Chapter 10

We've had meals together a few times before, but no matter how delicious the food was, he never showed any reaction.

But this time, he raised his eyebrows in surprise and muttered, "It's delicious."

"Right! The sweets made by Lady Sophie are really delicious!"

Rebecca also seemed delighted to hear Alan's words.

"...Yeah, it's delicious."

Alan took another bite and said so. It didn't seem like a mistake.

Could it be that Alan actually likes sweet things?

If that's the case, I like them too, and I'm glad.

"If it's delicious, I'm glad. Do you like sweet things, Alan?"

"No, I don't particularly like them. In fact, I'm rather averse to them."

"Really?"

"Yeah, I don't have any particular favorite foods. I can eat anything, but there are things I don't like, so I've told the chef not to include them in the meals. Sweet things are among them."

Ah, so he really doesn't like sweet things.

If that's the case, when Rebecca asked him to try the pancakes, he probably tried to eat them despite his aversion.

But Alan said it was delicious.

Was it just flattery?

"Ah, you don't like sweet things... I'm sorry, Alan, for making you eat them."

Rebecca, who had been cheerful just a moment ago, now looked apologetic and apologized.

"No, Rebecca, there's no need to apologize. If I didn't like it, I would have said so. I really think it's delicious. It's not flattery."

"R-really?"

"Yeah."

Alan took another bite of the pancake to prove it, and finished it in no time.

Rebecca smiled happily.

"Thank you for the meal. It was delicious."

"I'm glad!"

Alan finished eating and reached for the teacup next to him, but it seemed to be empty.

"Shall I get you some tea?"

"Yeah, can you call a maid?"

"Ah, I'll go get the maid!"

Rebecca said this and left the office. Alan and I were left alone to chat lightly.

"Was it really delicious?"

"How many times do I have to say it? I don't tell pointless lies."

Indeed, he doesn't seem like the type to tell flattery or lies, even in social situations.

"Then, have you started to like sweet things?"

"Hmm, that's possible. I haven't had them for a few years, so my taste might have changed."

"Rebecca and I will make them again, so please join us next time."

When I said this, Alan raised his eyebrows in surprise, then smiled warmly.

"Yeah, that sounds good."

Seeing Alan smile so kindly made my heart skip a beat. His features are so beautiful, and his smile is lovely.

He even looks a bit like Rebecca, so he's cute too.

Just as I was lost in thought about Alan's smile and words, there was a knock on the door.

Rebecca and a maid entered.

"I've brought the tea."

"Ah, thank you, Rebecca."

"Y-yes!"

Rebecca smiled happily when thanked by Alan. Yes, they really do look a bit alike.

When Alan took a sip of tea, I remembered that this was his office and he was still working.

"Alan, I'm sorry for keeping you from your work."

"No, it was a good break."

"I'm glad. Then we'll take our leave."

"Goodbye."

Rebecca and I bowed and left the office. As we walked down the hallway, we chatted.

"I'm glad Alan enjoyed it."

"Yes, Lady Sophie's sweets are delicious!"

"It's because Rebecca worked hard to bake them."

However, I didn't expect Alan to enjoy them so much. We didn't use any special ingredients, and it was a normal recipe... I wonder why?

"I want to make sweets with Lady Sophie again!"

"Sure, I enjoyed making them with Rebecca too. Next time, we'll share some with Alan."

"Y-yes... Lady Sophie..."

Rebecca stopped and looked up at me, so I met her gaze.

"What is it?"

"Um, Lady Sophie, you call Alan without using honorifics, right?"

"Yes, Alan said it was fine."

"T-then... can you call me Rebecca too...?"

She said this with a mix of anxiety and hope.

C-cute...!

M-my heart is racing so fast, I think it might stop.

I squatted down to meet Rebecca's eyes and smiled.

"Sure, I understand, Rebecca."

"Thank you...!"

"No, I'm sorry. Even though we're family, I've been a bit formal."

"I guess I haven't been treating you like family."

I need to be more decisive. I'm the only one who can stop her from a disastrous future.

"Rebecca, is there anything else you want to ask me?"

"Ask...?"

I thought she might have other requests since I had been formal with her, but maybe I was too abrupt.

"Feel free to ask me anything. I'll do whatever I can."

I said this and held Rebecca's hand as we walked. After a while, Rebecca whispered, "Ah..."

"Hmm? Rebecca, what is it?"

"N-nothing."

It sounded like she had an idea, but...

Do you have a request for me?

"Y-yes... that..."

She does have something.

"What is it?"

"Um... about how you call me..."

"How I call you?"

I'm not sure if she means how I call her or how she calls me.

"Um, no! Can I ask for something else instead?"

"You can ask for as many things as you want."

"I'm still a bit nervous about this... Can I ask for something else?"

"Sure?"

I'm not sure what she means, but I'm glad she's starting to make requests. It must have been tough for her before, and I want to fulfill any requests she has.

"What is it?"

"Today, I think I'll be sleeping in the main house for the first time."

"Yes, in your new room in the main house."

"Yes... The bed is bigger than usual, so I feel a bit lonely..."

Rebecca squeezed my hand tightly.

"C-can you sleep with me...?"

"..."

I almost fainted from cuteness...! There's an angel...!

"Of course, Rebecca. Let's sleep together tonight?"

"Thank you!"

Her worried face turned into a full bloom of a smile.

Ah, the request itself was cute, and her expressions and movements were too adorable. If an angel-like child asks to sleep with you, you'd want to sleep with them anytime.

But I don't think this was her original request, was it?

What did she want to ask for?

Well, I'll look forward to her telling me someday.

After that, Rebecca and I slept in her new room until morning. At first, I watched her cute sleeping face like last time, but I eventually fell asleep.

I feel like we're getting along well, and that's good.