𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟒𝟔: 𝐅𝐥𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐲 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬
“Lara, is there anything you’re struggling with right now?”
“No, not at all.”
“Are you sure there isn’t something?”
“I can’t think of anything.”
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Supported by the Marquis family, Florenci has received quite a high level of education.
Even I myself have been working freely under the Marchioness.
There is nothing more I could wish for.
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“I see.”
“Why do you ask such a question?”
“Well, I just thought I’d like to do a big favor for Lara and earn her respect.”
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Currently, I don’t need anyone’s help.
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“Thanks to the Marchioness, I’m living a life without inconvenience.”
“That’s a shame. Oh, right. What about your husband? I can’t say this too loudly, but I can sneak into Vulcano and dispose of him discreetly.”
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To dispose of him discreetly probably means to assassinate him. How can he casually say such a terrifying thing?
Moreover, this is not a proposal he says with a tilting of the head.
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“No, thank you.”
“Why? Despite being treated terribly, haven’t you ever wished him out of this world?”
“It’s a crime.”
“Merely thinking it costs nothing and isn’t a sin.”
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Indeed, merely wishing for someone’s death is not a crime.
Yet, until now, I have never wished for anyone’s life to end.
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“I might have thought that I wanted him to live without causing trouble to anyone in places unknown to me.”
“Lara is kind, isn’t she? I feel like crying. You’ve lived in a kind world from birth till marriage, haven’t you?”
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Just as Lord Montyver says, I, having grown up in the Duke Mendoza family, might have been a resident of a kind world.
My life before time rewound, until my father died, was happy.
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“. . . . . .I wonder if I can live in a kind world, too?”
“If you don’t wish for great happiness, I believe you too can become a resident of a kind world.”
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I believe it’s all about the state of mind.
If one laments being unhappy, they won’t notice the happiness and kindness of others that are right next to them.
Upon hearing my words, Lord Montyver looks at me with wide eyes.
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“Did I say something strange?”
“Not at all! I see. It’s not that complicated, is it?”
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Lord Montyver was nodding repeatedly with a relieved face, as if something had been lifted off him.
I don’t know his deep circumstances, but I’m glad that one of his worries seems to have been resolved.
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During such a conversation, the pancakes Lord Montyver recommended are brought in.
Three fluffy, voluminous pancakes were stacked.
Vulcano mainly has thin pancakes, so I’m surprised at the appearance first.
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“I’ve never seen pancakes with such a raised dough.”
“Really? It seems these have been trending recently.”
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Even in Binemöer, there had never been such thick pancakes until now.
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“The queen, who was once a princess of the kingdom of Flandeene, wanted to eat her hometown’s pancakes after a long time, and it spread from there and quickly became popular.”
“I see, that’s how it came about.”
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I’m encouraged to eat it while it’s warm, so I do.
When I cut into it, it’s surprisingly soft. Even when I skewer it with a fork, I can tell it’s different from the pancakes I’ve had before.
There was syrup, jam, and fresh cream available, but let’s try eating it as is first.
I take a bite with anticipation.
Then, it dissolves on my tongue. A gentle sweetness spreads throughout my mouth.
It was a new sensation of pancake that I’ve never eaten before.
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“Lara, how is it?”
“It’s unbelievably fluffy and very delicious. . . . . . !”
“Oh, good.”
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Here, I notice that only tea has been brought to Lord Montyver.
He hasn’t taken a sip yet, and steam was just rising from the cup.
He hadn’t even eaten the sablés that came out as a service.
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“Um, didn’t Lord Montyver order pancakes?”
“Ah, no, I’m fine.”
“You don’t have a problem with sweet stuff, do you?”
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When he came to the Marquis’ residence, he was eating the churros I made, slathered with plenty of chocolate.
I always thought he loved sweets, but he’s not eating much today.
It feels wrong to be the only one eating.
So, I decided to make a suggestion.
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“Lord Montyver, would you like to try a bite of the pancake?”
“You’re offering me your pancake?”
“Yes.”
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Despite it not being such a strange proposal, Lord Montyver showed a gesture of thinking deeply, his hand on his chin.
I reconsidered it too.
If I offer him a bite, it means I have to cut a piece of pancake and bring it to Lord Montyver’s mouth.
This is commonly known as “here comes the airplane~.”
I said, without any embarrassment, “would you like a bite?”
He’s not Florenci, but I made a bold proposal to Lord Montyver, who is a stranger.
Now, I’m blushing intensely.
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“Ah, um, forget about what I just said――”
“I think I’ll take you up on that.”
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What?! I almost exclaimed in surprise, but hastily covered my mouth.
It’s unthinkable to be surprised about something I myself suggested.
I never even dreamt he would actually eat it.
I just said it to relieve myself of the guilt of being the only one eating the pancake.
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I have to take responsibility for what I’ve said.
With trembling hands, I cut a piece of pancake, loaded it with fresh cream.
I skewered it with a fork, and offered it to Lord Montyver.
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“P, Please.”
“Thank you.”
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Lord Montyver leaned forward and took a bite of the pancake.
There was fresh cream at the corner of his mouth, which he licked off.
At the moment when his red tongue flickered out, I felt as if I’d seen something I shouldn’t have and quickly averted my gaze.
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“Wow, this is the best pancake in the world. It must be because Lara fed me.”
“You’re exaggerating.”
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I tried to respond without showing my agitation, but my words came out in a rush.
Having finished eating the pancake, Lord Montyver seemed extremely satisfied.
After all, he loves sweet things.
He must have found it so delicious that he was squinting his eyes in happiness.
Was it my imagination that his eyes were slightly moist?
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“I wish you’d feed me again.”
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That sounded like a wish that would never be granted again.
Usually jovial, he’d be the type to say, “One more bite!”
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“I wish I could have become a gentle citizen of the world Lara taught me about.”
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His words sounded dreary, devoid of dreams or hopes.
Why would he say something like that?
The moment I looked at Lord Montyver’s face, I saw a shocking sight.
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“. . . . . .Cough!”
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Lord Montyver covered his mouth with his hand and coughed once.
Something crimson dripped down.
That was――blood.
After coughing up blood, Lord Montyver collapsed.
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“What?!”
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