Chapter 55

As the lunch break arrived and I stepped out of the library, Emma was already standing at the gate. Holding a paper bag in one hand, she waved at me with the other. Her brightness made me smile.

"Did I keep you waiting?"

"I just got here myself. Come on, let's go!"

While wondering where we were going, I started walking with Emma. I couldn't help but look around... I didn't want to see the envoy group. No, that's not it. I didn't want to see Noah with the princess. I wanted to see him, but... I was afraid to see them together.

Fortunately, we didn't run into anyone from Anheim... or rather, it seemed like there were fewer people around. The park was ahead, but we were walking on a back street instead of the main road. ...Perhaps this was Emma's consideration. Thinking that, I felt like crying again. I sighed at how easily I had become tearful.

"Today is a picnic! If I didn't have work later, I would have brought a bottle or two of wine."

"Hehe, drinking wine outdoors does sound fun. The weather is nice and comfortable."

At the edge of the park, Emma spread a blanket on the grass and gestured for me to sit. Sitting next to Emma, I looked up at the sky, which was a deep blue that seemed to draw me in. The thin clouds looked like water-diluted paint.

Despite the summer feel, it wasn't hot because we were in the shade. The refreshing breeze carried the scent of greenery.

"I wanted to bring wine too, but I was stopped by the others. They said they have a good white wine, so come over for a drink sometime."

"Yes, I will definitely come."

"Thank you. Instead of wine, I prepared peach iced tea. And this is a special lunch from the Tairisu Cafe."

With a "here," I received a small wooden container. Opening the lid of the beautiful wooden box, I saw neatly arranged crepes. Some were darker, so they were probably made with galette batter.

"Wow, they're so cute."

"They taste great too. Let's eat."

Emma handed me a wooden cup with a smile. The sweet scent of peaches wafted from it, and inside were small pieces of peach.

Placing the lunch on my lap and setting the cup on the blanket, I clasped my hands in prayer, though I ended up speaking quickly.

I picked up one of the crepes.

Wrapped in a beautiful light yellow dough were lettuce, chicken, and chopped boiled eggs. The red tomato sauce was very pretty.

They weren't too big, making them easy to eat. Taking a bite, the tangy sauce, sweet crepe dough, and tender chicken were delicious.

"Delicious."

"I'm glad. It's nice to eat outside once in a while."

"Yes, it feels very good."

In the bright atmosphere, the gloomy feelings seemed to fade away for a moment.

I think Emma must know about Noah. She probably came to cheer me up... but that might be wishful thinking.

"Emma... thank you."

"Hmm? I just wanted to have lunch with Alicia. But... if you want to talk about anything, I'm here to listen."

As she reached for her second crepe, Emma smiled. It was the same gentle smile I always saw at the Tairisu Cafe, and I couldn't hold back my tears. They rolled down my cheeks. I could usually hold back in front of my family, but the atmosphere at the Tairisu Cafe made it impossible.

"...Emma, I think you know about the rumors about Noah and the princess."

"Of course."

Wiping away my tears with my fingertips, I reached for the next crepe. The galette dough had a fragrant aroma when I brought it close. It seemed to contain boiled shrimp and cheese.

"In a few days, the princess will return home, and I know I should endure until then... but I can't help feeling uneasy. I miss him, and I don't want to see Noah with the princess."

Emma nodded as she listened. Her red floral hair accessory swayed in the wind.

"I'm not doubting Noah's feelings. I know he's not that kind of person. But I still feel anxious. Thinking about how others feel about Noah makes me even more uneasy. ...Honestly, I hate being jealous about his work. I wish I could be more relaxed and not care so much."

"Feeling jealous is completely normal. No one would feel good about another woman being with the person they like, whether it's for work or not."

Her strong tone made me blink. Emma poked my forehead with her finger, as if it were obvious.

Am I the only one who feels this way?

"That just shows how much you care about Noah. There's no need to get rid of those feelings of unease and jealousy. ...But, those feelings do make you feel bad, don't they?"

Love is really complicated.

Emma's words seemed to be carried away by the wind.

That's right.

I feel this way because I love Noah.

I want him to look at me and only me. I want him to be by my side. I want his gentle gaze, his teasing remarks, and the warmth of his embrace to be directed only at me.

And he – I know he gives those things only to me.

"...Thank you, Emma. I feel a bit better."

"Good? Well, it's only a few more days. When Noah's work is done, come over for a drink again."

"Yes, I will definitely come."

That's right, only a few more days.

I had been telling myself this all along, but now I felt like I truly understood it.

It's okay. I can say that confidently now.

Feeling relieved, I suddenly realized I was very hungry and bit into the crepe.

The tangy sauce went well with the shrimp's flavor. The cheese seemed to enhance the smoothness rather than overpower it.

I quickly finished the second crepe and picked up the cup to drink the iced tea.

The sweetness of the peaches blended into the tea, making it delicious. It wasn't overly sweet but refreshed my mouth, probably because the tea was brewed strong.

Thinking about which flavor to try next, I saw that Emma had taken out some snacks from the paper bag. They were cookies shaped like birds.

"There are a lot, so if you can't finish them, take them with you. They're individually wrapped, so you can share them at work."

"That's nice, but... is the master obsessed with making cookies now?"

"He's so into it that he makes the molds himself."

Molds?

I was surprised that he would go that far, but it made sense for the master. I laughed, finding it amusing.

Emma laughed along, and our cheerful voices seemed to blend into the blue sky.

When Noah's work is done, I'll tell him about this too. It was a lunch that made me feel that way.