“B-But my cake… It really is too thick, just like Lady Lampell said…”
“The theme of this year’s Dessert Competition is set menus.”
Applelum tea is refreshing and aids digestion.
So, the perfect baked good to pair with it would be something rich and substantial—something that balances out the lightness of the tea.
If the dessert itself were too light, it would feel incomplete.
In that sense, Baroness Sabine’s thick cake was the perfect match for Applelum tea.
I explained this to her, then subtly suggested that she reach out to the merchant guild selling Applelum tea.
“B-But… my cake tastes too ordinary.”
“There must be plenty of better options.”
Sure, that might be true.
But Baroness Sabine’s cake had something special that no other candidate did.
Most noble cakes were designed to be elegant and delicate, usually decorated with soft, pale-colored cream in predictable patterns—white, gold, or pastel.
At most, they might be adorned with candles or fresh flowers.
But her cake?
It had vibrant colors, playful sprinkles, and whimsical, toy-like sugar decorations.
The cream designs were unlike anything I’d ever seen before—intricate, unique, and unapologetically creative.
This wasn’t a lack of talent.
This was talent blooming in an entirely different direction.
‘It’s no wonder she never made it past the preliminaries in past competitions.’
The nobles were used to delicate, bite-sized pastries meant for elegant feasts.
Her cake was rich, decadent, and filling—not ideal for noble banquets, where variety mattered more than portion size.
But—
pair it with my Applelum tea—which helps with digestion—and that problem disappears entirely.
So now, what was left to do?
Simple.
All I had to do was push her talent in the right direction!
“Lettering cakes. Custom-order cakes. Have you heard of them?”
“…Huh?”
Baroness Sabine looked at me, bewildered.
I looped my arm through hers and grinned confidently.
****
A few days later, The Dessert Competition was held in a grand hall within the outer palace.
The atmosphere was lively, almost like a massive banquet—except this wasn’t just any noble ball or social gathering.
This time, the main event was the food.
“Wow, I wasn’t expecting it to be like this.”
“This is going to be so exciting!”
A long table stretched across the center of the hall.
Though narrow, it was incredibly long, displaying an endless row of dessert entries—all lined up in perfect order like a grand exhibition.
The nobles invited as judges were visibly intrigued, eager to cast their randomized votes for the winning entry.
“Greetings, Your Majesty.”
“It’s been a while, Your Majesty!”
“It’s wonderful to see you all! I’m just here to look around, so please vote freely.”
Although I had nudged the Imperial Administration into changing the competition rules, I had no voting rights myself.
If anyone found out that I had voted for Applelum tea, our victory would seem rigged—and that would ruin everything.
‘If you want a real hit, you need the people’s choice.’
Feigning nonchalance, I strolled through the hall, casually chatting with familiar faces.
As nobles admired the lavish and mouthwatering desserts, they eventually gathered around certain plates.
“Oh my! This must be the famous Applelum Tea and Applelum Cocktail everyone’s been talking about.”
“Wait… They’re listed separately? That means they were made by different people?”
Exactly! The audacity of that guy!
I subtly fanned myself, keeping an innocent expression as I watched closely.
Nobles, naturally preferring luxurious banquet drinks, were more drawn to the cocktail at first.
“The blend of fresh fruit is just right—it’s delicious.”
“Oh, this would be perfect served chilled at a summer ball!”
Those who sampled the cocktail nodded in approval, and soon, their attention drifted toward the baked goods paired with it.
A servant lifted the silver dome cover, revealing oatmeal raisin cookies.
“These are oatmeal raisin cookies made with Brain raisins.”
“Let’s see…”
Crunch.
Each person took a cookie, chewing thoughtfully.
“Oh! The flavor is quite clean. This would make a perfect light snack at a banquet.”
“Brain raisins have a nice texture and aren’t too sweet. The oats make the cookie feel light, so it doesn’t upset your stomach.”
Count Lampell’s concept seemed to be “a light, easy-to-enjoy snack.”
The atmosphere remained pleasant, with guests happily enjoying their cocktails and cookies.
As I leisurely fanned myself, I spotted Baroness Sabine at the edge of the room—her hands clenched into tight fists.
Tap, tap.
I gently tapped her shoulder with my fan, flashing a playful smile.
—Relax.
Despite my reassurance, her eyes wavered, her expression screaming that she wanted to flee immediately.
After all, while the crowds gathered around Count Lampell’s table, her own dessert entry hadn’t even been unveiled yet.
“Just wait a little longer.”
“I… I can’t. I can’t watch this anymore.”
As the noblewomen around me gravitated toward Count Lampell’s desserts, Baroness Sabine panicked.
She was seconds away from bolting.
Oh, no you don’t.
I smiled brightly—and then, casually stepped on the hem of her dress.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“Y-Your Majesty! Please!”
Her face flushed red as she frantically tugged at her trapped skirt, whispering desperately.
She rambled about how this was all thanks to me, that she didn’t need to see more—
“Just making it to the finals is already an honor!”
“Really? Then let’s stay and see how far it goes, shall we?”
“H-How can you be so ruthless!”
“Want to see real ruthlessness? If you run now, I’ll grab your cake and eat it bare-handed like a barbarian.”
“H-How could you say something so horrifying?!”
She looked moments away from fainting.
Heh. She’s definitely staying put now.
Satisfied, I turned her around to face the display table.
Meanwhile, among the nobles sampling Count Lampell’s desserts, a murmur started spreading.
“Hmm… It’s good, but something’s missing.”
“Maybe it’s because both the drink and the cookies are light? It feels a bit… empty.”
People began fidgeting, feeling unsatisfied.
Since they had eaten a light lunch, they had expected the dessert tasting to be more filling.
At that moment, a few nobles wandered toward the Applelum Tea table—and one of them gestured at the untouched covered dish.
“What’s the bakery paired with this?”
Gasp.
Baroness Sabine and I both held our breath as a servant lifted the silver dome cover.
“Oh my! What is this?!”
“Fascinating… This is a cake?”
Gasps of awe rippled through the crowd.
The cake had a thick sponge base and plush layers of cream—but unlike the usual cakes found in bakeries or banquets, its design was entirely unique.
Nobles flocked to the table, eyes wide with excitement.
“It looks like a wedding dress! Look at the cream—it’s shaped into delicate frills cascading over the entire cake stand!”
“And that pearl tiara! Oh my, there’s even a miniature portrait of Rilke’s famous painting, Baby Angel! Wait, is it—oh! It’s made of sugar!”
“Look! There’s a message written on the cake—‘Celebrating the 34th Imperial Dessert Competition.’ How is the lettering so perfect?! Did they print it?!”
Behind my fan, I grinned.
Baroness Sabine’s thick cake had been transformed under my guidance.
Instead of blending in with the usual noble banquet cakes, it became a stunning lettering cake—a one-of-a-kind masterpiece!
Inside was a moist red velvet sponge, topped with soft peach-pink frosting, adorned with intricate cream designs.
Using custom piping tips, we crafted exquisite ruffles, ribbons, and lace patterns—replicating the delicate folds of a gown.
Baroness Sabine, with her exceptional handcrafting skills, sculpted pearl tiaras and miniature sugar-paintings for decoration.
Her crowning touch? A flawless calligraphy inscription—written in silky, smooth cream.
“This is the first time I’ve seen lettering this elegant. It’s practically a sculpture!”
“The colors have a soft gradient effect… It’s like a watercolor painting!”
People eagerly took slices, curiously tasting the cake.
“It’s cream cheese frosting instead of whipped cream?”
“Brilliant! If it were whipped cream, the intricate decorations wouldn’t have held their shape!”
“Mmm… The cake is rich and decadent, but paired with Applelum tea, it’s perfectly balanced!”
As the crowd swarmed our table, the cake quickly disappeared.
Baroness Sabine looked on the verge of tears—never before had her cakes been so well received.
“See? I told you to stay and watch.”
I nudged her playfully, and she let out a choked laugh, blinking back tears of joy.
But this was only the beginning.
I signaled a servant—time for the final move.
“A… custom cake voucher?”
Nobles love exclusivity. Let’s see how they react to this.
