Erin and Aiden, who had left the palace, arrived at the dessert shop “Angela.” Despite the capital having more than ten chain stores, the owner Brody always made desserts at the original store in the same location.
“I made it based on what you mentioned last time. Please try it.”
It was a modified version with a thicker filling inside the macaron, and also included fruit. Erin’s eyes widened and a smile spread across her face as soon as she took a bite.
“It’s delicious!”
Not only did it look good, but the sweet taste filled her mouth and was also delightful. Erin’s eyes sparkled.
“I’m glad. I’ll further develop it in this direction.”
“Please do. I plan to present it at the upcoming banquet.”
“Then it must be made even better.”
With a proud face, Brody went into the kitchen. Before they knew it, only Erin and Aiden were left.
“Aiden, Lady Quiness is going to divorce. And she will return to the capital to stir up a new change.”
The emperor might plan to flaunt Erin and Aiden’s affectionate display to convince Lady Quiness not to divorce.
However, Erin knew that the emperor’s wish would not come true. The banquet was not held to fulfill the emperor’s desire. It was just an excuse, and the real intention was to show everyone Erin and Aiden’s relationship.
“Yeah. I thought so too,” Aiden replied, accepting Erin’s words.
There was a commotion from the kitchen. When Erin and Aiden turned around, they saw Brody scrambling to pick up fallen items with a flustered look.
“I’m sorry. I made a mistake.”
“Are you okay?
Brody’s left arm was red, as if he had spilled hot water, yet he seemed to be shaking his hand without feeling the pain.
“I’m fine. I’ll clean this up.”
His uncharacteristic flustered behavior was surprising.
Could it be because of our recent conversation? But what does that conversation have to do with Brody?
Erin narrowed her eyes for a moment and got lost in thought.
There was nothing in their recent conversation that could have flustered Brody, so it could just be a simple mistake.
However, Erin had known Brody for a long time. He was reserved and didn’t easily show his emotions. He always had a calm and smiling face.
So, his reaction, which was something she had rarely seen in the past few years, naturally caught her attention.
“Why did he make such a mistake while being so flustered?” Erin instinctively felt that Brody’s mistake was not simple.
Admittedly, in the original work, there was a connection between Lady Quiness and Brody.
In the original work, Lady Quiness was the one who invested in Brody’s shop.
But this time, Erin had intervened, so such a thing wouldn’t happen. Besides, all of that happened after she had divorced and returned to the capital.
At this time, the two of them were in completely unfamiliar territory. “But what if that’s not the case?”
In fact, compared to the original, Lady Quiness’ divorce timing was somewhat earlier.
However, Erin considered that to be one of the small changes that had occurred so far.
“But was there another factor at play?” Erin knew the flow of the original work, but that didn’t mean she knew everything about this world.
She couldn’t know the stories hidden beneath the surface, not revealed in the original.
Yet, she could speculate about hidden truths based on what she knew. Upon reflection, she wondered if there was something between Lady Quiness and Brody that she didn’t know about.
Brody had returned, having neatly tidied up the dropped items and wearing an unconcerned expression.
Erin turned her head to avoid making him feel burdened and instead, immersed herself in thought while sipping her tea.
Once she entertained a doubt, she noticed several odd points.
Despite his shop flourishing and having a larger branch in the bustling city center, he hadn’t left this original store. There must be a reason why he continued to guard this small shop.
“Perhaps it’s not anything special just because it’s where it all began, but isn’t this the place it should be?” Erin thought that she should investigate everything she could about this shop from before it was established.
It would be good to find out about Lady Quiness before she left after marriage. Erin was sorting out what she had to do in her head when she felt a breath fluttering on her face like a breeze. “Erin.”
“…”
“Erin, what are you thinking about?” Before she knew it, Aiden’s face was right in front of hers. Aiden was staring at Erin, who was lost in thought, without a response.
“Why? What’s bothering you?” Aiden spoke to Erin and his gaze turned toward Brody in the kitchen behind her.
“Because the macarons are delicious. I was thinking of sharing them with the servants at the mansion.”
“Is that so? I’ll let them know when I go out.”
“Yeah, they’ll definitely like that.” Erin said, suppressing her doubts about Brody.
In short, Erin was lost in thought, and Aiden was concerned about what was occupying her mind.
It was still a suspicion that was close to Erin’s delusion. No matter how much it was Aiden, it wasn’t a matter to be brought to light.
***
After returning to the mansion, Erin and Aiden discussed the issue of the reception. They selected a suitable date and finalized the key list of invitations.
“The rest of it, I’ll take care of it myself.”
“Yeah, because I know you’ll do a great job, Erin.”
Aiden, as always, expressed his trust in her. Just as Erin was about to lightly embrace Aiden and bid farewell, he grabbed her and spoke up.
“Erin, I have something to say about Lady Quiness.”
“What’s the matter?”
“I want to help Lady Quiness with her divorce issue.”
“…?”
“Did you perhaps expect this?”
“No, not at all…”
Aiden might have thought Erin had some inkling about it, but she was completely unaware. “Has there been a discussion between the two?” Erin asked in disbelief.
This was also something she didn’t know at all, and as far as she knew, it was something that didn’t exist in the original work.
Erin sat across from Aiden once again, taking her seat. “Actually, not long ago…” She listened intently to what Aiden had to say.
***
The banquet at Lienster Mansion held a great deal of significance. Erin always managed to create unforgettable moments at events she personally hosted, which made the banquets particularly special and powerful.
This upcoming banquet was expected to be no different.
To make it extraordinary, Erin actively prepared for the event, personally verifying and making decisions about every single detail.
She didn’t overlook even the smallest things. Today, she was planning to go out regarding this matter. She intended to visit a boutique to select decorations suitable for the hall, as well as to decide on poets and opera singers.
While Erin was riding in the carriage towards the boutique, she caught sight of someone familiar while looking outside the slightly open window.
It was Julia Charte, heading somewhere alone.
Erin signaled the carriage to stop. Suddenly, when the carriage stopped beside her, Julia turned around with a surprised expression. Erin got off the carriage.
“Uh…?”
“Nice to see you, Lady Charte.”
Erin greeted her with a twinkle in her eye.
“Hello.”
“Where were you going all alone without a carriage?”
Erin asked Julia, looking at her. But Julia’s gaze seemed hesitant.
“Well, you know, I always used to wander around like this before.
Julia awkwardly laughed in response. Erin glanced at her for a moment. Seeing her slightly disheveled dress and her appearance, Erin had a hunch. Julia Charte was sneaking out at the moment.
“Come to think of it, that aspect was in the original story, wasn’t it?”
Julia had lived a free life in the countryside, a stark contrast to the life of a noblewoman. She often felt stifled and would sneak out alone from time to time.
“I remember, it was when she snuck out alone that she met Aiden in the original story. That was the fateful meeting that started their relationship.”
Of course, Erin had intended to prevent that meeting from taking place.
But seeing Julia, it seemed like she had gone out alone for the first time today. Erin remembered seeing her from the carriage, roaming around and looking lost.
It felt like Julia Charte was still being cautious in case her little adventure was discovered.
Erin pondered for a moment whether to just bid her farewell and let her go on her way, or to engage in a conversation.
After a brief consideration, Erin made up her mind. Despite her decision to disregard the original story, she still wanted to have a private conversation with the returned Julia Charte.
Since she had chosen to ignore the original storyline, it was only right for Erin to evaluate Julia Charte based on what she saw and felt, rather than information she already knew.
Erin glanced at Julia with a crescent-shaped eye and, standing side by side, opened her mouth.
“You still don’t know your way around here, do you?”
“Oh, no. I’ve been out a few times, but I’ve only ever traveled by carriage.”
“Perhaps the streets are unfamiliar to you. Would you like to walk with me?”
“With… with the mistress?”
“Yes. If we walk together, I can show you the important paths.”
“No, I couldn’t presume such a thing to the mistress.”
“I was actually heading to the boutique. It’s just a little further from here.”
“…Is it really okay?” Julia hesitantly asked after a moment’s pause. Erin responded with a smile.
“Shall we then?” Erin and Julia began to walk together. In the original story, Erin had tormented Julia Charte relentlessly.
She had been displeased from the moment she saw her, feeling inferior in the presence of the dazzling Julia Charte.
Adding to that, when Julia Charte became closer to Aiden, the original Erin had been consumed by anger.
She had ostracized her to the point of not being able to move in society. It was Erin Lienster’s first rage.
Of course, Erin had vowed never to become like that.
There was no reason to do so.
Erin wanted to treat Julia well.
However, she intended to maintain an appropriate distance from Julia, not getting too close.
So, she hoped to avoid any contact between herself and Julia as much as possible.
She also hoped that there wouldn’t be any tension between them, with Aiden caught in the middle, as had happened in the original.
