LVSFN 21

Chapter 21
If There Is a Heaven—

If heaven exists on earth, this must be it.

The dazzling, sweet, and almost dreamlike scene made me completely lose myself.

This was the hottest dessert shop in Myuton these days.

They said the patissier here was a disciple of the imperial palace’s head chef—whether that was true or not, the desserts were as beautiful as artwork.

“Ribe.”

“…”

“Ribe?”

“Oh, yes.”

“Are you okay?”

Adrian looked flustered as I stood there, seemingly on the verge of tears, lost in bliss.

“It’s just so amazing.”

“Ribe, we came to pick out a dessert for your friend, remember?”

“I almost forgot my mission.”

“But it’s also important to calm our tempers.”

I chuckled and began my dessert shopping in earnest.

Oh right, Adrian had said he would choose a dessert too.

“Didn’t you say you were going to buy a gift too, Lord Watford?”

“Yeah, but I honestly can’t tell what’s what. They all look the same to me.”

What do you mean, the same?! Where exactly?!

I gave him a dumbfounded look, and he started laughing awkwardly.

Then he leaned in slightly and whispered.

“Help me.”

To be honest, I wasn’t too keen on accompanying Adrian when we first set out.

Every time I met him, he somehow managed to put me in awkward situations, and I thought his playful attitude didn’t suit me.

But just earlier, if it hadn’t been for him at the apothecary, I might have accidentally fed Leonie topical ointment.

So I resolved to help him pick out a gift properly.

I’m the type of person who feels compelled to return a favor, whether good or bad.

“Alright, you said it’s a gift, right?”

If I’m going to help, I might as well do it right.

I rubbed my temple with a finger, as if adjusting imaginary glasses, and asked,

“Do you know the recipient’s preferences?”

“Such as?”

“What fruits they like, what colors they prefer, whether they like sweet things or not, if they always eat dessert after meals, if they’re watching their weight or not, or if they plan to diet soon!”

“Wow.”

Adrian didn’t answer. He just let out a short exclamation.

“What? Did I say something odd?”

“No, I mean, this is the kind of thing you need to know when buying a gift.”

I lifted my shoulders proudly.

But Adrian looked the exact opposite—apologetic.

“Sorry, but I can’t answer a single one of your questions.”

“Oh no, you seriously don’t know anything?”

“Unfortunately.”

“Hm.”

My plan to pick out the perfect gift based on the recipient’s preferences hit a bit of a snag.

But I wasn’t one to give up so easily.

“Well, that does make it a little harder. But don’t worry. Just because you don’t know their tastes doesn’t mean you can’t give a gift.”

I rubbed my chin and continued.

“In times like this, you go with a classic crowd-pleaser.”

“A what?”

“The best-selling item here!”

When I clenched my fist with excitement, Adrian shook his head, chuckling.

“Oh, Ribe, you really are something.”

“…?”

“Never mind. Alright, I’ll go with your suggestion and choose a crowd-pleaser.”

“Excellent choice. It’ll make a great gift.”

After picking out Adrian’s gift, I started choosing desserts for Leonie too.

Since she prefers tart over sweet, I picked a fruit tart with fresh toppings and a slice of lemon cake.

“Adrian?”

I was giddy from the sweet aromas when a well-groomed man called out to him.

“Ah, Harius.”

“Wow, long time no see. How have you been?”

“Yes, it’s been a while.”

I stepped back politely, and Adrian smiled at me before introducing us.

“This is Lady Bernadette. She came to help with my terrible sense of taste.”

“Nice to meet you. Harius Clizen.”

He was a tall gentleman with sharp features. He gave me a brief greeting, then leaned toward Adrian and lowered his voice.

“Can we talk for a moment? It’s urgent.”

Before Adrian could turn to me, I waved both hands.

“I suddenly really want to eat something right now. Go ahead and talk, I’ll just be here eating.”

Generous me would yield this time.

“Sorry, this might take a while,” Harius said with an apologetic look toward me.

“Ah.”

That’s when I realized my sense of timing didn’t quite match Harius’s urgency.

“Adrian, since you picked your gift, you can go now.”

“But—”

“It’s fine. Just make sure to deliver it well.”

I smiled, and Harius clapped Adrian on the shoulder and led him away.

“Thank you, my lady. I’ll be borrowing him for today.”

After Adrian left, I rubbed my hands together and turned back to the display case.

Honestly, I had found his company a bit annoying—but now that I was alone, I felt a little lonely.

‘Maybe I’ll just eat with Leonie.’

I was just about to add another dessert to the gift box for myself when—

“Oh my, and who might this be?”

The sharp voice from behind froze me in place.

I didn’t need to turn to know who it was.

“Long time no see, Lady Bernadette.”

Damn. Pailey.

This was our first meeting since that standoff at the ball.

“Ah, right. I’m in a bit of a hurry, so I’ll be going now.”

Best not to get entangled with her. I’d stepped in at the ball for Leonie, but today I didn’t have to.

That’s when—

“Lady Bernadette, you’re really strange.”

Pailey grabbed my wrist and muttered.

“…What?”

“You humiliated me at the ball in front of everyone, and yet you haven’t said a word of apology.”

I slowly opened and closed my eyes.

Why did I keep running into her?

In the original story, she and Bernadette were close. They liked the same things, had similar tastes, and went to the same places—it made sense we’d run into each other.

From now on, I need to do the opposite of anything familiar.

“You embarrassed me with that nonsense in public, and now you’re just trying to cozy up to His Grace.”

One more time. Just hold it in one more time.

No need to stir up more trouble.

I forced a smile and softened my lips.

“Oh, I did that, didn’t I?”

As I opened my mouth, the air around us changed instantly.

All eyes were on us.

“I was too busy with personal matters to send a letter of apology. Sorry?”

I lifted my tone just enough to avoid making it a real apology—my pride wouldn’t allow it.

“If you’re so busy, how do you have time to buy desserts?”

Clearly, Pailey wasn’t going to let it go.

“I still need to eat to survive…”

“Those are nicely wrapped. A gift?”

She looked down at the box in my hands, lifting her chin.

“What, don’t tell me it’s for Lady Almaz?”

Gasps rose from the women behind her like an audience.

“That’s right. Leonie’s been unwell, so I was going to bring her something nice.”

I should’ve held it in.

I should’ve just made an excuse and walked out.

“Lady Bernadette, why are you so different now?”

Pailey suddenly narrowed her brows and looked me up and down.

“And what’s with your outfit today? You’ve become so pathetic. Is your family doing poorly?”

“…Excuse me?”

“Oh, so that’s why you’re groveling under Leonie now? But too bad—Almaz’s situation isn’t looking great either.”

“…”

“You really should pick who you attach yourself to more carefully.”

The snickering laughter grew louder until more women burst into full-blown laughter.

“Goodness, another ridiculous outfit today.”

“The Bernadette family must be in trouble.”

“I hadn’t heard that, but how pitiful.”

Ugh. I really just wanted a quiet life.

I blew my bangs up with a puff of breath and lifted my head.

Hey. I’m the kind of person who always returns what I receive—good or bad.

“My, it seems you don’t know.”

As I spoke languidly, Pailey stared at me with a strange expression.

“Do you know how much labor and sweat it takes to make that yellow dress you’re wearing?”

“Why would I need to know that?”

I took the hem of her skirt and gave it a light shake.

“Did you know that yellow dye comes from the Cobane flower? That it only grows in high-altitude regions? That it’s hard to import due to diplomatic issues and now becoming a national concern? That the palace is losing sleep over this?”

“W-What are you talking about?”

“Oh, I guess someone like you wouldn’t know. You only ever think about what to eat or wear. How pathetic.”

“Lady Bernadette!”

Pailey shouted, but I knew she was just throwing a tantrum because she had no real comeback.

“I’m not some fool who drifts through life thoughtlessly. Lady, if you’re a noble, start paying attention to how the world works. Stop parading around with flowers in your hair, thinking that’s all there is.”