𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧
“We can’t just part ways like this, without anything happening.”
ㅤ
Edgardo muttered as if resigning himself to the inevitable. A sense of impending judgment hung in the air around him.
ㅤ
“Um, would you like something warm to drink? I’m not very good at making tea, how about cocoa?”
ㅤ
For someone used to having a dedicated maid prepare tea or coffee, I can’t offer much. I’m not particularly confident in making cocoa either, but it’s better than tea because I used to make it for Thor.
Edgardo looked like he wanted to say something but nodded in silence.
ㅤ
“How sweet should I make it?”
“I’ll leave it to Miss Norchev.”
“It will be to my taste, is that alright?”
“Yes.”
ㅤ
In a dimly lit kitchen, steam began to rise. Edgardo didn’t utter a single word until I made the modestly sweet cocoa.
ㅤ
“Sorry for the wait.”
“No, thank you. . .Aah, it’s delicious.”
ㅤ
I sat a bit away from Edgardo, who was muttering in satisfaction, and took a sip of cocoa. The cocoa, which turned out a little sweeter than expected, began to relax my tense body and mind.
Edgardo, who had silently finished his cocoa, gripped the cup with both hands and stared at a point in the room.
ㅤ
“You must despise me.”
ㅤ
How did it come to this?
ㅤ
“Is it because of. . .the lady you should protect?”
“No, it’s me.”
ㅤ
Edgardo, lost for words, gripped his cup so hard it shook, and finally let out what had been stuck in his throat.
ㅤ
“It’s because I like sweet things.”
“Ah, I see.”
ㅤ
In response to Edgardo’s seriousness, I ended up giving a reply that was far too light. Look, even Edgardo is surprised!
ㅤ
“All I have is sweet bread!”
ㅤ
What he showed me was a sandwich for a late-night snack. It had chocolate cream in it today. There were also ones with chocolate and whipped cream, but I thought they might be too sweet and left them behind.
Edgardo, holding it all, seemed like he wanted to be judged.
ㅤ
“I like sweet things too.”
“It’s fine for a lady! I’m supposed to become the head of the Marquis Valka family, and yet I like sweet things!”
“I see.”
ㅤ
Is it really that bad to like sweet things?
Even Varnier likes sweet things. Varnier, you know, is a muscular, burly knight who answered “mild” when asked about the spiciness of curry.
ㅤ
“I believe personal food preferences are a matter of individual freedom. Though, if you like something unsavory, it would be better not to eat it in public.”
ㅤ
The dishes considered unsavory in this world can be quite grotesque.
ㅤ
“. . .That’s it?”
“My brother and his friends also like sweet things.”
ㅤ
Edgardo stared at me in amazement for a moment, then gradually began to speak.
ㅤ
“I was raised to be masculine. . .sweet things and bright colors were forbidden. But, I like sweet things. . .”
ㅤ
When something is restricted, you tend to become obsessed with it. Sweet things are comforting, but he was denied that comfort.
ㅤ
“After coming to the Fourth Knight Order, I finally found freedom. But I’m a coward. I acted like I wasn’t interested in sweet things because it felt like a bad thing. . .until you made a late-night snack.”
ㅤ
So you couldn’t resist eating sweets as a midnight snack?
Apologizing. . .doesn’t feel right, does it? I can’t quite put it into words, but that doesn’t seem correct. After all, I can’t think of eating sweets as something bad for Edgardo.
ㅤ
“For tonight’s dessert, we have two options: just chocolate cream or one with fresh cream added. Which do you prefer?”
“Eh? Uh, the one with fresh cream.”
“In that case, I will prepare a slightly sweeter selection for next time.”
ㅤ
Draining the cocoa, I set down the cup.
ㅤ
“I don’t know what happened here. It’s unthinkable for a lady to be talking alone with a man at this hour.”
ㅤ
I’ll pretend I don’t know about this conversation.
Because I don’t know what to say. It’s easy to declare here and now that Edgardo is not at fault. However, I can’t take responsibility for whatever happens next.
ㅤ
“Valka-sama, if I happen to come near the house where I’m staying, please allow me to treat you to tea. I will serve some sweets with the tea, but since you don’t like them, you don’t have to eat them.”
ㅤ
Edgardo looked at me suddenly, his dark eyes shining.
ㅤ
“Are there any delicious sweets at Valka-sama’s house? Since it’s a day off, I was thinking of going shopping.”
“Um, there are cakes from Kusher on Main Street.”
ㅤ
Edgardo’s voice is trembling.
He must have always wanted to eat it, but couldn’t. It was impossible to eat it secretly at home. Even after joining the knight corps, Edgardo couldn’t go buy a cake by himself.
ㅤ
“Then I’ll go buy some tomorrow. I should be back by afternoon tea time. Oh, but wait, I haven’t received my salary yet.”
ㅤ
Sarcastic words echo. A few seconds later, Edgardo burst into laughter.
ㅤ
“Haha, alright. Let me offer a gift to Miss Norchev as thanks for everything.”
ㅤ
This is the first time I’ve seen Edgardo’s facial muscles move so much. When he smiles with narrowed eyes, he looks a bit younger.
ㅤ
“It’s late, so I’ll take you home. The gift will be in front of your door tomorrow morning.”
“Thank you.”
ㅤ
Edgardo, like a knight, escorted me home and stayed at the door until I locked it.
The next morning after a deep sleep, there was a luxurious purse filled with several gold coins and a bag filled with some magical security tools in front of the door. The magic tools were expensive, so it was surprising, but I decided to accept them without hesitation, assuming they also served as hush money.
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