Chapter 3 – Part 4

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

Covered with marzipan, it really was a Swedish princess cake. A suspicious artifact just by existing.

“And how did you achieve that green color?”

“It’s made with powdered matcha, sourced with great difficulty from beyond the Western Kingdom.”

The staff member’s face shone with pride, and rightly so.

“Matcha that isn’t even in the Crown Prince’s tea storeroom? I have to try it!”

I immediately pointed at that cake.

Sitting at a table, the staff member brought the cake along with a drink.

The light green base was decorated with colorful fruit jams in geometric patterns, and a large pearl adorned the center.

“Is this pearl made of sugar?”

“No, ma’am. That’s a real pearl.”

A large, genuine pearl on top of the cake made it look like an exquisite jewelry box, too beautiful to cut into with a fork.

If this were my previous life, I would have taken at least ten pictures with my smartphone.

Instead, I contented myself with making a detailed pencil sketch in my diary.

Then, I took a big forkful of the cake.

The rich taste of almonds and the flavor of matcha filled my mouth.

“Just as Charlotte said, it’s incredibly delicious. I’d love to bring my family here!”

I wanted to come back with my sister and try all sorts of things.

After the bakery, the next stop was the teahouse. According to Camilla, this place brewed the best tea around the fountain square.

Given that the fountain square near the palace was undoubtedly the most bustling area of the capital,

This teahouse, renowned in such a location, could be considered the most famous in the capital.

“But the menu seems a bit lacking.”

The blend tea menu looked promising, but the appeal was mostly in the names.

“Maybe they haven’t paid much attention to the origin and quality of the tea leaves yet.”

I ordered a tea recommended by the staff and another that was said to be the finest in the shop.

“As expected, the taste is a bit disappointing.”

But looking at it differently, it could be a good thing for me.

“If I open a teahouse here in about four years, I’ll surely surpass this place.”

Thinking about that made me feel good.

* * *

While Erica was enjoying the famous flowing omelette at the fountain square near the palace,

Crown Prince Adrian was finishing his breakfast at the Crown Prince’s Palace.

If there was one thing Adrian looked forward to all day, it was tea time.

The thought of seeing Erica at tea time made even the tough early morning training bearable.

However, Erica always showed up with tea just as Adrian was finishing his breakfast. Today, it seemed she was running late.

Adrian decided to subtly inquire with the maid attending his meal.

“The tea is late.”

Just as the maid was about to check what was going on, the sound of a rattling tea trolley came from the hallway. But it felt different than usual.

When he waited, it was not Erica who appeared with the tea trolley, but a valet.

Adrian asked calmly, “Isn’t the tea service handled by the second daughter of Count Marnel?”

The valet bowed his head. “Miss Erica of the Marnel household has been given the day off today.”

The valet skillfully placed a teacup at Adrian’s place and poured the tea. However, the tea’s aroma felt off.

Adrian asked, “What kind of tea is this?”

The valet answered, bowing low. “It is Bergamot black tea. It has been blended with the finest bergamot oil from the first flush tea of the highlands in the Eastern Kingdom.”

Adrian declared, “This is not the tea blended by my maid.”

‘My Erica would never do that.’

Erica never uses fruit oils when blending flavored tea.

This was because Erica, judging the tea’s quality by modern Earth standards, considered adding fruit pieces or zest to be more sophisticated than essential oils. However, Adrian was unaware of such nuances.

He simply could identify Erica’s tea blindfolded.

Adrian asked the valet, “Did you blend this tea?”

The valet stammered, “…No, it is tea leaves presented by the Duke of Roshid.”

“I have never received tea from Roshid.”

Even without further probing, it was clear.

It must be blended by the first nephew of the Duke of Roshid, hoping to be kept close if the tea was liked. Or it could be expensive tea leaves offered by the second nephew, hoping for a position in the Crown Prince’s household.

This valet must have been bribed in the process.

It seemed word had spread that Adrian had recently developed an interest in tea, doubling his tea time, and even praising the maid serving his tea.

It was becoming a bother.

Adrian immediately ordered, “Dismiss that valet at once.”

Those attending Adrian’s meal swiftly escorted the valet out, holding his arms as if they were used to it.

* * *

I was enjoying my day off in the busy district near the fountain square.

After completing the pre-planned date course, I was full, but it was still midday.

I opened my diary at a tea house, but my diary friend hadn’t replied yet. He always seemed busy working at this hour.

So, I decided to leisurely explore the busy district near the square.

Since I needed to save all my salary for my dreams, I was spending the pocket money my sister gave me today.

I browsed around and bought new shoes and a couple of books.

Then, impulsively, I bought a handkerchief.

“Wow, the embroidery on this handkerchief matches the color of your eyes perfectly!”

The shop assistants were making a fuss.

“You must buy this, ma’am!”

“Oh, I agree, it suits you so well. It’s a perfect match.”

The handkerchief had delicate olive-colored embroidery resembling my eyes. Ivory and green-brown threads formed intricate patterns along the edges.

I felt an impulse to give this handkerchief, which resembled me, to my diary friend.

‘Can I give this to my diary friend?’

I wasn’t sure, but I bought it anyway.

Just the thought of giving a gift to someone I liked made my heart race with joy. Once that feeling arose, it was hard to let go.

After finishing my handkerchief shopping, my legs were aching from all the walking, so I decided to check out another tea house in the square, pretending it was for research.

As I entered the tea house, the most handsome man I had seen in the square today greeted me.

“Welcome. Please allow me to show you to your seat.”

Perhaps the selling point of this tea house was the handsome male staff. However, it was no use for someone like me who faced the Crown Prince’s face every day.

I sat at the table guided by the man with a beautiful nape and ordered a tea set, then opened my diary. There was a reply from my diary friend.

[I’ve seen such an irregular monster in ancient religious texts of a foreign land.]

That was my drawing of an omelette!

[However, the magic circle below is something I’m seeing for the first time. I think I’ve seen something similar in ancient books of the Eastern Kingdom. Should I look into it?]

That drawing was not a magic circle. It was the Princess Cake I had drawn diligently earlier. I felt a bit hurt.

I picked up a pencil and started to reply.

[No, you don’t need to look into it. It was just a doodle because I was bored.]

I couldn’t tell you that I was wandering around with my diary, pretending to be on a date with you.

‘Still, my diary friend might accept at least the handkerchief I bought earlier.’

After some hesitation, I boldly asked my diary friend.

[By the way, I bought something small for you today. Can I send it to you?]

I was nervous.

What if they refuse?

One reason we had become so close so quickly was that we didn’t know each other’s identities.

It seemed like my diary friend, being the heir of a substantial merchant group, was quite conscious of others’ opinions. So, he seemed to really enjoy talking with someone like me, who didn’t know who they were.

What if they dislike it now that I’m suddenly trying to step into reality outside of our diaries?

As anxiety made my fingertips cold, my diary friend’s reply appeared.

[Where are you right now?]

My hand holding the pen trembled slightly.

[I’m near the imperial palace. It’s a big square with a fountain.]

‘Is he coming to meet me?’

My diary friend started drawing a map in the diary. It looked like a map of the area near the square.

[If you go to the marked spot, there will be a blue door. If you look closely at the wall near the door handle, one brick will stick out a bit. Press that brick firmly three times, wait a moment, and then press it twice more. The door will open.]

‘Will I be able to meet you there?’

My heart raced with excitement.

But then, my diary friend’s message continued.

[Leave the item inside. Don’t worry, the door will lock itself again.]

What is this, a subway locker? I felt foolish for briefly expecting something else.

My beloved diary friend didn’t want to meet me. I felt like crying.

* * *