There was just one downside.
By suddenly changing the competition’s rules, rumors had started circulating among certain circles—calling me an impulsive, unpredictable Empress again.
Tsk. Well, I can always fix my reputation later.
Anyway, things were falling perfectly into place—Xian was getting healthier, I had avoided being poisoned, and I was building a strong financial foundation for my future.
Now, all that was left was winning the Dessert Competition and using Applelum tea to stack up some serious secret funds.
‘…Wait. But what if I end up filthy rich at this rate?’
I had always dreamed of rolling around in a pile of gold coins—but I never expected to actually make it happen.
‘And what if, someday, people find out I was the one behind Applelum tea? What if I get an interview request as the youngest self-made billionaire? Should I… refuse?’
Like someone dreaming of how to spend their lottery winnings before even buying a ticket, I lost myself in happy daydreams.
“Come up with a unique dessert to go with Applelum tea! Like… a cake that doesn’t make you gain weight!”
“…That makes about as much sense as hot ice cream, Your Majesty.”
Hmm. Real estate is the way to go.
Once I win the competition, I’ll buy some land—combining the prize money with my palace budget!
As I blatantly ignored Lindo’s grumbling and subtly shifted the dessert development workload onto him—
Afternoon tea time.
Xian casually lifted his teacup and dropped a bombshell.
“You’ve been spending a lot of money lately.”
“…Huh?”
Wait.
Was this… the infamous nagging over household expenses?
I immediately glanced at Xian, feeling guilty.
Technically, I had been paying off Lindo’s tuition in monthly installments. The total amount was several billion, so I couldn’t just drop it all at once.
Still, I had carefully doctored the palace budget reports—disguising the payments under other expenses.
‘Did he… catch my double bookkeeping?’
Oh no. If I get audited, I’m screwed!
Quickly, I put on a sad, pitiful expression.
Xian’s brow twitched. Then, with a sharp clink, he set his empty teacup down.
“You think I’m nagging you for spending money?”
“…Wait, you’re not?”
My entire face lit up.
Xian squinted at me—his expression one of mild offense, as if insulted that I’d think he was that petty.
“…I’ll transfer some of the Imperial Treasury funds to your palace budget. Buy whatever you want.”
Who said anything about nagging? My man is an angel!
“Oh my god, Xian, you’re the best! Thank you so much!”
I beamed and showered him with compliments.
Seeing my excitement, Xian didn’t seem displeased.
As I quickly refilled his teacup, he calmly took another sip.
“…Just stop buying so many book collections.”
“…Book collections?”
Then, as if he had been waiting for this, Xian casually waved a financial report in front of me.
My heart nearly stopped.
Had he found the original copy?!
I leaned in, scanning the paper.
No. It was still my fake report, where I had disguised Lindo’s high salary as ‘household purchases’.
“I don’t recall buying any boo—”
And then, I froze.
That sneaky fox!
Lindo had stuffed his entire tuition record under “red book collections”—in premium, limited-edition, overpriced versions!
“My bones hurt.”
Before I could process the betrayal, Xian casually pushed my forehead back with his finger.
Tap.
Snatch—!
Without hesitation, I grabbed the report and sat on it.
“Haha… T-Thanks! Ha… ha… ha…”
Thankfully, Xian didn’t seem suspicious. The red books excuse matched the actual books I owned, so he wasn’t questioning it.
…But was this really something to be thankful for?!
“Pour me more tea. The aroma’s nice.”
“Of course!”
At the very least, my secret funds got a boost today.
As I happily refilled his cup, Xian spoke again.
“I’ll start transferring the extra budget tomorrow. You’ll need to report all spending directly to the Treasury, though.”
“…Thank y— Wait, what?”
…What did I just hear?
Every expense has to be reported to the Treasury?
I sat there in shock.
That meant no more double bookkeeping, no more secret salaries, and no more quietly buying land in advance!
“What’s with the reaction? I already know where you’ll waste it.”
Xian glanced at me, his gaze too familiar.
“Obviously, you’ll spend it on some new gold-embossed, hard-cover premium edition book set.”
…No. That’s not it!
After emptying the teapot, Xian got up to return to work.
Meanwhile, I sat there, mourning.
‘I already planned out a golden real estate investment to secure my family’s future for three generations…’
Having money but no freedom to spend it was like being surrounded by food you couldn’t eat.
I take back my thanks!
Just like that, my secret savings account was seized by my husband.
Turns out, hiding money from your spouse is practically impossible.
I had underestimated how exhausting it would be to prepare for my second life.
Realizing that my only hope now was independent, untraceable income, I clung desperately to my final money-making strategy.
There was only one solution:
Go all-in on non-budget funds.
I had to make Applelum tea a massive success and win the Dessert Competition, securing a huge secret fortune!
‘Easy money isn’t reliable. Hard-earned money is the best.’
This wasn’t mental gymnastics—this was the true independence of a career woman!
Determined, I wiped my tears and headed to the market for some serious dessert research.
****
“The Dessert Competition has the whole city buzzing lately. New desserts are popping up on menus every day.”
“Well, that just means we get to taste more variety. No complaints here.”
The streets were lined with renowned bakeries from across the capital.
With the Dessert Competition being such a hot topic, many bakeries contemplating participation were putting their best creations on display.
In other words, they were testing the waters—gauging customer reactions.
I strolled along, eavesdropping on casual chatter, when a sharp voice cut through the noise.
“It’s all just bringing down the standard. The winner’s already decided, so why even let a bunch of nobodies apply?”
…Who the heck was that and where did they get that level of baseless confidence?
Pulling my hood lower to hide my face, I subtly glanced in the direction of the voice.
A noble lady with vivid rose-colored curls tied up in an elegant updo.
“Don’t you agree? Look at this. Who in their right mind would eat such a thick cake?”
She tapped the glass display case with her parasol, pointing at a cake.
The cake had thick layers of cream in vibrant colors—admittedly larger than what was typically preferred by noble circles.
Although gluttonous portions were trending, nobles still valued variety over quantity.
“Oh… Oh my, you’re right! Hoho, Lady Lampell is so insightful.”
“Of course. My father, Count Lampell, will win again this year. Nothing else matters.”
“Let’s leave this place and head to my family’s tea room. I’ll treat you all to my father’s masterpiece—Applelum Cocktail.”
The rose-haired noble gracefully led her entourage away.
‘So she’s Count Lampell’s daughter?’
…Does she realize that her oh-so-great father is a plagiarist?
I clicked my tongue, turning away from Lady Lampell’s pompous, oblivious display of arrogance.
“Haah…”
Just then, someone sighed deeply in front of the display case the noble ladies had been crowding around earlier.
“…Maybe I really have no talent.”
A woman—slightly petite in stature—murmured to herself.
Her hand traced the glass in front of the thick cake that had just been criticized.
Her gaze was full of hesitation and regret.
‘Wait… is she the pâtissier?’
I had assumed the cake had been made by an older baker, but this woman looked younger than expected.
I pretended to browse the bakery, subtly observing her.
‘…Huh?’
I recognized her.
Baroness Sabine.
We had never spoken directly, but I had seen her before.
She was an acquaintance of Countess Ekaterina, and I had heard they shared a secret hobby—baking.
Unlike Ekaterina, who was still learning and only made simple bread and cookies, Baroness Sabine was skilled.
She could make high-end pastries, macarons, and—her specialty—cakes.
‘Wait… was she planning to enter the Dessert Competition?’
A noblewoman secretly entering with her own homemade dessert?!
My heart pounded with excitement as I carefully examined her cake.
It was indeed thicker than usual, just as Lady Lampell had mocked.
But the sponge layers looked incredibly soft and moist, and the cream was perfectly balanced—not too pale, not too overpowering.
‘Oh… This is it.’
An idea sparked in my head.
This could work!
Before I knew it, I had pressed my face against the glass, inspecting the cake in pure admiration.
Sensing movement, Baroness Sabine jumped in surprise.
“W-Who are you?”
“This is amazing!”
Without thinking, I rushed over and grabbed her hands.
As I did, my hood slipped down, revealing the silver strands I had carefully tucked away.
Baroness Sabine’s eyes widened in shock.
“…Your Majesty? The Empress?”
“This cake—it’s yours, isn’t it? The one you’re entering in the Dessert Competition?”
Her expression turned from shock to gloom.
“…I made it, but… no, I’m not entering.”
“Why not? Countess Ekaterina said you’re an incredible baker!”
Even as I beamed at her, Baroness Sabine looked away bitterly.
“I have no talent. Cakes like this? Anyone can make them. Didn’t you hear what Lady Lampell said earlier?”
With a deep sigh, she reluctantly confessed her situation.
She had always dreamed of opening her own tea room and selling her own desserts.
But compared to the renowned pâtissiers in the capital, her skills were insignificant.
She had entered the Dessert Competition for years under a false name—and had never even made it past the preliminaries.
“Thank you for the kind words, Your Majesty. I even helped Countess Ekaterina with her baking, so I can tell you’re not someone who judges unfairly.”
Baroness Sabine stared at the ground, her voice barely above a whisper.
“…But please don’t flatter me out of pity. This was my final attempt. I tried a different style this time to stand out, but… clearly, it was a mistake.”
Ah! Her self-esteem was plummeting straight to the earth’s core!
“As Lady Lampell said, I’m just another talentless—”
Before she could finish, I lifted her chin gently.
And before she could protest—
I pressed my index finger firmly against her lips.
“…Mm?!”
Baroness Sabine’s lips muffled under the pressure, her eyes filled with confusion.
Then, channeling the charismatic male lead of a romance novel, I spoke with unwavering confidence.
“I don’t say things I don’t mean.”
“…”
“Life is already too short to waste time on empty words. Why would I ever say something I don’t believe?”
