ILTDAMH|CHAPTER 119

Chapter 119

The Dessert Shop (3)

“This used to be a dessert shop. Over here is the kitchen. It’s only been closed for about three or four months, so most of the equipment is still in good condition. And this way leads upstairs.”

As Cain guided them through the place, Marican, Cat, and Elena grew increasingly pleased with what they saw.

From the outside, the shop didn’t look particularly large, but inside, it was surprisingly spacious. The first floor held about six tables, a counter, and a large kitchen in the back.

The kitchen, with its big oven, was perfect for baking cookies.

“The previous owner kept it in good shape,” Marican observed.

“Yes, and business was quite good, too.”

“Then why did they close?”

Cain hesitated at her question.

The shop had once been well-known for its unique desserts, but after falling out with Paulo, the owner had been forced to shut down and move to the countryside.

Paulo had demanded “protection fees,” claiming he was ensuring no competing dessert shops opened nearby. The owner had refused—and paid the price.

But Cain couldn’t very well say that aloud. He shook his head.

“I’m not sure, My Lady. I only heard they left the capital for personal reasons.”

Marican caught the flicker in his expression and understood immediately.

So, they were forced to pay rent—or tax—for Paulo’s so-called protection.

Even if it came with promises of exclusivity, not everyone would agree to such extortion.

She said nothing more and continued inspecting the shop.

“It doesn’t look like much renovation is needed,” Cat said cheerfully, glancing around. “Probably because it was already a dessert shop before.”

“How much is the rent?” Marican asked.

“A thousand peins per month,” Cain replied. “It’s a prime location, so the rent’s quite high.”

Both Cat and Elena froze mid-step.

“How much did you say?”

Cain smiled awkwardly. “One thousand peins.”

Elena’s expression hardened. She had expected something around five hundred. Twice that was far beyond her means.

She looked around the shop regretfully.

“Well, we’ll take a bit more time to look around,” Marican said evenly. “I’ll send Edward this afternoon to finalize things if we decide to take it.”

“Of course, Duchess. Take all the time you need.” Cain bowed so low his head nearly touched the floor before hurrying out.

Cat turned to Marican, eyes shining. “My Lady, you’re amazing. I can’t believe we’re even looking at a place like this in the capital! Though, honestly, it’s too expensive for us.”

Marican smiled faintly and turned to Elena.

“It’s been a while. Allow me to introduce myself properly—I’m Marican Canoluf.”

Elena bowed. “It’s an honor, Duchess. And thank you again for what you did before. Thanks to your help, I was able to save enough money to consider a shop. But… how do you know Cat?”

Cat quickly jumped in. “I—I used to work at the Duchess’s shop for a little while.”

“The Duchess’s shop?” Elena’s eyes widened. “You mean, Your Grace, you used to run a shop?”

Marican smiled and took a seat at one of the tables. “Come, sit. Let’s talk. Yes, Cat worked with me for a short time when I ran a small place in the countryside.”

“The countryside?” Elena blinked and turned to her sister. “Cat, you were in the countryside?”

“Uh… yeah, long story,” Cat muttered.

“Elena,” Marican said softly, “how much rent were you planning to pay for your shop?”

After a pause, Elena replied, “Around five hundred peins, Your Grace.”

Five hundred, huh…

“Then, Elena—how about we go into business together?”

Elena blinked. “Go into business… together?”

“Yes. A partnership.”

The idea clearly startled her.

Sharing rent and expenses would certainly ease her financial burden—but her potential partner was the Duchess of Canoluf.

Elena’s stomach tightened. She’d never had much love for nobles.

Even though Marican and Lady Patricia had helped her last year, she still remembered Paulo, the arrogant cousin of Marquis Rephide, who had strutted around acting like he owned everyone.

No, she didn’t want to deal with nobles ever again.

Seeing Elena hesitate, Marican continued gently, “Elena—since you’re Cat’s sister, I’ll just call you by name. At least hear me out before you decide.”

Elena nodded warily.

“I believe the foundation of any partnership is trust,” Marican said. “Without it, even the closest friends will fall apart. And trust should always be supported by a clear, written contract—especially when money is involved. So… I’ve prepared one.”

At her signal, Edward stepped forward and laid several papers on the table.

“If we go into business together,” Marican explained, “we’ll split the rent and operational costs evenly. As for the profits, each of us keeps what we earn from our own products. What do you think?”

Elena blinked, reading the detailed clauses in the contract. It was surprisingly fair—generous, even.

“Looks reasonable,” she murmured. “But I do have a question.”

“Go on,” said Marican.

“Why do you want to open a shop at all?”

For Elena, this dream had come from desperation.

After escaping a noble household, she’d joined a guild, working herself half to death until she saved enough money from selling cookies.

Opening a shop meant a stable life—for her and for Cat.

But Marican? She didn’t need this.

Elena couldn’t join a business just to indulge some noblewoman’s whim.

“I used to run a sandwich shop,” Marican said with a gentle smile. “And it made me happy—to see people enjoying the food I made. I’ve wanted to open another one ever since I returned to the capital. Then Cat told me about you, and I thought—why not open a shop together? You make cookies, I make sandwiches, and we sell both.”

Something in her expression—so genuine, so warm—made Elena smile despite herself.

When Marican spoke of sandwiches, her eyes lit up in the same way Elena’s did when she baked cookies.

Elena stood, holding the contract.

“If I refuse, will you still open a shop here?”

Marican shook her head. “Of course I will. I will open a dessert shop here—no matter what. I have other reasons now, besides sandwiches.”

Her gaze drifted out the window—to the shop across the street. Paulo’s shop.

“I see,” Elena said quietly. “Then I’ll give you my answer tomorrow.”

With a polite bow, she turned to leave. “Come on, Cat.”

After they left, Edward asked, “My Lady, why go into business with them?”

Marican looked around the shop thoughtfully.

“Because I like them both—and, personally, I adore Elena’s cookies. Her Highness the Crown Princess does, too. If they end up opening a small shop out in the suburbs, Her Highness would be quite disappointed. Now, let’s head back. I’ve made my decision, Edward. Finalize the contract this afternoon.”

“Yes, My Lady.”

***

“Hm… why hasn’t she replied yet? Did she dislike my offer?”

Two days later, Marican sat in the drawing room, growing restless from the silence.

“Still no word, My Lady?” asked Charles, setting down her tea.

Marican sighed. “None. Do you think she dislikes me for being a noble?”

“Impossible, My Lady. You’re nothing like the others.”

“Thank you, Charles.”

“Of course. I’m sure you’ll hear from her soon—oh? Isn’t that them?”

Marican turned—and saw Elena and Cat being led into the garden by Edward.

“Oh my, Cat, Elena—welcome.”

The two looked nervous as they sat across from her.

“Have you made your decision?” Marican asked.

Elena nodded slowly. “Cat may have told you—I don’t trust nobles. But she also told me you’re different. That you’re someone I can trust. So… I’ve decided to believe her.”

Marican smiled warmly. “Then I promise I’ll never betray that trust. Shall we make it official?”

She tugged a small cord, and Edward brought over the documents and a pen.

***

A few days later, inside Marquis Rephide’s study—

“What did you just say?” Dominic asked coldly. “The Duchess is opening a dessert shop in the city?”

Paulo wiped the sweat from his brow. “Y-yes, sir. She’s already signed the contract for a prime location. Cain told me they’ve begun renovations—it’ll open officially soon.”

“A dessert shop, huh…”

Dominic’s tone was unreadable. “And what exactly is the problem?”

“If she opens that shop, I won’t be able to collect the usual fees from the nearby merchants anymore,” Paulo said uneasily. “As you know, I charge them in exchange for preventing new competition. But if the Duchess opens her shop—and they find out about the arrangement…”

“Then you can’t collect a single coin,” Dominic finished coldly.

Paulo lowered his head, trembling.

Dominic’s lips curved into a sharp, icy smile. He snapped the pen in his hand clean in half.

“Paulo,” he said softly, dangerously. “Then stop her.”