Wait, what is he talking about now?
I stared at him, bewildered, before finally asking, “Why?”
“I’ll keep them safe.”
Wait, so… he wants to confiscate them? Even though they’re mine?
After the garden party, I asked Raphael what I should do with those things, and he had told me that since they were gifts, I could do whatever I wanted with them. I was delighted back then. But now Isaac was saying he was going to take them away? I felt a surge of rebellion.
“Those were gifts from Lord Raphael to me.”
“What if someone steals such expensive items while they’re in a maid’s quarters? I’ll keep them safe. Go get them.”
“But…”
I had planned to sell them for a good amount of money… But I couldn’t stay that out loud, especially not with Isaac’s stern expression. I couldn’t refuse him. What if he suddenly lost his temper again.
Damn it… They’re mine…
Swallowing my frustration, I returned with the box containing the dress and other items and handed them to Isaac. “Here they are.”
“Good.” He inspected the contents and then placed the box on his desk.
I glanced at him anxiously and asked, “Will you return them?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“When you retire.”
Damn it…! So I couldn’t sell them to pay off my debt. That was so unfair. Did this world have a Ministry of Employment and Labor? I should sue him.
As I grumbled internally, Isaac fixed his gaze on me, his eyes narrowing. “Do you have a complaint?”
“…No.”
“It seems like you do.”
How could I not? But I couldn’t openly defy him.
Pouting, I said, “I don’t.”
“Anyone can see that you do.”
Then will you give them back? Huh? I stared down at the floor in frustration as Isaac walked past me and opened the door.
“Get ready to go out.”
“Pardon?”
“We’re going out. You seem upset about the dress.”
Why are we suddenly going out? I was baffled by the abrupt change in plans, but I had no choice but to follow his orders.
After changing into my outdoor clothes, I got into a carriage with Isaac. He didn’t say a word as we traveled. Honestly, I’d rather be with someone chatty like Raphael.
Where are we even going? It didn’t seem like we were heading to the nearby town but rather somewhere farther away. After a long, silent ride in the bumpy carriage, we finally arrived at our destination.
When I stepped out, I saw that it was a large pastry shop. Isn’t this a famous and expensive place? I’d heard it was so pricey that regular people didn’t even dare to go inside…
“Let’s go in.” Isaac entered the shop without hesitation.
As I followed him in, I was greeted by the delightful aroma of freshly baked bread. Wow, look at those cakes in the display case…! The individual slices of cake were so intricately made they looked like little toys. There were also chocolates and macarons on display.
As I stared at them with wide eyes, Isaac spoke. “Pick whatever you want.”
Huh? Is he trying to cheer me up? So, he does think about these things…? I stood there, a bit stunned.
Isaac folded his arms and looked at me indifferently. “If you don’t want anything, we can leave.”
“No! I like it.”
He took my clothes, but at least I can eat something nice in return, right? What should I pick…?
After some thought, I chose a strawberry shortcake. “I’ll have this…”
“Just one? I told you to pick whatever you want.”
“…Then I’ll take a pistachio éclair, an earl grey macaron, a financier, a lemon tart, and a canelé as well…”
“…You sure eat well. Choose some tea too. We’ll eat here.”
After picking out a tea, we were shown to a seat on the second floor. The view of the city from up high was quite impressive.
Soon, the food was brought to the table. A variety of desserts were laid out in front of me while Isaac had only a cup of coffee.
“Eat.”
“…Thank you for the meal.”
I hesitated for a moment, then started nibbling on the cake with my fork. As soon as I tasted it, my eyes widened. Wow, wow…! What is this?! This is the best cake I’ve ever had! I quickly devoured the cake and then tried the canelé. It was crispy on the outside but chewy and moist on the inside. Wow… This place is amazing… Everything tastes so good…
While I was engrossed in the desserts, I felt Isaac’s gaze on me and looked up. He was watching me with a slightly surprised expression. Taking a sip of his coffee, he spoke. “…You eat well.”
[Isaac Blackwood’s affection has increased by 5]
[Current Isaac’s affection: -54]
What? His affection went up just because I ate well…?
I wiped my mouth with a napkin and said, “Well, it’s just that everything here is so delicious… Aren’t you going to eat anything, Master?”
“I don’t like sweets.”
“Ah, then I guess it was pointless to get you those jam cookies last time.”
“…I do like jam cookies. They just don’t sell them here.”
So he really just brought me here to eat? It’s hard to say he’s being kind, though, since I can’t figure him out…
Isaac set down his coffee cup and spoke. “…There was a time when I was very hungry as a child. Back then, my cat brought me a bag with some jam cookies in it.”
Oh, so he’s telling my story now?
I munched on a macaron and added, “Wow, that was a smart cat.”
“Right? She was a very clever and kind cat in many ways. Whenever I was feeling down or sad, she would come find me…”
A faint smile appeared on his lips as he talked about the cat. It was an expression I rarely saw when he was around other people.
“She was so cute and lovable. I wish I had called a painter back then to have some portraits made. It’s such a shame that I can’t see her whenever I want…”
I could sense the deep regret and affection in his eyes.
I fiddled with my teacup and spoke. “You must really miss that cat.”
“Yes. But it’s okay. I’m used to it.” He took another sip of coffee, his gaze softening with a hint of sadness. “It’s been a long time since I talked about my cat. Keep it a secret from others, will you?”
“…Yes, Master.”
Why is Isaac telling me this story? Did he choose me because he has no one else to share his loneliness with?
After enjoying our tea time at the shop, I asked him to buy a set of 50 macarons to share with the people back at the mansion. He glanced at the box of treats.
“You don’t plan to eat all those yourself, do you?”
“No! I bought them to share with everyone!”
“Hmm…”
He gave me a skeptical look before paying for them. Well, at least he’s not a bad boss in this regard… No, what am I thinking? He’s a murderer who killed both me and Toby!
As we rode back to the mansion, the sky suddenly darkened, and it started pouring rain. The rain extended our journey home.
When the butler came out with an umbrella, Isaac took it from him and held it over me. “Go in.”
“…Thank you.”
I wish he’d just be consistently kind or scary, not both at once.
As we entered the mansion, I noticed the chandeliers were already lit despite it being daytime. The rain made it as dark as night. In the meantime, the servants were rearranging the statues in the lobby. The new servant who had started today was among them. When he saw us, he flinched in surprise.
Clang! In an instant, a statue toppled over and shattered with a loud crash. The servants turned pale and hurriedly removed their hats, bowing in apology.
“Ma-Master, we’re so sorry.”
Isaac silently stared at the servants. He didn’t seem particularly angry, but his gaze was intense. Then his eyes widened slightly. He placed a hand on the new servant’s shoulder and said, “Clean up the broken pieces. There will be no punishment. And you, come to my study after you’re done.” With that, he headed upstairs.
After handing the box of pastries to the butler, I followed Isaac. As I walked behind him, I kept thinking about the new servant’s face. Where had I seen him before? He definitely looked familiar, and Isaac seemed to think so too…
“Ah.”
The moment I stepped into Isaac’s room, I found the answer to my question. That servant… He was the one who worked at the Dias mansion 15 years ago!
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