The Villainess’ Kindergarten

Because the performance was quite long, the sky was already dark when we left the theater.

“Let’s go back now.”

I nodded, thinking I would buy the kids presents next time.

As soon as we entered the imperial palace, knights came running and guided Baridas inside. 

When I entered the room they showed me, I saw the emperor’s family sitting at a large table.

Rayan, who made eye contact with me, smiled slightly and greeted me, and Lilian also greeted me with a smile.

“Greetings to the imperial sun and moon, and the little sun and stars.”

The Emperor and Empress nodded at our greeting. After saying hello to the two of them, we sat down and the food started to be served. The dishes were prepared in the most luxurious atmosphere I have ever seen, I thought as I looked at the amazing visuals of the dishes.

I’ve been doing well since possessing this body. If it were really my body and not Fiora’s, I would definitely have gained at least 10 kilos.

Thinking like that, I cut up the steak and put it in my mouth. As expected, it was the best taste I’ve ever had. In the first place, I had frequent parent interviews, so I wasn’t particularly nervous.

While I was enjoying my meal, the emperor spoke.

“Princess, may I ask you one question?”

I, who had been enjoying my meal out of my mind, was surprised and nodded in response.

“Oh, yes. As much as you want.”

The emperor laughed softly at my reaction and opened his mouth softly.

“Are you two thinking about having children? I think the princess would be a good mother.”

The emperor’s words almost made me spit out the food I was eating.

When I looked back at Baridas, he was glaring at the emperor as if he were going to kill him, as if asking what nonsense that was. Did I hear wrong? It felt like it was a meeting rather than a parent meeting. No, and we aren’t even married yet. It’s a marriage that happens almost unconditionally. That’s right!!

Wasn’t it too early to ask about children’s plans, father-in-law… No, parents!

After thinking about it, I thought of an appropriate answer and opened my mouth as if to shout.

“I still want to enjoy my honeymoon!”

Although it was bullshit, the emperor nodded as if he understood what I said, and I looked at Baridas, thinking that I had answered well.

He showed a smile that contained that it was a complete piece of shit.

Baridas sighed as if asking why he would accept something like that.

The meal ended like that, and the royal siblings stood up after greeting us as if they were  going to leave first. It was a pity that I couldn’t talk to the two children, but I couldn’t help it.

Just as I was about to think that, Rayan came up to me and opened his mouth.

“Thank you last time. Please be sure to attend the investiture ceremony.”

There was a sense of determination in his words, unlike last time.

I nodded, smiled slightly, and held Rayan’s hand.

“I will definitely participate.”

Rayan smiled brightly at my words, and a light blush bloomed on his cheeks.

* * *

Fiora didn’t notice, but Baridas saw it clearly.

‘Young guy, how dare you.’

Baridas shook his head at a momentary thought. It didn’t matter anyway. The age difference was not only big, but he was the one who will marry her.

He thought so as he looked at the engagement ring on Fiora’s hand.

* * *

After the two children left, the servants busily cleared away the food dishes and set up the refreshments. Perhaps because it was the imperial family, the desserts were also special.

As I was drinking the tea, admiring its good aroma and sweet taste, the Empress opened her mouth.

“Princess, I have a favor to ask.”

“Anything I can do for you.”

The Empress smiled slightly at my words and opened her mouth.

“At this tea party, I want to use the coffee you made.”

Coffee…? What coffee?

As I was pondering her unexpected words for a moment, the fact that I made two bottles of latte for Baridas last night came to mind.

After making a rough guess, I opened my mouth.

“Are you talking about latte?”

“If you call that coffee a latte, that would be correct.”

It wasn’t really a problem. It wasn’t such a difficult idea to make coffee with milk instead of water, and it wasn’t a difficult food to make. But why the tea party? Didn’t she prefer tea over coffee at tea parties? Was there any other reason?

As if reading my thoughts, Apile opened her mouth.

“The queen of the Fretan Kingdom is attending this investiture ceremony. Including the tea party before that.”

If she was the queen of the kingdom, she deserved to be treated well. But why coffee?

When I nodded, Apile continued her explanation.

“Her hobbies include trying different types of coffee and chocolate. To satisfy her, I need the drink called latte.”

Now that I thought about it, wasn’t that the Fretan Kingdom?

That kingdom, which seemed to have been inspired by Africa, was the only cacao and coffee bean producer in the world.

Cacao and coffee beans…

There were some things that came to mind at that moment.

“I think I can help you with both of those.”

One thing I learned in my past life was this. There was nothing wrong with building up connections.

So, two pastry chefs arrived under my direction and we headed to the kitchen. The two pastry chefs, who were suddenly faced with four people of the highest rank in the empire, were clearly nervous.

I instructed them to cook slowly, hoping they wouldn’t make any mistakes. That being said, it seemed like I was nervous too. 

What I was going to make were chocolate bonbons and Sacher torte with ganache.

“Please make a cake sheet with chocolate in it. Then, double-boil the chocolate in two separate pots and add cream to one.”

I gave instructions to two people separately and started making lattes. When I made coffee using milk instead of water, the eyes of those watching widened.

In this world, there seemed to be a stereotype that milk was only consumed by children or used to make desserts. And when we decorated it with cream and chocolate on top, Apilet’s expression brightened as if she liked the look of the latte.

After finishing the latte, I offered it to them.

Apile’s eyes widened after taking a sip of the latte.

“When Achilles was told that he had the best coffee he had ever tasted, I was dubious, but I guess I believe it now. I like it. Can I purchase the recipe?”

No, was this a recipe worth buying?

Of course, coffee and the ratio of milk and sugar are important, but my conscience hurt to sell it at this much.

“You can just use it. It’s also delicious when you drink it with milk and black tea.”

At my words, Apila’s eyes sparkled and she held my hand.

In Korea, it’s an unremarkable recipe that even middle school students know, but she seemed to like the latte a lot.

“Thank you so much. Even Queen Pretan will be satisfied with this.”

“Thank god.”

At that time, it seemed like all the chocolate had been double boiled.

I haven’t made much ganache, so I didn’t know the exact ratio, but I remembered the ingredients. After adding a little butter to the chocolate cream and melting it a little more, it tasted like the ganache I know.

Smiling at the satisfying flavor, I took the chocolate mold, spread the double-boiled chocolate on the outside, and began to harden it. After confirming that the chocolate had hardened, I filled the space with ganache and covered it again with chocolate. Not long after, the chocolate was finished, and at that time, another pastry chef came up and said that the cake sheets were all baked.

It would have been better to taste it all at once.

The Sacher torte was ready quickly once the sheet was baked, so it wouldn’t take long.

I spread pre-made apricot jam on a sheet cut in half, then made icing using the chocolate left over from the double boiler, covered it, and finished it with whipped cream. I couldn’t make complicated desserts, but I knew recipes for simple desserts. However, I just can’t make it myself.

I placed the completed Sacher torte and chocolate bonbon on one plate.

This time too, three people did the same thing.

The Emperor and Empress were there to help prepare for the tea party, and Baridas just liked sweets.

I put the plate out in front of them.

Everyone seemed satisfied with the pretty visuals. And soon the eyes of the three people who ate the Sacher torte widened at the same time.

“How could you think like this…”

Achilles was impressed and Apile nodded in agreement.

When I looked back at Baridas, I saw a gentle smile on his face, so it seemed like he liked it too. It’s always a pleasure to see people enjoy my cooking.

At that moment, when I was smiling with satisfaction, Apile, who had even eaten the chocolate bonbon, opened her mouth.

“I really want to buy this recipe.”

After hesitating for a moment at Apelle’s words, I nodded. Both were delicious desserts, and a recipe like this was well worth buying.

“How about making this recipe public, but giving 20% ​​of the income to the princess?”

At that level, even if I broke off my engagement with Baridas, I would be able to make a living. If it were me in the past, it’s a condition I would have accepted, but I have no intention of breaking off the engagement.

Anyway, if I live as a duchess, it doesn’t matter whether I have that much money or not, so I opened my mouth to refuse.

“Uh, I don’t really need…”

Then a thought came into my head.

Rather than turning it down, it would be better to use it for something else better. So I quickly changed my words.

“I don’t have any need, so please donate my share to an orphanage in the capital.”

Achilles and Apile’s eyes widened at my words.

Baridas smiled for some reason.

“Princess… Are you really an angel?”

I felt a little embarrassed by Apile’s words. But that wasn’t the end. Achilles and Baridas also opened their mouths following Apile.

“The princess’s heart should be imitated by all nobles.”

“As expected, you are a good person.”

‘No, stop it. It’s embarrassing!’

Although I couldn’t see it, my face was probably as red as an apple.

“Thanks to the princess, I think this tea party will be a success.”

Apile smiled and extended an invitation to me. Just looking at the letter, which was decorated with gold leaf and the imperial symbol, felt luxurious.

When I took the letter, Apile opened her mouth.

“If possible, please attend the tea party that will be held in a few days.”

Since it was a tea party, I thought it would be fun. Since I hadn’t done any social activities yet, there was nothing to notice.

“Yes, I will make sure to attend.”

So, after writing down the recipe, I read the contract she had prepared. When I told her that she would donate, Apile said she would also participate and increased her donation amount to 30% of the profits. She even thanked me the moment I signed the contract.

After finishing the work, I came out of the palace to be seen off by the Emperor and Empress, and it was already past 10 o’clock.

“Let’s go back now.”

I nodded at Baridas’ words.

Perhaps it was because I had been walking around all day, but I was getting tired.

I wonder if Chantz learned a lot, it would be nice if he did.

After thinking about many things, I quickly arrived at my room. When I opened the door and went inside, Baridas did not come in but was still standing outside the room.

“Aren’t you sleeping?”

In response to my question, Baridas hesitated for a moment and then opened his mouth.

“I can’t sleep there, right?”

I tilted my head at his words and slowly looked back at the structure of the room. Only then did I realize that there was only one bed in the room. For some reason, the bed was big. That’s why Baridas couldn’t sleep last night.

I felt sorry for noticing it late.

No, but we’re still engaged, so wouldn’t it be too early to share the same bed?

I was resentful of the emperor for giving me only one room with one bed. Baridas must have sensed my thoughts and opened his mouth.

“I asked for another room, so you don’t have to worry too much.”

‘No, you stayed up all night because of me. How can I not care?’

“Still… sorry.”

“It’s okay, have a nice dream.”

Baridas responded to my words with a small smile and left, closing the door.

* * *

Baridas came out of the room and sighed.

He almost had a strange thought for a moment. He felt glad that he was rational and moved on to another room.

 

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Translator Note: