“Alright.”
Upon hearing this, Finihiya glanced sideways, peeking at Darlian’s profile.
“Don’t you think it’s a hassle? Coming all the way out here just to eat.”
“I don’t see it that way.” As she spoke, a deeper smile tugged at the corners of Darlian’s lips. “Meals are always better with more people.”
“Do you have the servants leave when you eat, Darlian?”
“That’s not what I meant.”
As if feeling a bit helpless, Darlian’s shoulders drooped.
Perplexed.
They spent the morning in a pleasant and harmonious atmosphere.
By the time they finished breakfast and prepared to head into town, it was already quietly nearing nine o’clock.
Compared to Darlian’s plan to set out at seven thirty, they were over an hour late.
“Lady Darlian, the carriage is ready.”
The carriage…
As she walked toward the front door of the manor, she pondered for a moment, then replied to Danila in her usual tone.
“There’s no need to prepare the carriage.”
“…Understood.”
Compared to Danila’s sudden look of realization, Finihiya only tilted her head adorably, a hint of confusion appearing on her delicate cheeks.
“If we’re not taking the carriage, how are we getting there?”
“I know Flight Magic. It’s much faster than the carriage.”
Hearing this answer, a look of timidity flickered in Finihiya’s eyes. She bit her cherry lips two or three times, then fell silent, saying nothing more.
At first, she was puzzled by Finihiya’s somewhat odd expression.
But when she picked Finihiya up and was about to soar toward the distant sky, a voice of fear and pleading suddenly broke out.
“Put… put me down, please…”
She was a little surprised to discover that Finihiya had a fear of heights.
Originally, she’d just wanted to tease Finihiya a little, but when she noticed those rose-colored cheeks had gone completely pale, a wave of guilt welled up deep inside her.
Landing again in front of the manor’s courtyard, Finihiya clung to her, trembling.
It looked like her limbs had gone weak from sheer terror.
“Whew—” After quite a while, Finihiya gently pressed her small hand to her chest and raised one cheek in a wry smile, sighing, “I really thought I was going to die.”
“How come you’re afraid of heights?”
“Being scared of heights is just human nature, okay?” Finihiya gave her a subtle look. “Most people are afraid of it.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, Darlian is just used to it.” As if she needed to spill all her recent fear, Finihiya took another deep breath. “Watching the ground drop away, it’s really terrifying.”
Darlian twirled a lock of hair around her finger.
“What’s so scary about it? I wouldn’t let you fall.”
“With only two hands as your safety measures, I’m really not reassured.”
“Safety measures……”
Because of Finihiya’s fear of heights, she had to give up on this more convenient means of travel and switched to taking the carriage.
***
After days of heavy rain, the city had been washed clean.
Finihiya vaguely felt the streets looked much cleaner than before.
Like an ink-drawn carriage, their coach rolled leisurely over the stone-paved streets.
Seated inside, Finihiya gazed through the lifted dark gray curtain, taking in the scenery outside.
Compared to her visit half a month ago, the streets and alleys were now decorated with all sorts of flowers and bizarre masks.
Just as her curiosity about these strange things was rising, the carriage slowly pulled up in front of a shop with ornate patterns inlaid on its outer wall.
Through the shop’s glass window, she saw many young men and women sitting inside.
“We’re here, this is Karina’s Bakery.”
Darlian’s gentle voice reached her ears.
At these words, Finihiya shifted her gaze to Darlian beside her.
“So this is the place?”
“Mm.”
A young, robust man—looking nothing like a typical coachman—opened the carriage door.
After Darlian stepped out first, Finihiya finally moved her body, preparing to alight.
“Please give me your hand, Miss Finihiya.”
Having gotten off first, Darlian performed a peculiar bow, putting on the airs of a gentleman as she extended her right hand.
Seeing this, a subtle look flickered in Finihiya’s eyes.
She didn’t say much about it, only cooperated by placing her hand in Darlian’s and offered a polite word of thanks.
“Thank you.”
As she pushed open Karina’s heavy wooden door, a wave of sweet, bready fragrance rushed to greet them.
The décor inside was both luxurious and refined. Several ornate crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, and exquisite oil paintings lined the walls.
Though Finihiya wasn’t well-versed in interior design, she could tell this bakery must have cost a fortune to furnish.
Moreover…
Thinking this, she looked around.
Judging from the luxurious fabrics worn by the customers, most of those who frequented this bakery must be quite well-off.
Following behind Darlian, she approached the display counter filled with all kinds of desserts.
“What would you two ladies like? Here is our menu.”
The staff member on duty was a dark elf, wearing a tall white hat.
Darlian gave the menu a quick glance before tilting her head toward Finihiya.
“What would you like to eat, Finihiya?”
“Cream puff.”
Without much hesitation, Finihiya scanned the menu and made her choice.
“And?”
“Just one cream puff is fine, since we just had breakfast not long ago.”
“You ate breakfast at seven, and it’s nearly eleven now.”
Darlian replied in a subtle tone, then turned to the staff, “We’ll have one cream puff and a cup of black tea each. For the tea, we’d like the one from the Chasman Principality.”
“Certainly, miss. Please wait a moment.”
Finihiya found a seat in a corner, where she could still see the street outside and the people and carriages passing by.
Hmm?
A bit puzzled, she looked up and glanced around the shop.
Many of the patrons inside were sneaking glances in their direction.
She wouldn’t say she was used to these complicated, mixed looks, but Finihiya was gradually starting to adapt.
But……
What struck her as odd was that the customers didn’t seem particularly agitated, even though Demon King Darlian herself was sitting right here.
Carrying this curiosity, she tilted her head and looked at Darlian.
“What’s wrong?”
Perhaps noticing Finihiya’s odd look, Darlian tilted her head in confusion.
“Isn’t Darlian the Demon King?”
“Huh?” The confusion on Darlian’s face deepened. “What are you getting at?”
“It’s nothing…” Finihiya shook her head slightly. “I just find it strange that you’re out and about like this, yet there’s no chaos.”
“So that’s what you meant.”