Chapter 3 – Part 3

Reflecting on the past few days, I scratched my head.

‘It feels like the Crown Prince has changed a bit lately.’

I couldn’t pinpoint what was different, but he looked distinctly better.

‘His complexion seems brighter, and his hair shinier…’

Day by day, he seemed to be blooming.

Yet, my heart, newly fortified like a high castle wall due to a newfound affection, remained unwavering.

The Crown Prince’s looks and demeanor were still stunning and enticing, but I regarded them merely as objective facts.

I was not swayed.

Well, maybe a little swayed.

‘He has to be extraordinarily handsome!’

It was hard not to glance when he stretched, complaining that his clothes felt tight.

But that’s beside the point.

Regardless, my heart was wholly occupied by a dear and kind diary friend.

Even when the Crown Prince asked intrusive questions like, ‘Do you ever plan to marry? What kind of man do you like?’ similar to nosy relatives during holidays, I remained unperturbed.

‘Thinking about it annoys me again.’

Despite his hobby of firing servants as frequently as meals, he had no excuse to dismiss me.

No matter how picky he was, I refused to quit. Recently, my excellent skills even earned recognition from Their Majesties.

So now, I suspected his goal was to marry me off and banish me to some remote estate.

‘Otherwise, why would he ask what I want in a marriage partner?’

I couldn’t make sense of it.

To escape him for at least a day longer, I applied for the holiday I had been rewarded previously.

And so, I went out of the palace to lift my spirits.

It might sound funny if I say it like this…

but today, I am going on a date with my diary.

I planned the date course using a list of recommended eateries suggested by my maid friends who work at Duke Oscar’s Rose Palace.

Madeline was especially enthusiastic in her recommendation.

“There’s a restaurant near the square in front of the palace gates that only opens in the morning. They only serve one dish. But there’s a reason they can get away with such limited offerings: the food is incredibly delicious. You must go there!”

Charlotte added,

“There’s a bakery across from that restaurant, and their cake slices are amazing. I went there on a date with my sweetheart last time. My favorite was the chocolate cake with cherries on top. Every morning, the city’s nobles send their servants to line up in front of the store. You’ll know it when you see it.”

And Camilla advised,

“Next to that, there’s a teahouse with a green sign. It’s said to serve the best tea in the square. I don’t think they can brew as many varieties or as deliciously as you do, Erica, but still… Didn’t you say you wanted to open a teahouse someday? It would be a good place to do some research.”

I’m not sure if this is a date course or a food tour, but as long as it’s delicious, does it really matter?

* * *

The first stop was the restaurant Madeline recommended.

It was easy to find, as it was a restaurant that only opened in the morning near the fountain square by the palace.

As soon as I walked in, a staff member approached me.

“Hello, are you dining alone?”

“Yes.”

It’s one person and one diary.

“Would you like to sit at an outside table, or shall I guide you inside?”

When I hesitated, the staff member recommended,

“The weather is nice today, so I suggest an outside table. You can enjoy your meal while admiring the fountain.”

“Great. An outside table, please.”

The spring air was so warm and pleasant that I felt very cheerful.

After seating me at a table, the staff member asked,

“Is this your first time visiting our restaurant?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Then let me give you an introduction.”

Do I really need an introduction just to have brunch?

“This restaurant is operated by a chef who left his prestigious position at a ducal household’s kitchen to fulfill his dream. He’s been running this restaurant for 45 years.”

The staff member recited the guidebook.

“This chef was incredibly passionate about breakfast. However, the Duke he served eventually became reclusive and slept in until late afternoon every day, depriving the chef of the chance to serve breakfast, which became a lifelong regret.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Despite his dedication to the Duke, the chef’s master passed away a few years later.”

The introduction is getting a bit gloomy…

“When the ducal title passed to another branch of the family, the chef left and opened this small restaurant. That’s how this place came to be.”

“I see…”

“Yes. Now, I’ll bring you our only menu item, the ‘Omelette Set.’”

So, they really do have just one dish?

It was surprising that this wasn’t just marketing talk.

Sitting there, watching the people pass through the square, I didn’t have to wait long.

The omelette, which is the restaurant’s sole dish, was served. It was larger and more beautiful than I had expected.

“It’s made with eggs brought in fresh this morning from a farm on the outskirts of the capital.”

Indeed, the bright yellow, warm omelette was appetizingly placed over sautéed meat, mushrooms, and vegetables.

“These sausages, made by a 70-year-old guild of master craftsmen, and freshly baked white bread.”

Golden brown sausages, with juices oozing from the slits, and a small round loaf of white bread, exuding a delicious aroma.

“This drink is made with sparkling water from deep within a volcanic region, mixed with mango and pineapple juices imported from the Southern Kingdom, and chilled with ice.”

“Wow, that sounds quite rare!”

When I expressed my admiration, the staff member smiled proudly.

“Finally, the fruit is from an orchard with which we have an exclusive contract.”

Bright red strawberries and neatly cut apricots were arranged prettily on a plate.

Every single fruit was something rare in the capital.

As I was about to start my meal, the staff member stepped forward.

“Excuse me.”

The staff member took out a new knife from his apron and sliced the omelette lengthwise. Then, something amazing happened.

As the omelette opened up, soft scrambled eggs flowed out like lava, covering the sautéed meat, mushrooms, and vegetables.

I’ve seen this in my past life. The flowing omelette!

To think they’ve developed such a marvelous dish at this time—this chef is a genius.

One bite and I was captivated by the harmony of the creamy eggs and the savory filling.

The side sausages weren’t overly salty and were delicious, while the fresh bread was perfectly seasoned and soft.

Just as Madeline said.

Despite the frustrating business policy of closing after 1 PM and serving only one menu item, it’s no wonder this place thrives.

I wanted to quickly share this delightful experience with my dear diary friend.

Taking out my diary, I kissed the cover affectionately.

I opened a new page and started sketching the marvelous omelette with my pencil.

Then, I took another bite of the omelette.

“This is the most delicious omelet I’ve ever had! It melts in my mouth.”

If it weren’t for saving room for dessert, I would have ordered another one of these omelets.

With such a perfect brunch finished,

The next stop was the bakery.

Looking around the square, I saw a store with at least twenty or thirty people lined up in front.

Judging by the clothes of the people in line, they seemed to be servants of noble families.

As Charlotte mentioned, there it was, the famous cake shop where servants line up from the early morning to get delicious cakes for their masters.

As I peered into the shop, the large central door opened, and a staff member came out.

“Thank you for visiting us. Please, come inside.”

“Me?”

Right, I am a noble. I was dressed completely like one.

Living and working at someone else’s house these days has made me momentarily forget my own status.

As soon as I entered the bakery, I was greeted by a dazzling array of colorful cakes that seemed to transcend time.

The first cake that caught my eye was a strawberry cake.

A cute red piece of cake topped with a generous amount of white cream, delicate chocolate decorations, and fresh strawberries.

The vivid contrast of red and white was luxurious.

“But isn’t it a bit early for strawberry season?”

I couldn’t take my eyes off the bright red strawberry cake.

The staff member guided me.

“You’re looking at our red cake. The cream decoration is very white and beautiful, isn’t it? We use a lot of fine white sugar. The strawberries were harvested just yesterday from a farm. They were transported overnight by carriage from the south, so they’re the freshest you can find.”

“How did you achieve such a bright red color?”

“Haha, that’s a secret.”

Considering the era and ecological background of this area, the secret red dye was likely cochineal.

I had eaten it in my past life.

Still, thinking about the source of the dye diminished my appetite.

“And if this red isn’t from cochineal, it’s even worse.”

I looked for another cake, opting for one without secretive ingredients.

Soon, my eyes landed on the next cake, which resembled a Swedish princess cake with a light green color.

The staff member explained,

“It’s a soft cake, thinly sliced and layered with cream and jam, then covered with a marzipan made of sugar and almond powder.”