How About a Refill? ~The Elegant Tea Party of the Grand Witches~ - Chapter 42

The Bakery

‘Prodotti da Forno was a shop specialising in baked goods located in the third district of the capital. It was a bit expensive for the common people to buy from everyday, but the value was good for the quality and the products were often bought as presents or gifts.

Also, the owner used to work as a baker in the royal palace, which was why the shop was so popular also among the nobility. Emilio was one of them, and would often sneak out of the palace to come visit the shop.

When Miriam and Emilio entered the shop, they were led to a small tearoom by an attendant. The shop didn’t only do takeaways, but also offered spaces for people to have some tea along with pastries made from carefully picked seasonal fruits, delicious cream, and handmade jams.

“I always wanted to visit this shop! Thank you for bringing me!”

The two made small talk as they looked over the menu. Miriam ordered some crostata, while Emilio picked sfogliatella* along with some tea for both.

*TN: (an italian pastry)

While they waited for their order, Miriam gazed around the store in wonder. That’s when she noticed a tall, well-dressed man standing in front of one of the showcases was looking at her from time to time.

‘That man keeps looking here, is he someone who knows Prince Emilio? He looks like he wants to call out but doesn’t seem sure of it…’ 

Emilio hadn’t seemed to notice since he was looking at nothing but Miriam. Miriam leaned over and whispered into his ear.

“Um, Prince Emilio, do you know that man standing in front of the showcase? He’s been looking over here for some while now…”

“Huh?”

Emilio turned to the man who, noticing the prince was looking at him, did a small bow.

Emilio beckoned him over with his hand. The man who came over to them with a wide smile was no other than Dino Jannic Basco Zlatanov. He was the aide of second prince, Ivan, and a friend of Leonardo’s from their boarding school days. 

“Hey, hey, how are you, Mr. Emil?”

“I’m fine. But I’m really busy since I also have to take over the work of my foolish little brother these days.”

“…. that’s a shame.”

Dino glanced at Miriam and grinned.

Emilio quickly pulled Miriam behind his back at the grin.

“Oh there’s more to you than meets the eye, Mr. Emil. I wonder who this cute young lady is? Hello! I’m Dino!”

Dino introduced himself to Miriam completely overlooking the fact that Emilio was trying to hide her. Emilio knitted his brows at Dino’s behaviour and grudgingly replied.

“This is my fiance.”

Dino was surprised to hear that, and glanced at Miriam once again.

“Your fiance is the… sick ephemeral princess?”

“Don’t call her by that name.”

Emilio glared at Dino and then turned to Miriam with a worried expression, but Miriam smiled reassuringly back at him.

“My name is Miriam. I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.”

Since they were on an incognito date, she only gave her first name, keeping her family name to herself.

“By the way, what are you doing at this place?”

Why was the second prince’s aide, Dino at this bakery? It was announced to the public that Ivan was travelling abroad out of the kingdom, while, in reality, he was currently under house arrest in a villa in the outskirts of the capital.

“Well the boss has been feeling down ever since that incident. So, as his loving aide, I decided to buy his favourite biscotti for him.”

“…I see. Sorry about the trouble he caused you.”

“Well he’s like a younger brother to me as well. Oops, is it disrespectful to say that about royalty?”

Dino and Ivan seemed to have a similar relationship as Leonardo and Emilio. Right now they hardly talked to each other, but the four used to play together when they were younger.

Leonardo and Dino had become friends in school, and were still on good terms despite being in different political factions. Similarly, for Emilio, Ivan was still his younger brother even if they had different mothers. However, he didn’t think they would be able to get along now, both in public and when by themselves.

“No, you should continue looking after him. It’s no longer easy for me to do so.”

The air around Emilio looked gloomy as he smiled sadly.

“Sorry. From Millie’s point of view, he’s someone who can’t be forgiven.”

“No, but he is still your younger brother.”

Regarding Alessia’s kidnapping, it can be said that Ivan was merely a pawn in the kidnappers’ plan, since they had been targeting Alessia from the start. But, Miriam’s feelings about the matter were complicated. Her sister Alessia had been spending her days listlessly ever since she came back from being kidnapped; she was completely different from before.

She felt like she couldn’t forgive Ivan easily who had been part of her kidnapping. However, Ivan was still the younger brother of her fiance, and would later become her brother-in-law once she got married.

She felt like a day would come when these feelings would disappear, but it was hard to tell. It was still too soon right now.

“Speaking of, Miss Miriam…”

BANG!

Dino was just about to say something when a loud explosion came from outside. They went to the window to see the shop was surrounded by people in red robes.