Chapter 7 – Part 6

Noah then closed his eyes, seemingly deep in thought, before speaking again.

“To know where your heart truly lies, Erica, you’ll have to confront and experience things firsthand.”

He was right.

If I kept stepping back and maintaining this attitude of “Let’s see how well the Crown Prince handles this,” I might never reach a satisfying conclusion.

“At first, he was completely unlikable. I mean, His Highness. He fired the first person I got close to right after I started working, and he was extremely picky about how I brewed his tea.”

“That child does have some peculiarities.”

“Haha, right? But now, I realize he’s not just that kind of person. Still, I’m hesitant to take even one more step, fearing I might get completely swept away.”

I paused for a moment before continuing.

“People expect me to date His Highness, and that pressure is overwhelming.”

The unexpectedly spreading rumors were becoming a burden.

Even my roommate, Natalie, although trying not to show it, seemed to have the same thought.

“On the other hand, there are also people who don’t want Erica to date the Crown Prince.”

“Exactly, right? But this is my life, my relationship. So it should entirely be my decision, and it feels like it has to be. But since it’s the Crown Prince, everyone is overly interested, supporting without my consent, causing trouble without my consent…”

Even destroying the tea trolley, for that matter.

The thought made me angry, and I clenched my fists.

Noah, who had been calmly listening, spoke.

“If it becomes unbearable, come to me.”

“Huh?”

Wondering what he meant by that, I squinted my eyes at him.

But Noah was as nonchalant as ever.

‘Is he saying that if I come here, he’ll somehow solve everything?’

Does this shop sell something like a memory-erasing device from the movie ‘Men in Black’?

‘That would be both useful and dangerous.’

Like gathering everyone from the palace and flashing a light to erase all their memories…

‘Could I return to the time before His Highness confessed to me?’

Even so, I couldn’t go back to the time before the small dining room in the Crown Prince’s palace was destroyed.

While I was lost in such thoughts, Noah spoke.

“If you find it hard dealing with the Crown Prince, you can run away here.”

“Oh, come on. I thought you were going to magically erase people’s memories or something.”

I chuckled, and Noah replied seriously.

He said that long ago, it might have been possible, but now he couldn’t freely use such advanced magic.

When I asked if moving the shop around as he did wasn’t actually a higher form of magic, Noah just laughed.

And speaking of Noah moving the shop, something came to mind.

“Oh! His Highness is tracking your shop.”

“My fate, as always.”

Noah shrugged as if it were no surprise.

“His Highness was marking the shop’s location on a map. There were twenty red marks.”

“Only twenty? The Holy Knights’ performance has really gone downhill lately.”

Noah laughed lightly. But I was still worried.

“What if they enter the shop pretending to be customers?”

“They can’t come in. Don’t worry, Erica.”

Noah looked genuinely confident.

Well, given that he’s been running this shop safely for over 150 years, I guess he’ll be fine from now on too.

I scratched my cheek.

Noah looked at the clock on the wall and said,

“It’s getting late. Shall I open a door near the Imperial Palace servants’ quarters?”

“Isn’t that dangerous?”

“It’s fine. I’ll open it in a secluded area.”

* * *

After saying goodbye to Noah and leaving the shop, I looked back and saw a wall well-hidden by garden trees.

It didn’t even take a minute to walk to the servants’ quarters.

There was a note from Natalie on the table.

[Erica, from today, I’ll be helping prepare for the Spring Ball in earnest. So I might come back late. Don’t wait up, just go to bed.]

I’d heard from other maids that the Spring Ball is usually organized by the Emperor Consort, Duke Oscar, but Natalie is so capable that she gets called to help all over the place.

With the room to myself, I opened my diary in a relaxed mood for the first time in a while.

The timing was perfect, as my diary friend logged on simultaneously. His greeting and trivial chat appeared on the page.

‘HE mentioned going to the upcoming Spring Ball, right?’

I hadn’t asked whether it was the ball held at the palace for nobles or a festival-like ball held outside for commoners.

[…So, I’m thinking of asking that person to be my partner at this ball. This time, I really want to go to her window and serenade her. What do you think?]

“Ah, that serenade again! Why can’t you let it go?”

While I was rubbing my forehead, my diary friend continued writing.

[I’ll skip the full orchestra and just bring a few accompanists.]

Why is he so out of control lately?

It seems the person my diary friend likes is softer than I thought, accepting all his advances despite how forward he are.

“Sigh, I’m jealous.”

I wish someone as cute, kind, and eventful as my diary friend would ask me out on a date.

I composed myself, dipped my pen in ink, and gave sincere advice.

[Serenading might still be a bit much. And what if she reject you? You should have a backup plan, right?]

[I’m fine. I’m prepared.]

No, not you.

[What if the person you like feels burdened? You said you wouldn’t like it if they agreed under pressure, right?]

What would I have done if I were in my friend’s position?

I would have chosen a strategy of pushing forward with the atmosphere, getting the person’s agreement first, then making an appeal by dressing up elegantly at the ball.

But my diary friend wasn’t that type of person.

“Oh, so cute. What did they eat to grow up so upright?”

[You’re right. I hadn’t thought of that. Thank you.]

The person my diary friend liked should have been thankful to me.

Don’t worry! I’m cutting down on grand, strange plans in advance.

***

After the two-week probation period, it was finally time to serve tea to Her Majesty for the first time.

The schedule at the Empress’ palace was similar to that of the Crown Prince’s palace.

Tea after breakfast, tea after lunch, and tea after dinner.

Before meeting Her Majesty, Natalia adjusted my headpiece.

“Since Duke Oscar often joins for meals, always prepare tea for at least two. In the morning, he enjoys strong black tea.”

I chose one of the blended teas I had prepared in advance, which was similar to Assam and Ceylon.

I added the right amount of orange zest and vanilla to it.

This added a citrusy flavor to the tea, different from Earl Grey, which contains bergamot, and it was delicious.

With the carefully prepared tea leaves, I headed to the large dining room of the Empress’ palace.

There, Her Majesty and Duke Oscar were having breakfast together.

The Empress’ palace operated differently from the Crown Prince’s palace.

I waited nearby with other servants, then brewed the tea using freshly boiled water.

Timing it just right, I entered the dining room and set the teacups in front of Her Majesty and Duke Oscar.

As soon as the sand in the hourglass ran out, I tilted the teapot and poured the tea.

The rich aroma of black tea, along with the subtle, creamy orange scent, filled the dining room.

Her Majesty was pleased.

“Your tea always tastes wonderful.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

My tea is a bit delicious, isn’t it?

Duke Oscar smiled warmly, his eyes gently curving.

“Could you perhaps make a drink with a similar flavor?”

Was he talking about something like a cocktail?

I recalled the tea and herbal cocktails I used to make in my previous life. Quite a few recipes came to mind.

“Yes, it’s possible.”

“That’s great. I’ve been wondering what drinks to serve at the spring ball.”

Duke Oscar, with a bright smile like pear blossoms in spring, requested permission from Her Majesty.

“Your Majesty, may I borrow this young lady?”

Her Majesty readily agreed.

Right after finishing his meal, Duke Oscar took me to the Rose Palace.

As Natalia had mentioned, preparations for the spring ball were in full swing at the Rose Palace.

In one corner of the spacious, open hall, a seating area for refreshments was set up.

Duke Oscar sat down first and offered me a seat.

“Let me know if you need anything.”

Of course, I planned to recreate some of the cocktail recipes I enjoyed in my previous life.

However, I hadn’t yet tried many of the local spirits.

I guess I’ll just have to try them all!

Duke Oscar, upon my request, ordered his attendant to bring a variety of liquors.

“Don’t overdo it. There’s always another day.”

“Yes, I will do my best!”

I was all fired up.

Wow, it’s been so long since I’ve had a drink!

Pouring the liquor brought by the attendant into a glass, I found that the colors and aromas varied from deep to almost colorless and transparent.

“Just by smelling, I can tell—these are all top quality.”

Moved, I took a sip of each, savoring the flavors, but…

Having been accustomed to drinking in my past life, I completely forgot that I didn’t yet know my alcohol tolerance in this life.

What that means is… I ended up falling asleep right then and there.