Volume 2 Chapter 8 Alice and Baked Sweets
"Really now, Cain. I told you no. I get how you feel, but next time, it's a no, alright?"
Alice scolded Cain, words sharp but her smile wide and bright.
It was hard to take the lecture seriously with a face like that.
Cain mulled it over, only half listening as the scolding drifted around him.
"But you did good."
She said it and pulled Cain into a hug.
"This is embarrassing, Elder Sister Alice. Maybe we should head to a café and rest soon?"
Cain blushed from the hug, gently easing out of Alice's arms.
"Alright, then! Let's go to the shop with Mother Lydia's favorite baked sweets."
She grabbed Cain by the hand, swinging it back and forth all the way to the store.
The shop sat on a quiet street where not many people passed by.
Still, the place was lively──voices from women and girls spilled all the way out to the street.
"The baked sweets here are amazing. That's why it's always this crowded. I hope they haven't sold out──oh, wait, only 3 left! What now?!"
A big plate rested on the counter near the entrance, holding 3 round pastries──each about the size of an egg.
Alice sprinted over, spoke quickly with the woman behind the counter, and bought all 3 sweets at once.
Cain paused.
Maybe they were supposed to drink tea here?
Or had the plan changed?
"Cain, what are you doing? Hurry up and get in here!"
Alice called, waving her hand for him to come inside.
"Y-yes! Elder Sister Alice, please don't shout──it's embarrassing. There are so many women here, too."
Cain hurried to Alice, and she led him straight to a room in the back.
The space was small but fancy, with a table and 4 chairs.
The whole place felt classy.
"This shop's run by Mother Lydia's old head maid. She said this room was made almost just for Mother Lydia."
"Lady Alice, and Sir Cain. I'm so glad you both made it today."
A gentle-looking older woman stood at the entrance of the room.
"Martha, I'm back again... Oh, and there were only 3 biscuits left, so I bought them ahead of time. Sorry! Please don't tell Mother Lydia──it'd be 'Noble girls shouldn't shop for themselves,' and I'd get scolded."
"Understood. Though if Lady Lydia knew you understood her feelings, I doubt you'd be scolded. But let's keep today between us."
Her smile grew broad, like she was enjoying the little secret.
"Sir Cain, it's an honor to finally meet you. I'm Martha. I've heard so much about you from Lady Lydia and Lady Alice. I always wanted to say hello in person. And──wow, you're... even cuter than I heard. Ah, sorry!"
Martha quickly apologized for being too forward.
"It's fine, Martha. Cain really is cute, just look at him! Right, Cain?"
Alice jumped in to lighten the mood for Martha.
Cain answered with a warm little smile.
"Lady Alice, would you like 'the usual' again today?"
"Of course! I brought Cain so he could try it. Please!"
"Yes, right away."
Martha took their order and hurried out.
Soon after, Martha came back with biscuit-like pastries and fragrant tea.
"Thank you for waiting. Please dip them in this honey when you eat."
Alice wasted no time.
She poured plenty of honey over a pastry, grabbed one, and popped it into her mouth.
"Mmmm, sweet and so good!"
Her face lit up, pure delight as she chewed the honeyed pastry.
Cain copied Alice, taking one and biting in, too.
The pastry was hard and crumbly, but the honey covered it completely, making it taste wonderful.
"Elder Sister Alice, this is really delicious. I wish Mother Lydia could taste it, too."
"No worries──I bought extra for her as a gift just now!"
She puffed up with pride, confidence shining in her eyes.
'Oh, Elder Sister Alice is so cute'
'That's just how it is, Mother Lydia will be so happy.'
Cain and Alice savored the tasty pastries and fragrant tea.
Then they rode the carriage back to the mansion, taking their time.
Even on the ride, Alice sat cradling her souvenir pastries in her arms, clutching them with care.
'Hmm, maybe I should try making some sweets next time?'
He imagined Alice's happy face as he thought about what to make next.
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