Chapter 7

Eleanor took the freshly baked cookies out of the oven, and the sweet scent of vanilla spread throughout the kitchen.

When Aunt Eva took a bite, she nodded in satisfaction.

"They turned out delicious."

"Really!?"

"You didn't burn them this time, so there's nothing more I need to teach you."

Eleanor, praised by Aunt Eva, blushed. She took a bite of the cookie and found it to be the best one she had ever made.

She had also learned to make various pastries, such as cakes, tarts, and apple pies. She could bake bread and had even learned how to make stew.

At first, she had struggled to cut vegetables, but Aunt Eva had patiently taught her.

"Now, you can get married anytime with peace of mind."

"Eva, Ellie is only fifteen! It's too early."

When Aunt Eva gave her the thumbs up, Betty, the maid, pointed out.

Betty, who had eaten a cookie, smiled and said, "Mm, delicious!" before grabbing two more and hurrying off to continue cleaning.

It had been a year and a half since Eleanor came to the capital.

"The national army is returning from the western fortress."

One day, Zagary announced the long-awaited news.

The return of the national army meant the war was over.

(Father is coming back!)

Eleanor's heart was filled with joy.

The war had lasted five years, but fortunately, no nobles had died. She was relieved that they were safe, though she didn't know if any were injured.

"That's great. You must be excited to see your father, right?"

Zagary patted Eleanor's head, just as he had when they first met.

Eleanor felt grateful that he had hired her, knowing everything about her.

"Yes, thank you."

Eleanor decided to continue working diligently.

"Liam, the war is over!"

When she immediately told Liam, he calmly replied, "It seems so."

"Did you know?"

"I'm excellent, you know. But it will be a few months before they actually return."

"Still, they are coming back."

Eleanor couldn't stop her lips from curling into a smile.

Since then, Eleanor's heart had been light.

She made so many cookies and baked goods that she couldn't finish them all and often took them to the nearby orphanage.

Even though Aunt Eva had praised her, the children were very happy with the sweets made by an amateur.

"Wow, they're so delicious!"

"Thank you, sister."

"Mmm, mmm... gulp..."

Eleanor was delighted by the children's honest reactions.

The Easton Trading Company regularly donated food and clothing to the orphanage.

When Zagary learned that Eleanor was bringing sweets, he started to send supplies from the company.

"Then, Ellie, I'll leave it to you this time too."

"Yes!"

Eleanor cheerfully replied to Zagary, sat on the driver's seat of the small cart, and opened her parasol. She placed a basket of freshly baked cookies on her lap.

She was delivering food supplies to the orphanage on Zagary's behalf. The driver started the cart, and it slowly moved along the familiar road.

With the war over, the expressions of the people passing by seemed brighter. Men with bandages on their legs and arms were occasionally seen, as soldiers were returning.

Moreover, the social season had begun, and the capital was bustling with nobles who had gathered from their estates.

"Hello."

When Eleanor entered the orphanage with the cookies, it seemed there were already visitors, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of cake.

It was not uncommon for her deliveries to coincide with those of noble young ladies who had come to the capital.

(Well, it's fine. They can eat them tomorrow.)

Eleanor handed the basket of cookies to the sister and returned to the cart to help with the unloading. Although she couldn't carry the heavy bags of flour, she could manage a small wooden box of apples with some effort.

"Ellie, don't overdo it."

"I'm fine, just this much."

The driver was concerned, but Eleanor couldn't just stand by and do nothing.

After a few trips, when there was nothing left to carry, the sister called out to her.

"Thank you always. Please convey my regards to President Zagary."

The sound of children playing in the backyard caught her attention. "The princess has been here since earlier, distributing sweets to the orphans in celebration of the victory."

The princess was the queen's envoy, someone far above Eleanor's reach.

"Then, I'll take my leave today."

Eleanor felt she had no place there and decided to leave early.

While chatting idly with the sister who had come to see her off, she waited for the cart to be ready. Suddenly, a luxurious carriage pulled up.

Although she couldn't see inside, Eleanor bowed, assuming a noble was inside.

The sound of someone getting out and standing before the sister made her heart race.

This voice—.

(Father!?)

Rudely, she lifted her head slightly, and their eyes met.

(It really is Father! He's back safely.)

He looked a bit older and thinner, but seeing her father's face, which she remembered so well, brought a surge of emotions.

Just as Eleanor was about to call out "Father," she was interrupted.

"Are you here to make a donation to the orphanage? That's very kind of you."

For someone who doesn't seem wealthy—his tone implied.

Eleanor couldn't immediately respond. She hadn't imagined that her father wouldn't recognize her.

"Huh? Ah, well... I..."

She tried to say, "I am your daughter," but her mouth wouldn't move.

In the next moment, her father's gaze shifted. The Duke of Hofmann's daughter appeared from inside.

"Oh, you've come all the way, Lord Barley. Thank you."

"No, I was nearby on business. My father asked me to stop by on the way back."

"There aren't enough carriages for the celebration today."

The young lady, with her clear and resonant voice, took her father's hand and walked past Eleanor, getting into the carriage. The door closed, and it slowly drove away.

Eleanor could only stand there, stunned.

She had forgotten to hold her parasol, and it started to drizzle.