She already knew why I was ordering.
She even knows that? This woman… she’s going to go far.
“Then I’ll leave it to you.”
“You’d like something with a similar feel to that dress?”
I nodded.
She smiled.
“What price range would you prefer?”
…No idea.
So—
I handed her a pouch filled with gold coins.
Her eyes widened the moment she saw it.
“Will this be enough?”
Her cheeks flushed.
Her gaze—
Locked onto the money.
Snatching the pouch with both hands—
She shouted.
“Yes! Leave everything to me!!”
The moment we left the salon—
Children suddenly raised his voice at me.
It startled me.
It was the first time he had spoken so sharply.
“Wasn’t that far too much money?”
…So I really had overpaid.
“…Really? I’m not familiar with Crescent’s prices yet.”
He sighed.
“The value of currency isn’t that different. But that amount… was excessive.”
Maybe I should’ve studied beforehand.
But there hadn’t been time.
“Well… it’s already spent. Nothing we can do.”
He nodded.
We resumed walking through the city.
Then—
A restaurant caught my eye.
‘Richelieu.’
A name clearly inspired by a Korean restaurant.
And one I recognized.
In the original story—it was famous for its incredible food.
It was a bit early for dinner—
But it was open.
And I was hungry.
Without hesitation—
I stepped inside.
Then—
A familiar voice.
“Your Highness?”
…Oh.
Parent.
I nearly said it out loud.
Barely holding back, I greeted him properly.
“…Hello, Duke.”
If I knew this place—
Then it must’ve been mentioned often.
Which meant—
The male or female lead had visited frequently.
Ugh. I shouldn’t have come.
“Quite early for dinner, isn’t it?”
Then why are you here this early?
I swallowed the thought and simply nodded.
He extended his hand.
“Since we’ve met, would you care to join me?”
Refusing would be rude.
So I accepted.
I’ll just eat quickly and leave.
…That had been the plan.
But once the food arrived—
The restaurant began filling up.
Whispers spread.
“Isn’t that…?”
“The Duke of Child and the Princess of Damon…”
I can’t breathe.
Eating under so many eyes—
Was suffocating.
Meanwhile—
Baridas calmly cut his steak.
…Do you need thick skin to be a male lead?
“Is something wrong?”
Yes. You are.
But I couldn’t say that.
“It’s nothing.”
I smiled awkwardly and took a bite.
It was delicious.
Truly.
But I couldn’t relax.
“Does it not suit your taste?”
It’s not the steak. It’s you.
“…No, it’s good.”
“I’m glad.”
I’m not.
But then—
Dessert arrived.
An orange tart.
And the moment I tasted it—
Everything disappeared.
Crispy crust.
Sweet jam.
A hint of chocolate.
Perfection.
Was I reincarnated just to eat this?
“You seem to like it.”
I covered my mouth, embarrassed.
“…It’s delicious.”
The kids would love this.
I hesitated—
Then spoke.
“Can this be packaged? I’d like to take some for the children.”
Baridas didn’t hesitate.
He rang the bell.
Then said—
“Who made this dessert?”
The manager rushed over.
They began talking.
I heard the word—
Salary.
…Wait. Is he about to throw money around?
Like—
“My fiancée likes it, so I’ll take the pastry chef.”
No way.
…Except.
That’s exactly what happened.
The chef agreed.
Starting tomorrow—
He would work at the duke’s estate.
Wow. So this is what it means to be rich.
I silently applauded him.
After the meal—
We waited for the carriage.
Mine had already left.
So I boarded his.
In my arms—
A box of chocolate madeleines.
He noticed.
“What is that?”
I opened the box slightly.
“Madeleines.”
“You bought them for the children?”
“No, for Children.”
His expression—
Shifted.
…Did I say something wrong?
Then I realized.
Right. He’s my fiancé.
“…I just like taking care of kids.”
Don’t worry. I don’t see him as a man.
But his expression stiffened further.
Why?
Then it hit me.
He had a fierce face.
Sharp eyes.
Harsh features.
But—
He loved sweets.
…He wants one.
“Would you like some?”
I offered the box.
“You said it was a gift.”
“It’s late. The kids are probably asleep.”
(It was barely 8 PM.)
I popped one into my mouth—
And held another out to him.
“Here.”
He hesitated.
Then took it.
He’s basically still a kid.
(He was 23.
Two years younger than me in my previous life.)
…Wait.
Could I call him “oppa”?
…No.
Absolutely not.
The madeleine was delicious.
But—
As realization hit—
My face burned.
What if that look earlier meant… ‘So what?’
…This is so embarrassing.
