Chapter 71

While wishing I had brought a book, I folded my arms on the kitchen counter and used them as a pillow.

I could just go back to my room to get one, but for some reason, even that seemed troublesome.

I absentmindedly watched the oven, which was filled with a warm orange glow.

"Oh, what a nice smell."

I looked up at the sudden voice.

It was my mother entering the kitchen. It must be hot in here, as she opened the fan in her hand and waved it back and forth.

"I'm baking muffins. Would you like some iced tea, Mom?"

"I might have some. Can I wait here for them to be done?"

"Of course, but it's hot in here."

"It's fine as long as there's iced tea. Besides, I want to eat them fresh out of the oven."

I couldn't help but laugh at my mother's mischievous smile.

I stood up and took glasses from the cupboard. Since Dorothea had already prepared an ice bucket, I put ice in the glasses. The high, crisp sound of the ice clinking was refreshing.

When I returned to the counter, my mother was bringing a chair over.

I poured the iced tea from the pitcher into the glasses and placed one in front of her.

My glass was already sweating, so I wiped the water off with a napkin. The cold water felt good on my fingertips.

"Joel isn't coming today, huh? Everyone was disappointed."

"He has work. He's out of town today and tomorrow. He's supposed to return to the knights' barracks the day after tomorrow, though."

I said this, recalling the contents of the letter.

The guild staff are here today, but they must have been really happy about getting their swords checked by Noah yesterday. I was asked multiple times, "Is Lord Einhardt here?"

"That's right. Aren't you going to take a break for a while?"

"Well... I'm thinking of going the day after tomorrow. I need to tell my supervisor later."

"Oh, but... the princess is returning the day after tomorrow, right? You might run into her?"

My mother's expression clouded with concern as she brought the iced tea glass to her lips.

I moved the small plate of macarons towards her and smiled reassuringly.

"The day after tomorrow, a lot of new books are coming in. We need more hands, so I thought I'd go. I'll work in the back, so I won't run into the princess. Besides... I doubt I'll have time to run into her on the day she returns."

"That might be true... But if it's your decision, I won't object. I just want you to be careful, that's all."

"Thank you, Mom."

I feel cherished.

By my mother, father, and brother... not just my family, but also my friends and close ones.

Today, I feel it strongly, and it makes my chest ache. To swallow the rising emotions, I took a sip of iced tea.

"By the way, how was the new house yesterday?"

"It was beautiful. But we decided to build a gazebo in the backyard, so there will be more construction. They're also adding a door from the library to the backyard."

"Oh, good thing the wedding is still a while away."

My mother laughed. On her slender finger, picking up a macaron, was a ring the same color as my father's eyes. I've always had the habit of touching this ring, but does my mother know?

"Actually... Mom, we... want to move the wedding up."

"Huh?"

"It was supposed to be in winter, but maybe in autumn... I know it will be a lot of work, but..."

My mother nodded slightly and bit into a pink macaron.

I know I'm asking a lot. We need to inform the Einhardt family... Noah said he would do it, but we'll also need to talk to his mother about it.

"It's because of what happened, right? I understand. You want to feel secure together, don't you?"

"Yes. ...I want a stronger bond than just being engaged."

My mother sighed deeply and smiled gently.

Her cold hand overlapped mine on the counter. The warmth of her gentle grip has been the same since I was a child.

"You'll be busy, so be prepared."

"Mm... I know."

"...I thought we'd have more time together until winter, but it will be sooner than that."

"Mom..."

"I'm happy for your happiness. But I can't help feeling sad. Even after you marry, you'll still be my daughter, and this will always be your home."

I feel sad too.

I want to be with Noah, but leaving this house is still sad.

Trying to hold back tears, my mother poked my forehead with her finger and chuckled.

"You look so miserable. You'll still be working, and the new house is close, so we can always see each other. You can see Cecilia, so you can see me too."

My sister Cecilia married into a viscount's family.

I heard her belly is getting bigger and she's often resting at home due to severe morning sickness. This morning, I talked with my brother about visiting her when she feels better.

The kitchen was filled with the sound of a bell.

The sound signaling the muffins were done, I hurriedly stood up from my chair.

"Oh no, I completely forgot."

I put on the thick oven mitts and opened the oven door. The delicious smell of muffins immediately filled the air.

I pulled out the four baking sheets one by one and lined them up on the counter.

Hmm, they have a nice golden color. They're not burnt.

I checked with a toothpick, but no batter stuck to it.

It's okay, they look delicious today too.

It was a bit of a hassle to remove all of them from the pans. After all, there are thirty-two of them.

I placed them one by one on the prepared plates and returned to my mother. She clapped her hands together in a small applause. I handed her a knife and fork and sat down again.

"They look beautifully baked. They look delicious."

"Be careful, they're still hot."

"Yes, but they're best eaten while they're still warm."

My mother usually eats muffins with her hands, but they're too hot this time. I used a knife and fork to cut them into bite-sized pieces.

As I brought a forkful of muffin to my mouth, the scent of tea wafted up.

The steam rising made them look even more delicious. I blew on them to cool them down a bit and took a bite while they were still warm.

"Mmm! Delicious, but... it's so hot."

Even my breath was hot. I managed to chew and swallow, then cooled my mouth with iced tea.

I thought I might have put too many tea leaves, but it seems just right. The aroma of tea is well integrated with the buttery flavor. It might be a bit sweeter when it cools down.

The fresh-out-of-the-oven muffins are slightly crispy on the outside, which is delicious. They'll be soft when they cool, so this is a privilege for those who wait for them to be done.

"They're very delicious. But you made quite a lot."

"I thought I'd eat a lot... but you're right, it might be a bit too much. I'm thinking of sending some to Noah."

"He'll surely be happy."

I nodded at my mother's words and took another sip of iced tea.

He will... no, I'm confident he will be happy.

After all, they turned out so delicious. Noah would probably laugh at a small mistake.

I wonder how many times I've thought about how much I want to see him.

I'll write that in today's letter. Thinking this, I cut another muffin.