TNBPBC 27

Chapter 27

“To begin with, why would a cake need holy power?”

A cake was already delicious enough to make people happy on its own. What reason could there possibly be to infuse it with divine power?

At Kitty’s utterly baffled response, Patrick and the maids, who had been watching the young princess with cautious curiosity, all wore expressions that said, I knew it.

After all, they had personally tasted the carrot cake sitting before them. That alone was enough to prove there was nothing particularly extraordinary about it.

Well… except for Patrick, who only sampled the chocolate sauce on top and stubbornly refused to touch the carrot-filled cake beneath.

“I only baked it because I thought Sister Evelyn was suffering from lovesickness.”

Kitty’s casual remark landed like a bomb.

Everyone’s attention instantly shifted away from the cake.

“What?”

Had she spoken too quietly?

At Dimitrius’s question, Kitty repeated herself clearly and emphatically.

“I said Sister Evelyn looked like she was suffering from lovesickness.”

The First Prince simply stared at her, looking completely unsure how he was supposed to respond.

Meanwhile, the two maids sitting off to the side exchanged meaningful glances.

…Wait.

Didn’t everyone already know?

The way Evelyn had stared blankly into the fireplace…

The endless sighs she’d let out…

And the way her eyes occasionally sparkled like dancing flames…

By anyone’s standards, she looked exactly like someone pining for an unrequited love.

Instead, everyone else’s strange reactions only left Kitty confused.

Then Dimitrius asked again,

“Do… do you even know what that means?”

“Yes.”

“It means you’re in love with someone—a lot, a lot, a lot—but can’t tell them, so you get sick.”

Since Dimitrius didn’t correct her, she figured she’d used the term properly.

Kitty had secretly worried she’d chosen the wrong word and ruined the atmosphere somehow, so she felt a little proud of her impressive vocabulary.

“…Who does Evelyn like?”

That absurd question left Kitty speechless.

Huh?

What kind of question is that?

Is he seriously asking because he doesn’t know?

…Seriously?

Just as Kitty realized how serious the situation was and slowly opened her mouth to answer, Dimitrius suddenly waved a dismissive hand.

“Forget it.”

“It’s probably just another ridiculous rumor.”

“I don’t care, so don’t tell me.”

He picked up his cup and drained the now-lukewarm tea in a single gulp.

Even Kitty knew that was terribly improper by imperial etiquette.

Dimitrius, however, couldn’t have cared less.

“Anyway, you want me to give your precious cake to Evelyn, right?”

He was going to deliver Kitty’s carrot cake?

As Dimitrius carefully sealed the cake box before standing up, Kitty’s eyes sparkled brightly behind her oversized glasses.

“You’ll really do that?”

“Why not?”

“We’re still officially engaged. Exchanging gifts between fiancés isn’t unusual.”

But after everything that had just happened…

Would Lady Evelyn really accept a gift from him?

Especially a slice of carrot cake—the food she hated most?

Noticing Kitty’s doubtful expression, Dimitrius raised a finger and spoke firmly.

“If I’m the one giving it to her, she’ll probably accept it.”

“It’s coming from the Imperial Family. The duke’s household wouldn’t want the burden of sending it back.”

“But whether she actually eats it or not… that’s entirely Evelyn’s decision.”

His tone was so stern and resolute that Kitty could only nod obediently.

“…Okay.”

“No matter how much you like something, if the other person doesn’t, then they don’t.”

“You shouldn’t force people just because you think it’s good.”

Kitty lowered her head slightly and nodded.

A large hand soon settled gently on top of her head.

“That’s right.”

“You’re still young, so it’s understandable that you don’t know these things yet.”

“You’ll learn as you grow.”

After thoroughly ruffling the hair the maids had spent hours arranging, Dimitrius turned and strode confidently out of the lounge.

With every disciplined, broad step worthy of a knight, the cake box dangling from his hand swung back and forth.

For some reason…

The sight looked strangely funny to Kitty.