TDRDH :09

CHAPTER :09

“Oh, thank you for the meal!”

That was when I was taking my time savoring each bite of the tart and pound cake.

A hand quietly reached out toward me.

‘Huh?’

I raised my head with my mouth full of tart.

Then, Cecilia seemed to flinch and freeze for a moment,

before very naturally picking up the plate of chocolate eclairs.

‘Was she just about to pat me on the head…? Nah, no way.’

My attention was drawn once again to the plate being placed in front of me.

“Try this one, too.”

Again?

I was starting to get full.

But Cecilia was acting just like a grandmother welcoming her grandchild for the holidays after a long time.

Meaning, she was absolutely itching to feed me.

“Won’t your mouth get too sweet if you only eat sugary things? Have a sandwich, too.”

“Th-thank you…”

“Would you like some more tea?”

Cecilia personally lifted the teapot.

At this rate, she looked ready to top off my cup, which was still more than half full.

“Oh, I still have plenty of tea and dessert left! I’ll eat a bit more slowly!”

I quickly waved my hands to stop Cecilia.

Cecilia set the teapot down with a slightly disappointed look.

“Right, you’ll get indigestion if you eat too fast.”

Only then did I begin to savor the food, taking my time.

“Chew your food well.”

She kind of feels like my mom.

“Yes, My Lady.”

I nodded with a bright smile, but it only lasted for a moment.

At the sudden thought of my mother, my mouth suddenly felt dry and rough.

‘My mom…’

The fork in my hand suddenly felt heavy.

The desserts that had been melting so sweetly on the tip of my tongue now felt gritty, rolling around in my mouth like sand.

‘She’s probably never had… such luxurious desserts before.’

I completely lost my appetite.

I tried my best not to pick at my food.

But I couldn’t escape Cecilia’s hawk-like, piercing gaze.

“What’s with that look on your face?”

“Oh, it’s just… my mom has never tried desserts like this before…”

I answered absentmindedly, then bit my lip in realization.

I had made a slip of the tongue.

Even though I knew full well how Cecilia was usually treated by her family.

‘It feels like I was showing off how close I am with my mom for no reason.’

Not knowing what to do, I cautiously studied Cecilia’s reaction.

Cecilia, on the other hand, wore an unreadable expression.

Her calm, blue-green eyes stared intently at me, and then…

“Whatever, just eat.”

She huffed and quickly turned her head away.

‘What was that?’

Is she upset? Or is she okay?

Feeling thoroughly confused, I took a large bite of the ham and cheese sandwich.

At that, my eyes widened slightly.

‘My mom would really love this sandwich.’

Especially the sauce spread on the bread—it was phenomenally delicious.

‘I should drop by the kitchen before heading home later.’

I’ll ask how they made the sauce.

Hmm, and if I’m lucky, maybe I can even get some leftover ham and cheese?

And on my way home.

I didn’t even need to drop by the kitchen.

“Here, take this.”

The chef had personally come to find me and handed over a massive basket.

It was so heavy that my arm nearly sagged the moment I took hold of it.

Flustered, I asked.

“What is this?”

The chef shrugged and replied.

“I packed a variety of all the desserts you had at teatime today. I made sure to pack plenty of sandwiches in particular.”

“Pardon?”

Sandwiches? Wasn’t that exactly what I was planning to make for my mom?

Just then, the chef added another word.

“The Lady ordered me to pack them for you.”

…What?!

* * *

“My goodness, Lena. What is all this?”

Confronted with a luxurious spread that looked fit for a noble household, my mother’s eyes widened in surprise.

I proudly raised my chin.

“Looks delicious, right? The Lady packed it for me!”

“The Lady… The one you started serving this time?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

I nodded with a smile.

Cecilia was surprisingly attentive.

Considering that it was almost dinner time, she had packed not only desserts but also various foods that could make a proper meal.

Thanks to that, my mother and I were able to enjoy a hearty feast.

“Mom, try this sandwich.”

I quickly slid the sandwich I had been eyeing earlier in front of her.

Then, I immediately pushed a plate with a large meat pie toward her as well.

“This meat pie looks delicious, too. You know it tastes best when it’s hot, right?”

“I’m eating, I’m eating. My goodness, I’m living in luxury thanks to my daughter. You should eat some, too.”

Chuckling, Mom cut a large piece of the meat pie and placed it on my plate.

I deliberately pouted and glared at her.

“I’m not eating unless you eat first.”

“Goodness, stop being so dramatic.”

Unable to win against my persistence, Mom cut off a bite of the meat pie and ate it.

Instantly, her eyes went round.

“Oh my, this is really delicious!”

“Right? The chef at the annex is incredibly talented.”

Starting with that, my mother and I chatted warmly.

About how strict Mrs. Tilda, the head maid, was.

And what the personalities of the annex employees were like.

But of all the many topics we discussed, the one that took up by far the most time was…

“And then, guess what the Lady did…”

Cecilia, of course.

After listening intently to my stories for a while, Mom asked in a playful voice.

“It seems my daughter really likes this Lady, huh?”

“What? Why?”

“Well, you talk about her every single day lately.”

Mom shrugged and added.

“You always have the biggest smile on your face whenever you mention her.”

“…….”

I was temporarily lost for words.

I’m… smiling?

I unconsciously touched the corners of my mouth.

I felt my lips curved upward in a gentle arc.

After a moment of hesitation, I gave a small nod.

“……Yeah, I think she’s a good person.”

It was true that I had been reluctant around Cecilia at first.

I couldn’t help it.

She was the original female protagonist who would ruin me utterly in the future.

But watching her up close, Cecilia was just an ordinary girl you could find anywhere.

On the outside, she seemed like a haughty cat, but…

…in reality, she was a lonely girl.

A lovely young lady who desperately craved her family’s affection.

‘I hope Cecilia can be happy with her family, too.’

Cutting off a large piece of meat pie and putting it in my mouth, I thought of her once more.

Although the original novel carried the tag of “family regret,”

I still hoped that Cecilia’s family wouldn’t leave her alone for too long.

Just as my mom was always by my side.

I wished Cecilia’s family would stop obsessing over their “real daughter” and truly accept her.

‘What is Cecilia doing right now?’

I hoped she wouldn’t be too lonely, at least tonight.

I truly hoped she could enjoy a peaceful evening.

…I prayed with all my heart.