“Is it true that it’s Prince Aike’s birthday on Saturday?”
“Yes. I originally intended to order the finest snacks.”
“I’m not sure if what I make will be okay for such a special day.”
“Is what I mentioned earlier not enough?”
“It’s not that; I just wonder if my baked goods can satisfy everyone’s tastes.”
Sophia honestly lacked confidence.
Born in a local inn, she’d learned baking as more of a hobby.
To be asked to prepare such treats for Aike’s birthday felt daunting.
Reina, Aike, Leon, Helen, Atal.
They were all people with high positions in the Empire.
Surely, their palates were accustomed to the finest delicacies. Would her hobby-level treats even suffice?
Those worries wouldn’t fade away.
“Miss Sophia, I dislike flattery. Even if we’re friends, I won’t make a request while lying.”
But Reina thought differently.
Not to brag, but she’d been spoiled with high-end snacks since childhood.
And objectively speaking, Sophia’s baking skills were exceptional.
Not just madeleines.
Mont Blanc, scones, canelé, and more.
None of the treats Sophia made were lacking.
“So please, just tell me all the ingredients you need.”
“Ah, understood. I will do my best!”
Thus, Sophia resolved herself to meet Reina’s expectations.
“Miss Sophia, may I ask for one more favor?”
Two days before Aike’s birthday, Reina gathered her courage to speak to Sophia.
Though Sophia was focused on her dough, she paused and turned at Reina’s words.
“Yes, Lady Reina?”
“Well…”
For some reason, Reina struggled to voice her thoughts.
Her face flushed lightly with embarrassment.
“Um, could I take some madeleines with me?”
“Ah, if there’s something you wish to eat, feel free to take as much as you like.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Reina furrowed her brows in an instant, seriousness replacing her momentary hesitation.
Having grown accustomed to this scene, Sophia smiled gently and continued speaking.
“Then may I ask why?”
“I want to give them as a gift to Prince Aike…”
“Pardon?”
Sophia was taken aback by Reina’s words.
She had said she would choose a gift for everyone together, right?
Was it specifically her madeleines she intended to give?
Her feelings were a tangled mix of joy and complexity.
“Oh, no. That’s not it…”
Realizing Sophia was misunderstanding her, Reina quickly corrected herself.
“I want to give Prince Aike a separate gift.”
“Ah, I see.”
“When you returned to Arcana, you made that request. Actually, I asked Prince Aike about it separately.”
“Really?”
“Though he declined again this time. But I won’t give up. I don’t want to run away anymore.”
Understanding Reina’s words, Sophia opened her mouth with a serious expression.
“Lady Reina.”
“Yes?”
“If that’s your reason, I cannot let you have my madeleines.”
“W-Why not?”
Reina was aware that Aike wasn’t particularly fond of sweets.
But among Sophia’s baking, the madeleines were undeniably delicious, and she thought Aike would surely be pleased.
That’s why she had overcome her embarrassment to ask.
“Is there any way I could still convince you?”
Despite Reina’s earnest plea, Sophia’s response was a firm refusal.
“Absolutely not.”
Reina bit her lip slightly in disappointment.
However, Sophia’s next words made her pause in thought.
“If it’s for a gift like that, it would be better for you to make it yourself.”
Faced with Sophia’s cheerful demeanor, it was hard to assert the impossibility.
★
“Is this okay?”
As I looked at the wrapping paper laid out on the desk, a sigh escaped me.
In the end, the personal gift I would give to Aike ended up being the madeleines I made myself.
Miss Sophia insisted it had to be valuable that way, refusing to back down on that opinion.
Not to brag, but I had never attempted baking or even simple cooking.
I only worried about whether Aike would be happy with the madeleines I’d produced under Sophia’s guidance since they could never compare to her perfect treats.
I just hoped that this gift wouldn’t turn out badly.
“Ha.”
Since that day, Aike had been avoiding me.
He looked like he was scared of something.
The only silver lining was that he hadn’t declined my invitation for tomorrow.
Had he done that, all my plans would have been in ruins, so I considered that a relief.
“I really hope this goes well.”
Considering the time, it seemed we wouldn’t have much time left to converse.
During that moment, I’d hand him the treats and talk.
I earnestly prayed that Aike would understand my feelings.
With that wish in my heart, I slowly closed my eyes.
★
“Is that your and Lady Reina’s conclusion?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
After the Sunday supplementary class, I met with the Crown Prince to share my thoughts as they were.
I intended to accept Reina’s story.
And I would help in any way I could should issues arise from it.
Upon hearing everything, the Crown Prince slightly turned up the corners of his mouth as he replied.
“There shouldn’t be anything you need to assist with. Even if there is, it’s something I can handle on my own.”
Why was the Crown Prince saying this?
I couldn’t grasp his intent.
In the past, I might have thought that the Crown Prince wouldn’t have needed to understand.
But not anymore.
He had changed, and I had clarified my thoughts too.
“Your Highness, you mentioned that you know how precious Lady Reina is to me.”
“Indeed.”
“I will likely continue to act for her in the future.”
“I shall support your endeavors.”
“But my motivation for acting isn’t because I view her as a mere doll.”
“…Were you simply trying to refute my earlier words? You didn’t accept Lady Reina’s request for that reason, did you?”
“Of course not.”
“Then?”
“For me, Reina is truly an invaluable connection.”
In my previous life, she supported my time of convalescence.
After arriving in this world, she became a guiding milestone.
And now, she is a friend who understands me and believes in me no matter what occurs.
For her, I’d be willing to devote my life if needed.
“Very well.”
Upon hearing my response, the Crown Prince nodded in agreement.
“If that conclusion is truly from your heart, then I believe it’s the right one.”
“Thank you.”
“Of course, the words I said back then weren’t my true feelings.”
“…Pardon?”
I paused for a moment at the Crown Prince’s seemingly indifferent remark.
“Isn’t it obvious? That’s why I mentioned knowing how precious Lady Reina is to you.”
“That didn’t mean you thought I treated Reina like a mere doll, did it?”
“That could certainly be one interpretation. But that wasn’t my actual meaning.”
“Then why would you say that…?”
“I just thought you were worrying over trifles. I merely intended to provoke a response. Though ‘half-true’ exists as a saying, those words held barely any truth.”
I had misunderstood.
It was foolish of me to try and understand the Crown Prince.
Truly sincere.
“Well, Aike. There won’t be any concerns for you.”
Confidence radiated from the Crown Prince’s words.
Did he have a plan in mind?
To be honest, my worries weren’t completely alleviated, but it seemed I had to trust him since he was saying it so boldly.
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
“Of course. So take good care of Lady Reina.”
The Crown Prince said that with a smile.
★
Late at night.
“Hmmm.”
In the dormitory room, Leon quietly sighed.
A letter was held in his hands.
The sender’s name was blank.
But Leon didn’t mind and began reading the letter.
“This was unexpected.”
His voice carried genuine emotion.
Even for Leon, who was usually calculating everything, the incidents outlined in the letter were bewildering.
“If such incidents really occurred, I could certainly understand her actions then.”
Leon often spoke to himself to sort out his myriad of thoughts.
However, he had never voiced his thoughts this intensely before.
It was evident just how flustered he was in that moment.
“Ha.”
What should he do now?
Lost in thought, Leon scratched the back of his head.
He didn’t prefer to act hastily.
“…Perhaps it would be okay to just prepare.”
Yet if everything in the letter was factual, there would be no harm in acting quickly.
After all, even if the plan succeeded, it wouldn’t harm Aike or Reina.
Both were unaware, but beneath the surface, Leon had orchestrated numerous behind-the-scenes operations.
Of course, these were all legal affairs.
Though he had utilized his position slightly for convenience.
The reason he could confidently assure that things would work out when he promised to help Aike lay in that very capability.
“I should probably finish this now.”
Originally, Leon intended to take a bit longer.
But having learned this situation, there was no need to sit back and wait.
The issues arising from timing were essentially negligible.
It was merely Leon’s desire to be thoroughly prepared.
“Is it less than two months left now?”
As he said that, Leon’s lips curled into a smile.
What kind of reactions would Aike and Reina have once they learned this news?
Leon couldn’t restrain his excitement as he pondered that.
