Chapter 14

The anticipated weekend.

It was the day Alicia was to go downtown with Nina’s group of maids.

It was her first outing since arriving at Kaspar’s ducal residence.

Spring had been chilly but cozy when she arrived, but now summer was approaching and the weather was hot.

‘Time has really flown.’

She thought she wouldn’t last even a week.

Alicia waited for the girls in front of the hired carriage.

‘Delicious pastries…’

She wondered how good they would be.

Teen girls always find the best treats, so Alicia trusted their taste.

The pink candy they gave her last time had been delicious—sweet and tangy with a peach base.

The flavor lingered as the candy melted, never getting old.

She looked forward to what else the girls would recommend.

“Alicia!”

Lucy, with her orange hair, waved brightly and ran to her from the mansion’s entrance.

Behind her, Nina and Marzena, the eldest and the brown-haired girl, followed.

Lucy reached Alicia first, panting.

“S-sorry for making you wait. Hoo—”

While Lucy caught her breath, Nina and Marzena arrived, greeting Alicia.

“Hello, Alicia!”

“Good morning…!”

Both blushed pink as they shyly greeted her.

Alicia smiled warmly.

“Good morning. Shall we go?”

“Yes!”

Nina answered with a big smile.

They all boarded the hired carriage together.

* * *

The city, Emestel, was about a thirty-minute carriage ride from Kaspar’s ducal residence.

Emestel was a city right next to the Imperial Palace.

It was a famous bustling district, where nobles and commoners alike gathered.

It was known for good food and sights, a favorite spot for friends and couples.

Marzena shyly said she wanted to go on a date in Emestel if she ever got a boyfriend.

She really was a girl at heart!

Her cuteness made Alicia smile.

They chatted happily and soon arrived in Emestel.

Nina said she wanted to eat breakfast with Alicia, so she hadn’t gone to the dining hall with the other girls.

She guided Alicia to a nearby soup shop she recommended.

Alicia tried their signature onion soup.

The onions melted in her mouth, rich and savory.

With baguette, it was even more filling and delicious.

Then they headed to the pastry shop Lucy had mentioned.

There was so much to see along the way—hairpins, hats, lollipops.

These things delighted everyone’s eyes and taste buds.

As the girls said, couples were everywhere.

A nobleman and lady were picking hairpins, enjoying their date.

The young lady asked which pin suited her, and the young man, smitten, said she looked good in everything.

Children bought small candies with a few coins, happily sharing them.

Lucy suddenly stopped and pointed to a shop ahead.

“There it is! Just a little further.”

Alicia smiled and nodded.

As they neared the pastry shop, its sign came into view.

Cafe Aldmora

‘That cafe! It appeared often in the original story.’

Wasn’t it the place where Florian and Aris met secretly?

Later, as lovers, they went there often for dates.

At the cafe, Lucy led the way and opened the door.

Ding—!

Lucy greeted cheerfully,

“Hello, Aunt Margaret!”

“Oh my! Kaspar girls are here.”

The warm-hearted bakery lady welcomed the girls.

Then she looked at Alicia and gave a puzzled expression.

“Who’s this beautiful lady?”

“Oh, she saved us. She’s the benefactor we told you about.”

“Oh my! Then I should give you lots of extra today.”

Margaret hurried to the kitchen.

The four of them took seats at a table for four.

As described in the original, the interior blended commoner friendliness and noble elegance.

Candles and paintings on the walls made the atmosphere even more refined.

In the center, breads and cakes were displayed.

Tempting croissants and baguettes.

Strawberry-topped shortcakes.

Like bakeries Alicia had seen in her previous life, people used trays and tongs to choose their bread.

It felt so familiar—she wanted to visit often.

‘Next time, I’ll bring Mikael.’

He’d love eating treats together.

Thinking of Mikael made Alicia want to return even more.

Soon, Margaret appeared with a plate piled high with bread.

“A beautiful lady deserves at least this much.”

She smiled widely and set the plate on the table.

The girls’ eyes widened at the generous service.

Nina exclaimed to Margaret,

“This is all extra? It seems like more than usual.”

“Of course. For your benefactor, nothing less!”

The huge amount made Alicia gasp in admiration.

She smiled and asked Margaret,

“Thank you. Could I have a cup of coffee too?”

“Of course, Lady. I’ll make it with the finest beans.”

Margaret winked secretly and went to the coffee grinder.

It was Alicia’s first meeting with Margaret, but she seemed genuinely kind.

She treated Alicia warmly, as if they’d known each other for years.

It felt good to feel human warmth again.

Nina shyly spoke to Alicia,

“Alicia, please try some.”

Alicia smiled and nodded, choosing a pastry the girls recommended.

‘Ah! Delicious…’

A familiar taste.

She expected just sweet bread.

But that was a mistake.

The pastry’s sweetness and apricot jam were a perfect match.

Usually, bakeries use strawberry jam, but here they used apricot.

The apricot’s sweetness paired beautifully with the bread.

The pastry’s crisp layers made it even more appetizing.

Marzena swallowed nervously, eager for Alicia’s reaction.

Blushing, Marzena shyly asked,

“…How is it? Do you like it?”

Alicia smiled brightly and replied,

“Yeah. It’s so good I can’t help but smile.”

It was the best pastry she’d ever tasted.

Sweet yet light, she could eat it every day and never tire of it.

If this bakery were in Korea, people would line up for it.

The girls smiled so widely their mouths nearly reached their ears.

They happily shared the bread Margaret had given them.

“Here’s your coffee.”

Alicia took a sip of Margaret’s coffee.

Sip—

The hot coffee washed away her fatigue.

Her mind cleared and she felt at ease.

They enjoyed their tea and chatted.

Stories about romance among the mansion’s staff, rivalries between head maids and butlers.

Alicia heard things she’d never known, thanks to the girls.

It felt like watching a fascinating drama in real time.

There were so many stories, laughter never stopped.

* * *

After a bit of shopping, they headed back to the hired carriage.

On the way, Alicia spotted lollipops at a street vendor.

‘Mikael would love these.’

He loved candy—he’d be thrilled if she brought him some.

Thinking this, Alicia stopped walking.

“Girls, go ahead. I still have something to buy.”

“Oh, okay. See you soon!”

Nina nodded and waved as Alicia walked away.

Alicia hurried to the candy shop she’d seen on the street.

‘If I go this way, the girls will wait longer.’

Going the main road would take too long.

So she took the shortcut Marzena had mentioned.

It was a narrow alley, just wide enough for two or three people.

Marzena had warned it was complicated and dark, not to use it at night.

But it was just before sunset, so it seemed safe enough.

The alley was mostly empty, so Alicia moved quickly toward the candy shop.

As she rushed through the alley,

…!

Someone grabbed her wrist.