After parting ways with the Duke, I returned to my room and tried to calm my heart, which was still beating a little too fast.
Before his affection meter had been unlocked, I hadn’t really paid much attention to him. But now, every subtle change in his expression and every bit of casual physical contact felt incredibly significant to me.
I guess that’s just the power of having such a ridiculously handsome face…
“I’ll see you during riding lessons today.”
When someone with that face, that expression, and that atmosphere says something like that, even an ordinary appointment sounds like it carries some profound meaning!
“Begone, distracting thoughts…”
I hurriedly shook those thoughts out of my head. I’d learned the same thing while dealing with Evil Edwin—if I got swept up in the other person’s attitude, it actually became harder to raise their affection.
Anyway, after checking that I still had a little time before meeting Edwin, I changed into my riding clothes and headed back toward the dining hall.
This time, my destination was the kitchen nearby.
“Oh! Miss Windsor. What brings you here? I was just about to come ask if there was anything you’d like to eat.”
The head chef beamed the moment he spotted me, letting out a hearty laugh as he approached. Compared to the days when he’d been cooking in what looked like a ruined kitchen, he was practically a different person now.
“I actually came because I have a favor to ask.”
Meeting his warm, friendly gaze, I smiled awkwardly and pulled a small bottle from inside my clothes.
“If it’s a favor from Miss Windsor, I’d be happy to help. Hmm… What’s this?”
The chef accepted the bottle, lifting it to examine it closely. Inside the palm-sized glass bottle was a fine white powder that looked like powdered sugar, filling it about halfway.
“It doesn’t seem to be a spice.”
“Right. It’s a kind of preservative.”
More precisely, it was a magical preservative that was completely harmless to humans.
Witch’s Secret Preservative — 1,500 Diamonds
A special formula created by a witch who was constantly frustrated by magical potion ingredients spoiling. Sprinkle it on fresh food, herbs, or potions to greatly extend their shelf life.
(No harmful side effects to the human body.)
The cash shop had offered plenty of similar items, but this was the only one that explicitly stated it had no side effects, so I’d tearfully spent the diamonds.
Even after hearing my explanation, the chef still tilted his head in confusion.
“What do you need it for?”
“Well… actually… I need some bread that you bake.”
“…Bread?”
Hearing myself say it out loud, it did sound a little strange.
But it was true.
Because…
The thing Edwin had recommended I trade for the Golden Carrot…
…was bread.
“The desserts the head chef makes. I heard you were the one who provided the recipes.”
“Well… yes.”
“Most collectors are obsessed with anything new and unusual. I believe they’d be more than enough as payment.”
I quickly explained the whole situation.
“So His Grace suggested that I use your bread for bartering.”
“Oh… dear…”
Contrary to my expectations, the chef didn’t immediately agree.
Not only that—even his neatly groomed mustache drooped like a rain-soaked foxtail.
“W-What’s wrong?”
He’d clearly been wanting to say something, and at my question he let out a deep, heavy sigh.
“I’m not sure whether my bread would really be of any help.”
“Huh?”
“The recipes you gave me allowed me to create many new and unusual breads… but lately… my confidence has been at rock bottom. His Grace said those things, but until recently he wouldn’t even glance at the desserts I recommended. And… whenever he stared at me, it felt as though he were silently condemning me…”
He lowered his voice.
“…Miss Windsor, you always say everything I make is delicious. Honestly… sometimes I wonder if you’re only saying that to comfort me…”
“Stop right there!!!”
Listening to him spiral deeper and deeper into gloomy self-doubt, I quickly cut him off before things got even worse.
I understood wanting people to enjoy the food you made…
But this was getting excessive!
Smiling as brightly as I could to reassure him, I said,
“Of course it’ll help! You’re not just copying the recipes I gave you—you’ve added your own techniques and experience to them. I don’t need the bread from the recipe.”
“I need the bread you made, Chef.”
He looked somewhat convinced, but he still didn’t seem entirely reassured.
After another sigh, he muttered,
“I’ve never felt so clear-headed in my life. Yet at the same time… I have this strange feeling. Like I’ve made some irreversible mistake…”
“…Chef, how old are you?”
“…I’ll be fifty the day after tomorrow.”
Ah.
I nodded knowingly.
Oh… that’s textbook male menopause.
“I already told you—it was His Grace who suggested this in the first place! That means the Duke thinks highly of the bread you make! He said it’s delicious and unique.”
“…Really?”
“I’m serious! His Grace just isn’t very expressive. I’m sure he’s been paying close attention to your desserts all this time, even if he never said anything.”
Edwin hadn’t actually said those exact words, but I did my best to encourage him.
Thankfully, the moment I mentioned Edwin, the chef’s expression gradually brightened.
Honestly, with that beard and rugged appearance, he looked like the manliest man imaginable…
Yet inside, he had the heart of a teenage girl.
He soon covered his face in embarrassment, lamenting how disgraceful it was to behave like that in front of me. It took me a while to calm him down.
“So… you’ll help me?”
“Of course! I shall create bread so magnificent that it will never bring shame upon the name of House Belmont!”
Seeing the chef’s passion restored, I thanked him once more and left the kitchen.
Convincing him had taken longer than expected, and before I knew it, it was almost time for the riding lesson I’d promised the Duke.
Stepping into the back courtyard, I could see the outline of the stables in the distance.
I’m really not confident about this…
Practicing horseback riding with the Duke was one thing…
But I still wasn’t emotionally prepared to see Geumjok again.
The reason I’d become so obsessed with obtaining the Golden Carrot was because I still hadn’t gotten over being kicked by him.
The pain from that day had faded…
But the shock itself was still deeply engraved in both my body and my memory.
And thinking back on it now…
I really didn’t think Geumjok had liked me for even a single moment since we’d first met.
That suspicion became certainty the instant I saw him happily spending time with the Duke inside the stable.
“Neigh!”
Geumjok had arrived before me and was happily frolicking in front of the Duke, practically radiating joy.
Seeing him rub his face against Edwin like an affectionate puppy after acting so cold toward me made me speechless all over again.
“Miss Windsor, you’ve arrived.”
“Ah… yes…”
The moment Geumjok noticed me standing behind Edwin, all of his enthusiasm instantly vanished.
“Greet your owner.”
“Neigh?”
“Go on.”
Apparently oblivious to Geumjok’s attitude—or perhaps fully aware of it—Edwin gently tugged on the reins, leading him over to me.
Geumjok desperately tried to avoid looking at me, but in the end, he couldn’t resist the Duke’s guidance and slowly walked over.
“H-Hi…”
“Hmph!”
He was much calmer than before, but he still refused to even look at me, sharply turning his head away.
Watching the two of us in silence, Edwin quietly remarked,
“It seems better than before.”
“…In what way, exactly?”
The question slipped out before I could stop myself.
It was one hundred percent sincere.
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