You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 44

I was excited.

I used to buy pastries three times a week in my past life.

It’s not that I have a sweet tooth, but I became accustomed to having tea with something sweet between four and five of the afternoon. However, what made it more enjoyable, was to go to the shop and choose the ones that looked the tastiest. I would say it was a kind of... A reward from I to me.

If no one gave them to me, I had no choice but to get them myself.

That’s why, buying some here, made me a little happy.

’There are still things I can do here that I also did in my original world~ hehe~’

As soon as the carriage stopped, I opened the door and got out of it, completely ignoring the custom of waiting for the coachman to open the door or letting the man accompanying me help me down.

"Gasp! My– My Lady!"

The coachman said almost in dismay once he saw me. Looking back from his seat at the front of the carriage, he must have been shocked to see me get out of the carriage without any help.

Standing next to the carriage waiting for the Duke, I was too busy thinking about the sweets that I kinda forgot that I am "a Lady".

The Duke was now under the frame of the carriage door. Raising his eyebrows in surprise at my enthusiasm, he said while gazing at me.

"...I see you are excited."

Landing next to me, the Duke grinned.

"Let’s buy a lot and come back again later. There are more shops on the other side, maybe we could try some of those pastries next time." — He offered generously.

His "Doting Father" mode was on, apparently, because his declaration gave the feeling of someone who might buy the shop that better suited my taste.

If my hunch is right...

’Go ahead and buy it, Duke! If you are gonna give me anything, this is totally what you should give me!!! Don’t you dare forget it!!’

Pastries are expensive, so owning a shop is a great deal.

’Hehe... Nah, He wouldn’t go that far......right?’

...

’Nah~ he’s not stupid.’

Convinced that I was just too influenced by the novels I read before, I denied the possibility.

Breaking me out of the daze, the Duke put forth his arm again, showing a confident smile as he waited for me to take hold of it.

’... Yeah, he’s not stupid.’

We walked slowly towards the shop. As we passed the shop window to get to its entrance, I glanced through the great variety of pastries. There were a lot I have never seen before, with rustic terminations. It was clearly a shop that most likely had its own homemade recipes and creations.

’Those shops are the best...!’

Feeling how the inside of my mouth started salivating to the displayed desserts, I turned my head as I swallowed.

We entered the shop and the scent kicked in immediately. They were actually baking something further inside, I could smell the dough being baked in an oven, which made the place even better.

A sales clerk came out from behind the counter and welcomed us.

"Welcome to ’Vie Marmalade ’. It is an honour to be in your presence, my Lord. How may I help you?"

I guess his appearance gave out the fact that he was a nobleman because the clerk did not hesitate to address him with great politeness.

Nodding to the young man, the Duke turned to me with a kind expression.

"Dear, go take a look, choose as many as you want."

’As if!’

If we are gonna buy, we need to buy only the necessary amount. If it’s not fresh it won’t taste as good since we don’t have somewhere to conserve them well.

Also... it’s not fun if we don’t choose together.

’I want to have some with him later, so he has to choose at least one. Tsk tsk, this Sir, he just doesn’t know the protocols when buying pastries...’

Ignoring his suggestion, I pulled on his arm gently and made him follow me. Observing the display of pastries, I pointed to one that seemed quite interesting and looked back to the Duke tilting my head slightly, asking for his opinion.

"Hmm?... that one?"

"My Lord, that is a Bomboloni with a plum cream filling."

"... plum?"

Glancing at me with a sorry look the Duke explained to me.

"Marianne... sweetie... you can’t eat those... You are allergic to plum..."

"..."

’What?!?!’

I was shocked at such news. How could I be allergic to plums?! When they are so delicious too!!!!

"... Excuse me, do you have these with a different filling?"

"Yes, My Lord. We have two other fillings: raspberries marmalade and caramel."

"What do you think, Marianne?"

I nodded and lifted one finger, referring to the first one.

’...Since I can’t eat plums let’s go for another fruity taste.’

"Pack some of the ones with raspberry..."

"Yes, Sir."

"You can choose some more, Dear." — Turning back to me he offered.

Staring at him, I wondered how he understood me so well. He could have guessed wrong, thinking I wanted one of each. I wouldn’t have minded his mistake... But he figured out what I meant perfectly.

’As expected of Marianne’s Father...’

My chosen pastry had been found. Tapping on his arm, I pointed to the pastries with my hand and looked at him again.

’You choose one. Don’t make me do all the work.’

Taking his time to process my gesture, he finally understood what I meant after not taking my eyes off of him.

Staring at the displayed sweets with a doubtful gaze, he asked the clerk for suggestions.

"Hmm... Do you have any special pastry that has apples?"

"Yes, indeed we have. One of the most popular lately is the brand new recipe. Layers of the flakey puff pastry are wrapped around a sweet apple filling and baked to golden perfection, it is called ’Apple Danish’. It is suitable for breakfast or evening tea, most ladies prefer it for its well-balanced sweetness, My Lord."

"Wrap some of that one too... Marianne..."

As soon as he mentioned my name, I brought my hand up signalling a stop. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

’That much is enough.’

He was a little surprised by it, but still went along with me. Showing a warm smile, he nodded and finished the deal.

"That is all."

"Understood. Then I will proceed to wrap the order shortly."

We left the shop immediately. I felt somehow uneasy leaving without the purchased pastries, but, just as we went out, one of our servants entered to retrieve the order.

’Woah... that’s nobility for you...’

"I hope you like the one I chose. You seem to like apples lately."

’Heh~...So he knows...’

I do like apples. Did I go after all the ones with apples during our breakfasts?...

’Well... That’s a little embarrassing... I gotta be smoother next time.’

We boarded the carriage again and departed short after. Even though we didn’t talk much for the rest of the trip, we were both in a good mood. From time to time he would show me interesting views.

In the end, it turned out to be a pleasant outing and I acquired some delicious desserts.

I began dozing off a little when we were about to arrive at the Duchy. The Duke said it was okay to take a nap, but I didn’t want to fall asleep in front of him. For some reason, I think it’s disrespectful to do so in front of someone older.

I respect the Duke.

Although he failed to protect Marianne from Paul’s abuse... he did care about her.

He just can’t imagine the real reason for her condition, which is understandable. Parents are not perfect, they are far from that and given the times this novel is set... how could a Duke dedicate his full time to being a stay-home father?

There are many reasons why he can not figure it out. I’m not saying he has no fault, however... it can happen to the most caring parents too.

Right now... it’s better if he stays ignorant.

’I... honestly, don’t want him to know the truth if possible...’

And I have a feeling that Anne thinks so too.

We arrived at the Duchy and parted ways. I went to my room and ate lunch short after changing into a more homey dress. I thought of taking a nap but I couldn’t get myself to do so.

When it was around five in the afternoon, I decided to send word to the Duke.

’I want to have tea time with him to taste one of the pastries.’

If we eat them just bought we will definitely enjoy them more.

As I was writing the letter on my desk, the Butler knocked on my door.

"Excuse me, My Lady. The Duke has asked for your presence, there is something you must see. Please let me guide you to his office."

The timing was perfect, so I nodded and followed him, thanking my good luck.

Announcing my arrival, the Duke permitted me to enter the room. He was making his way from behind the desk to the couches at the centre of the room when the butler opened the door. A beaming smile was painted on his face once he saw me.

"Marianne!... Please come in."

I pondered about why he was so happy and, not much time passed before I knew the reason for his excitement.

"It has arrived, Dear."

’Really?!’

"..."

’... What did...?’

A drop of sweat went down my neck because I had no idea what he was talking about.