Chapter 4

My younger sister was invited to Prince Alexandre's tea party.

Prince Alexandre, the second prince, is in the same grade as me, but we never spoke since we are from a mere baron's family. Perhaps he was taken with my sister's carefree nature.

Speaking of which, this morning, while I was walking to my classroom with my sister, I saw Marianne talking to Prince Alexandre from the second floor.

Marianne is usually quite rude and shows no sign of remorse for her behavior. I was worried that she might offend the prince.

However, the prince, being a broad-minded person, seemed to have let it pass without any issue. When the prince waved at her, Marianne, of all things, waved back.

(That's where you should bow!)

I gritted my teeth, but when Marianne noticed me, she waved at me. I couldn't bring myself to wave back.

Why is Father so lenient with Marianne? He talks to her with a smile every day, which is completely different from how he treats me. Is it because she is the child of that woman?

Does he like that woman so much?

That woman is the complete opposite of my late mother, more like a commoner. Compared to my mother, who was as delicate as glass, Marianne has a robust build like a peasant. She often bursts into laughter.

The food has also changed a lot since that woman came to our house. Rich sauces and spices have been replaced with more vegetables and simpler seasonings.

Father says, "Thanks to the noble lady, everyone is healthier."

Even the head chef says, "The simple seasoning brings out the quality of the ingredients, so we are more motivated to source them."

But I feel uncomfortable as it seems to be getting closer to the food of commoners.

"Be a lady."

"Adhere to the norms of the nobility."

I was always raised with these words. I have been scolded many times but never praised. The house has changed without my noticing.

Ah, but more importantly, the prince's tea party.

I should be grateful to be invited, but I'm worried about what Marianne might do, and it's making my stomach hurt.

It would be nice if there were other well-mannered young ladies attending to prevent Marianne from making a fool of herself.

Mother in heaven, please help me.

I pray, but I can't imagine what Mother would say in response.

Mother would only greet me when we passed in the hallway; she didn't talk to me much.

When I asked my friends, they said the same thing: "I didn't talk to my parents much."

Well, perhaps the way Marianne and I were raised is different because I will inherit this house, and she will marry into another family.

By the way, how are the preparations for the tea party? I think Sebastian, who is meticulous, has taken care of everything, but it's a bit nerve-wracking to bring anything to the palace, which has everything.

Well, I need to choose a dress, and accessories and shoes as well.

What? What is it?

I was lost in thought when a maid spoke to me, looking worried.

What!?

"Marianne is baking pastries with the new mother" and "She's going to bring them to the prince's tea party"?

I feel a bit dizzy. Why isn't anyone stopping her?

"It's okay because it's a tea party for children"… No way! If anything happens to the prince's health, our family will be ruined!

What is she baking, anyway?

What? A custard-filled apple pie? Is she going to make the prince eat such common food?

I ran down the stairs and rushed to the kitchen. This isn't the time to worry about propriety.

"Huff, huff, huff, huff… Marianne!"

"Yes, sister. Is something wrong?"

"You, you, you're going to make Prince Alexandre eat a homemade apple pie?"

"Yes. Since they have the best chefs in the country, bringing expensive cakes from a fancy shop wouldn't make much of a difference.

I thought a homemade, simple apple pie would be more economical and unique, and he might enjoy it. Hehe."

Hehe, no.

I've never heard of bringing homemade pastries to the palace.

I was so shocked that I couldn't speak, and I was trembling.

"It's okay, sister. I'll bake three whole pies so that they can be thoroughly tested for poison!"

The new mother is nodding along beside her.

Oh, God…

Why don't this mother and daughter think of preparing pastries from the best confectionery shop in the capital?

I felt dizzy and went limp, and Marianne brought a chair for me to sit on.

"Sister, calm down. This is a sample we baked for our family to try."

She cut a small piece of the freshly baked apple pie and put it in my mouth.

"Hot!"

Oh, I let out an undignified sound.

...Munch, munch, munch...

The crispy crust breaks to reveal perfectly cooked, sweet apples that are very juicy. The custard cream, which is not too sweet, complements the apples, creating a rich flavor that fills my mouth...

Swallow.

"See? Isn't it delicious? It's a recipe Mother is proud of, which she learned from her grandmother!"

Marianne is smiling, her fluffy blonde hair bouncing.

W-well, it's not bad.

The bottom is especially fragrant and flavorful, perhaps because it has some kind of nut powder in it.

Well, this might not be considered disrespectful as "amateur homemade food."

Let's pray.