“Ah—thank you for the food!”
That was when I was happily savoring the tart and pound cake, bite by bite.
A hand quietly reached toward me.
‘Huh?’
I lifted my head with my mouth still full of tart.
Cecilia slightly flinched, her shoulders tensing for a moment—
Then, as if nothing had happened, she naturally picked up a plate of chocolate éclairs.
‘Wait, was she just about to… pat my head? No, no way.’
I quickly got distracted again by the plate placed in front of me.
“Try this one too.”
Again?
My stomach was already starting to feel full.
But Cecilia was acting like a grandmother visiting after a long time during a holiday—desperately trying to feed me everything in sight.
“If you only eat sweets like that, won’t your mouth get tired? Have a sandwich too.”
“T-Thank you…”
“Want more tea?”
Cecilia even lifted the teapot herself.
At this rate, she looked ready to refill my already half-full cup without hesitation.
“W-Wait, I still have tea and desserts left! I’ll eat slowly!”
I quickly waved my hands to stop her.
Cecilia reluctantly put the teapot down.
“Alright. You might get indigestion if you eat too fast.”
Only then did I begin to eat slowly, savoring each bite.
“Chew properly.”
Somehow… she sounds just like my mom.
“Yes, my lady.”
I nodded with a bright smile.
But that thought about my mother lingered—and suddenly my mouth felt a little dry.
‘My mom, though…’
The fork in my hand suddenly felt heavy.
The desserts that had been melting sweetly on my tongue now felt like grains of sand swirling in my mouth.
‘She’s probably never even had luxury desserts like this…’
My appetite dropped completely.
Still, I tried not to pick at the food too obviously.
But I couldn’t escape Cecilia’s sharp, hawk-like gaze.
“What’s with your expression?”
“Ah… my mom has never had desserts like this…”
I answered without thinking—and immediately bit my lip.
‘I messed up.’
I knew how Cecilia was treated by her family.
It probably sounded like I was bragging about having a good relationship with my mother…
I nervously stole a glance at Cecilia.
But her expression was unreadable.
Her calm turquoise eyes stared at me for a moment—
Then she suddenly turned away.
“…Forget it. Just eat.”
“Hmph.”
She turned her head sharply.
‘What…?’
Was she upset? Or not?
Confused, I bit into a ham and cheese sandwich.
And then my eyes widened slightly.
‘This sandwich… my mom would love it.’
Especially the sauce spread on the bread—it was unbelievably delicious.
‘I should stop by the kitchen before going home.’
I should ask how they make it.
And maybe, if I’m lucky, I could get some leftover ham and cheese too.
On the way home, I didn’t even need to stop by the kitchen.
“Here, take this with you.”
The head chef personally came to see me and handed me a huge basket.
It was so heavy that my arms nearly dropped the moment I took it.
Startled, I asked,
“What is this?”
The chef shrugged.
“I packed every type of dessert you had at today’s tea time. I even added plenty of sandwiches.”
“Pardon?”
Sandwiches…?
Those were exactly what I had been planning to make for my mother.
Just then, the chef added casually,
“Her Ladyship told me to prepare it for you.”
“…Huh?!”
“My goodness, Rena. What is all this?”
My mother’s eyes went wide as she stared at the luxurious spread that looked like something only a noble household would have.
I proudly lifted my chin.
“Tasty, right? The young lady prepared it for me!”
“The young lady…? The one you’re serving now?”
“Yes!”
I nodded with a grin.
Cecilia was surprisingly thoughtful.
Knowing it was almost dinner time, she had prepared not only desserts but also proper filling foods.
So my mother and I were able to enjoy a lavish meal together.
“Mom, try this sandwich.”
I quickly pushed the sandwich I had been eyeing earlier toward her.
Then I added a large plate of meat pie.
“This meat pie looks good too. You should eat it while it’s warm—it tastes better that way.”
“I am eating. Goodness, thanks to you, I’m living the good life. You eat too.”
My mother chuckled and cut a large piece of meat pie, placing it on my plate.
I pouted exaggeratedly and glanced at her.
“If Mom doesn’t eat first, I won’t eat either.”
“Why are you being so dramatic?”
Unable to resist me, she took a bite.
At the same time, her eyes widened.
“Oh my, it really is delicious!”
“Right? The head chef at the annex is amazing.”
And so, we began chatting comfortably.
About how strict the head maid, Lady Tilda, was.
What the other servants in the annex were like.
But among all the topics, one name came up the most.
“So, about the young lady…”
Of course—it was Cecilia.
My mother, who had been listening carefully, asked teasingly,
“You really like that young lady, don’t you?”
“Huh? Why?”
“You talk about her every single day lately.”
She shrugged.
“And every time you mention her, you’re smiling so brightly.”
“….”
I froze.
Me… smiling?
I unconsciously touched the corner of my lips.
Softly curved lips met my fingers.
After a moment of hesitation, I gave a small nod.
“…Yeah. I think she’s a good person.”
At first, I had been wary of Cecilia.
I had no choice.
She was the heroine of the original story—the one destined to ruin me completely.
But after seeing her up close, Cecilia was just a normal girl.
She looked like a cold, proud cat on the outside.
But in reality, she was lonely.
A girl who desperately wanted her family’s love.
‘I hope Cecilia can be happy with her family too.’
As I cut another piece of meat pie and put it in my mouth, I thought about her again.
Even though the original story carried the keyword of “family regret,”
I still didn’t want her family to leave her alone for too long.
Just like my mother always stayed by my side,
I hoped Cecilia’s family wouldn’t obsess only over the “real daughter,” but would truly accept her too.
‘What is Cecilia doing right now?’
I hoped she wouldn’t feel too lonely tonight.
That she could have a peaceful evening.
…I sincerely wished for it.